Page 2 of One More Time

But then, I remembered he knew my family. At least, now he did. So maybe I could ask him on a date, but surely, he would want something else. Not for me, but just because.

When your family has money, people think you’re lucky. Maybe I didn’t worry about paying the bills. That was a genuine blessing. But I had learned that when you have money, people want it. You never know if they want you for you or for your money and the connections it creates. I fervently wished for another few seconds that I hadn’t met Jack under these circumstances. Because more than just a spark of chemistry burned between us. But I couldn’t unwind time. I couldn’t hope for a meeting where he didn’t know who I was. Maybe I could think he just wanted me for me.

I took a shaky breath, forcing myself to shrug lightly, to play it oh-so-cool. “I was just kidding.” My voice came out stilted.

Jack studied me for another moment, and anxiety tightened like a fist in my chest, making it hard to breathe for a minute.

I beat back the panic building inside, telling myself I could ignore it even though it was impossible. I’d had panic attacks since I was a little girl. Even though I didn’t know that’s what they officially were until I was in high school.

I didn’t talk about them because I didn’t want to. That was another secret I kept from my family. I hadn’t had one in years, mostly because I did my best to avoid all triggers.

“I wasn’t kidding,” Jack finally said.

That got my attention. I peered up at him, cocking my head to the side.

“Really?” That single word was loaded with skepticism.

He didn’t even look away as he nodded slowly. “Really.”

“Oh.” I chewed on the inside of my cheek.

Jack was quiet again before he angled his head, his gaze considering. “Is that such a surprise? You’re beautiful, McKenna.”

The sincerity in his voice brought tears to my eyes, startling me. I blinked quickly, looking away. What little light had been left lingering in the sky was gone now. The moon hung over the mountains, casting a crescent-shaped beam of light across the ocean, a shimmering blur on the dark surface.

I steeled myself. I was trying to find my footing in this conversation. I was used to feeling uncertain about men and doubting intentions. I acknowledged those doubts as facts, as easily as accepting that the sky was blue and that I needed air to breathe, water to drink, and food to eat. These were all facts of life.

I felt this surprising pull to Jack. I didn’t want to use the word magnetic, but that was the only word that came to mind. When I trusted that the tears were safely banished, I glanced back toward Jack, shrugging. “I guess. Once people know who my family is, they usually want something from me. If I’m actually beautiful to you, that’s a surprise.” I was proud there wasn’t even any bitterness in my voice.

Jack looked dismayed.

“Well, that fucking sucks,” he said flatly after several beats of silence.

“It’s just practical.”

He looked away, out over the ocean. I could see the muscles in his jaw clenched tight. His shoulders rose when he took a deep breath. He let it out in a controlled sigh when he turned back toward me. “Do you think Quinn married your brother for his money?”

I shook my head before I could even think it through. My faith in Quinn’s love for Kenan was unshakable. “Absolutely not.”

“What about Haven and Rhys? And Blake and Fiona?”

“It seems like you know my whole family,” I hedged, my tone sarcastic as I sidestepped his question.

“I met them all today,” Jack said. “Everyone seemed pretty happy. It was nice to see.”

“Fine,” I muttered. “They’re all happy. If you must know, I don’t think any of their spouses chased them for money. I just haven’t been that lucky.”

He studied me while I ignored the way my belly felt all fluttery and tingly. Sweet hell. Just looking into his eyes made me feel like a teenage girl again. I wanted his approval. I wanted him to like me. I wanted him to kiss me and to mean it when he said I was beautiful. It’s not that I doubted him specifically. It’s just I didn’t really believe it. It wasn’t him. It was me.

“Because it bears repeating, you’re beautiful, McKenna.” At that, Jack stepped away from the railing.

“I’ll see you when I see you,” I called as he walked away.

Chapter Two

Jack

I curled my hand over the door handle, pausing for a second before I opened it. Ever since I opened a door directly into McKenna Cannon’s face, I always gave it a second to make sure I didn’t hear footsteps coming down the hallway.

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