Page 105 of Broken Skulls

“I didn’t say you did,” I admonish her softly.

She bites her lip, her brows pulling together with worry. “It’s just … you’ve been acting different since the proposal.”

I kiss her forehead. “I’m happy for them too. I guess I’m just a little jealous.”

Her eyes bounce over my face. “I love you, Jacob.” She grabs me by the front of my shirt and jerks me close to her. “You’re the only man I’ve ever loved.”

I can’t tell her I’m not jealous of Tank. I’m jealous that he fucking got his yes and I didn’t. I was so sure tonight was supposed to be the night. I’ll just have to plan for another day.

“I love you too. Hey, do you want to take a drive up to the mountains?”

She starts to bounce on her toes. “Yes!”

There. All better.

It’s not the end of the world, I tell myself. Maybe I’ll talk to Jesse. She’ll be able to help me come up with a banger of a proposal.

Elizabeth deserves that.

Chapter Forty-Two

Elizabeth

Today I woke up with an uneasy feeling. I’m not sure what it is. Maybe it’s that I can sense something going on with Jacob.

I’m watering his plants when he comes in.

“Hey, baby,” he whispers in my ear as his arms slide around my waist. “I’ve got to run over to the warehouse.”

My heart drops a little when he doesn’t invite me to go.

“Oh, okay,” I say, keeping my voice steady.

“I’ll pick something up for supper on my way home.” He looks at his watch. “I think Brody will be dropping Lexie off around six, so that should work out real good.”

“That sounds wonderful.” I move away from him and begin to prune a plant.

“I can do this, you know? You don’t have to take care of them for me.”

My hands pause mid-air. “I like taking care of them, Jacob.” I set the clippers down. “But if you don’t want me to …” I turn to walk away.

He grabs me by the elbow. “I didn’t mean it that way. Come here.” He pulls me to stand in front of him, brushing hair out of my eyes. “I just meant if it’s a chore you don’t enjoy, I can do it.”

“Why would you think I don’t enjoy it? I asked for flowers to plant outside, didn’t I?”

His face falls. “Shit, I forgot all about that.”

“It’s fine, Jacob.” I try to pull away from him, but he doesn’t let me.

“I’m sorry I forgot about the flowers. We’ll go get some tomorrow. I promise,” he tells me, then sighs. “I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. I’m truly sorry, baby.”

I know he’s sincere by the tone of his voice. “It’s okay. I know you’ve been busy.”

His finger settles under my chin, and he slowly lifts my face. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

For the rest of the afternoon, melancholy follows me around. I decide to go outside and walk through the yard. The house is clean. The chores are all done. There’s nothing else to do.

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