In Love with John Doe by Cindy Kirk Read Free Book Online

suspicion in her eyes remained.
    Lexi wasn’t surprised. She couldn’t think of one person who’d believe there was anything simple about the kiss she’d shared with Jack. Their mystery man might be a great kisser, but he was a poor liar. She tucked the knowledge away and refocused on Coraline.
    “Todd has this fantasy that I’m going to be his girlfriend,” Lexi said. “That’s not happening.”
    But Coraline had already shifted her attention to Jack. “You could very easily be married, young man. Yet, here you are kissing a woman you just met.”
    Jack opened his mouth but didn’t have a chance to speak because while Coraline might be through with him, she wasn’t finished with Lexi.
    “I’m proud of the choices you’ve made so far in your life,” Coraline said to Lexi. “But your contact with this man needs to be kept to a minimum.”
    Warmth stole up Lexi’s neck. What Coraline had said was nothing she hadn’t told herself. Still, she was an adult, not a wayward child, and she didn’t appreciate the chiding tone.
    “You’re right,” Jack said before Lexi could respond. “Though I don’t believe I have a wife in the wings, until I know for sure, I’ll be keeping my lips to myself.”
    Coraline nodded approvingly. Her gaze shifted to Lexi. “I better get the french toast out. I think that will be enough, so if you want to start cleaning up—”
    “I’ll help.” Jack rocked back and forth on his heels. Perhaps he should leave. But to walk out the door now seemed like it would be running away, and he had the sense he’d never been a running away kind of guy.
    “She means well,” Lexi said once Coraline was out of earshot. “She never had any children. She thinks of me as a…surrogate daughter.”
    “There are worse things than having a mother hen clucking around.” A wave of sadness washed over Jack, though he wasn’t sure why. Had his mother died? Were they estranged? Otherwise wouldn’t she be looking for him?
    “I know you’re right.” Lexi dumped the egg and cream mixture into a plastic container and popped on a lid. “I just wish Coraline would deep-six the matchmaking.”
    “She’d like you to date Todd.” A twinge of something that felt an awful lot like jealousy stabbed Jack in the side and gave a cruel twist.
    “What was your first clue?” Lexi straightened and her lips tipped upward. “Coraline has always liked Mr. Salesman-of-the-Year and for whatever reason she can’t see past his slick exterior. Though Todd isn’t the first guy she’s tried to push on me.”
    “Are you serious?” Jack lifted a brow. “She’s a matchmaker?”
    “Oh, the stories I could share.” Instead of saying more, Lexi laughed. “It frustrates the heck out of her that I’m not interested in the guys she picks out.”
    “What’s the issue? No chemistry?” Jack couldn’t help thinking of the electricity that had been snapping and popping in the room when Coraline had walked in.
    “That’s part of it. I’d sooner kiss a moose than Todd Cox.” Lexi wrinkled her nose. “But it’s even more basic than that. I’m not in the market for a man. I have Addie to raise. She’s my priority.”
    “You don’t plan to ever marry?” Jack could hear the surprise in his voice. But heck, he was surprised.
    “Ever is a long time.” Lexi sprayed the stovetop with a special blend of cleansers and wiped the surface with a paper towel. “But probably not until Addie is out of high school.”
    Jack opened his mouth to argue until he reminded himself that whether Lexi married or remained single was none of his concern. In a matter of days he’d be back in his old life. Assuming his family and friends saw the press release that had been put together to draw attention to his plight.
    “The press release should have gone out today.” Hope rose inside him. As soon as tonight he could be on his way home.
    Lexi paused, baking sheet in hand. “Unless the snow delays it.”
    The snow. Jack hadn’t