“Something you want to say?”
Jeff twisted up his lips. “You want the whole truth?”
“That would be good.” Chad leaned against the counter, trying to cross his arms before he remembered the damn cast.
“Look, my family…there’s this long history of love at first sight. It’s like a curse,” Jeff said with a wry smile. “My great-grandfather fell in love with this woman at first sight and—”
“Oh, my God. Garner. Your great-grandfather was the founder of Apple Grove! I knew your name sounded familiar.”
Jeff smiled. “Yep. That’s me. Part of the old Garner history.”
“So, what does your great-grandfather have to do with me?”
“Well, nothing, really, but I wanted to give you the full story in case you had any questions. And I’m an open book, Chad. Nothing to hide.”
Chad shook his head. “I’m sorry. Maybe it’s the meds, but you’re confusing the hell out of me.”
“Okay, let me start over.” He raked his fingers through his short hair. “My great-grandfather fell in love with this woman on sight, but she turned him down over and over. The story goes that he put on the parade to impress her and then proposed to her. She said ‘yes’ and—well forgive the cliché—but they lived happily ever after.”
Chad stared at him. Where the hell was Jeff going with this? “I’ve heard the story.”
Jeff nodded. “So, anyway, that started the Garner tradition, I guess you can say. My grandfather also fell in love at first sight, just as my dad did.”
“Okay, but I still don’t get what—”
“Wait. There’s more. See, in each incident, the one they fell in love with turned them down. Each man had to woo the woman he loved. You know, roses, romance, dancing. But it always worked out.”
“Happily ever after?” Chad asked, his lips twitching into a small smile.
“Yeah. Anyway, I was always sure it was just a silly legend, but then…well, then I saw you.” Jeff moved closer.
“What do you mean?” Chad’s heart thudded. Having Jeff so near overwhelmed his senses.
“I mean,” Jeff whispered, leaning in until their faces were only inches apart, “that when I saw you at the parade, I knew you were the one. The one for me.”
Chad’s eyes widened and he swallowed hard.
“I can already see you don’t believe in love at first sight, but I felt that you needed to be told the truth.” Jeff took a step back.
“That’s…crazy!” Chad sputtered. “And you’re right—I don’t believe in love at first sight. Hell, I don’t even think I believe in love, period.”
“You will. I promise.” Again, Jeff leaned close enough that his hot breath ghosted across Chad’s cheek and elicited a small shiver. “But I promise not to make a move while you’re vulnerable. I’ll wait until you’re feeling better to start wooing you.”
Chad gaped. “Christ. Are you a lunatic? Do I need to call my partner and have him run some kind of background check on you?”
Jeff laughed. “You can run one if you want. I have nothing to hide. Like I said before, my life is an open book.”
Chad stared incredulously at him. This guy was nuts. Sure, he was hot. Yes, Chad was attracted to him. In any other circumstances, he probably would have taken him to bed and had a great time. But that’s all it would have been. Love? He had seen too many people ruin their lives over what they thought was love. The exception was his sister, but hey, it had to work out sometimes. He figured Mandy was one of those few lucky ones.
“Chad?”
He jolted from his thoughts. “Yeah?”
“You okay? How about I run and get us something to eat so you don’t have to wait too long. You need to take some pills and you’ll want some food in your stomach first.”
Chad nodded, still feeling a little stupefied.
“Chicken sound okay?”
Chad nodded again. “Original, not crispy for me. And mashed potatoes with gravy.”
“You got it. I’ll be back in a bit.” The tips of Jeff’s fingers brushed against Chad’s cheek. Chad inhaled sharply. Little jolts of pleasure zipped through him and he found himself leaning into the touch.
But Jeff pulled away. “Back in a few,” he whispered, giving a small wave.
Only at the sound of the truck’s engine did Chad’s breath come out in a whoosh. He hadn’t even been aware that he’d been holding his breath. He grabbed a Coke from the fridge and headed into the living room. He wanted to find a soccer game on TV and forget their conversation.