Right Place, Right Time (Second Chances Book 2) by Jennifer L. Allen Page A

trip with my best friend now that he’s all domesticated?” I joke, certain that Sean’s wife, Julia, is not going to be thrilled about him riding to South Dakota.
    “Stop, you’re making me emotional,” Sean laughs.
    I see Leroy step out of his office in the back. “Hey, man, I’m at work so I’d better go. I’ll call you this weekend, and we can talk about Sturgis.”
    “Sounds good. I’ll have some info ready. Later, buddy.”
    I hang up the phone and give a nod to Leroy, then step back to the custom chopper I’d been polishing before Sean’s call came through. As much as I don’t want to admit it…Sean’s right.
    If I don’t believe in myself, who the hell will?

Chapter Thirteen
     
    Kate
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    I set my phone on the coffee table and sigh. Looking up at the ceiling, I will myself not to cry. I’ve already done enough of that.
    Jay is avoiding me. Two days I’ve been calling him and no response. Sometimes the voicemail picks up after only one ring, like he’s declined the call instead of letting it ring out. I left a voicemail yesterday because I’d wanted to see him again…pick up where we’d left off at my apartment the night before. Then I got the news from Casey this morning that her father had passed away. Now I simply need a friend.
    I thought that’s what Jay and I had set out to be…friends. Sure, the other night may have complicated that a bit…but our attraction to one another is unavoidable and surely it was going to culminate at some point. It was to be expected. I just can’t believe he’d play the avoidance game. I thought we’d made progress as friends even before we’d gotten intimate. It’s kind of funny considering all the times we’ve been together he’s been so concerned about not being good enough for me.
    Way to prove your point.
    Message received.
    I have an exam in one of my classes that I absolutely cannot miss and hadn’t been able to reschedule, so I’m not able to fly out for Casey’s dad’s services. It breaks my heart that I can’t be there for my friend, but I know her mother will take good care of her. She needs this time with her mom anyway. There’s been too much distance between them—physical distance. Casey hasn’t been home to South Carolina in the almost three years we’ve been here. Not that I’m one to talk. The difference is…Casey’s parents actually want her there.
    But that’s a wound for another time.
    The wound I’m focusing on now is the one that Jay Spencer has left on my heart. No, I’m not in love with the guy. That would be foolish considering we barely know one another. But, besides Casey, he’s been the only real friend I’ve had here in California. Pathetic, right? Considering we’ve only just reunited. I was real with him though, through my letters years ago and our recent talks. It was different from the acquaintanceships I keep with fellow students for the sake of appearances and study groups. They’re all convenience friends…convenient for the sake of school, not my personal life.
    Not to mention Jay is gorgeous and sexy and the things he can do with his fingers and tongue…
    I digress…
    I lean back against the comforting couch cushions and close my eyes. Try as I might, I just can’t stop my thoughts from turning to Jay. The way he makes me feel…physically and emotionally…it completes me.
    He completes me.
    How cliché.
    But seriously…he’s everything I hadn’t known I’d been missing in my life.
    I don’t know why he even moved to California if he’s going to act like a big freaking baby and hide from me when things get a little too hot for him to handle. What a chicken shit. He came here for me, for crying out loud. Then he makes the grand gesture and cowers…what the hell is that about?
    I open my eyes and sit up straight. No. I’m not going to let him pull that. If he wants to back away from me and pretend that we’re nothing…not even friends…he can do it to