Read Online Charmed (Contemporary Romance) by Inés Saint - Free Book Online Page A

twenty-eight-year-old — you were both behaving like teenage boys.”
    “Trust me, we weren’t. If Justin would’ve caught me talking to his sister when we were teens, the manager of the coffee shop would be breaking up a fight right now.”
    “It was that bad, huh?”
    “That bad.” He touched the scar on top of his right eyebrow. Justin had a deeper one right above his knee, courtesy of Nick.
    Jamie turned to walk toward the outdoor patio, saying, “I’m going to sit and finish my coffee before I go.”
    He followed her, watching how her long hair brushed her small waist. Unwilling to leave her company just yet, he took a seat facing her, saying, “Thanks for your help, Jamie.”
    “Sure, anytime.”
    They sipped in companionable silence until an idea occurred to him, but he wasn’t sure how to bring it up, so he began with, “So, what do you do with yourself on weekends? Do you ever get any alone time?”
    Jamie shot him a funny look, but didn’t answer. He looked at her expectantly, “Well?”
    Finally, she said, “I’m sorry, Nick. It’s been fun, but I’m not done raising my kids, so I’m really not looking to fill my alone time with anyone.”
    Nick looked back at her as if she were crazy. But then, slowly, it dawned on him. He’d basically asked her the same thing she’d asked him before he’d gone into his whole I’m done raising kids … I’m not looking to fill up my time speech.
    He hung his head. “Did I really sound that arrogant?”
    “Yes.” She laughed.
    “Are you ever going to let me forget it?”
    “I’m a Viera — it’s in my DNA to never let you forget anything potentially humiliating.”
    “It can’t be in your DNA because I’ve always gotten along just fine with your parents.”
    Nick was quiet for a moment, enjoying her laugh. Physical attraction aside, he liked Jamie and her kids. Today they had latched onto the initial connection they’d shared that very first day. He thought he had ruined it for good, but the impish light was back in her eyes.
    He’d been asking about her weekend because he wanted to help her with the swing set strewn around her backyard, but he didn’t know how to offer. It wasn’t about returning the favor she’d done for him today, though he could present it that way. It was about the feeling he’d gotten when he saw it. He knew how difficult being a single parent could be at times, not wanting to rely on anyone, yet needing a break once in a while.
    A swing set for the kids would be a break for Jamie, too. Something they could entertain themselves with. It would give her a bit of alone time. “What are you doing tomorrow morning, specifically?”
    Jamie blinked. “Hanging out with the kids at home … ”
    “Then how about I come by and help you put the swing set together for Michael and Timmy? I’d love to return the favor you did for me today. It wouldn’t even be the first swing set I’ve helped someone from school put together.”
    “You don’t have to return the favor, okay? Justin will get to it, I guarantee it.”
    “Listen.” He faced her. “Emma’s off at college, hockey practice is at least six weeks away, and someone spread a rumor that I have a huge ego, so I’m not getting asked out much lately. You should repay me for spreading that nasty rumor by giving me something to do. Old guys — lonely guys — need projects. I go nuts when I don’t have enough to do.”
    “I’m sure there are quite a few women at The Golden Meadows Retirement Community who would be delighted to have you ask them out. They can also find plenty of handyman things for you to do, if that’s really how you want to spend your Saturday mornings.”
    Nick laughed and got up to leave. It seemed Jamie wouldn’t be taking him up on his offer. He threw his empty coffee cup into the trash, called, “Thanks again, Jamie. See you at school,” over his shoulder, and headed to his truck.
    “Wait,” She called. He watched her hesitate. “Have