11

Chapter 11

Her first impression of Bal Harbour Shops was one of lush greenery, giving it a wild air. Her next impression was one of confusion, as she paused by a statue. “What is this?” It looked like a clock had melted into an oddly shaped tree limb.

“Damned if I know,” said Jason, his mouth twitching, “But it makes the shoppers feel like they’re in a sophisticated wonderland, right?”

She grinned at his mocking tone. “Of course.” With a tilt of her head, she tried looking at it from another angle. “I’ll never understand modern art. My professor said I was a philistine.”

Jason laughed. “If you ask me, the people who pretend to get this stuff are pretentious fools.”

She turned her critical gaze to him, assessing. “How is it that you’re so down-to-earth, just like Josh?”

Jason shrugged, looking faintly embarrassed. “My mother wouldn’t let me be spoiled to the point where I lost touch with reality. She made me do volunteer work, help with charities, and even had us all serving a meal at