Page 55 of Love and Other Lost Things

The pain he felt now was overwhelming. It wasn’t about losing the scholarship. Nik didn’t give a shit about that anymore. He’d made it on his own. But Jane had run away to Los Angeles to protect his dream. And it had all been for nothing.

A haunted look crossed her face, and he realized the truth was dawning on her. He’d told her earlier that he’d stayed in Linden Falls and gone to community college.

Jane backed away from him, her eyes glued to his face. “Why didn’t you go to Cornell, Nik? Why did you stay in Linden Falls?”

He reached for her. “Jane, it’s freezing out. Let’s get in the car.”

She shook her head. “Why are you still here?” Jane was crying now, icy tears dripping down her cheeks. “Answer me, Nik.”

“I like it here. I’m happy here.”

She swiped at her eyes. “Maybe you do like it here. But that’s not why you stayed. At least, it’s not why you stayed ten years ago.” Her voice rose with each word. “What really happened?”

How could he tell her? “Jane…”

“He took your scholarship away, didn’t he? Even though I left and never saw you again. He took it anyway.”

Nik hesitated and then nodded.

“Oh God.” Jane paced across the road and sank down on a fallen log. She pressed her face into her hands. Her entire body shook.

Nik followed her across the road and crouched in front of her. “Jane, it’s freezing out. Will you get in the car? Please?”

Her shoulders slumped, and wordlessly, she nodded. Nik stood and then took her hand, helping her to her feet. He kept her hand tucked in his as they headed up the road. Once he got her in the passenger seat, he rounded the vehicle and climbed in, cranking up the heat.

“I should really get home,” Jane murmured, her voice flat.

Nik rubbed his hands together to warm them. “I think we should finish this conversation.”

Slowly, she turned her head to look at him. “What else is there to say? It’s over, it’s in the past.”

But we’re here in the present. They’d missed out on ten years. He didn’t want to miss out on ten more.

“My mom thought I was going out for milk.” Jane grabbed the seatbelt and pulled the strap across her chest. “I’m sure she’ll start to worry.”

“You could text her and tell her you’re with me.”

Jane shook her head. “If she’s asleep, a text might wake her up.”

“If she’s asleep, she won’t be worrying about you.”

“Well, there’s no way to know, so I should get back.”

Nik sighed. Why did he feel like she was still keeping things from him?

She was silent on the drive home. When he pulled his car in at the McCaffreys’ driveway behind an older Toyota that he assumed was hers, he turned to face her. “I’m sorry I kidnapped you.”

“It’s okay.” She gave him a lopsided smile, and his heart did a somersault. All he wanted was to keep that smile on her face. It killed him to think about all the reasons she’d run away. But she was back, and her dad was gone. And maybe… Hell, he didn’t know. Maybe they could be friends again.

Friends.

Jane’s nose was red from crying, eyes swollen, mascara smeared under her lashes. And still she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. How many times in the last decade had he dreamed of that face? Dream of her body beneath his? And how many times did he wake up as aroused as a teenager?

He didn’t want to be friends with Jane.

Nik took a chance. “I’m working the day shift tomorrow. Can I come by when I get off? We could get a drink or dinner. Talk more.”

Jane shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She glanced nervously up at the house, and a weight settled in his chest. He still didn’t know anything about her life, really.

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