When You Were Mine [Second Chances 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Free Page A

anyway.”
    “The decorating was the best part for me. My old office with the state was…uh…bland,” Cora said. “The walls were dirty beige. It was depressing. Then again, that job was utterly depressing too.”
    When he cocked an eyebrow in question and she added, “While I was getting my doctorate, I was doing social work for the state. It was a rough couple of years, but worth it in the end. Some days it felt like I was making a difference, ya know?”
    “Not really. I make things look pretty so they sell,” he said. “I think I get what you mean though.”
    “You help people sell products and provide services. You’re helping them fulfill their dreams. Don’t sell yourself short there,” Cora said.
    “It’s sweet of you to say that, but it’s really not that noble. Trust me.”
    She shook her head and turned to face him. She saw that he studied her intently and finally asked, “What?”
    “Trying to figure out how you’re not married with 2.5 kids. I saw the way you were with Sophie and CJ earlier tonight,” he said.
    “Well, we’ll just ignore the part where you admitted you’ve been watching me all evening and address the question at hand, then?”
    He gave her a dismissive shrug and said, “I’ve never been able to lie to you. No reason to start now.”
    She considered for a minute and then smirked, “Yeah. You were pretty freaking terrible at it. So terrible, in fact, that you made me stop guessing about what presents you got me.”
    A smile spread slowly across his face with the memory and he said, “You were way too good at that. It was so frustrating.”
    “It’s like a superpower. Sorry.”
    “Stop dodging my question, Cora,” he said, grinning.
    “Haven’t found the right one, yet. Had a near miss in the marriage department. What about you?”
    “I dated a little bit, but mostly focused on work. No misses for me, near or otherwise,” he responded.
    It wasn’t what he said, but how he said it that had her taking pause. She could feel the unbearable weight of a million questions she wanted to ask. None of them were appropriate or even useful.
    Unsure how to proceed, she watched the firelight dance across his tanned skin as she debated what she would say next.
    He looked over at her, saw her considering him and asked, “What?” in the same tone she had used before.
    She opted for honesty and said, “It just sounds…kind of lonely.”
    “It was,” he agreed.
    She felt a sharp pang in her chest at the thought. Cora decided that she needed to lighten the mood so, lips twitching, she asked, “And how does that make you feel?”
    Jamie laughed as he held up a hand and said, “Oh, no no no. No psych majoring me.”
    Cora warned, “That’s not psych majoring anymore. Full-fledged psychology now. Be lucky I don’t make you call me Dr. Blanchard,” she said with a smirk on her face.
    Jamie’s eyes sparkled mischievously as he murmured, “I dunno, Cora. That could be kind of hot.”
    A laugh escaped before she could stop it. Still, she shook her head and said, “Some things never change.”
    His expression softened as his gaze met and then held hers. He said, “No. I guess some things never do.”
    She felt a warmth in her cheeks that had nothing at all to do with the fire. As she opened her mouth to speak, Taryn popped her head out of the door and called out, “Cora? Are you—Oh. I didn’t realize you were busy.”
    Cora said, “Just talking. But come here! I want to show you these pictures. They’re freaking adorable!”
    Jamie looked at her questioningly and so she said, “I got a bunch of pictures of Sophie. Some of these are great.”
    The three of them moved together to look at the small screen on her phone as she flipped through the pictures. Every so often Taryn would say, “She’s getting so big.” or “Oh! Send me that one!”
    The whole time they looked through the photos, she could feel Jamie’s arm brushing against hers as he leaned in. She tried to