Page 32 of Finding Jack
“No. It’s a respect-for-the-dead thing. He’s dead to you now, right?”
“No. Dang, Ranée. We didn’t end on bad terms. I’d say hi if I saw him again.”
“But the relationship is dead?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. Then out of respect for the dead relationship. But with Jack, it’s not loyalty. It’s more like I’m protective of him.”
“Protective?” It was an interesting word choice. “Why does he need protecting? Is something wrong with him?”
“I’m not sure he does. It’s almost a…I guess it’s more like respect. Some people deserve to have stories told on them. But some people deserve to tell their own stories. He’s more like that.”
“You’re freaking me out, being all deep and stuff. Stop it.”
She grinned at me. “You got it. Can we talk about how insanely hot Jack is?”
“I appreciate him for his mind.”
“And his fine-looking face.”
“And his fine-looking face.” And then I remembered something. “You never even told me what Jack does. I asked you before and you ducked the question.”
“I don’t think I was trying to. I don’t actually know what he does now. I know what he used to do. He and Sean worked together. They don’t work together now, although Jack found his new job because of Sean. He went out to visit him and he says the area ‘spoke’ to him.”
“Portland?”
“Outside of it, yeah.” She yawned. “Ugh, I need a nap before I go out. I’m so tired.”
“You can always just not go out.” She raised her eyebrows at me, and we both burst out laughing. “I forgot who I was talking to. You’re right. Take your nap.” I got my argument ready for when she tried to convince me to go out with her. I already had big plans for the night. I’d come up with a new strategy to do some Jack research, and I was itchy to get to it, but she didn’t say anything, just went back to her room.
The door shut behind her, and I opened my laptop. I’d no sooner logged in than a DM popped up.
JACK: Hey.
EMILY: Hey. I don’t have time to talk right now. I’m trying to do some research on you.
JACK: On me? You can just ask.
EMILY: I have. You don’t answer.
JACK: Oh yeah.
EMILY: Are you going to answer now?
JACK: Probably not.
EMILY: Why not?
JACK: I guess it depends on the question. Maybe you want me to answer boring stuff.
EMILY: It would be interesting to me. Doesn’t that count?
JACK: Wait. You set that question up so that I can only say yes or I look like a jerk, and if I say yes, it implies I’m willing to answer your other questions.
EMILY:
JACK: Okay, I’ll answer. But there are ground rules. No asking boring work cocktail party questions, like where are you from and what do you do. Do you accept?
