Cross My Heart (A Contemporary Romance Novel)

molecular diagrams don’t tell you what feelings are . Just what they’re made of.”
    For one brief moment, some part of him understood what she meant. Not linearly, the way he usually understood things, but in an intuitive flash. There’d been a moment like that earlier, when he’d read her song lyrics over Claire’s shoulder. A flash of understanding, there and then gone.
    And now it was gone again. “When you know what something’s made of, then you know what it is.”
    Jenna shook her head, but she was smiling at him. “I have to disagree with you on that. Science is all well and good, but it might be time for you to broaden your horizons a little. It wouldn’t kill you to try a few right brain things. Maybe even listen to a little music. It might help you understand Claire.”
     “It’s not like I hate music. I do listen to classical sometimes. And I really enjoyed singing those carols tonight. But I’ve never loved it, the way you do. And the music Claire likes is just alien to me.”
    Jenna shook her head again. “ Nothing human is alien to me . Some Roman playwright said that thousands of years ago, and it’s still true. If it’s human, you can understand it.”
    She slipped her hand out of his then, and set her feet on the ground. In another second she’d stand up, bringing the night to an end.
    “Wait.”
    She turned to look at him, and only then did he realize he’d spoken out loud.
    He’s spoken instinctively, wanting to keep her with him just a little longer. But now she was waiting for him to say something.
    “Maybe you could teach me. About the kind of music Claire likes.”
    She tilted her head to the side. “You really want that?”
    It would be a chance to get closer to his daughter, and to spend more time with Jenna.
    “Yeah. If you’re willing.”
    He could see her thinking about it. “If you’ve never gravitated to music on your own, I’m not sure how much I can—”
    “What happened to nothing human is alien to me ? Are you afraid to put that to the test?”
    She started to smile. “That sounds like a challenge.”
    “It is.”
    She was grinning now. “All right, then, Dr. Stone. You’re on. We’ll get Claire in on this, too. She can help me put together a personalized syllabus. She’ll love the idea of teaching you something, for a change. When’s the last time you learned something from your daughter?”
    He shook his head. “I don’t know if I ever have. Not like you’re talking about.”
    “Well, then, it’s about time. Claire and I will give you a musical education that will land you firmly in the ranks of the cool. Music appreciation lessons, free of charge.”
    “Nothing in life is free. How about letting me cook for you again?”
    “Considering that my culinary skills consist of calling the pizza place, alternating with calling the Chinese place, I will gladly let you feed me anytime you’re willing.”
    “Great. Name the day.”
    “I have plans tomorrow, but how about Saturday? We could do the same thing we did tonight. Dinner at your place, music at mine.”
    She had plans for tomorrow? “That’ll work.”
    “Saturday it is, then.”
    They both got to their feet, and he walked with her to her back door. He wondered why it hadn’t occurred to him that she was probably seeing someone. She was warm, intelligent, and sexy as hell. Of course she was seeing someone.
    “Do you have a date?”
    She looked up at him in surprise. “What?”
    “Tomorrow night. Are you going on a date?”
    She frowned a little. “No. I’m going to a fundraiser with my sister.”
    “Oh.”
    Jenna slid her hands into her pockets, still frowning. She turned her head to look out at the back yard.
    After a moment she looked back at him again. “I’m leaving in August,” she said. “I’m only here for the summer.”
    There was a funny lurch in his heart. “I know your band’s travelling for a couple of months, but you mentioned that your family lives nearby. I guess I thought you’d be coming back after the tour’s over.”
    She shook her head. “I’ll be heading to L.A. in November. I’ve got a job out there.”
    He looked up at her house. “But you have a piano.” The words sounded absurd as they came out of his mouth, but Jenna didn’t laugh.
    “The piano came with the house. It’s my Aunt Beth’s place. She and my uncle are travelling this summer, and I’m house sitting for them.” She hesitated. “So...like I said, I’m only staying