Page 106 of Just One Kiss

"I wish I could take it back."

"But you can't, and it's part of our story. But it's not a part I want to think about anymore. I want you to know that you have also made me happy in a way no one else ever has—back when we were teenagers and now. You know me better than I know myself. You know what I need sometimes before I know I need it. You push me, and I like that."

Happiness filled his gaze. "I'm glad I make you happy, and I will never hurt you again," he promised. "I would die for you, Hannah."

"You almost did tonight."

"But you saved me. You picked up that gun, and you took the shot. You were incredibly brave, Hannah."

"You saved me, too. And I'm not just talking about that horrible man inside the house. When you picked me up on the side of the road last week, you forced me to stop hiding from you, stop hiding from myself. I've been closed off for so long. I've felt like I had to only depend on myself. But then you kept showing up, and it scared me because I was starting to depend on you, too."

"You can depend on me. But you're strong on your own, and I love that about you. When I saw your texts today, I was scared, but I knew you would take care of your sister. I knew you would bring that baby into the world. I never had any doubt that you couldn't handle yourself; I just wanted to be there to help."

"You did help. So did your dad. I still don't really know why he came along."

"Because you were in trouble. I told him what I knew, and he shocked me when he grabbed his bag and said he was coming with me, that you might need him."

Even though she was feeling a lot of fury for his father at this moment, she was touched that he'd jumped into action the way he had.

"On the way up here, we talked a little more," Jake continued. "I started to realize that I couldn't ask you to forgive me if I wasn't willing to do the same thing for him. We both made big mistakes."

"We all make mistakes…" She paused and smiled. "Except me, of course. I've been perfect."

He laughed. "That is true, Hannah. You really haven't done anything wrong."

"I'm joking. I'm not perfect. I'm stubborn, bossy and opinionated, and I have a great capacity and willingness to carry a grudge. I'm going to try to work on all of that."

"Not too much. I don't want you to change, Hannah. I love you as you are."

"Thank you for telling me your secret, Jake. I won't say anything to anyone."

"You can do whatever you want. I don't want to put the burden on you. And if you want the details, they're yours."

She felt honored by his willingness to trust her, because if the secret could hurt his family, then she could hurt his family. She was also starting to understand that the Jake who had hurt her so badly had done so because he'd been hurt himself. It didn't excuse his behavior, but it made her happy to know that she hadn't completely misjudged his character the first time around.

"I don't need to know anything more," she said. "And I promise not to brag about your dad as much as I have in the past. I partly did it just to annoy you."

"It worked. I hated that you had so much respect for him when… See, I still want to tell you. I'm never going to stop wanting to tell you."

"You don't have to tell me. I know. He cheated on your mother."

Jake frowned. "Are you guessing, or do you actually know that?"

"I'm guessing from what you just said about protecting your mom and brother."

"He swore it only happened the one time and he has tried to make it up to my mother every day since then. I told him he should tell her, but I don't know that he will. And maybe he shouldn't. They do seem happy. I never wanted to break the family up."

"Keeping his secret didn't stop that from happening, because it broke you. And you broke with your family."

"But they were still okay. That was what kept me going."

"I get it. I have looked up to your father, and I am grateful to him for a lot of things, but I never thought he was perfect. I'm disappointed in what he did. Maybe it will change how I feel about him going forward. On the other hand, he helped save my life tonight and the lives of my sister and my niece. I can't discount that."

"He does have some good qualities, but I don't want to talk about him anymore," Jake added with a smile. "Actually, I don't want to talk at all." He lowered his mouth to hers and his hot kiss made her heart melt and her body shiver all at the same time. They kissed for several long minutes until somewhere in the distance, she heard sirens. Help was coming.

"They're here," she said breathlessly. "Should we go down to the bridge and help?"

"In a few minutes. Trust me, we have plenty of time. That was a hell of a big tree that fell on the road."

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