Page 70 of Christmas Homecoming Secrets
His phone buzzed. “That’s Lisa. She’s going to bring me the journal. I’m going to meet her at the interstate exit so she doesn’t have to come all the way into town. I’ll only be about thirty minutes or so. Will you be all right until I get back?”
“Sure.”
“You want to ride with me?”
“I think I’m going to go see Heather.”
“Not alone.”
“No, I’ll take the officer with me.” She finished off the bacon and leaned back to sip her coffee. “She keeps telling me to leave her alone, that she wants to grieve her own way. On the one hand, I understand that. On the other, I think she needs someone there for her—whether she likes it or not.”
“I think you’re right.”
“Well, that’s a relief, because I really wasn’t sure it was a good idea.”
He reached over and squeezed her fingers. “You’re a good friend, Jade.”
As soon as the words passed his lips, he wanted to pull them back in.
Her eyes shadowed, but she smiled. “A good friend, huh? Well, I try.” She slid her hand away from his and stood while Bryce mentally kicked himself all over the place.
A good friend? A good friend? I’m an idiot.
“Jade, you’re a good friend to Heather. That’s all I meant.”
“So, not to you.”
Heat crept into his cheeks. “Yes, of course you are. I simply meant—I didn’t mean… Aw, man.” He stood, slipped his hands around her biceps and pulled her against him. A gasp whispered from her, but she didn’t pull away. “I’m glad we’re friends Jade, but—”
“But what?”
“But…this.” He lowered his lips to hers and gave her a moment to protest if she decided she didn’t want the embrace to continue. When she wrapped her arms around his neck, he deepened the kiss and realized how right it felt to hold her. Like she was supposed to be there. Her soft lips yielded and he explored gently, hoping his heart came through and she understood it without him having to put it into words.
When he lifted his head, her eyes opened and she watched him. He saw the questions burning there and swallowed hard. Because he didn’t have the answers yet. He just knew he wasn’t ready to lose her. “I guess I need to get going.”
“I guess I do, too.”
“You’re more than a friend, Jade, but I—”
“But you what?”
“I’m not—” How did explain without sounding like an idiot? Again. “I can’t—” Nope. “I’ll talk to you later. Be safe.”
She frowned but nodded. “You, too.”
He hit the door not quite at a run, but pretty close to it.
Once on the porch, he drew in a ragged breath. She was getting under his skin. He laughed. Who was he kidding? There was nogettingabout it. She was already there. So, what was he going to do? The honorable thing by letting her go so she could find someone without so much baggage attached? Or be selfish and try to win her heart? That kiss had told him a lot about what hewantedto do, but he could use help struggling with the issue of what heshoulddo. And then there was Mia. He knew without a shadow of a doubt he wanted to be in his daughter’s life, but the uncertainty and insecurities strangled him.
The indecision was killing him, but he had to meet Lisa and get Frank’s journal. Maybe there was a clue in there as to who killed him—or why he wanted to call off the wedding.
If not, then Bryce was at a loss as to what to do next. He just wanted this mystery about Frank to be over. Because when it was over, he and Jade had a lot to talk about.
FIFTEEN
Jade watched Bryce’s taillights disappear around the curve in the long driveway, her thoughts on that kiss. Kind of surprised she could think. Because it had been a really good,mind-blowingkiss. Her heart still pounded, and she let out what little breath was in her lungs.
Wow.
