Page 29 of Just My Luck

An hour and half later, as I was handing over my twenty dollars to Chris, their mother suggested that Jax drive me home instead of Chris.

I gave Ruth a look, but the woman ignored it and waved her hands at me. “I need Chris to help me with a few medical things,” she added.

“Is everything all right?” I asked, suddenly worried.

“Oh, yes, fine, fine. Just a few things left over from James’s hospital stay I want to understand.”

I relaxed a little, then walked over and kissed the woman on the cheek. “Thanks for dinner,” I said as she patted my shoulder.

“Anytime, sweetie.” Then she turned to Jax. “Make sure you walk her into her building.”

“Always,” he answered. Then he took his jacket and headed toward the door. “Night,” he called back to Chris and Rick.

His brothers glanced over and waved.

“What was that all about?” I asked when we were in his truck.

“What?”

“Jacob James Mylonas.” I rolled my eyes. “Your mother just maneuvered us and you know it.”

He chuckled. “She’s been doing that for years. Why let it bother you now?”

“Because,” I said and then dropped off as it hit me.

“Because we hadn’t slept together until now?” he offered, glancing over at me.

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah,” I relented.

“So, this was your big date?” he asked.

I shrugged. “Chris called earlier today and invited me.”

“You know, games are not your strong suit.”

“It worked to piss you off for a few hours,” I retorted, crossing my arms over my chest.

He was quiet as he drove down the mountain. “You’re trying to date then?”

I remained quiet.

“Nova?” He stopped at the stop sign and turned toward me.

“Sort of. I’ve only gone on two dates. Both coffees in the middle of the day,” I finally answered.

“And?”

I paused. “They weren’t you.”

He smiled. “Are we done playing games?”

My eyebrows arched. “I guess that depends.”

“On?” His eyes narrowed slightly.

“You.”

The car behind us honked, and he started driving again.