Sweet Southern Nights. Liz Talley

do that, but that would be childish...and he’d still be in her head anyway. She’d still taste him on her lips.

      “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying... I don’t know why I did that. I’ve been feeling strange when I’m around you lately.”

      “Why?”

      “I don’t know. You’re Eva. I shouldn’t feel uncomfortable around you. I shouldn’t notice your lips, the way your boobs look in a tight T-shirt. I shouldn’t think about...” He stopped, his face registering that he hadn’t meant to be so honest.

      “What are you saying?”

      “Nothing. I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets and getting off the couch. “I’ll go.”

      She watched him, not knowing what to do. Things had gotten out of control.

      Jake set his hand on the doorknob, turning back to her. “I’ll see you Monday, right?”

      Eva shook her head. “Dutch is covering for me. I have to go to New Orleans for family business.”

      “Then tomorrow? Hilda’s birthday party?”

      “Maybe.” She wasn’t sure if she was going. She had to go to Baton Rouge and get some things for Charlie so she could turn her girly guest bedroom into something a little boy would feel comfy in. Plus, the lady from CPS was coming over to do an inspection and meet her.

      So much in her life was about to change, and to top it off, so had her relationship with Jake.

      And that scared her because now he knew...somewhere deep down he had to know how she felt. It had been in her kiss.

      “Don’t be mad at me, Eva. I didn’t know it would turn into that.”

      And then Jake slipped out the door into the fading day.

      Leaving her wanting...leaving her knowing that she could never be the same woman she’d been just days ago.