Page 33 of Comeback
“I love you too, cuz,” I said, and we hugged. It was the best talk we’d had in days. “Hey, you never told me your thoughts about what it meant that Jack picked out the bloodstone.”
She took a second to think it over. “It can go either way, really.”
“What do you mean?”
“Either he picked the bloodstonebecausehis spirit sorely lacks those qualities—sacrifice, loyalty, family—or,he picked it because those are the qualities he’s naturally attracted to. Could even beboth,honestly.”
“He said he picked it because it’s the same color as my eyes.”
She lifted her head off the carpet to look at my eyes. “Wow. He’s right, actually. I never made that connection before.”
“So what does that mean? Does that change the meaning at all?”
“I don’t know, Ems. I don’t want to get your hopes up, but I’d guess it’s a good thing.”
“Why?”
“It means he was thinking of you when he picked it.”
A small smile began to sneak across my face. “Thanks, Nicky.”
I knew I wasn’t supposed to get my hopes up, but the truth was, I couldn’t wait until tomorrow. A day out on the lake sounded likeexactlywhat I needed—and not only because I needed some rest and relaxation, but because I was determined to get to know therealJack.
He must’ve known I was thinking about him because my phone suddenly chimed with a text message. It read,“Hope we’re still on for tomorrow? I’ll pick you and Mack up at 10.”
His message made my heart stir with excitement.
I replied,“Still on. Can’t wait.”
Chapter 16
Emma
I was helping Mackenzie put her shoes on when there was a knock on the door. Jack was right on time. I was so excited to see him all morning, but now the giddy anticipation almost made me sick to my stomach.
“Can you get that?” I asked Nicole.
“Sure.”
She answered the door. “Hi, Jack. Come on in.”
I peeked up from tying Mackenzie’s shoelaces to see him enter. He looked ready for a day on the lake, with a long-sleeved t-shirt, swim trunks, and brown leather boat shoes.
“Jack!” Mackenzie yelled with excitement, bouncing in my arms.
“Morning, Mack!” he answered, waving. His muscles bulged beneath his shirt. “Are you excited to go to the lake?”
“Yes!” she squealed.
“She’s sure taken a liking to you,” Nicole said, half-warning. “You still got that stone I gave you, by the way?”
“Of course.” He reached into the pocket of his trunks—which ended a few inches above his knee, showing off his deliciously thick thighs—and produced his bloodstone. “I wanted to thank you again for this, by the way. It’s really beautiful.”
“No need to thank me,” Nicole said. “Just hang on to it.”
He nodded. “I will.”
“Oooooo!” Mackenzie gushed. “I wanna see!”
