The week dragged, and by Wednesday Jackson didn't think of Greer every hour. Knee deep in a colonial mansion project, and conferring with Hap Coltrane for two days kept him busy, and now Mrs. Coltrane wanted a meeting. Once their house was finished, a million dollar budget might not be enough.

Curious about Greer's visitor, he wondered if they were male or female. Since she didn't give him details, it made him think—man, or more appropriate, bad boy. Just as well because there would be nothing between them other than friendship. Long distance relationships didn't work, and she had no intention of considering a home in Fairhope.

On the other end of that scale, he didn't plan to leave.

He'd also not heard from Halley. She was angry or avoiding him. Either way, no new sightings since he'd left the message. And Julie had not contacted him again, so his women trouble seemed in control.

His cell chimed. He looked at caller ID. Damn, so much for resolving his female dilemma. Pressing the phone to his ear, he sucked in a deep breath. "Hello."

"How dare you think I'm stalking you!"

"Calm down. I didn't say that."

"You insinuated. Same thing."

"Wasn't my intention."

Her tone softened. "It hurts my feelings you'd think that."

"It looked like your car."

"I forgive you."

Funny, he didn't recall asking for any, but best to keep any snarky remarks to a minimum, so he said nothing.

"Are you free for lunch?"

What was going on with her? Felt like a set-up. "Not a good idea."

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to." That might have been too harsh, but he needed to be stern. Not let her have any chance to misinterpret his feelings. The sound she made caused his chest to tighten. "Are you crying?"

"I need to talk to you. We have unresolved issues."

"No, we don't."

"Okay then. Not you. Me. I have unanswered questions."

"Like what?"

"Can I come in and talk?"

Jumping from his chair, he sprinted to the reception area, then peeked through the window. Holy hell. She was in the parking lot! "You're here?"

"Yes."

Nellie gave him one of her what the hell is going on looks. He shrugged. "Fine, come in." Then he ran back to his office, plopped down into his chair, and shuffled papers as if he'd been there the whole time.

Halley appeared in the doorway. Eyes red and watery, he motioned to a chair, and she slid onto the seat. "Thank you for seeing me."

He stretched his lips tight and released a breath. "I don't know what good it will do. I've been clear about my feelings."

Leather squeaked as she scooted to the edge of the chair. "What did I do wrong?" The words came out shaky and tears rolled down her cheeks.

He hated when women cried, especially one he didn't want to console.

"I mean, I was affectionate. Supportive. I took pride in how I looked." Her breath hitched, and she glared in a way he'd not seen before.

Scary.

"We have everything in common. Business. Tech alumni. I never refused sex when you wanted it. I cooked for you. I don't get it. What does the brunette have that I don't?" With each point, her voice elevated until the last question came out as more of an accusation. She strangled as if she tried to suck the words back in.

He'd hoped it been his imagination, but she'd just proved it hadn't. "You have been following me."

Color drained from her cheeks. "I didn't mean to. I was coming here and saw you leave. I hoped we might talk over lunch if you were dining alone. But then you weren't. I'm sorry." She covered her face with her hands and sobbed. "I couldn't stop thinking about you. With her. You had to be seeing her before our breakup. It'd only been a few days. How do you explain that? You were cheating on me, and not just with her."

"Not true."

She slammed her fist on the desk. "Don't lie! I saw Julie coming out of your house! And you carrying the other one inside at midnight! How many women are you sleeping with? Why wasn't I enough?"

Nellie came to the door. "Is everything all right?"

Halley snapped her head around to face the secretary. "No! Nothing is all right! Your boss is screwing every woman he can get his hands on! Is he sleeping with you, too?"

Jackson jumped to his feet. "That's enough! Settle down, or..."

"Or what? You'll have me arrested? Go ahead. That can't hurt me anymore than you already have."

He sat again and softened his tone hoping to calm her before she got completely out of control. "Halley. Please. If you'll compose yourself, I'll answer all your questions."

She straightened and fingered the strand of pearls at her throat. "Okay. Fine."

He nodded to Nellie, and she stepped away.

"Do want a glass of water or something?"

"No."

"Okay." He sat, laced his fingers. Regarded her with cool, level eyes. He didn't owe her an explanation, but if it helped her get past whatever phase she was going through, he'd offer one. "I haven't lied to you and I'm not lying now. Yes, I slept with Julie and it was a mistake. I told her so, and that ended it. But that happened after you and I broke up. I didn't know she was in town until she showed up at my door. That's the truth. I swear."

