Page 71 of Run with Me

“Is it time yet?” Mary asked.

“After the tea, darling.” Jack whispered. I set the cup on the dock, stood up, and hugged Jack. “Thank you for everything.”

“Hey, we said no goodbyes.”

“I know. I’m justsad.”

“Be happy, Anna. Today’s a good day. Today is the beginning of your new life with Hope and Xavier.”

“I’ll forever be grateful. For everything, Jack. You’ve taught me somuch.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. You’re the one who opened our eyes to the kind of love a family should have. You risked everything to keep your little onesafe.”

Mary caressed her stomach, smiling. Lost in thought, she looked across the river, and I turned my attention back toJack.

“My offer stands, Anna. Anything you two ever need, just let me know. Xavier will find a way to contact us. You saved our son’s life. I will give you anything you askfor.”

“All I ask for is that you’re bothsafe.”

“We will be. I’m gonna go get ourbags.”

I threw my arms around Jack one last time, or what I thought was a last time because over the next hour, as we said our ‘see you laters,’ it took all my energy to actually let my friendsgo.

*

That evening,I lay Hope in her crib and took a shower. As soon as Mary and Jack left, Xavier began making arrangements for our travel the next day. He was still downstairs, sitting in the kitchen of the little house we’d rented in the middle of nowhere, flipping through papers and checking maps. I didn’t want to interrupthim.

I stepped out of the shower and pulled the robe’s ties together. When I came out to the bedroom, Xavier was sitting on the bed. His legs were stretched out and he was wearing his sweatpants.

“Hi, are you finished?” I asked.

“I think so. We leave in the morning. How are you feeling?”

Looking at him without his shirt made me feel anxious and excited at the same time. A quick flash of need passed through me. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d had sex. Actually, I was pretty sure it was when Hope was conceived.

“I’m okay, I guess.”

He patted the bed for me to come sit beside him. Something about the gesture made me feel nervous, but in a good way. I came up to the bed and stood in front of him. He sat on the edge, his legs resting against myhips.

“Anna, you can’t ever tell anyone where the money is. Not evenme.”

I gasped.

He knows.

Our gazes connected, and I replied, “What money?”

“Good. Now, you do know that you’re stuck with me for what may be the rest of your life, don’tyou?”

I looked into his eyes. That connection I’d felt when I first saw him was back. It had always been there, though I hadn’t realized how strong it had become until now. I wasn’t sure exactly when I’d fallen for Xavier. It must have happened over time, and now that I recognized this new feeling in my chest for this man, it felt wonderful.

“I’m not stuck. I’m right where I want to be, which is next to you. But is that what you want, Xavier? Can you live on the run for the rest of your life? I mean, I didn’t really give you much choice.”

“You never have to question where I want to be because whenever I’m with you, I’m right where I need tobe.”

He lifted his hands to my hips and drew me closer to him. At the sight of his sweats lifting over his crotch, I felt my nipples pebble. They almost hurt. That, and my heart began beating harder. It was also getting hotter in theroom.

“Anna, I understand if you don’t feel the same way. The past few years have been hell for you, and if you tell me to back away, I will. I’m a patientman.”

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