Page 61 of Little Gray Dress

I nod my head again.

“I never even proposed to Greta. I had your ring… er, my Mom’s ring hidden in a drawer in my office. Greta used to come by my office unexpectedly, and one day, while I was busy digging through some files, she was snooping through my desk and she somehow found it. After she opened the box she squealed, slid the ring on her finger, and assumed we were engaged.”

“Seriously?” I ask him, not even shocked at this point.

“Yeah. She kind of just moved into the spot of fiancée, and considering I had come to believe I didn’t deserve better I never corrected her.”

“Jack… I’m sorry.” I feel bad. I know this part isn’t exactly my fault. Maybe, if I’d have listened to him all those times he tried to explain himself after we’d broke up, he wouldn’t have been put in that situation.

He smiles at me and takes a deep breath, breathing it out slowly. “I’ve been in love with you since the day we met. I’d have done anything to get you back. I kept failing, though. It wasn’t only hard on you. Emi, I would still do anything to get you back.”

“Jack…”

“No, please, just let me finish.” He pulls my hand into his lap and stares down at it. “I saw Liam kiss you and it tore my heart out, even though I’ve no place in your life right now. I get why you didn’t want to speak to me after what you thought you saw. Please just know that if there is any chance for me to fix what’s been done, I will.”

I can feel my mouth hanging open, my tongue tied. I literally have no words so I nod my head. I know there has been some kind of spark that has my head and my heart at war right now, but I’m not sure exactly what it is. I don’t know if it’s love, or forgiveness, or even relief.

“I mean it, Ems, I’ll do anything. I know you’re not ready right now, and I’ll do my best to give you the space you need, but please don’t push me away anymore.”

“Hey, Ems… wanna go get—” Lily walks in my room, still in her pajamas, and stops midway through the door. “Oh… I didn’t mean to interrupt.” She flashes a smile my way “I’ll just come back later.”

Jack and I both watch her back away and close the door behind her.

“I don’t know what to say.” I shrug my shoulders. I can’t tell him the feelings racing through me right now. I need to figure out what they are first.

“Just say you’ll at least think about all this.” He pulls my hand up to his lips, sending a shiver through my entire body. “Please?”

“I will,” I say, unable to say no after everything I’ve heard recently. Jack smiles through the pain on his face. A real smile; one that reaches his eyes and my heart. I watch him stand and walk towards the door.

“Jack?”

He turns and looks back at me.

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry I was such a bitch these last couple of years.”

He nods before stopping at the door, hand on the knob, yet not moving. I push the blankets off me to follow him out and see what Lily wants.

“One more thing…” he says, turning back towards me. The look in his eyes as he pushes me against the wall and plants a kiss of desperation on my lips tells me he’s not immediately leaving my room.

And… Well… What can I do? I’m weak.

“You slept with him?” Lily spurts out coffee, her voice high and weird, gaining the attention of the entire Starbucks.

“In my defense, it wasn’t my fault.”

“How is that a defense?”

“I don’t know.” I sip my coffee hoping she’ll end the interview about my drama.

“Does that mean you’re getting back together?”

“I don’t think so; he asked me to think about things.”

“And…?”

“It’s only been two hours.”

“You. Slept. With. Him.” Lily jabs it out like strokes on a typewriter. “I think you gave him your answer.”

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