Page 28 of Wrapped Up

“Coffee?” I offer, suddenly aware of how surreal this situation is.

“Yep, I live on caffeine,” Honey grins, following me into the kitchen.

As I busy myself with the coffee maker, Honey's gaze sweeps the room, landing on a bottle on the counter. Her eyebrow quirks up, a mischievous glint in her eye.

“Jack Daniels, huh? Didn't peg you for a whiskey girl.”

Heat creeps up my neck. “It's... a guilty pleasure.”

Honey's laugh is warm and rich. “Oh honey, this is too perfect. You know that's Jack's full name, right? Jack Daniels?”

I nearly drop the mug I'm holding. “You're kidding.”

“Nope,” she pops the 'p' again, grinning. “Must be fate.”

I can't help but laugh, the absurdity of it all hitting me. Jack Daniels, indeed. The universe has a twisted sense of humor.

As we sip our coffee, conversation flows easily. Honey regales me with embarrassing stories from Jack's childhood, and I find myself warming to her brash honesty and wicked sense of humor.

“Well,” Honey says finally, draining the last of her coffee. “As much as I'd love to stay and chat, I've got a hot date with a trashy romance novel.”

She stands but pauses at the door. “Oh, and Jennifer? Wear that dress. You know the one from the club; he liked it a lot.”

I feel my cheeks flush. Honey winks, then she's gone in a cloud of perfume and possibility.

I sink onto the couch, my head spinning. Jack's stepsister. Not his girlfriend. The relief is almost dizzying, but it's quickly replaced by a gnawing anxiety.

What now?

I close my eyes, trying to sort through the whirlwind of emotions. Part of me wants to rush to Jack's apartment right now, to throw myself into his arms and forget about all the misunderstandings. But the cynical voice in my head, the one that's kept me safe for so long, pipes up.

Are you really going to trust him so easily? After Felix?

I twist my hands in my lap, torn. “It's different,” I whisper to myself. “Jack's different.”

Is he? Or are you just desperate to believe that?

The memory of Jack's eyes, warm and sincere as he told me he'd wait, flashes through my mind. But so does the image of Felix, his face a mask of remorse as he swore it would never happen again.

I stand up, pacing the living room. Honey's words echo in my mind: “Sometimes the biggest regrets in life are the chances we didn't take.”

“Okay,” I say out loud, my voice shaky but determined. “Okay, I'm doing this.”

A minute later, I stand in front of my closet, debating what to wear. My heart races as I slip into the dress, the fabric cool against my heated skin. The silky material clings to my curves, reminding me of the night at the club when Jack's eyes couldn't leave me. I take a deep breath, steadying myself against the rush of anticipation coursing through my veins.

Before I can lose my nerve, I grab my keys and coat and head for the door. The words echo in my mind, drowning out the doubts that threaten to overwhelm me.

A few moments later, I find myself in a cab, heading towards Jack's apartment. My heart races, a mix of anticipation and nervousness coursing through me. But as I picture the kintsugi heart, I feel a sense of calm settle over me. Whatever happens, I know I'm strong enough to handle it.

Half an hour later, the cab pulls up to a sleek apartment building, all glass and steel stretching towards the sky. I step out on shaky legs, my reflection in the polished doors barely recognizable.

I take a deep breath and step forward, the future unfolding before me like a blank page, waiting to be written. My eyes drift to the gift bag in my hand, and I can't help but grin. It's silly and maybe a little bold, but the thought of Jack's reaction sends a thrill through me.

A man exits the building, and I mutter a quick thanks as I slip inside. The elevator ride to the third floor is both too long and far too short. With each floor, my nerves ratchet up another notch. I fidget with the hem of my dress, second-guessing every decision that led me here.

Finally, I find myself staring at apartment 3B, my palms sweaty and my mouth dry. This is it. Jack’s door. I could still turn back and pretend this never happened. The hallway seems to stretch endlessly, offering an easy escape.

No. I square my shoulders, giving myself a mental pep talk. You've come this far, Jennifer.Don't chicken out now. You deserve happiness. You deserve to take a chance.The words echo in my mind, drowning out the doubts that threaten to overwhelm me as I raise my hand.

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