Page 100 of His Jersey

After a shower, I check my messages, including a vindicating video from none other than Carlos Smith. The dude should get a promotion, but he’s already top dog. I send him a quick message and thank him for saving my hockey butt … again. Then I make a fast food stop on my way back to the hotel in Omaha.

I leave the truck with the valet and nearly bump into someone as they hurriedly exit on a gush of cocoa butter-scented air.

Ella opens and closes her mouth as if not sure what to say. Her eyes are wide yet filled with something that I can’t name. The ticking of my pulse shoots off the meter. It’s like we’re seeing each other for the first time.

“Hi,” I say.

“Hi,” she repeats.

“Are you going?” I ask, fearing the answer.

But she doesn’t have anywhere to go, which makes myheart ache. I don’t want her to stick around because she feels indebted to me or because she’s out of options.

She glances at the paper bag in my hand and the cardboard tray containing two milkshakes, then down at her hands. “I was going to get a cheeseburger.”

“I brought you one and fries and a milkshake even though it’s cold out.”

“Thank you, but?—”

“But please, let’s talk. If you hear what I have to say and are still upset, I’ll understand.” I give the bag a shake. “At least, we’ll end how we began.” There’s no disguising the strain in my voice.

Ella follows me back upstairs to the suite. Bark Wahlburger runs in circles as if happy to see that Mom and Dad are together again. Or he smells beef on the dinner menu.

I set our food on the dinette table, but she eyes the low coffee table. If she were so angry that she wouldn’t forgive me, she’d already be gone. There’d be no possibility of having a picnic like we did in the resort. I toss some of the pillows from the couch onto the floor and move our meal to the low table, recalling that she told me that her dad said you only lose if you quit. I’m still in, one hundred percent while hoping and praying for the best.

39

ELLA

Jackand I are quiet and awkward, like two people who’re on a date for the first time, and not as if we’ve been slowly falling in love or into foolishness. I’m still not sure.

I take a sip of my milkshake. It’s creamy and refreshing, bringing me back to our first night together at the resort.

Before I knew who he was.

Before my life changed.

Before I fell …

Yeah, I’m in love with Jack Bouchelle. Does that make me too dumb to be alive? The kind of woman who’d wander into a witch’s hut and eat an apple? To prick my finger on a spindle?

But there’s no denying the way I feel. He’s like a walking, talking hug. He warms me and protects me like a refuge in a storm. We connect in a way I’ve never done with anyone before. There’s mutual respect, listening, sharing, and communicating. He makes me laugh and smile—the glue to a relationship. The way he makes my heart beat and my stomach flutter is like all my romantic dreams come true.

After he left earlier, I had a good, long soaking cry in theshower, told Bark Wahlburger all my woes, and called Leah. She said she’d come pick me up, but I had a feeling Jack was going to be back. Although I would’ve liked to make a grand exit, kicking my heels up at Aston, Allain, and, to a lesser degree, Jack, I also wanted to talk to him. I’ve lost too many people in my life without being able to have closure.

But another part of me hoped everything could make sense.

Leah said up until we met, Jack had money but no meaning. I had mere pennies and believed more of those would’ve been the solution to my problems. Neither of us was wrong, per se, but what we really needed was each other, which seems like the summary of one of Gracie’s romance novels—but maybe there’s some truth to our star-crossed love.

Jack breaks the ice and says, “I’d like to explain.”

I relay what Leah said, then add, “I found your note and the watch.”

Before he left, he must’ve quickly scribbled these words,Take all the time you need. I’ll wait for you always. Xo, Jack.

“Money can’t buy love?—”

“But it can buy power, influence, and?—”

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