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himself for his impetuous decision two weeks ago. What kind of fool was he, showing up at Madison’s house, flowers in hand, on the night of the Spring Sowers Banquet? What had he been thinking?
    He’d had his speech all prepared, but instead of Madison, Jade had answered the door. She took one look at the cluster of pink roses, and a shy smile bloomed on her face. Half a dozen silver rings glimmered in the waning daylight as she brought her hand over her heart.
    “It was you?” she said.
    He didn’t understand, didn’t know what to say.
    She took in his collared shirt and dark jeans, then smiled, her green eyes sparkling. “The banquet . . . ?”
    He felt like a heel. “Jade, I—”
    But suddenly she was gone from the doorway. “I haven’t been to the Sowers Banquet in forever. I’ll be back. I have to change.” She was down the hall when she seemed to remember she’d left him on the porch.
    She returned, letting him in. “Sorry, sorry! Come in. Let me just . . . you think you could find a vase in the kitchen? They’re so pretty, thank you!” Her cheeks bloomed with color.
    “Jade, listen, I don’t think—”
    “Don’t worry, it won’t take me a minute.” And then she was gone again.
    Madison’s kitchen was meticulously clean and smelled of pine and lemon. He rummaged for a vase inside the maple cabinets. What now? He didn’t have the heart to tell Jade the truth. Not after seeing her face light up. Not after she’d scurried to her room to change like she’d waited all her life for this date. Not when she was finally coming alive again after losing Seth.
    Stupid. Why didn’t you just call Madison and ask like a normal person? Better yet, why didn’t you just keep your feelings stuffed deep inside where they belong?
    He reviewed Jade’s behavior. It was like she’d been expecting him. Well, it couldn’t be helped now. He was going out with Madison’s sister, like it or not.
    He shut a cupboard hard. Opened another.
    He’d been reminding himself for years that Madison was beyond his reach. What kind of a future did the son of Wayne O’Reilly have with the daughter of Chapel Springs’ most respected family? It just didn’t happen. He’d always known that.
    What didn’t make sense were the moments of insanity today, when he’d convinced himself it was worth the risk. And now here he was, in Madison’s kitchen readying for a date with her sister—what was she anyway, twenty-one, twenty-two? He may as well kiss his chances with Madison good-bye.
    Not that you had one anyway, O’Reilly.
    Could things get any worse?
    “Can I help you?”
    He pulled his head from a low cupboard to find the object of his thoughts entering the kitchen.
    The sight of her stole the moisture from his mouth. She wasall dark flowy hair and big brown eyes. One finely arched brow lifted.
    He found his tongue. “Looking for a vase.”
    Her eyes flickered to the cluster of roses on the counter, then back to him as he rose to his feet.
    Her jaw set, she passed him, going to the high cupboard above the stainless steel fridge. She wore a pair of fitted jeans and a white T-shirt—an outfit that promised a comfy evening home on the couch. His source had been right. She wasn’t going to the banquet. Especially not with him.
    She stood on tiptoe, pulled down a clear glass vase, and handed it to him.
    “I’m ready.” Jade fairly skidded into the room, having pulled off what must have been the fastest wardrobe change ever. She wore a black gauzy skirt, leggings, and a funky off-the-shoulder top.
    “Good, you found a vase. He brought me flowers,” she told Madison.
    Madison crossed her arms. “I see that.”
    Beckett squirmed under Madison’s stare. He suddenly wanted out of there more than he could say. He ran water in the vase, willing it to flow faster. He could hear Jade whispering to Madison over the rush of water, but couldn’t make out the words. Was pretty sure he didn’t want to.
    He stuffed the flowers