Stern

“Because she evidently wants him and wants him to want her in return. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Stern figured there was a lot wrong with it.

“So what did you tell her?” Zane asked.

Stern leaned back against the sofa cushions. “When I didn’t take her seriously at first, she copped an attitude. That’s the last thing I needed so I offered a few pointers. I told her that she probably should wear more dresses. JoJo has great legs, and she should flaunt them more. I also suggested she stop hiding her hair under a cap. Her hair is one of her strong points. I particularly like it when she wears it down.”

Zane nodded again. “Anything else?”

“I told her that after her makeover, she should find out where this guy hangs out and go there, impress him as the new and improved JoJo. I told her if she decided to make such a move then I would go with her.”

“Why?”

Stern’s brow bunched in confusion. “Why?”

“Yes, why? Why do you feel the need to go with her?”

“Because I don’t know the guy,” he said defensively. “She won’t give me his name or tell me anything about him, other than that he brings his car in to get it serviced from time to time.”

“That’s all you need to know. If you ask me, that’s more than you should know. JoJo is a grown woman who can take care of herself.”

“You don’t know that.”

Zane chuckled. “We’re talking about JoJo, Stern. The same woman who can hit a target with a gun or a bow and arrow with one eye closed. The same woman who has a black belt. You and I both know she can take care of herself, so that means there’s something else bothering you. What is it?”

Stern frowned as he stared at the floor and mumbled, “Nothing.”

Zane didn’t say anything for a minute. “There is something, Stern. You didn’t come here because you wanted to see my pug face. There’s something bothering you, so come clean. I can only help if you do that.”

Stern paused. “I’m afraid, Zane.”

Zane lifted a brow. “Afraid? What are you afraid of?”

“That I’m going to lose my best friend. What if she gets serious with this guy and he has a problem with our relationship? You’ve said enough times that you wouldn’t want any woman of yours to share the kind of relationship with a man that JoJo shares with me.”

“You won’t lose her,” Zane said, trying to reassure him.

“You can’t be certain of that, and I can’t take that chance.”

Zane shook his head. “You’re going to have to trust her judgment.”

“I trust hers. I just don’t trust his.”

Zane rolled his eyes. “But you don’t know him.”

“Exactly,” Stern said, standing. “That’s why I need to find out who he is and check him out.”

“I think you’re going at it all wrong.”

“I don’t,” he said, heading for the door. “Bye, Zane. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

“No, I didn’t. I suggest you examine your own feelings for JoJo,” Zane replied. But Stern was already out the door and didn’t hear what his cousin had said.

* * *

The next night JoJo stepped onto her porch and inhaled deeply to fill her lungs with crisp mountain air. She had put her hair in a ponytail before placing her favorite Denver Broncos cap on her head, but instead of her usual jeans and T-shirt, she was wearing a blue blouse and a pair of black corduroy slacks. She’d also grabbed a jacket because the evenings were turning cool.

She heard a sound, turned and then smiled at the man coming up the steps. Her heart raced. Stern’s well-toned physique was displayed in a pair of jeans, a blue Western shirt and a Stetson. He looked way too handsome for his own good.

She checked her watch. “You’re on time.”

“Aren’t I always?” Stern said, glancing around. “I hope you don’t stand out here on the porch waiting for all your dates.”

JoJo adjusted her cap. “You aren’t a date. Come on,” she said, grabbing his arm and heading down the steps. “I’ve already locked up and turned on the alarm. The movie starts in twenty minutes.”

“Whoa, what’s the rush? There’s not much traffic out so we’ll make it.”

She knew he was right, but she was looking forward to tonight. Any time she got to spend with Stern made her all giggly inside. She was certain those feelings would pass once she knew more about Walter. And speaking of Walter...

“I’m going to get that makeover this weekend,” she said as she got into the car and buckled her seat belt.

Stern glanced over at her after buckling his own. “Why?”

She felt the huge smile that spread across her face. “I found out where my guy hangs out on the weekend and I plan to show up.”

Stern held her gaze for a moment and then asked, “Where?”

“I’ll tell you only if you promise not to show up.”

“Not making that promise, JoJo.”

She rolled her eyes. “Then I won’t tell you. Why are you being difficult about this, Stern? Do I show up at places where I know you’ll be taking your dates?”

“No. But I’m not the one asking for advice on how to reel someone in. Besides, I want to make sure he doesn’t get disrespectful with you,” Stern said, pulling out of her driveway.

She frowned. “Dammit, Stern, I can take care of myself. If I can catch his attention, we’ll talk, listen to music and dance. It shouldn’t be hard to tell if he’s interested.”

He turned to her when the car came to a traffic light. “But he’ll be interested for the wrong reason.”

“I can handle it.”

He grunted. “So you’re really going to go through with this?”

“Yes. Of course. I thought we cleared up the issue of how serious I was last week.” He was acting too much like a big brother to suit her.

A couple of hours later, to her way of thinking, Stern was not in the best of moods. The movie was good and she had enjoyed it, but each time she stole a glance at him, he was frowning.

“That sour look will get stuck in place if you don’t get rid of it, Stern,” she teased as they walked out of the theater.