Flirting with Texas (Deep in the Heart of Texas) Read Free Page A

flashed a hopeful smile. “Or we could picket Fresh Mart and see if we can’t get them to give us the same price on peaches as they give their Jersey customers.”
    Sophia got to her feet. “No, thanks. I’ll leave price-slashing and saving the world to the superheroes. Besides, I’m still returning wedding presents. Which is exactly what I deserve for not cancelling the wedding before my big, fat Italian family sent gifts.”
    Jenna laughed and followed Sophia to the door. “I’ll pick up take-out and meet you at your place to help. But be warned, my handwriting is atrocious.” She held on to the door as Sophia stepped out into the hallway. “And I’m not bringing any of the healthy crap from Herbs and Spices. I’ve been craving a couple cheeseburgers with extra crispy fries.”
    “Get me a chicken sandwich,” Sophia said. “I’ve put on ten pounds since becoming your friend. You might be one of those people who can eat whatever they want and never gain a pound, but that doesn’t mean you’re not clogging your arteries with all that fat.”
    Jenna shrugged. “Superheroes need at least one weakness, don’t they?”
    Before Sophia could reply, a high-pitched, whiny voice drifted up the stairs. Both women turned and watched as a tattooed rocker appeared. He held a guitar case in one hand and used the other to push back the wild mane of black hair that fell over his face. Hair that always looked like it had been through a tsunami. In college, it had been unique and sexy. Now it just made Jenna want to pull out a pair of electric clippers.
    Davy stopped in mid-lyric when he rounded the corner and saw them. His smile drooped. “Hey, babe. I thought you’d be at work already.” He walked over and gave Jenna a quick kiss that tasted of cigarettes and stale beer. Her annoyance must’ve shown in her eyes because he quickly tried to explain.
    “I just had a couple beers with the guys—just to loosen up the creative juices. You’ll be happy to hear that we got a gig.”
    “Wow,” Sophia’s voice was thick with sarcasm, “two gigs in a year. Before you know it, your picture will be on the cover of
Rolling Stone
.”
    With all the hair, it was hard to tell what kind of look Davy shot her, but his words were sharp. “And I’ll try not to forget all the little people.” He turned and ambled into the apartment.
    When he was gone, Sophia quickly apologized. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so mean. It’s just that I don’t get why you put up with the guy. In case you haven’t figured this out, he’s a deadbeat.”
    Stepping out into the hallway, Jenna closed the door behind her. “You sound exactly like my parents. Just because Davy has long hair and tattoos doesn’t make him a deadbeat.”
    “No, but living off his girlfriend for the last year does.” Sophia sighed. “Look, I wasn’t going to say anything. But you saved me from making a bad mistake with Brian, and I think it’s only fair that I try to save you. I realize you think you’re in love with Davy. But are you in love with him or is he just another one of your causes?”
    There were very few times in her life when Jenna had been struck speechless. This was one of them. She was shocked at how completely wrong Sophia was. Jenna loved Davy. That’s why she put up with his hair, his loud music, his joblessness, and his cigarette smoking and drinking. That was why she had gotten in a fight with her family and hadn’t talked with them for close to a year. Why she had moved from a state that she loved to a bigcity with buildings so tall she couldn’t see where the earth met the sky.
    “Okay,” Sophia held up a hand, “that’s the last time I’ll bring it up. I’ll see you later at my place?”
    With her mind still a little stunned, Jenna only nodded before she turned and went back into her apartment. Davy was standing at the kitchen counter, pouring himself a glass of orange juice. For a moment, she studied him. Studied his mussed