Page 58 of The Sandover Beach Billionaire

Chapter Eighteen

Jenna sat sobbing loudlyin Jackson’s office chair. She wasn’t just sad, but a big ball of bad feelings: hurt, angry, disappointed. Jackson’s final words to her had encompassed every sick and terrible thing she felt about herself after realizing that Steve and Anna were still married. Willing or not, she had been a part of Steve cheating on Anna. Even though she hadn’t initiated or wanted his kiss, it happened. She couldn’t erase the sick feeling.

Jackson’s words only made it worse. And he hadn’t so much as apologized for whatever was happening with Mercer. As hurt as she had been about Mercer, she hadn’t lashed out at Jackson. He was looking at houses with her, for crying out loud, and Jenna still hadn’t been cruel. But one kiss from Steve—an unwanted kiss at that, and Jackson snapped. He had lined up his aim right where Jenna was most vulnerable and taken the shot.

How could she have been so wrong about him? Steve, Mark, Jackson—she really was a terrible judge of character.

Jackson seemed too good to be true: kind, sweet, thoughtful, faithful. He offered security—financial and otherwise—when she felt adrift. Was that part of the attraction—the idea that he could take care of her with all his money? She hoped that she wasn’t that shallow. At this point, Jenna didn’t know what she thought about anything. It was all just a big mess.

After a moment, Jenna felt a tentative hand rubbing circles on her back. When her sobbing turned to sniffling, Jenna sat up. Mercer stood beside the chair and handed her a tissue. Her eyes were kind. “I’ll be right back, okay?”

Jenna nodded. Any jealousy she had felt toward Mercer had died in the last few minutes when Jackson exploded on her. She had no more fight. The last few days had taken too much out of her. She simply felt limp. If Mercer witnessed all that and still wanted Jackson, she could have him.

Mercer returned a few minutes later with a tea from the coffee bar. Jenna held it while it cooled. Mercer sat in a chair on the other side of the desk. Jenna knew she should feel awkward talking to this woman—the one Jackson worked with, admired, and was looking for houses with. But something about Mercer put her at ease. If she was upset with anyone, it was Jackson. And herself.

A few minutes passed before Mercer spoke. “I’m really sorry about what Jackson said. It was really harsh. That’s not like him.” She paused and seemed to think hard about her next words. “You know he’s got an anger problem? It’s something he’s been working through for a few years.”

No, that wasn’t something he had shared with her. One of many things, apparently. She was beginning to feel like Jackson was a stranger. “Not enough, obviously.”

Mercer nodded. “I can see where you’d say that. From what I’ve heard and what he’s told me, his main issue was physical. Fighting. Lashing out. He’s made strides there.” She grimaced. “I haven’t seen him lose it like this. For what it’s worth, that’s a sign that he cares.”

Jenna couldn’t even find the words to respond to that. He cared? Funny way of showing it. His bruised knuckles earlier in the week came to mind. That made more sense now. Why hadn’t he said something? Oh, yeah—because he had another girlfriend he shared that with.

“How long have you guys been looking at houses?” Jenna asked. Her voice sounded hard and accusing. She didn’t care.

Mercer made a face. “He asked me to start looking a few days ago. I’m sorry you found out that way.”

A few days ago.That meant sometime this week, while Jackson was at Jenna’s house, kissing her and acting like he wanted to build a relationship with her, he was also looking at houses with Mercer.

The pain was so familiar that she almost welcomed it. Not pleasant, but it was comfortable. It was an old friend that she knew well.

“Jackson was going to tell you,” Mercer said. “He wanted it to be a surprise.”

Was she for real?Jenna snorted. “Some surprise. The guy I thought I was falling in love with has another girlfriend and they’re looking at houses.”

Mercer’s jaw fell open. “Wait, what? You think Jackson and I—you thought we were looking for house for the two of us? He and I are not in a relationship. He’s my boss.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t understand.” Jenna set down her tea and clasped her hands, which had started to shake. “You and Jackson aren’t together?”

“No. Definitely not. Is that what you thought?” Jenna could only nod. Mercer’s whole face turned red as she continued. “We weren’t looking at houses for me and Jackson. He asked for my help with—with properties. It was most definitely not for me and Jackson. We are not and have never been a couple.”

Jenna got the definite sense that Mercer still held something back, but her words rang true. Hearing this should have been a relief, but Jenna felt too numb. It’s already over, Jenna realized. She had let go of Jackson the moment he stormed out of the office. Or maybe the instant his harsh words drove a knife into her heart.

He was probably already done with her too since he thought that she had cheated on him with Steve. Did they even need to talk about it? They had kissed and spent time together, but he hadn’t ever said in words what they were building. Maybe it was better this way. They had saved themselves more heartache in the long run.

Now Jenna started to feel something again, dragging her out of the limp numbness. She felt loss. Regret. Defeat. Jenna couldn’t open herself up to a relationship when they could hurt this badly. She had lost too much.

“Can I ask why you assumed we were dating?” Mercer took a sip of tea. Her cheeks were still red.

Jenna sighed. “Steve told me. He said he saw you looking for houses together.”

“Steve.” Mercer made a disgusted sound. “I don’t mean to be so nosy, but what happened there? I don’t know you well, but Jackson thinks the world of you. I have a hard time picturing you getting swept up in Steve’s charms.” Mercer said this last word as though she was spitting poison.

“I didn’t. We have history, but not one I wanted to restart. I was in the hospital visiting his parents. Long story. They’ve been our neighbors forever and I stayed close with his mom. He kissed me—I didn’t want to or respond. Maybe I didn’t pull away fast enough, but I was shocked and definitely didn’t reciprocate.”

“Not surprising.”

“I also didn’t know he was still married, not that it would have mattered. I think he was trying to hide it. He was never wearing a ring and deflected when I mentioned Anna. He kind of implied that they weren’t close anymore whenever I saw him.”

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