"And the brunette?"

"She's a friend, and that's all you're entitled to know because it's none of your business."

Halley relaxed back into the chair. "Well, that's a relief."

He locked eyes with her. "None of that changes anything between us. You did nothing wrong. You're a great girl, but I don't love you, and you shouldn't settle for someone who doesn't."

"But I love you and I can't figure out how to stop."

Jackson hung his head then looked back at her. "Well, following me won't change anything. It just pisses me off." He pointed his finger at her. "I'm not in love with you, and never will be, and who I date has nothing to do with that."

"So you are dating her!"

He placed a hand to his pounding head. "Dammit, Halley! I'm talking hypothetically."

Her chin quivered, and he thought the waterworks would start again, but she pulled herself together. "I understand."

"Do you? I need you to be clear about this. We can't keep re-hashing it and you have to stop following me. I'm serious. I won't tolerate it. Think about your career. A stalking charge could ruin you before you even get started. Don't force me to take legal action."

She said nothing, only nodded and rose from her chair. He followed her to the front door and watched until she drove away, happy to be rid of her. He hoped what he'd told her sunk in, because he refused to spend his life looking over his shoulder for the lunatic.

Nellie's voice brought him back to reality. "Holy crap. Is she nuts or what?"

"I hope it's or what. A short circuit in judgment. If she believed I wasn't cheating on her, then maybe she can move on. But, if she doesn't, I'll get a restraining order and she'll have a hard time finding work. I made that clear."

"So, you're not with Julie, are you?"

"Absolutely not. I suffered a lapse on that front."

"And what about this other girl?"

"Just a friend."

"You say that as if you'd like it to be more."

Drained from the encounter, Jackson pulled his face tight, then thought of Greer. Her smile. Laugh. The sacrifice she'd made to care for Emma. If she wasn't leaving, he'd want it to be more. He could call her. She'd brighten his day. No. He shouldn't.

But there was the earring he needed to return.

*

Usually Greer did her online readings after Emma went to bed each night. But since Mom showed up unannounced, internet clients provided an excuse for alone time during the day. Greer loved her, but a girl could only take so much motherly advice.

She dealt another card and stared at the screen. As with most clients, this one wanted confirmation his current girlfriend was marriage material. Greer typed in the results of the draw. What a crock. Here she was giving relationship advice while crushing on a man she couldn't have.

Jackson was the prince in all those ridiculous fairytales. Kind. Thoughtful. Strong. Patient. And smoking hot. Sometimes, when she looked at him, she wanted to grab him by the collar and show him what a bad girl could do.

She was the most horrible person on the planet for thinking such a thing.

A new rule needed to be put in place. Stop fantasizing about her confidant. Although nothing happened, which she regretted, perhaps spending the night in his bed had clouded her judgment. Thank goodness she'd been too intoxicated to know where she was, or she'd been all over him like oil on a body builder. Honey on a biscuit. Slime on a ten-day-old cucumber. Oh Lord, even her metaphors sounded dirty.

She paused and studied the schedule Emma had brought home. Before the end of school there were several events that put Greer in a bad situation. But no need to worry about them now, she had two weeks before the first crisis.

With another draw, she made the last selection. This client clearly wanted the woman to be Miss Right, if he didn't, he wouldn't be asking. That's what she had to consider. Balance enough encouragement and doubt so they wouldn't be disappointed with her prediction when the affair fell apart. With such a high divorce rate, romantic relationships did no better. Couples could be compatible, but over time, love faded. Yet every human kept trying.

Except her.

If she'd met Jackson while in college, before he became a minister, she'd gone after him with a vengeance. When he'd spoken about his broken engagement, there had been a glimmer of sadness in his eyes. Not that he still loved—what was her name, Julie? Yeah, but because he'd been hurt. Just as Greer had not been enough for Mason, Jackson didn't pass muster for his woman.

At least he avoided hearing his bride agree to forsake all others, then leave. Greer wished she'd escaped those vows and then getting ditched. But as bad as that was, it taught her a valuable lesson. Only date men she'd never love, and who would never love her. That was the key to happiness.

She finished the reading and emailed it. Ten down. Twenty-two more to go. She shuffled the cards, began a new spread, and the doorbell rang. Signing off the computer, she went to greet the guest. To her surprise, Jackson stood on the porch, looking so good, her mouth watered. Blue button-down collar almost the same color of his eyes. Jeans starched and stacked over boots.

