Page 60 of One More Kiss

“What about me?” she asked lifting her chin.

He gave her that smirk that called her on her bullshit every single time.

“I don’t know what I’m waiting for.” But her words were a lie. She knew exactly what she wanted.

A do over.

And there were none to be had so what did that leave? Acceptance?

“Well,” he said pushing off the porch swing, “If we’re going to sell this place, there’s something we need to do.”

He slid his cell out of his pocket and scrolled the screen. Music flared to life, the familiar beat of “Like a Rock” setting her blood racing.

They’d never spent a sunset at this lake without dancing to that old Bob Seger song. She thought he’d forgotten.

The seconds slowed.

Crickets chirped in the distance.

Tucker snored from his bed on the deck.

Jack turned to her and reached out a hand. “Dance with me.”

Her heart lurched into her throat.

This was the moment. She took his hand or walked away.

Walking away would allow her to stay frozen, but taking his hand…

She’d be forced to wake up to the surrounding emotions.

To the emotions that remained inside her.

His blue eyes never wavered.

He didn’t plead.

Jack just patiently waited for her.

Like he always did.

It’s too damn much to ask that you love me enough to turn back to me and away from the pain.

Her heart soared to a time when she stood in an intimate English garden with flowers exploding around them and promised through better or worse.

Setting her cup on the teak table next to her, she stood and took his hand.

His fingers curled around hers and this time when he smiled, he lit up.

With a firm tug, she practically fell into his familiar arms.

An embrace she counted on to keep her safe.

An embrace she blamed for not being able to fix hurt after hurt life lobbed at her.

At them.

Pressing her forehead against his chest, she swayed along with him.

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