Jackson looked up then and their eyes met.

I understand loss, too. Believe me.

“Don’t worry about me. Jackson is just being nice since we’re neighbors. My heart is in no danger.”

But even as she said it she knew it was a lie.

*   *   *   *   *

JACKSON BOBBED HIS head to the beat of the music, pretending that he was having a good time. His other brother, Elliott, had finally shown up and taken over his usual party position as makeshift DJ. He’d hooked his laptop computer up to a pair of monster-size speakers and put on a huge pair of earphones. Anti-social as a rule, he preferred presiding over the music so he didn’t have to dance or talk to anyone. Or rather, deal with people who walked up and tried to talk to him.

Luckily Jackson had been able to grab him before he’d gotten busy to ask him to find out a little more about Ridley’s friend, David. If anyone could get to the bottom of a mystery, it was Elliott.

Bennett was on the other side of the yard keeping an eye on the boys while they played. Nicholas was near them flirting with a pretty blonde in a miniskirt. The girls were dancing, the guys were watching and there was plenty of food. On all accounts, it was a successful party.

Other than the fact that he couldn’t keep his eyes off his temporary houseguest.

“As the host of this party you should probably smile every once in a while. Act like you’re having fun.” Mara appeared at his left elbow, looking like a Sofia Vergara clone in her crisp, white shorts and tank top.

“I am having fun. Especially now that you’re here.” He winked at her. Flirting with Mara was a time-honored tradition in their group, partially because she was naturally playful, and partially because it pissed off Matt so much. He frowned as he thought of the fist-sized hole in his living room wall.

As if she sensed the direction of his thoughts, Mara frowned, too. “I’m worried about Matt. Will you talk to him?”

“Of course. Ridley was able to calm him earlier, so I think he’s okay now. But hopefully I can get him to talk to me before he puts his fist through anything else.”

She nodded quickly and then surprised him by throwing her arms around his neck. He had to switch his beer to his left hand to keep from dropping it. When she pulled back, her eyes were slightly shiny.

Please god, don’t start crying.

“Sorry. I’m fine. Don’t get that panicked look.” She swiped under her eyes. “It’s just been a hard transition with him coming back from Iraq. Then there’s the thing with Trent.” She flushed slightly and averted her eyes.

All joking aside, he’d never taken flirting with Mara seriously, so he couldn’t deny that the idea of her and Trent as a couple was just… weird. As beautiful as she was, it would feel too much like hitting on his own sister, if he’d had one. Plus, if he was honest, she really wasn’t his type. Cynthia had been quiet, more into playing the piano and singing to the boys than socializing. As wild and outgoing as he appeared to his friends, he connected better with quiet, introverted women.

Women like Ridley.

“Jackson, there you are,” a voice called out.

He turned and then groaned.

What the hell is she doing here?

Alana, inappropriately dressed as usual, in some sort of clingy, white silk dress, picked her way across the lawn on her needle-thin heels.

Mara turned as well and then glared at him. “Please tell me you’re not still seeing her?”

Alana reached them before he could answer. Her gaze settled on Mara. “Oh hello, Mona. It’s been ages.”

Mara didn’t even bother responding, just turned and walked off.

“What are you doing here, Alana?”

He didn’t bother with pleasantries. If her past behavior was anything to go on, she only showed up when she wanted something. It was just a matter of getting her to admit what it was.

“I remembered you used to have your little party every year for Memorial Day. I just took a chance and decided to swing by." She glanced around, a look of disgust passing over her face when she took in the tables lined with picnic food. “I don’t know why you don’t get this catered.”

“You remembering the date doesn't explain why you're here. We broke up a year ago.”

“We broke up ten months ago. I think we were a little rash,” Alana huffed. She smoothed a non-existent wrinkle out of her dress. It wasn’t like her to be fidgety or self-conscious, so the movement was telling.

“You slept with my assistant.” It was strange how saying it out loud wasn’t as difficult as it had been just a few months ago. She seemed alarmed at his blunt statement but covered it quickly with a cajoling expression.

“I did not sleep with him. That was a misunderstanding.” She tried to reach for his arm but he stepped back.

“I don’t think I misunderstood you bent over his desk. Not that it matters because I’m seeing someone else now.” The lie jumped, unbidden, from his mouth.

Shit.

“You are? Who? It’s that Mona girl, isn’t it? She always had a thing for you.” Alana crossed her arms.

“It’s not Mara. It’s no one you know.” He really wasn’t trying to hurt her feelings but maybe thinking he had a girlfriend would finally convince her that it was over between them. Nothing else he’d tried had gotten the point across.

“Look, I’m sorry for the way things ended between us but I’ve moved on and I suggest you do the same.” Happy that for once he had the last word, he turned to walk away and then stopped dead in his tracks.