Five

"H ey, Jimmy, wait up," Felix called out.

Damn it . He'd almost escaped the building and avoided the inquisition he'd felt coming all day. The door to freedom was only a few feet away. Jimmy could pretend he hadn't heard and keep walking, but the intrepid reporter would just follow him. It was better to face his mentor head-on, so Jimmy stopped at the exit and turned around.

"Hey, what's up?" he asked.

Felix narrowed his eyes and studied Jimmy's face. "That's what I was going to ask you."

"Me?"

Laughing, Felix placed his hand on Jimmy's shoulder and steered him toward the door. "Coy isn't something you can pull off yet. Stick with me, and I'll get you there." Felix pushed the door open and gestured for Jimmy to go first.

He stepped out into the sultry Savannah evening and debated a quick escape, but Felix clamped his hand on the back of Jimmy's neck before he convinced his feet to follow through.

"You've been off all day," Felix said. "What's up?"

A dozen lies and half-truths came to mind, but Felix was his friend. If Jimmy couldn't tell him about the missing list, who could he tell? He stopped, forcing Felix to do so also. He turned and looked up at his mentor. "Remember how you accused me of having two lists?"

Felix's mouth twitched at the corner, but he got his smile under control. "Accused feels like an overly strong verb to describe our interaction. I feel like I suggested there was another list."

Jimmy snorted and rolled his eyes. "If accused is too strong, then suggested is too weak."

In a childlike falsetto, Felix said, "We need a verb that's just right."

Jimmy covered his ears in case Felix's assault on his senses continued. "Who the hell are you supposed to be?"

Shrugging, Felix said, "I was doing my best Goldilocks impersonation."

"Please don't ever do it again."

"Tell me what's eating you, and we have a deal," Felix said.

After taking a deep breath, Jimmy blurted out the truth about the missing list. Well, a half-truth anyway. He copped to writing and losing a second summer agenda but didn't share a single goal on it.

Felix pressed his index finger to his lips for a second as he pondered the predicament. Jimmy couldn't help but wonder what was going through his mentor's mind. Felix lowered his hand and stared into Jimmy's eyes. "It would seem like we have a mystery on our hands."

Groaning, Jimmy rubbed his face before locking gazes with Felix again. "I've retraced my steps a hundred times since I realized it was missing."

"When was that?"

"Last night, or rather, early this morning."

"Hmmm," Felix said. "Why did you reach for the list when you should've been sleeping?"

"I…um…thought of new things to add to it and didn't want to forget by morning."

"This must be some agenda. What's on it?"

"I'm not telling you," Jimmy said. "It's private, personal, and embarrassing." He pointed at Felix. "And the content wasn't part of our agreement."

"On the contrary," Felix countered, "one could argue the content is creating the turmoil." Felix quirked a brow. "More specifically, it's the idea of someone else reading the list that's induced your panic."

"I'm not panicking," Jimmy argued.

Felix studied him closely. "Your wild eyes and blown pupils don't agree."

Jimmy fought the urge to sprint toward his car and check his reflection. He couldn't show up at Natalie Skye's house looking like he was high as a kite. "Oh crap. I gotta go. I have a dinner thing tonight," Jimmy said as he skirted around Felix and headed toward his car.

"With whom?" Felix asked. Of course, he followed.

Rather than deflect the question, Jimmy gave Felix the rundown on the class the previous evening and Natalie's appearance at the newspaper.

"Do you think she's going to reveal why she ducked out of the spotlight at the height of her fame?" Felix asked.

"I don't know," Jimmy said, stopping when he reached the old Buick his grandmother had given him when she upgraded her ride to a Cadillac. He turned to look at Felix. "I didn't get that impression, but I could be wrong."

"Do you think she found your list?" he asked.

Jimmy groaned. "God, I hope not. My money has been on Lois."

"Why Lois?"

"She's never liked me much, but her attitude was borderline hostile yesterday. So I wondered if maybe it had fallen out of my notebook yesterday morning."

Felix shook his head. "Lois doesn't dislike you, Jimmy. She's just going through a hard time and reacted defensively when Minerva made those decisions without first talking to her about it. Under normal circumstances, I don't think Lois would've felt threatened. It's unlikely she discovered your goals and plans to use them against you."

