Page 215 of Finding Hope

Just one more chance.

Please, universe, one more chance.

“Bambie.” Lifting my chin, he smiles gently and studies the tears that tease my lashes. “Steph was my girlfriend for a very long time. I loved her. I loved her very much. I still find comfort in visiting her. She was my friend long before she was my girlfriend.”

“I know.” I’m so ashamed of my jealousy.

“Not every man is lucky enough to meet a wonderful woman and fall in love.”

“I know–”

“But I found that love twice.” When my eyes shoot to his, he nods. “Twice, Bambie. I found lovetwice. And not just regular stupid love, but the kind that breaks a man when he doesn’t have it anymore. I’ve been broken without you. But I dealt better this time, because you deserve better than the Jack you first met. I refused to sink back to that Jack, because then I knew I’d never deserve you. I still don’t, but I can try, right?”

“I still love you, Jack. I’ve missed you so much.”

He smiles so sweetly. “I never stopped loving you, Bambie. Never ever.” He leans down and presses the softest kiss to my forehead.

I want to get excited, but it’s the exact same kiss my brothers give me. Nothing more.

Stepping back, he reaches into his pocket. “I have something that belongs to you.”

I watch as he brings his closed hand up between us. He turns his hand, then opening his fingers, has me bursting into tears at the sight of my bracelet.

“I lost it.”

“I found it.” He grins playfully. “You like to visit Steph, too, huh?”

Gently plucking my bracelet from his palm, I close it in mine like it was a life preserver and I was drowning. “I’ve visited her every week for a long time.” I laugh, because I know how ridiculous I sound. “She’s kinda cool. We’ve become friends.”

He pulls me close against his chest. “Jesus, that doesn’t surprise me. Women. You all band together and bond over PMS, then the men sit on the outside and pray you’ll be gentle on our hearts.”

“I probably like her more than I like you.”

Chuckling, he drops a kiss on the top of my head. “I’m not surprised. You’re not the first person who’s said that.”

“I told her I loved you, like I was asking her permission.”

“I told her I loved you, too, Bambie. A long time ago. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, too.”

“You really love me?”

“Yeah.” He drops another kiss on my head. “I love you so fucking much, but I was too scared to tell you. You were too cool for me. Too chill. I told Bobby. I told Jim. I told just about everyone else in the world, but I was too much of a coward to tell you.” He pulls back to look into my eyes. “You disarm me at every turn. I was terrified you didn’t feel the same. I was scared you’d dump me… which,” he adds sadly, “you did anyway.”

I wrap my arms around his stomach and squeeze. “Well, technically, you dumped me.”

He chuckles softly. “I’m such an idiot.”

I’m so ridiculously terrified this is all a dream, or that I’m reading it all wrong, but I have to ask. I have to walk away from the lookout today with no regrets.

I can’t live another day until I know for sure.

“Do you think we could maybe go out on another date?” I bite my lip nervously. “See if we can do this again, but maybe with more talking about the important stuff.”

“No.” He kisses my head again, like a compulsion he just can’t stop. “I don’t think we could do that.”

“Oh. Well.”Broken. Heart. Dead.“Okay.”

“Let’s play a quick game.”

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