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She gulped as she made her way back to him. He held out her black peacoat, and that was when she noticed the cane.
“Wait. Where are your crutches?” Wasn’t he supposed to be on them for another two weeks?
“Ryan thinks the cane is fine as long as I wear my brace, just for tonight.”
“That’s good, right?”
He nodded.
Bebe murmured her thanks as Jay slipped on her jacket. The scent of lemon and wood wrapped around her.
“You’re welcome.”
She felt the touch of his breath against her neck, and the hairs on her arms shot up. She faced him, then took a step back.
He dipped his head slightly and gestured for her to head outside with his hand. “Your chariot awaits, milady.”
A chuckle escaped at his awful accent, which quickly morphed into a gasp. “A limo?”
A long white car waited at the end of her driveway. A man in a black suit stood next to the vehicle, hands clasped in front of him.
“I figured since I couldn’t afford one in high school, I’d make up for that now,” Jahleel said.
Unease skittered down her spine. “You don’t have to throw your money around.” That was the first thing Will would do.They’re not the same. Stop comparing.She bit back a sigh.
“I know.” His brow furrowed. “This is called making a good impression. Just because you want it to be a working date doesn’t mean I’ll stick entirely to those parameters.”
Bebe nodded. He wasn’t Will. Just the boy who left her without a word.When are you going to forgive him for making a difficult decision?Football was always Jay’s dream, and maybethat was the problem. She feared she’d never measure up to the sport that made him a star.
“What’s going on in that brain of yours?” he asked.
“I’m...” She licked her lips. “I’m good.” She straightened her shoulders and smiled up at him. “Let’s go.” She would practice being in the present even though the past taunted her and the future loomed ahead like the dark pit of a basement.
Please don’t break my heart.
Jay offered the crook of his arm, and she slid her hand around it. A light shiver went through her from the close proximity. “We’re going to the farm first, right?” She had the feeling they wouldn’t just be discussing reindeer-pulled sleighs.
“Yes. Mr. Parker is going to drive us there. We’ll conduct our business and then move on to the real date. Is that okay?”
Her lips twitched. Of course he wouldn’t stick to work, but Bebe would be lying if she claimed to be upset. “Yes. Sounds like a plan.” She slid into the backseat, marveling at the amount of room.
Jahleel followed, stretching out his injured leg. “Then you aren’t mad? I was hoping you wouldn’t find me presumptuous.”
Her eyebrows quirked. “Presumptuous?”
“What? Football players can’t use big words?”
“Ha. If you fell into that stereotype, your parents would expire on the spot.” She smiled at him. Only a strained laugh met her ears. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Why not? It’s true.” He shrugged. “I’m used to their behavior. Or rather, my father’s.”
She yearned to offer a touch of comfort. Instead, she laced her fingers together. “Do you think it’ll ever get better between the two of you?”
“Nah. Not as long as he values spouting Scripture more than establishing relationships.”
“He has his moments. I’ve seen the way he looks at your mom. He obviously adores her.”
Jay scoffed. “Where am I when this happens? He’s usually frowning at her.”
