Read Online Rumor Has It by Cheris Hodges - Free Book Online Page B

man because Jackson Franklin was more of a threat than they’d initially thought. Liza pulled the flyer from her pocket and studied it intently—more accurately, stared at Jackson’s handsome face.
    Jackson knew a salted caramel brownie at ten P.M. was a bad idea. Still, he had a sweet tooth and he’d been doing interviews all day in Raleigh and Fay-etteville. He had to admit that being back at Fort Bragg was more than a campaign stop. It was like being home again. Seeing his former platoon members and their advancements and everything made him happy, but he was sad that he’d lost his chance to continue to serve his country. That’s why he had to make sure the warriors who returned home didn’t have to battle for help. North Carolina of all states should’ve been on the front line to take care of the soldiers.
    Jackson rubbed his forehead and sighed as the line slowly moved forward. Glancing over his shoulder, he spotted Liza looking over one of his flyers. Suddenly, his need for the brownie didn’t seem that strong. He stepped out of line and crossed over to Liza.
    â€œCan I count on you to volunteer?” he asked. Her head snapped up and he heard her gasp.
    â€œI-I . . . Hello, Mr. Franklin.”
    â€œLiza, right?”
    She nodded and extended her hand. “Why don’t you drop out?”
    â€œThat’s a wonderful greeting,” he said, his lips curving into a smirk.
    â€œMr. Franklin,” she said, tilting her head to the side, “Robert Montgomer y is an awesome man. He will represent this district and even get some of the things you’re campaigning for passed.”
    â€œFunny,” Jackson said as he dropped her hand. “I haven’t heard much substance come from Mr. Montgomer y’s campaign.”
    â€œMaybe you haven’t been listening, or you can only hear the words coming from your camp.”
    The way she poked her lips out and rolled her eyes should’ve been a turnoff, but there was no way to deny the tightening between his legs would become a full-grown erection if he kept looking at her full lips.
    â€œWould you like to join me for a cup of coffee?” he asked, all the while wondering what in the hell he was thinking. He knew that she was in Montgomer y’s camp. But, damn, she was fine as frog’s hair.
    â€œNo, thank you. I have some work to do and I’m more of a tea person.”
    â€œLast I heard, they serve tea here as well,” Jackson said.
    â€œDo you think I’m supposed to allow you to buy me tea and then I’ll spill secrets about Robert and give you the upper hand? I don’t think so.”
    â€œI don’t want to talk about politics. I just offered to buy a pretty lady tea,” he said, then nodded at her. “Have a good night, Liza.”
    As he walked away, he didn’t hear her sigh. Jackson grabbed his place in line and decided that he would have the brownie after all.
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    Liza hadn’t realized that she was weak at the knees until she started walking toward her table and stumbled over nothing, then eased into her seat. What was it about that man that caused her to lose her mind? From hearing his voice to seeing his face, he made her weak.
    â€œHe’s the enemy,” she warned herself. A tea person? Ha! Liza inhaled coffee, probably needed an IV drip of java. And she turned down free coffee?
    Sighing, she tried to return to her work. But she kept stealing glances at Jackson, who stood in line ordering a pastry or something. She wondered what his sweet weakness was. Was he a brownie guy or an éclair dude? Why do I care? she questioned as she tore her eyes away from his backside. Maybe after the election she and Jackson could be friends. Maybe.
    As she watched him walk out the door with his small box in his hand, the thoughts that danced in her head were far from friendly. They were downright lustful. “Go get some coffee,” she mumbled