Free A Little Bit of Déjà Vu by Laurie Kellogg Page B

finds a way of coming out. And telling them our story could convince the kids we might know what we’re talking about.”
    “True. But if the kids get married, won’t knowing about us make things terribly awkward for them? I think they have enough to deal with right now without complicating the situation with our ancient history.”
    “I suppose you’re right. Besides,”—he grinned, turning her knees to Silly Putty as he stepped closer—“every family needs a few skeletons to clutter up the closet.” Two shimmering orbs of quicksilver stared down at her, making her heart play hopscotch in her chest. “It would probably be a good idea to get together with the kids again tomorrow so we can discuss their plans a little further.”
    “O-okay.” She gulped. “Since you covered supper this evening, why don’t you and Alex come to my place? I’ll throw something on the grill.”
    As soon as the invitation popped out of her mouth, she wished she could stuff it back in.
    “Are you sure?” He lifted one dark brow.
    Evidently her expression must have reflected her dread of spending another tension-filled evening with him. “Of course, I’m sure.” She forced a smile. “Emma and I would love to have you for dinner.”
    “And I’d be happy to join you.” He winked at her. “Just so long as you’re not planning to serve me charbroiled.”
    Okay, so the man was a damn mind reader.
     
     

Chapter 5
     
    Jake breathed the scent of the flowers planted along the covered porch while he watched Maggie’s taillights fade on the narrow lane. As he closed the door, his stomach growled like an angry pit bull, reminding him he hadn’t eaten much dinner. He wandered into the kitchen to fix himself an omelet, and the memories of the night he met Maggie assaulted him.
    It’d been the last weekend in April, right after becoming the NFL’s first draft pick. His teammates had planned a party to celebrate.
    His college roommate, Chris Dillon, slapped him on the back that night. “Come on, Scout, we’ll be late for your bash.”
    Jake hauled his six-foot-two body off the dilapidated sofa they’d picked out of the Los Angeles trash two years before. “I don’t know why you guys are doing this. You know I hate these things.”
    Chris grabbed him by his black T-shirt and dragged him out the door of their campus apartment. “Yeah, but we needed an excuse to get a keg. Besides, I asked Barbie to bring a date for you. As guest of honor, you’ve got first crack.”
    “Gherkin, do you ever think about anything besides football, beer, or sex?”
    “No.” Chris laughed. “But I don’t obsess in quite that order. You know, since you got engaged, you’ve become a real drag.”
    “Well, that may not be for long.” Jake heaved a weary sigh. “I think I blew it proposing to Roxanne.”
    Chris’s light brown eyebrows shot up along with the corners of his mouth. “Oh? Trouble in paradise?”
    Jake trudged down the hallway after his roommate, dragging his feet as if he were heading toward death row. “You could say that. When Roxy’s father offered to fly her out here for a few days before she left for Europe, I gave her some lame excuse that the draft had distracted me, so I’d be too busy studying. Now, tell me turning down the chance to get laid so I could avoid discussing the wedding isn’t sick.”
    “Then call off it off.” Chris punched the elevator button. “Hell, by the time you finish training camp, you’ll have so much beaver hanging around, you’ll need one of them to gnaw you a splint to keep your dick up.”
    “I don’t know.” Jake shoved his hands in his pockets. “My dad thinks I’m just having doubts ‘cause Roxanne and I haven’t seen each other much in the last nine months.”
    “Of course he’s gonna tell you to go through with it.” Chris smacked Jake lightly on the back of his head, knocking the forelock of his flyaway hair into his eyes. “She’s a freaking heiress—and doesn’t