Page 61 of One More Time

“The hot water will warm you up fast.”

I wanted to follow her into the shower, but I didn’t. Minutes later, she came out. She’d changed into warm, dry clothes and was no longer shivering. She gave me a sheepish smile. “Okay, the shower was smart.”

As I stared at her, my heart kicked hard against my ribs, galvanizing me. I crossed the room to stop in front of her. “I’ve missed you,” I said before I could think better of it. “Maybe this isn’t what we planned, but I love you. You can tell me you never want a relationship, but I think we have a good thing.”

McKenna stared up at me, her eyes wide before she burst into tears.

Chapter Thirty-Five

McKenna

I tried to say something, but the only thing that came out was a messy sob.

Jack’s worried eyes held mine for a beat before he stepped closer and folded me into his arms. The relief of being held in his strong, protective embrace was so immense that I sobbed harder.

I buried my face in his chest, murmuring between sobs, “I’m sorry I’m freaking out. I never cry like this.” That was followed by a hiccup.

He smoothed his hand over my hair and down my back. He simply held me until my sobs stopped.

When I leaned back to look up at him, which took more courage than I wanted to admit, he said, “I certainly didn’t mean to make you cry.”

I blinked and took a shaky breath. “I miss you too.” I scrambled for some courage. “I love you. I didn’t mean for that to happen.”

Jack’s eyes were warm. “I know. Just like I didn’t plan to fall in love with you. But here we are. What should we do about it?”

I let my forehead fall to his chest again because I could hear the steady beat of his heart, and the rhythmic beat soothed me. He smelled good, kind of salty and woodsy and, well, like Jack.

When I looked up again, he brushed my hair away from my forehead, palming my cheeks as he brought his lips to mine. His kiss was soft and lingering. We stood there, our lips barely brushing through several echoing beats of my heart.

“Are you warm?” he asked.

The subtle motion of his words against my own lips sent a wash of heat through me. “Yes,” I whispered.

He lifted his head just a fraction and traced his thumb across my bottom lip. “Let’s go check on Hannah.”

“Will you stay with me tonight?”

My heart raced. Asking that question sent anxiety rushing forward. Even though he had told me he loved me only moments ago, putting that out there elicited a sense of raw vulnerability.

“I was hoping you’d ask,” he murmured. He gave me a fierce kiss before stepping back.

Moments later, he insisted I wear a jacket and even wanted me to put a hat on.

I looked askance at him. “I’m fine now,” I insisted.

He took a breath, letting it out with a sigh. “Okay.”

He reached for my hand across the console of his truck as we drove to the hospital. It felt good to have his hand curled over mine.

We didn’t talk on the way over. When we got to the hospital, I glanced over. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” He turned his truck off.

“For not thinking about the tide.”

“Sounds like there would’ve been plenty of time, but Hannah got gimpy.”

“I know, but?—”

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