Read Online Meant to Be: Southern Heat Series by Jenna Harte - Free Book Online Page A

don’t think I have a chance?” Jagger sat back. “I usually have pretty good luck with the ladies. Maybe not as good as you, if the rumors are true.”
    Jagger was poking at him and, normally, Mitch would have poked back. But he wasn’t in the mood.
    “Sydney is no ordinary lady.”
    “No. But it’s time for me to stop playing around. Settle down.”
    The barbecue in Mitch’s stomach soured at the thought of Sydney marrying Jagger. Making love with him. Having his children. He remembered what Sydney had said about Jagger, how she might be interested in Jagger if he hadn’t dated her friend. Apparently the guys’ rules of dating a friend’s ex were different.
    “She’s loyal to her friend Julia.” Mitch enjoyed seeing the wince on Jagger’s face.
    Jagger let out a breath. “That was a mistake.”
    Mitch pushed his plate away, his appetite gone. What would Jagger think if he knew about the kiss in the star grove? How receptive she was to his kiss. How she clutched at him and opened for him. Mitch shook his head, trying to rid the memory that no doubt tormented him more than it would bother Jagger.
    “I think she and I would make a good pair. We come from similar backgrounds, and yet, we’re seeking a life away from that.”
    “I thought she was here for a year-long sabbatical.” The fact that Sydney wasn’t in Charlotte Tavern to stay was part of what was helping him keep his resolve to not touch her.
    “Plans change. Mine did.”
    “What about her parents? They hold a lot of influence on her.”
    Jagger’s brows pulled together, but Mitch couldn’t tell if it was in curiosity or annoyance. “You seem to know a lot about her.”
    Mitch shrugged, taking a sip of beer instead of explaining his past with her.
    “I think she was sheltered, but she’s come into her own. Any woman who volunteers at a Syrian refugee camp in Jordan must be strong and determined.”
    Mitch sat back, annoyed that Jagger would know something about Sydney that he didn’t. Sydney was in Jordan? The woman he’d known in college would have never taken on a challenge like that. Not that he didn’t think Sydney cared about the world, but he never would have imagined her leaving the safety of her family. Back in college, she’d been protected from the hardships of life, sheltered and somewhat ignorant of the plight of people around the world.
    “Fortunately, now she’s focused on helping needy people closer to home,” Jagger said.
    Mitch gathered his wits. “Well, it’s true. You are needy.”
    Jagger scowled and then smiled. “I wouldn’t mind Sydney taking care of my needs.”
    It was Mitch’s turn to scowl.

Chapter Six
    S ydney scooped up the cherry tomatoes and threw them in the bowl. Two caught the rim, bounced out, and rolled into the sink.
    “Just great.” She ignored the lost tomatoes, remembering reading somewhere that the sink was the most germ-filled place in the house. Even more so than the toilet. She picked up the knife to cut the green onions.
    “Hey.” Patrick pushed a tendril of her hair back behind her ear. The gesture was comforting, and yet, at the same time, Sydney worried Patrick’s actions were an attempt to rekindle an intimacy she wasn’t interested in setting aflame. “Why don’t you let me finish the salad and entertain Julia while you call your mom about those letters?”
    Sydney rested both palms on the counter, one still gripping the knife she’d used to cut vegetables. She turned her head to look at Patrick. “You’re not here for very long. I don’t want to take up our visiting time by dealing with that.”
    “Go call your mom,” Julia called from the couch, where she was supposedly recovering from a sugar-infused coma after eating several deep fried Oreos. “You won’t be any fun until you do.”
    “She’s right.” Patrick took the knife from Sydney. “Call your mom.”
    They were right. The idea that her mom would have done something so awful as to purposefully keep