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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 through August. And I’m not planning to date anyone while I’m here. It wouldn’t really make sense, with me leaving so soon.”
    He was surprised at the strength of his disappointment. “Yeah, of course.” He took a quick breath. “Well, I’ll be glad to have you as a neighbor for as long as you’re here. And thanks again for tonight. Claire and I had a wonderful time.”
    “So did I,” she said, her head tilted back as she looked up at him.
    Her hair was a cloud of black silk, her eyes wide and blue. She was only a few inches away, and he could finally breathe in her wildflower fragrance, the scent he’d only caught hints of all night.
    Her full, soft lips were parted, and he wanted to kiss her so badly he had to force himself to take a step back.
    “Good night,” he said, his voice a little rough.
    “Good night, Michael.”
    She paused for a moment, still looking up at him. Then she opened her door and was gone.
     

 
    Chapter Three
    Jenna was right.