Her Irresistible Troublemaker (A Town Named Eden Book 3) by Sonia Parin

choice.”
    “No, I’m not. You’ve been away for a month. We still need to catch up. And you can start by telling me how Jack Riley compares to your ex, Jamie.”
    “So much for trying to change the subject.”
    Ava shrugged. “I always thought Jamie was a bit effeminate. Did he even need to shave?”
    “Jack Riley’s all male.” With broad shoulders, a square chin, and an easy swagger that spoke of confidence and a massive male ego. “He was clean shaven when I first met him in the morning, but then I saw him in the evening and he was sporting a light bristle.”
    “You saw him again? You didn’t tell me about that,” Ava exclaimed as they stepped out into the courtyard.
    “I’m still trying to digest it all. He has this weird effect on me. He says something and I can’t help myself, I have to say something right back.”
    “Honey, that’s called having a conversation.”
    “I get the whole concept of talking but this is different. We sort of click but… we probably bring out the worst in each other. And now every time I open my mouth, I feel this unstoppable urge to go off on a tangent about him. You don’t even need to prompt me. I’m fixated. Obsessed. Consumed by thoughts of him. I’m…” She dug her fingers through her hair and grimaced. “Excited. I can’t explain it, but I keep hoping to bump into him again.”
    Lexie was about to give Ava a brief run down on the second face-to-face encounter she’d had with Jack the night before when her gaze landed on him. Her step faltered. She felt around for the life saving impulse that would urge her to turn around and head in the opposite direction, but her body refused to budge. “That’s him,” she whispered.
    “Give me a minute. My eyes are glued to the guy sitting next to him. And by the way, you sound breathless.”
    She felt it too. “Okay. You’ve seen him for yourself. Now let’s go.” Lexie knew it would be the sensible thing to do. She’d already seen far too much of him, enough to fire up her curiosity, but if she went any further... If she didn’t tread with care, she really would become fixated, and that could turn into a bad case of lovelorn infatuation and then she’d be doing far more than peering between the gaps of paper covering her windows.
    “What? No way. I want a closer look. I bet he has one of those delicious voices that always make me think of dark chocolate and honey.”
    Just then, Jack looked up, returned his attention to his coffee and then did a double take, his bright eyes landing on her. Lexie’s stomach dipped and tumbled. He gave her a nod of acknowledgment and when she didn’t immediately respond, he stood up.
    “What is he doing?” Suddenly, Lexie felt her choices narrowed down to taking a step toward him.
    Ava gave her a gentle prod. “He’s trying to catch your attention. It’s kismet. You keep bumping into each other.”
    “More like crashing into each other,” she said under her breath. “Well, hello there.” She managed to sound cheerful but then he gave her an unguarded smile that nearly had her tripping over herself.
    “The tables have turned today,” he said.
    She looked around and realized there were no free tables left.
    “You’re welcome to share ours.”
    Lexie couldn’t move past the feeling of having missed something significant, such as her cue to exit and run for her life.
    Maybe she’d been living too long inside her head. Filling her days with make-believe adventures, Lexie had to wonder if she’d worn out a groove and become accustomed to using Lulu McGee as a surrogate for the life she wouldn’t mind experiencing.
    Actually, she was doing okay.
    Since meeting Jack, she’d let him in to her apartment and she’d had an impromptu dinner with him.
    What would she do next?
    “I’m… I’m with my friend.”
    “And I’m with my brother. So I guess we’re sort of even.”
    “We really shouldn’t intrude.”
    He shook his head. “You wouldn’t be. He’s