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"Thanks" Jase took the shirt and handed over the tea He ruffled the boy’s head and then, much toup that body of his He looked at Cam "I didn’t know Teresa ith you"

A chill skated overher the town so she knows her way around," Ca at the little tyke, as slowly creeping toward me "She’s never been down here before"

Jase nodded and then took back the tea There was a good chance that Jack had drunk half of it in that short amount of time Jase started to walk toward the barn I was disnored it, wishing I had kept the tea

"You and Avery co a sip of the tea

"It’s the luau We’re notthe di it up?"

Jase shook his head "The newbies are in charge of that" He glanced over at"I’ve got a few things to take care of here first and then I’ disappoint with the burn in my throat I opened my mouth, but immediately snapped it shut What could I say in front of ed on the heray eyes that were both young and soulful

"Hi," Jack said

My lips stretched into a s

"Thank you" A little laugh escaped me It was official I liked this kid "You’re very handsoain This boy was definitely Jase’s little brother

"All right, that’s enough, Casanova" Jase finished off the tea and tossed it into a nearby garbage can "Stop hitting on the girl"

He ignored Jase, sticking out his hand "I’m Jack"

I took the little hand in mine "I’m Teresa Caer and whispered, "Calanced over at the boys They were talking about the party, but Jase atching us Our gazes collided, and like he’d been doing ever since I started at Shepherd, he broke eye contact with a distressing level of quickness

A pang of frustration lit up my chest as I returned my attention to Jack "Want to know a secret?"

"Yeah!" His s and broad

"I don’t kno to saddle a horse either And I’ve never even ridden one before"

His eyes greide as thetoward his brother "She’s never ridden a horse before!"

Well, there went ed "It’s true They scare the crap out of me"

"They shouldn’t They’re pretty chill animals You’d probably like it"

"You should show her!" Jack rushed up to Jase, practically latching his "You could teach her like you teached me!"

My heart lurched inand due to my fear of those dinosaurs Sohosts or zo a horse could stoht’ not ‘teached,’ and I’s to do than ride around on a horse"

Tess I sucked in a breath It was his nickname for me--­the only person who ever called me that, but I didn’t mind it Not at all While Jack demanded to knohy I had told him my name was Teresa and Jase explained that Tess was a nickname, I was sucked back into the memory of the last time he’d called me that

"You have no idea what youshivers downclue, Tess"

"Mind if I use the john before we get out of here? I’ve got to get back," Cam said "I promised Avery dinner before the party"

"I’ll show you," announced Jack, grabbing Cam’s hand

Jase arched a dark brow "I’m sure he knohere the bathroom is"

"It’s okay" Cam waved him off "Come on, little bud, lead the way"

The two of them headed off toward the farht into peck its way out ofthe hairs that had escaped reen grass like ataken as the Titanic started to sink Well, that was sort of offensive, as if being alone withnom nom’d on by cookie cutter sharks

I foldedmy lips Irritation pricked at my skin, but his obvious discomfort smarted like a bitch It hadn’t always been like this And it definitely had been better between us, at least up until the night he’d kissed ?"

The fact that he’d spoken startled me, and I stuttered, "Uh, it’s not too bad Barely hurts anymore"