Page 61 of Run with Me

“Xavier…”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have saidthat.”

“It’s all right. I justfeel…”

… confused, I finished in mymind.

I felt extremely confused. Yes, we had a wonderful friendship that I was grateful for, but Xavier meant so much more than a friend. On one hand, my heart was jumping up and down at the possibility of having a new start with John and Hope. In one short week, we could be together. On the other hand, I knew that having John back in my life meant cutting some of my ties with Xavier. Not that there was anything between us. There wasn’t. I just cared for him deeply.

What if there is somethingmore?

There couldn’tbe.

The night before we left, Jack shook Xavier’s hand. “If there’s anything you need, my friend, just call. You have all of the company’s resources available to you. Frank Wagner said he’d help as well. So did Cross.”

I wasn’t sure who those men were, but they sounded important.

“The fewer people know about this, the better. I’m not taking any chances with Anna. It won’t be easy. Cortez is in town. We’ll need to stay undercover. If we’re lucky, he’ll take atrip.”

“You set somebait?”

Xavier nodded, and I felt pins and needles along my arms. The faster our time to leave approached, the more apprehensive Ifelt.

“You two be careful. My son needs his godparents back in one piece."

Xavier embraced his best friend, “Don’t worry. I won't let anything happen toher."

Jack turned his attention back to me. He let go of Xavier and took me in his arms. “Anna, please remember that the family you have in Pace is not the only one you can count on. I will never be able to repay you for what you’ve done for us. I will owe you for the rest of my life.” He leaned in closer to me and whispered, “If you asked for it, I would give you my heart. I would give you anything, so don’t ever be afraid toask.”

“Thank you. If anything happens to me, please take care ofHope.”

“Don't talk like that, Anna. Your journey didn’t end here, and I have a feeling that it won’t end in Pace either. We’ll see each other againsoon.”

Of course we would. Our trip wouldn’t take longer than a week. I had to get back to my baby. She was counting on me, and it was time that I brought her fatherhome.

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