"Hey you, come in."

"How're things going?" He stepped past her, turned in a circle, taking the place in. "This is a nice house. Crown molding. Granite countertops. Fireplace. Built in bookcase. Top of the line appliances. Your sister had good taste."

Greer studied him. "You certainly have an eye for detail. I'm shocked you're so interested in home construction."

"Oh. I am. Always have been. My dad's an architect."

She followed as he moved to the French doors opening onto the patio. "Son of a bitch! There's a naked woman in your backyard!"

"Jackson!"

"Sorry."

Greer rushed to open the door and yelled. "Mom! Put your clothes on."

Her mother turned and shaded her eyes. "Oh, good grief. You have a privacy fence and Emma's at school."

Greer slapped her hand over Jackson's eyes. "Oh, sorry." He backed away from the line of sight. "That's your mother? She's your visitor?"

"Yes, and she isn't crazy. Well, she is, but the nudity part isn't connected. She's a naturist and lives at The Carolina Foothills Resort in South Carolina, where clothes are optional." She stepped outside and glanced next door.

Mr. Mooney stood on his porch, binoculars glued to his eyes. "Hey! Show's over."

She turned back to her mother. "I have a guest and a nosy neighbor. They got an eye full. Now please, get dressed and don't disrobe outside again."

"Fine. I don't understand why you have such a hang up about this."

"Cover yourself, please." Greer waved to the old man, then faced Jackson. "What are you doing here?"

He pulled the gold hoop from his pocket. "You left this at my apartment the other night."

"Oh, thanks." She stuck her hand toward him and he dropped it in her open palm. "Actually, I'm happy you stopped by. Emma has some school functions coming up and I'm not sure what to do."

"Like what?"

She went inside, plopped onto a bar stool and he followed, as Mom came through the door, clothed again.

"Hi, I'm Greer's mom, Syl."

"Jackson Bellefonte. Nice to know you."

She released his hand and shifted an icy gaze to her daughter. The familiar expression asking a hundred questions, so Greer tried to get a head of the game. "He's a friend."

"Strange. You haven't mentioned him."

"No need. Didn't think you'd cross paths." She glanced at Jackson. "Mom's leaving Friday."

He smiled. "Well, I'm glad we met."

Greer glared at her, then gave a slight nod toward the hallway and hoped she caught on.

"Oh, well, I'll leave you two alone. I'll go to my room and freshen up. It's hot out there. I hope to see you again before I return to the Carolina's."

"Yes, ma'am."

Relaxing a little, Greer smiled at him. "You want something to drink?"

"No, I'm good. About the school events. What's the problem?"

"Next Thursday night there's a talent show. I have that covered, but later, there's a father, daughter dance. Should I offer to go?"

"I'll do it."

"What?"

"I'll take her. I mean I can't replace her dad, but I'll be happy to take her."

It was all Greer could do to keep from falling into his arms and smothering him with kisses. She'd not expected him to volunteer. "I wouldn't want to impose."

"I wouldn't have offered if it'd been an imposition. I like Emma and I think she likes me, so I'd love to fill in, and I'm a decent dancer. I twirl my nieces around enough I'm used to a young partner."

"You have nieces?"

"Two. My brother's kids."

"No wonder you're so good with Emma. Any other siblings?"

"Nope."

"Younger or older?"

"He's older. Why the sudden interest?"

She motioned for him to sit and he did. "When we're together, we concentrate on my family and issues. I've never asked much about yours. That probably seems rude."

"Not at all."

"Maybe I can meet them sometime. Emma might enjoy playing with your nieces."

He hesitated and Greer wondered what he was thinking, but then he smiled. "Sure. They're toddlers, but she'd love them."

She took a moment to picture him lifting a baby in the air looking up with adoring eyes, and Greer's heart accelerated. "I think Emma will be thrilled. Do you want me to tell her, or do you?"

"Let me do it. And the talent show is on Thursday?"

"Yes."

He pulled out his phone and tapped the screen. "I'm free that evening. We can go together."

His suggestion landed in her head with a thud, causing her heart to kick up another notch. Maybe a little fishing with flirtation as bait was in order. She opened her hand, picked up the earring and wiggled it in her fingers. "You know, if you wanted to see me, you didn't have to use such a lame excuse."

He grinned.

"You're right. I wanted to see you."

-------------------

A nudist for a mom hah :P

Explains a name like Evergreen, amiright?

Til next time,

x zuz