Page 41 of A Heart Worth Finding
“What did we do after that?”
“Well, we tried to take you to Señor Frogs,” Chad said. “But you were literally too drunk to stand. This one”—he pointed at Jessica—“took it upon herself to take care of you and get you home safe. I would’ve, but…”
“But you’re an asshole,” Jack supplied good naturedly, and everyone laughed.
“Well, there’s that, yes. But also we had to make sure Tyler accomplished what he set out to do.”
“Which was?” Jack said, quirking an eyebrow. Andfuck, he wish he remembered something,anything, from the night.
“The waterslide, man,” Tyler reminded him. “You weren’t even drunk for that conversation!”
“I’m sorry!” Jack said, stumbling off the bed to stand, his legs wobbling dangerously under him. “The whole night is just…fuzzy.”
“I mean, you were pounding tequila shots like it was your job,” Zach said. “Even after I vomited and you won our little game.”
“What game?” At the thought of tequila, bile crawled up his throat, and he held up a hand before anyone could respond. “Actually, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”
“I’m surprised you’re even alive, bro,” Chad said, dropping a heavy hand on Jack’s shoulder. “Get some sleep and rally for tomorrow. I’m going to bed.”
With that, he turned on his heel and left, Zach following behind.
“We’re just gonna…give you two a second,” Bethani said, gesturing between Jack and Jessica before shoving Tyler onto the balcony.
Jack sat down hard on the end of the bed, the mattress jostling as Jessica scooted up next to him. The moment she reached his side, he turned and drew her onto his lap.
“I’m sorry,” he said, burying his face in her hair.
“Don’t be sorry,” she said, scratching her fingers lightly across the nape of his neck. “You’re a teenager on vacation, Jack. It could’ve happened to any one of us.”
He pulled away to look at her, surprised by the sincerity lining her features.
“Still, you didn’t have to take care of me. You hardly know me.”
“That may be true,” she said, tipping her head down to avoid his gaze. “But…”
He tucked his finger under her chin and forced her to meet his eyes. “But?”
“It’s going to sound crazy.”
“Just tell me.”
“I like you,” she blurted. “A lot, somehow. I know it’s only been like two days, and I can’t really explain it, but…there’s something here, isn’t there?”
Jack raised his arm and pressed a hand to her chest, right over her heart. Goosebumps pebbled her skin, whether from the air conditioning in the room or his touch, he didn’t know.
“There is,” he agreed. “It doesn’t make any sense at all, but I’m right here with you, Jess.”
Swallowing hard, she nodded, then leaned forward to capture his mouth with hers.
The kiss was slow, tentative, a soft drag of her lips against his. Right as Jack slid his hand across her collarbone and around to cup the back of her neck, intending to deepen the kiss, a pounding on the sliding door broke them apart.
He rested his forehead against hers. “I love that guy, but he’s about to get his ass beat.”
Jessica laughed, the sound a warm blanket on a cold day, or a cool breeze on a hot one. He wanted to wrap himself in it, and he knew he’d do anything and everything to hear it again and again.
“Bethani and I should get back to our room anyway,” Jessica said, pulling herself from his arms and rising to her feet. “You know, before our moms start to worry.”
She moved to the balcony door and opened it, mumbling something to Bethani. A moment later, she and Tyler came inside, and Jack stood, opening his arms.
