Page 38 of Hometown Heart

We fell into an easy rhythm at the sink—me washing, him drying. The kitchen window faced east, and I watched our reflections overlaid against the dark glass, moving in sync.

"Looking forward to the quiet?" I asked, passing him the last mug.

"Sometimes." He arranged the dishes in the rack with careful precision. "Other times, the house feels too big without Cody's running commentary on whatever crossed his mind over the last five minutes."

I smiled, remembering Cody's excited chatter about Tyler's sports app. "He's a good kid."

"The best." Jack set his dish towel aside. "Thanks for coming over tonight and letting him be part of this."

I wanted to know the full definition of the wordthis. Turning to face Jack, I was aware of how close we stood near the counter.

"Thank you for inviting me." The words meant more than dinner, and we both knew it.

Jack's hand found mine, our fingers intertwining naturally. His palm was warm. Real. Present.

"Silas." My name on his lips sent a light tingle up my spine.

At last, I didn't run. I didn't overthink anything. I closed the distance between us and pressed my lips to his. It was a gentle, exploring kiss at first, but then Jack's free hand came up to cup the back of my head, and sparks began to fly.

I pressed closer, deepening the kiss. Jack responded in kind, and suddenly, we were properly making out in his kitchen. My back pressed against the counter, and his fingers threaded through my hair.

When we finally broke apart, both slightly breathless, Jack asked the obvious question. "Stay?"

The invitation was genuine, and my body longed for me to accept it. Still, we'd already crossed so many barriers in one night that I didn't want to jeopardize the progress. I needed to give it time.

"Not tonight." I kissed his lips lightly again. "I do want you to understand I'm not backing off or running."

"No?"

"No." I squeezed his hand. "I need to take it slow. I want us to get it right."

Jack walked me to the door with our fingers still woven together. The porch light cast shadows across the fresh snow.

"Goodnight, Jack."

"Goodnight." He caught me for one more kiss, a quick one that left me wanting so much more. "See you for coffee in the morning?"

I smiled, stepping out into the winter night. "Count on it."

My walk home never felt shorter. My steps were light, like walking on air, despite the accumulating snow. My carefully constructed walls felt like something I was ready to leave behind.

Chapter twelve

Jack

By the time I arrived, the arena was already filling up. I found my usual seat in the stands. Cody and his team warmed up on the ice. The crisp slap of pucks hitting sticks, goals, and the board echoed around us.

Most of the faces were familiar by now. A majority were parents like me. Brooks was lounging in the next row down from me, his arms crossed over his chest.

On the other side of the rink, Dottie chatted with Vi and Ruthie near the snack bar. They occasionally glanced at me before leaning in closer to engage in more conversation.

I sighed. No wonder gossip traveled so fast in Whistleport.

Brooks stretched out and leaned back, looking up at me. "So, how's the kid today?"

"He's confident. That's for sure, but he might be leaning a little on the cocky side."

Brooks chuckled. "Not necessarily a bad thing. It gives him a leg up in the psychological game with the other team.

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