Jimmy breathed a sigh of relief. Felix had exceptional insight and instincts when it came to people. But if Lois hadn't found the piece of paper, who had? What if it was drunk Jill from the class? Where had she been when Jimmy was shoving his stuff into his backpack and ogling Natalie's son?

"Jimmy." Felix's voice snagged his wandering thoughts before they could carry him off too far.

"Hmmm?"

"Is getting a new car one of your goals?" Felix asked.

"What's wrong with Bonnie?" he asked, patting the roof of the ancient Bonneville.

"Everything," Felix replied. "You know I'm not a snob when it comes to material things, but she has…um…seen better days."

"She runs like a champ. Seems like a waste to trade her in for a brand-new car."

"You don't have to go to the opposite extreme," Felix countered. "Maybe just buy a car that was built sometime after you were born."

Jimmy wanted to argue but couldn't. His grandmother had purchased the vehicle four years before he was born. "She has character, my girl."

Felix raked his gaze over the faded, scratched paint. "That she does." He chuckled and patted Jimmy's shoulder. "You better get going." Felix took a few steps back. "Come find me in the morning?"

"To lay out a plan to find my missing list?" Jimmy asked.

Felix grinned as he continued walking backward. "That too, but I really want to know which one of your secret goals makes you blush so profusely."

Jimmy groaned and shook his head. "No way."

"Is it something to do with buying racy underwear?" Felix guessed.

Jimmy stared at his mentor, trying to figure out if he was joking. "They make them for men?"

Felix laughed. "So no on racy underwear. Do you want to learn how to pole dance?"

Jimmy laughed and shook his head. "Goodnight, Felix."

Felix smirked, then said, "Goodnight, Jimmy."

Jimmy was still shaking his head when he climbed inside Bonnie and fired her to life. Maybe she was knocking on thirty years old, but her air conditioning still worked. Jimmy pulled out of the newspaper parking lot and followed the Google Maps directions toward Natalie Skye's house on Tybee Island. His route took him past Spencer Auto Mall and hundreds of shiny new cars. Of course, the light changed red as he approached the dealership, which gave him plenty of time to look at the vehicles ranging from sensible sedans to racy sports cars and everything in between.

The word racy reminded him of Felix's remark about underwear. Jimmy had a strong urge to type the phrase into his internet browser, but the light turned green. His summer goals didn't include blowing money on shiny new cars and sexy skivvies, although it would probably be easier to pick up a guy and lose his virginity with those enhancements. A pity fuck was the last bone Jimmy wanted someone to throw at him. Bonnie was a loyal girl, but she wasn't a dude magnet unless Jimmy hoped to attract a man as old as his grandmother.

The rest of the ride out to the island was uneventful. Jimmy felt himself relax more and more as the cityscape gave way to ocean views. Nerves assailed him when he pulled his ancient car to a stop in Natalie's driveway. The two-story beachfront property was a jaw-dropper, reminding him of the homes on the island-living show he and his grandmother watched. The white and stone stunner wasn't ostentatious like the ones featured on the program. This house looked warm and inviting, much like the woman he'd met the previous evening.

Jimmy gave himself a pep talk before he shut off his car and headed toward the front door. He jogged up the steps to the wraparound porch and rang the doorbell. While waiting for someone to answer, Jimmy admired Natalie's decorating style. Well, it was presumptuous of him to assume she'd been the one to pick out the gray paint for the porch that complemented the white siding and accent stonework. Maybe her husband had picked out the white wicker furniture and seafoam-colored cushions.

The door opened suddenly, and Jimmy came face-to-face with Natalie once more.

"I'm so glad you could make it." Her smile radiated joy. "Won't you come in?"

"Of course."

Natalie stepped aside for him to enter. "Dinner will be ready soon. I hope you like pasta."

"I love it."

"You're in for a treat. Italian is my husband's specialty. Let me introduce you to Dave, then we'll go out back and enjoy the ocean breeze."

Jimmy started to follow her through the spacious living room but jerked to a sudden stop when he realized the faux pas he'd unintentionally committed.

Natalie stopped and turned to face him. "What's wrong?"

"I forgot my manners," Jimmy said. "I should've brought a gift for my host." Jimmy had attended enough dinner parties with his mother and grandmother to know that he should've brought a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers.

