Switched, Bothered and Bewildered by Suzanne Macpherson Page B

between herself and Jackson. It all looked very different, but when was the last time she'd had an adventure—even a food adventure? Let alone a good-looking-guy adventure that might have possibilities for her sister. She thanked the waiter and watched Jackson for a clue. He took up his chopsticks and skillfully picked up a section of asparagus.
    Now, chop stick use was not a skill Jana Lee had ever mastered, despite the fact that she lived near Seattle and had many Asian friends and families around her. Seabridge was not known for its Asian cuisine. Mostly for their Sons of Norway dances with a nice hunk of ham or roast beef being sliced at the end of the buffet line. Maybe meatballs, and once in a while, salmon.
    She and Bill had gone often before ... before. She put it out of her mind. It seemed like life had been an endless stream of chicken nuggets and frozen pizzas for the last two years. As she wangled her chopsticks, she felt a pang of guilt for neglecting to introduce her daughter to a wider array of cuisine.
    The damn things just wouldn't work. She went for a potsticker, but the little sucker just slipped out of her pinch like an elusive sea creature. It was dead, right?
    Jackson smiled at her. "Shall I get you a fork?"
    "I think that would be giving up, wouldn't it?"
    "I think that would be switching to the tool that can get the job done."
    "Sounds practical." She set down her chopsticks as he motioned to their waiter for a fork. Pretty good sign language on his part. She sighed and sat back in the chair, waiting for her fork to arrive.
    Now what would Jillian want to know about Jackson? They seemed similar in many ways. They both had an edge to them. But hopefully, Jil-lian's edge was softening as Jana Lee sat here, having dinner with Jillian's boss.
    Her fork came, and she got right back to the elusive Ahi and hamachi potsticker. She dipped it in its sauce, took a nibble and was amazed at how good it was. And spicy. It made her lips tingle, which reminded her of the kiss Jackson had laid on her.
    "So, Jackson, do you have family around here?"
    "Both parents, not together, but still in the city. They divorced when I was about twelve."
    "How sad."
    "You know, it was. I still don't get it. I have a brother, Marcus, but he doesn't get it either," Jackson said.
    "Younger brother?"
    "Yes. Two years younger. He lives in Mill Valley with his wife. They have two kids."
    "And that makes you how old now?"
    "God, I forget. Thirty-six?"
    "And you've never been married?" She'd take notes, but he'd probably notice. She tried to retain it all, but her head was getting a little fuzzy from the half glass of wine she'd consumed rather quickly.
    "You get right to the point, don't you?" Jackson speared a potsticker with his chopsticks and stopped talking to take a bite. He chewed thoughtfully for a moment, then answered her. "I guess I never met the right woman."
    "Not for lack of trying, I hear." Jana Lee felt embarrassed as soon as she'd said it. She hiccupped.
    "Office gossip, eh?"
    "I apologize. That was rude."
    "I tire of the chase."
    "No you don't, you love the chase."
    "Ouch, woman. Stab that potsticker instead of me."
    Why the heck did she keep jabbing him? She felt herself blush. Well, hey, he was dishing some pretty trite reasoning for his behavior. According to Oliver anyway. Maybe his reputation as one of San Francisco's premier Casanovas was exaggerated.
    She looked at him across the table. He had sharp, handsome features, and dark brown eyes that melted right through you. He was well dressed and had an air so smooth it bordered on slick. He definitely elicited a response from the women around them, even her.
    Maybe his reputation wasn't exaggerated.
    She set down her fork and took another sip of her wine. No wonder Jillian had gone after him. It might be the wine talking, and it'd been a hell of a long time since she'd chased a guy, but she had a feeling Jillian had taken the wrong tack with lover boy here.
    Jana Lee