Page 37 of Jack

It’s a sweet sentiment, but it’s not real. I won’t be here much longer. I’ll never know what happens with his family. Why does that feel so wrong?

“What happens next?” I lift my eyes to his. “With me, I mean.”

He releases a breath and runs a hand through his dark hair. “Dad wants to sit down with you in the morning and talk about your next steps.”

“What exactly does that mean? What are my options? No one has really explained how all this works to me.”

He watches me for a moment. He’s quiet for so long that I assume he’s letting the moment and my curiosity pass.

“Dad usually explains things as much as he can and still keeps all of us safe. Not all angels come to Willow Creek like you. Some know right away where they want to go. Nina’s request was to get you as far from California as possible and for you to see my dad.”

When she led me to the hospital parking garage, Nina insisted I ask for Jacob. She made me repeat it and say Ariel. How did she even know about Ariel’s Angels? I suck in a breath. No. Not Nina. I meet Jack’s eyes again.

“Nina was an angel.” It’s not a question. I know. It explains so much. She had the file ready without me knowing. The backpack had clothes that fit me perfectly, and she took my phone in the exam room. Nina has been through this.

“Yeah. She was one of the first women we rescued,” Jack admits.

“Where do I go from here?”

“That’s up to you. If you have distant family or friends on this side of the country that your abuser doesn’t know about, we can help you get close to them. If there’s a city you’d like to start over in, that’s possible, too.”

I bite my bottom lip and shake my head. If one of those were possible, I’d gladly go.

“I don’t have any family here that I know of.”

“A city you’ve wanted to visit?”

Is he trying to get rid of me? That hurts.

I shake my head again. “I never thought I’d leave California.”

He rubs his hand over his mouth and beard. “There’s a third option.”

Our eyes lock. The energy between us is so thick it practically vibrates around us.

“What’s my third option?" I’m afraid to ask, but I need to know.

“You could stick around for a while. I could show you Willow Creek if you’d like. Who knows? Maybe you’ll like it here.”

I swear his hazel eyes shift to light brown and back with each tilt of his head. I’ve never seen that happen before. It must be the lighting. Whatever’s going on in those eyes, I can’t look away. Ishe asking me to stay? I’m not a strong person. I’ve never been bold a day in my life. Why not change that tonight?

“I like option three.”

He smiles again. This time, it reaches his eyes. “Good. I’m glad. We’ll let Dad know in the morning.”

We sit quietly for a moment. Neither of us looks away. Sadly, the magical moment between us is broken when Jack’s phone dings.

His eyes widen, and he lightly chuckles. “Well, angel. It looks like you’re about to meet my grandmother. So, brace yourself.”

“What? Why?” I look toward the door.

“Mom’s with Everly. She’s going to be fine, but Mom can’t leave her tonight. Maci’s gone to help Dad and Jay with Harley. Nana’s the only woman left to stay with you. Well, we could call one of the ole’ ladies, but Nana has volunteered.”

“Who are the ole’ ladies?”

“They’re the wives or serious girlfriends of our patched members,” he explains.

Oh, yeah. I read that somewhere. Okay. Nana is on her way. I quickly grab the sunglasses from the end table. Before I can slide them on, Jack cups my face in his hands.

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