"Nonsense," Natalie said, waving off his concerns with a delicate hand. "I showed up unexpectedly at your workplace and extended an invitation. I hardly expected you to make a special trip to a liquor store or flower shop. I simply wanted your company. How about something to drink? I have tea, lemonade, water, and soda. Or do you want something stronger?"

"Lemonade sounds perfect."

Natalie looped her arm through Jimmy's and led him toward the rear of the house where the kitchen, dining room, and great room were one ample space. The back of the home, at least on the first floor, was all windows giving a perfect view of the ocean beyond the sand dunes.

"Wow," Jimmy said. He sounded like a little kid on Christmas morning, but he was too awestruck to care.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Natalie said.

"Stunning." He took in the décor and noticed the gray, white, and seafoam color scheme extended to the home's interior. Whoever had decorated the space had added pops of sunny yellow and sky-blue accent pieces throughout.

Busy sounds from the kitchen caught Jimmy's attention, and he turned to get his first glimpse of Natalie's husband, Dave. The term silver fox came to mind, but it didn't do the man justice.

"Come meet my best guy," Natalie said, tugging him toward the kitchen.

Dave glanced up when they approached and grinned at Jimmy. The man was fine as hell. The laugh lines at the corners of his eyes added character and drew attention to his ice-blue irises. It was apparent who Nova had inherited his eye color from. Dave wore his salt-and-pepper hair short but used a styling product to give it a little lift in the front. His mustache and goatee were white instead of gray and stood out against a tan face. Nova looked just like his dad, and Jimmy felt like he was getting a preview of what their son would look like in twenty to thirty years.

Then Dave shifted his attention to Natalie. The smile he bestowed on his wife nearly stole Jimmy's breath. What he wouldn't give to have a man look at him like that.

"Darling," Natalie said, "this is Jimmy. He's the sweet journalist from last night's class."

"It's nice to meet you, Jimmy," Dave said, extending his hand. The man's grip was firm but friendly. "I have to admit, she talked about you so much that I got a little jealous."

A flush crept up Jimmy's neck, making his skin feel burned. He was flattered Natalie thought so highly of him but couldn't imagine how he'd made such a strong impression on her.

"Don't embarrass our guest," she admonished playfully. "Besides, there's only one guy for me." Natalie stood on her tiptoes and kissed her husband's cheek. "We're going to grab some drinks and head out to the deck so we won't get in your way."

"We're all better off if you don't assist me," Dave told his wife.

Natalie giggled. "Oh, you hush."

Jimmy loved watching them interact and joke with one another as Natalie pulled down two tall glasses and filled them with lemonade. Then she garnished their drinks with lemon and strawberry slices. She handed one to Jimmy and took the other for herself.

"You know where to find me if you want my help," Natalie said to Dave. "Follow me, Jimmy. Let me show you my favorite view."

"Jimmy," Dave called out, "it's okay to tell her no."

"Knock it off before he gets the wrong idea," Natalie said.

Jimmy laughed with the couple, even though he didn't know what was going on.

"He's just teasing me," Natalie said. "I promise you there are no nefarious motives behind my dinner invitation."

"I'm not worried," Jimmy told her.

She looped her free arm through his again. "Just curious?"

"Very," he admitted.

Natalie led him outside and made a left toward the corner of the house. As Jimmy suspected, the porch spanned the entire perimeter of the structure. The sitting areas in the rear were much larger than the front and provided a fantastic view of the water.

"This is my happy place," she told Jimmy as she released his arm and took a seat on an outdoor sofa with overstuffed cushions. "I come here in times of happiness and sorrow."

He hated to think of anything sad marring Natalie's life, but no one was exempt from troubled water.

Natalie patted his knee and said, "Tell me everything about yourself."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

She tipped her head to the side. "Why not?"

Jimmy chuckled at her genuinely confused expression. "I don't want to bore you to sleep before you've had a chance to pitch your story idea to me."

Natalie tipped her head back and laughed. "Don't be silly. No one as adorable as you can be dull."

He was charmed she'd found the notion comical, but he hadn't been joking. "I'm not sure where to begin."

"Why not start with your family. What are your mother and father like?" Then she grimaced. "I should know better than to make assumptions that someone has both a mother and father."

Jimmy chuckled. "I do have a mother and a father, although my dad died when I was a baby."

