Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
I run around my apartment, mindlessly straightening area rugs and couch cushions, feeling like I’m in the twilight zone. Jack will be standing in my apartment, which I’ve only thought about some five hundred times since arriving home. My mind played out many different scenarios of how we could possibly see each other in person again, and this was one of them. I never thought he’d go for it—not after his work excuse when Rocco suggested it—which is why I never brought it up again.
I freeze momentarily when I hear a knock, then open the door with a flourish. “Well, damn. Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?”
A flush crawls across his cheeks as I take in his dark jeans and tight T-shirt. He looks out of place in my apartment building, yet not. That’s when I zero in on whatever he has leaning against the wall.
“What’s that?”
He lifts the medium-sized square package that looks suspiciously like a picture frame. “I wanted to make it a matching set.”
“I…wow, thank you.” I step aside. “Come in.”
“Don’t thank me until you see it.”
“Please, I’ll love it regardless.” I shut the door behind him and whirl to face him. “I’m still a bit in shock that you’re here.”
“Tell me about it,” he mutters as he takes in my apartment, his gaze landing on the small sand dollar I placed on the end table. My cheeks prickle, but he doesn’t mention it, which only makes me wonder if he decided to show up on his own or, more likely, after some prodding from his siblings.
Either way, he’s standing right in front of me, in the flesh. I step closer, as if testing if he’s real. “I like it, though, having you here.”
He winks. “Don’t get used to it.”
“Too much city for you?” I tease.
“Maybe. But I’ll admit, it’s cool seeing where you live.”
I make a sweeping gesture. “Sorry if it’s a bit messy.”
“It’s practically spotless.” He steps toward the living room, setting the frame against my small dining table. “I just knew it would be someplace modern.”
“Believe it or not, I don’t love it. I’d prefer something with a little more…”
“Character?” When his gaze catches on the eagle photo behind the couch, he looks pleased. No way I wouldn’t hang it and then brag about it when friends came over. Which actually hasn’t happened since I returned.
“How’d you know?”
“Because you enjoy restoring things, and…you complimented my humble abode.”
“You do know me well.” When his eyes widen, my cheeks heat, so I turn toward the kitchen. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“That would be great. Just water for now.”
He leans against the island while I fill up a glass and think of something to say that doesn’t sound too probing. “I…uh…how was your drive?” I fumble the question, but to be fair, my brain isn’t connected to my mouth at the moment.
“It was fine.” He straightens. “I’m sorry if this is uncomfortable for you.”
I slide the glass across the counter to him. “Why would it be?”
“Because your trip to Aqua Vista ended, and maybe you wanted to create some distance between us.” He lifts the glass and takes a drink, as if to give himself something to do.
“Um, I can’t help wondering if you’re projecting. Did you forget the part where we’ve been texting regularly and that just thirty minutes ago, I wanted to video call you?”
“Yeah, but that’s different from me showing up.” A hint of vulnerability filters through his eyes. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“Hey.” My legs eat the distance between us, and there it is, his smell. I missed it. “You were thinking you wanted to see me, and I’m so glad because I wanted to see you too.”
He bites the inside of his cheek, which makes him seem younger. “Yeah?”
“Hell yeah.” I step closer, but I don’t want to crowd him or make a wrong move. But then his arms are winding around me, tugging the back of my shirt, and Jack is kissing me, slow and long and deep. My toes curl, and I practically swoon.
“That’s quite a hello.” I kiss his cheek before pulling back. “Now show me my gift.”
His cheek quirks. “Greedy.”
I lead him to the living room and sit on the couch. He brings the frame over and sits unsteadily beside me. I fit my fingers under the tape, pulling back the brown butcher paper and noticing double the amount of bubble wrap. “Wow, it’s armored.”
He chuckles nervously. “I was afraid it would get dented.”
My breath catches as I lay eyes on the photo of the baby turtles swarming the beach and heading toward the ocean, as if it’s a coordinated event. And yet not. You wouldn’t understand unless you watched it all go down, and I’m so glad I did.
“Fuck, I love it.”
He blows out a breath. “I hoped you would.”