Page 98 of Forever Wild
“You were?” I smile hesitantly, then panic. “Did I screw something up? I’m so sorry. I never should have touched his schedule. I was just trying to help.”
“I’m glad you did.”
“Really?”
He nods. “Whatever magic you worked on Jack’s inbox this summer, thank you. I was expecting to come back and spend the next month digging out of it.”
“I didn’t really do much.”
“I can’t tell you how many interns I’ve fired because they don’t know how to politely decline an invitation or forget to check the schedule and double-book. And that’s for my small clients. Managing Jack’s inbox is a feat all in itself. It should be a full-time job, but Jack refuses to let anyone else touch it. Except you, I guess.”
The compliment warms me, or maybe it’s the reminder that for a small while, Jack let me in closer than he lets most people.
“And don’t even get me started on the masquerade ball. Do you know how many times I asked him to attend?”
I shake my head.
“A lot. He told me he wasn’t going to dress up in a mask like it was Halloween and go talk business. How did you get him to say yes?”
I shrug. “I just asked.”
“Well, you did him and me a solid. Nike would be a huge get.”
He doesn’t seem to know I went with Jack to the event and my heart squeezes at the memory. That night, despite getting sick, is etched into my soul forever. He took such good care of me. I enjoyed riling up the arrogant and controlling man everyone knows, but I gave my heart to the soft version who planned a once in a lifetime night for me and then held my hand while I fought off a fever instead. It was the most intimate and vulnerable I’ve been with anyone, ever.
James’ phone chimes and he glances down at it before looking back to me and smiling. “Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
He takes one step away. “I hear you’re in Briar Lake for a design internship.”
“That’s right.”
“Well, if that doesn’t work out, give me a call. I have a young baseball player that could use some strong-arming.”
When he leaves, I feel the weirdest sense of pride and surprise, but it’s quickly snuffed out when I linger too long thinking about Jack. I didn’t work any magic on Jack. He’s the same guy he always was. He would have figured out his inbox and scheduling and everything else without me. That’s just who he is. A man who needs no one else.
Piper and Charlotte return before I can get too lost in my thoughts, then Tyler walks out of the locker room. His smile when he sees his wife and daughter waiting for him makes me melt a little inside. I’m so glad he has Piper and Charlotte and now another baby on the way, but I would be lying if I said I don’t sometimes miss when it was just the two of us against the world.
I let Piper and Charlotte hug and congratulate him first, then I step up to him.
“I’m so glad you came,” he says as he wraps one arm around me.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. You played great. Charlotte and I declared you the best player on the team.”
“Is that right?” He glances over at his daughter in Piper’s arms. Charlotte is nuzzled into her mom’s shoulder with her eyes half-open.
“We based it solely on last name, but yes. No contest.”
He chuckles and lets out a long breath. “Are you heading back tonight?”
“No. I’m staying with Bridget. I’ll head back tomorrow morning.”
“Why don’t you stay with us?”
“Because…” I trail off. “You’re going to go home and crash, and I don’t want to stumble in later and wake Charlotte.”
“Going to Wild’s?”