"Oh, honey," she said, covering his hand. "I'm so sorry."

He smiled to ease her worry. "You haven't upset me."

"Did your mother ever remarry?"

"No," Jimmy said. "After my dad's accident, we moved in with my grandma, who was also a widow. We haven't left since." Wow, that sounded pathetic. He wanted to comment further, to downplay his remark but worried it would only make things worse.

Luckily, the sound of running feet echoed from the side of the house. Seconds later, a little girl with blonde wavy hair rounded the corner and launched herself into Natalie's lap.

"Grandma!" she said, throwing her arm around Natalie's neck. "I missed you."

"Oh, Millie June," Natalie said, rocking the little girl back and forth. "I've missed you too. How was your week at Papa's?"

"I have so much to tell you. I—" The little girl's words died when she saw Jimmy. Then she tilted her head and studied him for a second before saying, "Hi."

"Hello," Jimmy returned.

The little girl shimmied off Natalie and crawled across the sofa to sit on Jimmy's lap. She took his face in both her tiny hands and peered closer.

"Millie," Natalie said. "That isn't the proper way to greet someone."

"Sorry," she said with a little shrug. "I'm Millie June. Some people call me June Bug."

"Hi, Millie June. My name is James, but my friends call me Jimmy."

Millie stared at Jimmy's face, then shifted her gaze upward to study his hair. "Jimmy," she said, deciding they were friends. "You have really pretty hair."

"Thank you. So do you."

"It's bouncy," Millie announced before reaching up to tug on a curl. "How'd you do it? Did your daddy or mommy braid your hair before bed?"

"No. It just curls up on its own."

"Wow," Millie said. "Like magic."

"Camilla June, where is your father?" Natalie asked.

"Which one?" Millie seemed mesmerized by Jimmy, but he wasn't surprised. He'd been the neighborhood babysitter all through high school. Parents had never worried when Jimmy was around, and the kids adored him.

Natalie chuckled. "My son. Where is my son?"

"He's talking to people at work," she replied as she tilted her head and scrutinized Jimmy closer. "What color is your hair?"

Jimmy laughed. "My mom calls it auburn. It means brownish red."

Millie sounded out the word. "I don't have a mom. Just two dads and Kai."

Natalie's son, Nova, was part of a throuple? Jimmy must've done a poor job at hiding his surprise because Natalie snickered.

"Nova and Scott are divorced," she explained. "Kai is Scott's boyfriend."

"Daddy needs a date," Millie said.

As if on cue, Nova rounded the corner of the house just as Millie rendered her opinion. "Millie," he said, sounding exasperated. How many times had they had the conversation? Nova screeched to a stop when he noticed his daughter sitting on Jimmy's lap. His lips parted for a few seconds, and his icy-blue gaze seemed to burn a hole through him. Recovering from his shock, Nova scooped the little girl off Jimmy's lap and headed toward one of the club chairs. "Can't we get a kitty instead?" he asked his daughter. As soon as his butt hit the cushion, Millie was off and running back to Jimmy.

He didn't want to upset Nova but resisting Millie's charm was futile as she shimmied back onto his lap and recaptured his face. "I'd rather take Jimmy home."

Natalie laughed while Nova appeared to choke on his saliva.

"I don't think that's how dating works," Jimmy told the delightful little girl. "I require more than a litter box and food."

"Millie," Nova said gently. "Will you try to remember the manners Papa and I have taught you?"

His daughter paid him no mind at all. She leaned in closer and studied Jimmy's face. "What are those spots on your skin?"

"Christ," Nova groused.

"That's it," Natalie said. She stood up and scooped her giggling granddaughter off Jimmy's lap. "Jimmy has freckles, not spots. I think it's time you and I go see what Grandpa is doing. He might need our help."

"Doubtful," Nova called after them.

With the two ladies gone, the two men lapsed into an awkward silence. Jimmy decided to stare at the ocean instead of Nova's broad shoulders. The gray polo shirt he wore made his eyes look even bluer. Eventually, Jimmy felt the other man's stare and turned to meet his gaze. Nova gave a short jerk as if he'd mentally wandered off and hadn't realized he was staring at Jimmy until their eyes met. The man's posture remained rigid, and a frown marred his handsome face.

