The Boyfriend List Read Online Free Page B

Okay? The crew at our table is crazy, but they’re good people and mostly harmless. It will be fun.”
    “Really? You guys all have such a history. I don’t feel like I fit in. I mean . . .”
    “Fit in? Everyone likes you, and you might as well get used to the insanity, since you’re stuck with us now.”
    “I don’t exactly run with your crowd, Nate. You’re not going to see me in five-hundred-dollar shoes or hanging out on a yacht. This is Kim’s new gig, not mine.”
    Each question brought a little more of Jenna’s insecurity, her fears, to the surface.
    He’d caught some of the derision from a few of Kim’s friends and relatives after the church service. There were lots of comments about how her life was going to change because she’d married money. It wasn’t the first time he’d come across the attitude. Jenna, no doubt, had her own feelings about how money could change things between people. Add that to feeling out of place, and the sadness Jenna felt over her brother’s death, and her uneasiness was making much more sense.
    He’d never seen Jenna look worried or vulnerable, but knowing how she felt, how grief could overtake you at the strangest time, Nate thought, if nothing else, he should offer a lifeline. But there was something else and he couldn’t put a finger on it.
    “Why do I get the feeling there’s something else eating at you?”
    Her expression stilled, grew even more serious. “You don’t give up, do you?”
    “No, I don’t. Especially when a friend is hurting.”
    Jenna didn’t respond right away, but looked out to the shore. The water was smooth as glass, much like her expression. “I don’t want to lose her again.”
    “Who? Kim? Why would you worry about that?”
    She leaned back. “After Tom died, she cut us all off. And before you say anything, I know marrying Owen isn’t the same thing, but her whole life is about to change. I’ve seen it happen. Money comes into play and suddenly you’re separated from your old life and all the people you knew.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I must sound jealous, don’t I?”
    She locked her deep brown eyes right on his, and Nate wondered if Jenna could see his heart. He felt that if she could, that if she went deep enough, she’d know all his secrets.
    “You sound human. You’ve been through a lot, but you need to have more faith in Kim. It’s only money, Jenna.”
    “Only money?” She bit her lip, obviously growing frustrated. “To you, it’s only money. Trust me, it can change everything.”
    Nate rose, figuring the best way to solve this problem was to get Jenna back to the party. Kim and Owen were married. There was no way to undo her brother’s death. Life moved forward, but as Nate gazed down at the usually exuberant woman, he could see there was nothing easy about what she was feeling. And it was plain that talking about it wasn’t going to help, so he decided to just help her have a good time. Sometimes that was enough.
    “Take my hand.” He stood, and reached out, completely enjoying the surprised look on her face when she realized what was happening.
    “Why?”
    “Because you’re feeling like a fish out of water. Out of place. You’ve got a lot on your mind. Walk back in with me. Don’t just be my partner today. Be my date.”
    Damn
. Had he just said that?
    “Your date?”
The way she responded, almost reeling back, made him think he’d completely misjudged how things were going with her. Maybe she really didn’t like him.
    “Wow. I didn’t think I was that bad,” he joked, recovering from her reaction. “I’ve got a pretty good job and my mother keeps telling me I’m handsome.”
    Jenna shook her head. It was easy to see how nervous she was, but she still managed a smile. “That’s not it.” She chuckled. “I’d say your mother is right about the handsome part, and I’ve heard you’re pretty well set, but, um . . . to be honest, I didn’t think you liked me very