Page 45 of Come Back to Me

“What? I need carbs! I used a lot of my energy last night.” I grin widely at him.

“I think I have a cure for that,” he says. “Pancakes. How do you feel about walking the dogs and then heading out to Pat’s Diner for some cereal-filled pancakes with milk over them?”

I smile up at him. “You had me at pancakes.”

An hour later, we arrive at Pat’s after we’ve walked the dogs around the block, had a quick shower together. Okay, not a quick shower because we got distracted enjoying eachother’s bodies a bit more, but we showered, and now we’re ready for pancakes.

I smile as Jack orders the same pancakes I do. When they arrive at the table, the server also brings us over extra whipped cream for them and winks at Jack.

The homeless man Jack bought dinner for the night of Teddy’s wedding is outside and Jack asks the server to bring him in and let him order whatever he wants on our bill.

“What’s the story with him?” I gesture with my head toward the man. “Do you know him?”

“I do, actually,” Jack answers. “His name’s Jim and he’s an old friend of my Uncle Griffin. Griffin and Jim are only about fifteen years older than me, so they were around a lot when we were kids. He was always nice to Ben and me, would throw the football to us for a few minutes when he was over, that kind of stuff.” He pauses for a few moments and takes several bites of his pancakes.

I wait patiently, feeling like there is more to the story but not wanting to rush Jack.

“So, he served in the military, and I guess he saw some pretty bad things. Came back home with a pretty severe case of PTSD. He ended up coping through alcohol and eventually lost his wife and children because of it… and ended up on the streets. He’s a proud man, still,” Jack says. “He’s never been willing to take help from Uncle Griffin or his family, but he lets me buy him a meal once in a while.” Jack smiles sadly.

We take our time eating and enjoying each other’s company.

On our way out, Jack stops and introduces me to Jim.

I smile at him and shake his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I hope I’ll see you around again.”

Jim beams, and Jack kisses my temple before saying goodbye to him and leading me out of the door by the hand.

I sipon one of the frozen margaritas I ordered for Janie and me while I wait for her in a booth at our favorite Mexican restaurant. I entertain myself while I wait by admiring the brightly colored art adorning the walls. When she walks in, I smile at her and wave her over to our booth.

“Happy ‘Taco Tuesday,’ love.” She slides into the booth opposite me and grins. “Thank God you had a margarita waiting for me. You’re the best.”

Janie smiles at me and asks, “So, how are things with Mr. Wonderful? It’s been three weeks since you two dropped the L-bomb on each other. Still going strong?”

Of course, Janie was the first person I told about Jack and me saying “I love you” to each other after our winery date a few weeks ago. I held back most of the other details of that night. Most, but not all.

“They’re good… fantastic,” I say. I literally can’t stop myself from smiling thinking about it. “We usually get along pretty well, but we have enough small spats that I know we can work through minor disagreements. He’s always quick to apologize when he’s in the wrong… Me, not as quick.” I laugh.

“You seem really happy. I’m glad for you. You deserve it, Annie.”

“You know, I am happy… really happy.” I hesitate, biting the inside of my cheek. “The thing is I’m also kind of freaked out about how strongly I feel for him. I mean, I almost married someone else, and I now know what a mistake that would have been. Not just because he couldn’t keep his dick in his pants, but because I didn’t feel half as strong for him after four years as I do for Jack in just a few months.”

“That’s a good thing, Annie. Why does that freak you out?”

“Well…”

“Just spit it out. I’m not gonna tell him. I pinky promise,” she says. She grins while holding up her pinky and lightening the mood.

I take a deep breath and release it slowly.

“As devastated as I was when I found out Jason cheated—and I didn’t love him like this—I’m afraid it would absolutely destroy me if Jack ever… if he ever cheated.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, is that all?” She laughs. Laughs right at me. “Have you ever met the man? Jack Donley is absolutely smitten with you, Annie. Even if he wasn’t, he’s not the cheating type.”

CHAPTER 21

ANNIE

Shayna and I are jamming to my female power playlist—thank you T Swift, Pink, and Lady Gaga—as she’s helping me set up appetizers for my guests, who will arrive soon. It’s my turn to host book club tonight. Jack is at the station, so I won’t get to see him. I guess if I can’t have the real thing, spending the night with my friends sipping wine and talking about our favorite parts of our latest spicy romance novel is the next best thing.

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