Page 48 of Love and Loathing

No, she couldn’t accept that. “No, I’m going to find them. I’ll call around the airports and—”

The doorbell rang. The room went silent; even Ma went quiet.

“It’s her,” Ma said. “It must be. My baby’s come to her senses.”

Jessie jumped up and rushed to the door, flinging it open.

It wasn’t Cecilia, though.

It was Alex.

Chapter 19

Alex stopped in front of Jessie’s front door and took a deep breath. The house was lit within, but it was close to eight now. The sky was getting darker, though it wasn’t dark yet, and their porch lights weren’t on. He was sure they wouldn’t see him through the sheer curtain that hung over the oval window in the door. He took a moment to compose himself, still doubting if coming here was the right move. He’d promised Jessie he’d never darken her door again. But then she’d sent him that video this morning, a brilliant piece of marketing that put her pitch to him to shame. It’d given him gooseflesh, it’d been so beautiful. And then there was her note telling him to do with it what he would. He had to try one more time. Had to see if there was any chance that her feelings had changed.

He steeled himself, then rang the doorbell.

Through the little holes in the lace, he saw movement inside heading to the door in a flash, and then it swung open, and there she was. She stared at him, blank-faced, and his heart sank.

“I’m sorry to stop by unannounced,” he said. Her stare went from blank to distraught. “But I wanted to talk to you about the—”

A tear slid down her cheek.

He stepped forward and took her arms in his hands. “What is it? What’s wrong?” He wiped the tear with his thumb. Whatever was wrong, he’d destroy it, rip it limb from limb, crush it to dust so he’d never have to see her like this again. He ignored that the “what” in the scenario in his mind had presented as Jacob Whitley.

Jessie reached up and scrubbed at her cheeks with the back of her hand. It was only then that Alex noticed the rest of her family, and they all looked just as upset.

“You’re here,” she said, sounding choked up.

He rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “Always.”

She sucked in a sob and threw her arms around his shoulders, practically knocking the wind out him. He grabbed on tight, wrapping one arm around her waist, and the other he pushed into her glorious hair. He held tight, rocking lightly from side to side. She wasn’t crying, but she shook in his arms. The initial elation he’d felt at having her throw herself at him dissipated with every shudder.

He couldn’t stand this, whatever this was. “Please, tell me. What’s happened?”

She pulled back, but only enough to look up at him. “Jacob’s run off with Cecilia.”

* * *

One mention of Jacob, and Alex’s entire countenance changed like it had the night he’d told Jessie he loved her and she’d accused him of all those horrible lies. But this time, he wasn’t mad at her.

In a matter of seconds, he’d gone from holding her to making a phone call. The change had been startling, and she hadn’t liked the feel of the cool air as it’d replaced his body heat—the glorious feeling of safety his arms and presence had provided. She’d never known what it felt like to be truly held by a man until that moment.

She was so shocked by his retreat from her, she nearly started a fight.What, you have better things to do than hug me while I’m in distress?She shook her head at the thought and thanked her lucky stars she kept that one in. And the only reason she had was because he’d taken hold of her hand. It seemed arguing was her go-to mode with Alex, but no more.

Especially now that she knew why he’d made the call.

“Yes, Jacob Brian Whitley, and Cecilia—” He looked at her and mouthed, “Middle name?”

“Belle,” Jessie said.

“And Cecilia Belle Winslow,” Alex said. Then he waited. “Let me ask … Did she have a passport?”

Jessie looked at Ma.

“Yes,” Ma said. “She took it.”

“Yes,” Alex said, and he rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand absently. The slight pressure sent tingles up her arm.

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