Page 27 of Wrapped Up

“You know,” I say, wiping tears of mirth from my eyes, “you're not at all what I expected.”

Honey quirks an eyebrow. “Let me guess. You thought I'd be some brainless bimbo hanging off Jack's arm?”

I wince but nod. “Well, um, yes, something like that. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have—”

“Please,” Honey waves off my apology. “I've heard worse. Besides, I kind of like you, Jennifer. You've got spunk.”

“Thanks,” I smile, surprised to find I mean it. “You're not so bad yourself.”

Honey's eyes sparkle with mischief. “So, now that we've established I'm not trying to steal your man, can we talk about how you're going to make it up to Jack? Because let me tell you, honey, that man is head over heels for you.”

My heart skips a beat, and I try to ignore the thrill that runs through me at her words. “I... I don't know if I'm ready for that.”

“Bullshit,” Honey says, but there's no heat behind it. “You're ready. You're just scared.”

Honey's eyes soften, a hint of sadness creeping into her voice. “You know, Jack told me about your ex. How he cheated on you.”

My breath catches in my throat. I hadn't expected Jack to share that with anyone, let alone his stepsister.

“Yeah, well,” I mutter, looking away. “It's not exactly something I like to broadcast.”

“I get it,” Honey nods. “But you know what? I think that's why you and Jack have been so nice about this whole mess. You both know how much it hurts.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Nice? I wouldn't exactly call running away 'nice.'”

Honey lets out a sharp laugh. “Trust me, sweetheart. You two are saints compared to what I would've done.” Her blue eyes gleam with a wicked light. “If I'd caught my man cheating? Let's just say his balls would've made excellent Christmas ornaments.”

I can't help but snort at the vivid image. “God, you're terrible.”

“I prefer 'creatively vindictive,'“ Honey grins. Then her expression turns serious again. “Look, all I'm asking is for you to give Jack a chance. That's it.”

I chew my lip, teetering on the edge of a decision that could change everything. Part of me still wants to run to protect myself from potential heartbreak. But then Honey's voice cuts through my swirling thoughts.

“You know, sometimes the biggest regrets in life are the chances we didn't take.”

Her words hit like a sucker punch to the gut. I think about the past year and how I've hidden behind my walls, pushing away anyone who tried to get close. How I've been so focused on protecting myself that I've missed out on actually living.

And suddenly, I'm tired.

Tired of being afraid.

Tired of letting my past dictate my future.

“You're right,” I whisper, the words feeling foreign on my tongue. “I've been... I've been hiding.”

Honey's face lights up, but she doesn't say anything, letting me work through my thoughts.

“Maybe it's time I took a chance.”

The words are barely out of my mouth before I'm asking, “Do you have Jack's address?”

Honey's triumphant grin could light up Times Square. “Honey, I thought you'd never ask.”

Before I can process what's happening, she launches herself at me, enveloping me in a tight hug that knocks the breath from my lungs.

“Thank God!” she exclaims, squeezing me tighter. “I was running out of sisterly wisdom. Another minute and I'd have resorted to quoting fortune cookies.”

I laugh, the sound muffled against her shoulder.

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