"I must apologize for my daughter's behavior," Nova said. "I swear to you, Scott and I have worked really hard to tame the little wildcat."

Jimmy laughed. "Please don't apologize. I think she's absolutely delightful." His words did nothing to ease the tension in the other man's body, and Jimmy wondered if leaving might be the best thing. He didn't want to cause friction between mother and son.

"I hate to sound rude, but why are you here?" Nova asked.

The question, though spoken with a gentle voice, felt like a slap in the face. At least now, Jimmy understood the aloof man's tense body language. Heat crept up Jimmy's neck, and Nova's intense regard made him want to fidget. He'd always thought feeling unseen was worse than unwanted. At least rejection meant someone saw you. He was wrong; he much preferred blending in like carpet or drapes.

"Oh fuck," Nova groused. He gripped the arm of the chair hard enough to turn his knuckles white, and his face jerked sharply to the right. He closed his eyes as his entire body went rigid.

Jimmy swallowed down his hurt and disappointment. "Would you like me to make up an excuse to leave?"

Nova snapped his eyes open and stared, his chest billowing. The man seemed to be in some kind of distress, and Jimmy was crushed that he appeared to be the source. "No," Nova said hoarsely. "My mother clearly wants you here."

Jimmy shook his head and rose to his feet. "I've obviously made you uncomfortable. I'll just go."

Before Nova could reply, Natalie and Millie returned.

"Grandpa ran us out," Millie announced as she skipped toward Jimmy.

"Dinner will be ready in ten minutes." Natalie looked between Jimmy and her son, her eyes darkening with worry. "Are you going somewhere?" she asked Jimmy.

"Um, I'm just going—"

"Jimmy's going to wash his hands for dinner," Nova said, cutting him off.

"Oh, okay," Natalie said, a smile returning to her face. "I'll show you to the powder room."

Millie linked her fingers through Jimmy's. "I'll do it, Grandma."

Before anyone could agree or argue, Millie started skipping toward the door. Jimmy looked to Natalie for guidance, but she just smiled. He guessed Nova would speak up if he had a problem with Millie showing him to the restroom.

The distance to the half bathroom wasn't great, but the number of topics Millie covered during the short journey was astounding. She told him about her new favorite movie featuring a talking unicorn and a princess. Then she'd pivoted to asking Jimmy if he'd ever met a real unicorn. Before he could respond, Millie told him about her dad's turrets and the swimming pool at her house. Sounded like this little princess lived in her very own castle. Jimmy was amazed she could process her thoughts so quickly and eloquently. He felt like he was talking to a twelve-year-old, but she couldn't have been more than five or six.

By the time they reached the bathroom, Millie had told Jimmy about her afternoon at the planetarium and observatory where her daddy works. She took her time sounding out the big words but sped up her chatter once she cleared them.

"My daddy is named after a new star. Did you know that?"

"I didn't."

She twirled and continued a string of remarks that didn't require his feedback. Something about an upcoming trip to Disneyland with Papa and Kai. She stopped suddenly and stared up at him while he was drying his hands. "When we get back, Papa is going to buy me a good danish."

"A good danish?" Jimmy asked. "Like blueberry and cream cheese."

Millie cackled like he'd said the funniest thing in the world. "No, silly. It's supposed to be a big dog."

"Oh, a Great Dane," Jimmy said.

"Yes!" Millie scrunched up her face. "I don't know what one looks like, though."

"I'll find a picture while you wash your hands."

"Okay, Jimmy," Millie said as she dragged a stool over to the sink. She turned on the water and thoroughly washed her hands before rinsing them. After Millie dried off, Jimmy held the phone down to show her some images of the dog her papa planned to buy her. "So pretty," she said in awe. "I want this one," she added while pointing to a gray Great Dane puppy. "I'll name her Violet."

Jimmy was absolutely positively charmed by the bundle of energy who looked at his phone with so much love in her eyes. "Ready to go eat?" he asked.

"Yes!" Millie jumped and twirled, then took Jimmy's hand. "I really like you, Jimmy."

"I really like you too."

It was too bad Millie's handsome, very single father didn't share his daughter's sentiments. Jimmy cut his thoughts off before they ruined his night. He hadn't come here expecting to make a love match. With that in mind, he planted a smile on his face and allowed Millie to lead him through the house.