Page 80 of The Dating Charade

She pressed her free hand against the waist of the fitted pink satin. “Oh. Well. Thank you.”

“I can’t thank you enough for everything. You’ve been like—” He paused, searching for the right words. “—like a mother to them. I only wish they could be so lucky.”

Was it enough? Were those enough compliments to compensate for all the money she had spent, all the socks she’d knitted, all the evenings she had devoted her time?

Whether it was or not, she spoke. “Jett. I—I don’t know what to say. You’ve never given me any indication you felt this way—”

“How could I possibly not feel this way? I admire you deeply. You’re as good a human being as they come.” He hung his head briefly. “I’m just so sorry that it can’t go any further.”

She looked uncertain, and he continued. “I sort of know . . . about your feelings.”

The dresser rattled as she stepped back into it. Her voice held utter mortification. “You do?”

He hesitated. “Well . . . I’d have to be blind not to.” Jett smiled, one side of his mouth lifting gently. “Who crochets a hat for a grown man? It’s so thoughtful—and practical,” he added swiftly. “But it does give a pretty big hint.”

There was silence for a moment, and he kicked the floor. “Anyway, I understand if you don’t want to watch the kids today—”

“No, of course I do.” Her hand went protectively to Timothy, rubbing his bald head lying against her chest. She hesitated. “I mean, you are special to me, too, Jett. I’d do anything for you guys. But—” She looked to the door. “—I just felt like there was a connection between us all this time. It seemed obvious to you, too, right? This wasn’t just one-sided?”

Poor thing. He thought she might have a hard time letting it sink in. Jett put his hand on her shoulder, squeezed softly. “I’m afraid in this case it was. But believe me, any guy who doesn’t treat you like a queen isn’t worth it. You are, truly, one in a million, and you deserve someone who recognizes that.”

Sarah lowered her eyes. Huffed a little at the floor.

But just as his hand started to let go of her shoulder, she reached out and captured it in hers.

“You’re right,” she said. “I must admit I didn’t feel this way toward you before, but if you can just give me some time, let me think all of this over . . .”

She paused again, her eyes darting back and forth from the door to him as if making a hasty decision. She shut her mouth. Lifted her chin, then squeezed his hand as she took a tiny, confident step closer. “Yes, Jett. I would absolutely love to go out with you sometime.”

Jett’s brows furrowed. “Wait. Uh.”

She laughed, turning her head as Timothy suddenly cooed. “Seems Timmy approves.”

In a flash he mentally thumbed back through their conversation, trying to find the missing link. He’d complimented her, told her that their relationship couldn’t go further, that he knew of her feelings for him . . .

She ticked her head. “Really, though, I can’t believe Sunny would do this to me. I feel like he’s been leading me on for months.”

Eureka.

“Sunnnnnny.” He said the name entirely too long. He pulled his hand away and tapped his temple twice. Waggled his finger at her. “Sunnnny. You like Sunny. You thought he liked you.”

“The man’s been eating dinner over at my place for weeks. He always claimed he was avoiding you guys, but I thought, surely—” She shrugged, blinked twice, and smiled up at him with an expression that made him uneasy. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter. What’s important is what’s happening now, between us . . .”

Now it was Jett’s turn to step back, into the wall, the picture frame behind him pressing into his shoulder blades. “No, no. The thing is . . . you were right about the original plan. Sunny’s a great plan. A terrific plan. Who am I to get in your way?”

“But you just said he’s not interested—”

He shook his head, brain reeling like a wheel of fortune, waiting desperately for the ball to land on something worthwhile.

“My admiration.” He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. Then he slapped the wall. “My stupid, stupid admiration. I let it get in the way of two people I cared about most. Of course he’s attracted to you, Sarah.” Jett waved an arm out at her, circling her. “Who couldn’t be? It’s just . . . I knew, if I lied to you, told you he didn’t care for you, maybe I’d have a chance.”

He looked at her imploringly. “But I can’t do that to you. To him. It’s just not right to get in between two people so perfect for each other.”

She took a step toward him, and with nowhere to go, he stood pinned to the wall as she rested a tender hand on his arm.

“That’s so thoughtful,” she whispered.

Jett nodded, uncomfortable by just how doe-like her eyes were as they gazed up at him.