Page 79 of Redeeming Melodies

His eyes met mine, searching. "Then why?"

"Because it was too much. Too real." Ran a hand through my hair, frustrated. "You took this perfectly ordered life I was trying to build here and just... shattered it with one kiss. Made me want things I never thought I could have."

The silence stretched between us, heavy with possibility. Jake moved closer, slow and deliberate like he was giving me time to back away. I held my ground.

"You know what's funny?" My voice came rough, watching him prowl my kitchen like he belonged here. "Been living in fancy hotels for years, everything perfectly planned. Then you go and kiss me under some small-town stars and suddenly nothing makes sense anymore."

Jake stopped his circuit of the kitchen, turned to face me. The intensity in his eyes made my breath catch. "Makes perfect sense to me."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." He moved closer, deliberate but careful, like he was giving me space to bolt again. "Been making sense since you rolled into town in that fancy car with that chip on your shoulder."

Had to laugh at that, even as my heart tried to escape my chest. "Thought you were just doing your job. Being the good sheriff."

"That what you think this is?" Something sparked in his eyes. "Just community service?"

"I don't know what this is." The honesty felt raw but necessary. "Just know I couldn't stop thinking about that kiss. About you. Even in New York, everything kept coming back to?—"

"Tea?" His lips quirked, catching me off guard. "Think we both could use some."

"Right. Yeah." Grateful for the excuse to move, to breathe. "Zayn got me hooked on this fancy herbal stuff. Says it's good for stress."

Watched him settle onto my couch like he belonged there, those broad shoulders somehow making my expensive furniture look more like home than decoration.

"Here." Handed him a mug, took the chair across from him. Safer distance. "Listen, about leaving like that?—"

"Give me your phone."

"What?"

"Your phone." He set down his mug, held out his hand. "So next time you panic and run, I can at least text you to make sure you're okay."

Something in my chest cracked open at that. Not anger about me leaving, not demands for explanations. Just concern. Just care.

Handed it over without hesitation. Watched him input his number, simple and direct like everything about him.

"Jake, I?—"

"I know." He passed my phone back, our fingers brushing. Electric. "Running's easier. Trust me, I get it. Been doing my own kind of running for years."

"From what?"

His smile turned self-deprecating. "From exactly what you're running from. Things that feel too real, too right. Things that make you question everything you thought you knew about yourself."

"That kiss..." Had to swallow hard past the honesty trying to choke me. "Never felt anything like that before. With anyone. And considering I was married for eight years, that's kind of terrifying."

"Yeah?" His voice went soft, something vulnerable crossing his face.

"Yeah." Gripped my mug tighter, anchoring myself. "You turned my whole world upside down with one kiss under the stars. Made me want things I never thought I could have."

"Like what?"

Met his eyes, found courage there. "Like mornings in this kitchen. Like someone who sees past all my walls. Like... like maybe a chance to be brave enough to stay."

The silence stretched between us, but different now. Not heavy with things unsaid, but with possibility. With hope.

Jake's phone buzzed, making us both jump. He pulled it out, smiled slightly. "Now I've got your number too."

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