Slow Hands

of her purse. Then babbling and raging, explaining the fight—something about a girl named Liz and a party and a kiss—and generally acting like the high-strung twenty-year-old she was.
    Maddy had remained quiet, driving, making occasional commiserating noises and frowning in sympathy with the slightly hysterical young woman she’d never laid eyes on before. She was calm and reasonable, totally in control, as always, but warm, too.
    Well, almost always in control. He’d definitely made her lose it on a few occasions. And he could hardly wait to do so again.
    “Who are you, anyway?” Jenny asked, finally distracted from her tale of woe. “Is this your car? It’s wicked sweet. Jake, is she your girlfriend? How long have you been together?” She sighed deeply, the melodrama oozing out. “Oh, God, I interrupted your date, didn’t I? Why is he such an asshole?”
    She threw herself back into her seat.
    “This is Madeline Turner…I introduced you when you got in, remember?” Jake asked, unable to hide his amusement.
    Jenny just sniffed. “Sorry. Wasn’t listening.”
    “No kidding.”
    “It’s all right,” Maddy said. “I’m glad to meet you, but I’m very sorry it’s under these circumstances.”
    “Men suck.”
    “They certainly do.” Maddy cast him a quick, apologetic glance and clarified. “Some of them.”
    “Not Jake, I know,” said his baby sister. “He’s a doll. I think it’s having sisters. In my opinion, every woman should end up with a man who had sisters. They drain all the assholeness out of him while he’s growing up and make him learn to treat a woman right.”
    Maddy chuckled. “There’s no denying your brother is a perfect gentleman.” Pursing her lips, she added, “And you know, come to think of it, my ex was an only child.”
    “You see?” Jenny exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air. “So is Toby.”
    Toby being he of the great assholeness.
    But Jake was more interested in hearing about Maddy’s ex. This was the first time she’d mentioned him, though he’d strongly suspected the guy’s actions left some major damage.
    Had he been a lover? Fiancé? He couldn’t even contemplate the idea that someone else might have actually put a wedding ring on her beautiful finger and then let her get away.
    Jenny was fine, already showing more interest in the car than in the boyfriend who would be texting her and asking for forgiveness within a few hours, he was quite sure. He wanted to know more about Maddy. “So, tell me more about this ex.”
    “Oh-ho, haven’t gotten that far in the relationship, huh? Just sex talk, no ex-talk?”
    “It’s been a long time since I’ve threatened your life,” Jake said, not even turning around to glare at his sister. His words were menacing enough. “Now be quiet or I’ll call Heather and Blair and sic them on you tonight.”
    Jenny stiffened, definitely fearing the combined threat of their two older sisters, complete busybodies, both of them. “Sorry. Go ahead, Maddy.”
    “Go ahead with what?” she asked, obviously distracted by the sibling bickering. With only one sister—and a snooty, pretentious, pushy one at that, judging by what he’d heard about her—Jake doubted Maddy had much experience with the playfully cutthroat world of sibling disputes.
    “The ex. What was he, a cheat?” Jenny asked.
    Jake didn’t scold her, because that was exactly the question he wanted to ask, but hadn’t dared to.
    Maddy sighed softly. “Oh, yes. Oliver was most definitely a cheat.”
    Jenny gasped. “Oh, God, did he cheat on you with a dude? ”
    That startled a shocked laugh out of their driver. “No, why on earth would you ask that?”
    “Well, come on, I mean, Oliver? Only a parent who’s just begging for a gay son would come up with that name!”
    Jake snorted, quickly hiding his laughter when Maddy swept a sidelong glance his way. Her tiny frown told him she’d seen his amusement.
    “Well, as far as I know, he confined his cheating to snow bunnies and cocktail waitresses.”
    “But you’re so hot. Why would any guy do that?”
    Maddy shifted in her seat, as always, not accepting that she was a beautiful, desirable woman. “He liked tall, rail-thin, leggy blondes.”
    “Then it sounds to me like he should have been with an albino greyhound,” Jake snapped, completely despising the unknown Oliver. “Because he’s only fit to be with his own kind…dogs.”
    “I totally agree. You are so much better than