Though Rylie knew Juanita was simply being protective, she still bristled at her accusatory tone. After all, she hadn’t done anything wrong. But arguing with her would only make things harder on Jarrett.
“I should probably leave,” Rylie said. “I’ll catch a taxi home.”
She moved toward the door, but Jarrett caught her arm and dragged her back, positioning her directly in front of the scowling woman.
“Juanita…” He used a scolding tone. “This is Rylie, Carlie’s twin sister.”
“Jarrett, it’s okay. Really. I’ll get out of your way and—”
Rylie’s words were cut off as the air squeezed out of her lungs by a bear hug. Juanita released her and pushed her an arm’s length away, holding onto her elbows so she couldn’t escape.
“Rylie! I’m so glad to meet you.” Juanita’s chameleon face bore a radiant smile. “I’m sorry I was rude. I thought you were Carlie.”
“Uhm… thanks, I guess… I mean… why don’t you like my sister?”
“That woman ruined my boy’s life.” She put a dramatic hand to her forehead.
Jarrett groaned. “Carlie made the mistake of mentioning to Juanita that we dated a few years ago. Juanita put two and two together and blames your sister that I never married. Even though I told her I’d had plenty of opportunities to find a wife since then.”
Plenty of opportunities? Why did that feel like a kick in the abdomen? Rylie knew he must’ve dated other women during the last nine years.
“I was mostly teasing her.” Juanita moved to the bench and plopped down, breath coming out in a gush. “But she got all defensive.”
“You can be pretty scary,” Jarrett said. “It didn’t sound like teasing.”
“Your sister ran off to become a big-shot singing star.” Juanita rocked her head from side to side to punctuate her last four words. “And now that she had a nasty breakup, she wants him back again. She probably wants him for his money.”
Jarrett gave Rylie an apologetic look. But Rylie could hardly be angry at Juanita, when she’d had the same thoughts about her sister.
“She doesn’t like him for his money, Juanita.” Rylie sat on the bench beside Juanita and leaned close, but rasped in a voice loud enough for Jarrett to hear, “She likes him for his hot body.”
Juanita’s eyes went big, her hand slapping over her gaping mouth. “Girl, I believe you!”
It was gratifying to watch the blood rise in Jarrett’s face, but he covered it, taking the remaining chair on the opposite side of the room.
“But she still shouldn’t have deserted him,” Juanita insisted.
“I agree,” Rylie said. “Carlie shouldn’t have left Jarrett and run off to Nashville. I know I wouldn’t have done that.”
Jarrett’s eyebrows arched. She’d revealed too much.
“Of course…” Rylie cleared her throat, concocting an excuse on the fly. “I wouldn’t have been dating him in the first place. Jarrett and I are too much alike.”
“You’re hard-headed, too?” Juanita asked.
“I’m not hard-headed,” Jarrett objected.
“Hmph!” Juanita’s arms folded across her chest.
“I’d say he’s pretty stubborn,” Rylie said. “You know my sister broke up with him nine years ago, and he evidently waited around for her all this time.”
Juanita gasped. “Nine years?”
“He didn’t tell you that part?” Rylie asked.
“No, he didn’t.” Juanita turned reproachful eyes his direction.
“Excuse me,” Jarrett said. “I tried to tell you—”
“Nine years!” Rylie cut him off. “The perfect girl might’ve been right there in front of him, but do you think he even looked?”
“No, he didn’t!” Juanita tsked her disapproval. “He wouldn’t even go out with my niece, and they would’ve been a perfect match.”
“Hello!” Jarrett waved his hand, the smile playing at his lips telling her he was still enjoying the game. “I’m standing right here. You don’t have to talk about me in third person.”
Rylie flashed him a grin. “Maybe you should marry Juanita’s niece instead of Carlie.”
Jarrett’s face contorted in a please-don’t-open-that-can-of-worms look.
“It’s too late.” Juanita shook her head, ruefully. “She married someone else—another short guy. Too bad, because we could’ve used some tall genes in our family.”
“Being short makes you adorable, Abuela Juanita.” Jarrett winked at her.
Rylie had always thought Jarrett was the perfect height, about five inches taller than her five-feet-six-inches. In fact, she’d always thought he was just about perfect in every way. Tall, dark, and handsome. Broad shoulders. Super smart, kind and generous. Becoming a billionaire hadn’t changed him a bit. But everyone had faults, and it was time she started concentrating on Jarrett’s. It would help her get over him faster. For instance… hmm… at the moment she couldn’t think of any. But he was bound to have some. She just had to look for them.
“Right, Rylie?” Jarrett’s voice interrupted her musings.
“Uhm… Sorry, Jarrett. What did you say?”
