Page 10 of Jolene's Justice

Giving them some space to talk about her father’s diagnosis, Finch slipped out into the quiet hall. The hospital’s unmistakable smell of disinfectant and the sound of beeping machines immediately took him back to a time when his father had his own health scare.

He’d taken leave and rushed back to Maryland to be by his side and support his mother. He had asked Angelica to come along, but she had refused, leaving him to confront the fear of losing a parent alone. The reason he refused to leave Jolene’s side now was partly because of it. He knew how that fear could grip your heart and not let go. This was one of the few things he could control.

He’d had no control when it came to his marriage. Not that he wanted to be a controlling dick. He’d wanted an equal partnership. But Angelica had different ideas. From the very beginning, she had demanded dominion over him, to dictate his every move, and he had failed to realize it until it was too late.

Her response to his father’s health scare—which ended up being appendicitis—had been eye opening. She hadn’t wanted him to go. Had gone so far as to order him not to. It was one of the most violent fits she’d ever thrown. He ducked and weaved as she unleashed a barrage of objects in his direction. He’d been struck by a glass vase she’d launched at him. The vase shattered against his shoulder, sending fragments of glass flying in all directions and slicing up his shoulder. His primary concern had been getting to his parents, so he’d ignored the need for stitches.

The scar, jagged and red, served as a constant reminder of that day. The beginning of the end had arrived, and there had been no turning back.

He wished he had broken free from her grasp sooner. He had waited too long to begin divorce proceedings. He’d been weary from having put up with her shit for so long that he was content just to be separated from her. Not long after he’d met Jolene, he’d decided it was time to cut ties with Angelica officially, but things were moving slowly. She fought him, demanding more than he was willing to give her. The moment she’d crossed the line and ruined what he had been building with Jolene, he knew he had to be more assertive in their divorce proceedings.

He had clung to the final nail in his marriage’s coffin, fearing the judgment that would come with the truth being exposed. The awards gala had been the breaking point for him. That night, he’d made the decision to let his lawyer use what they’d discovered against his wife, despite how it made him appear like a fool.

He peered through the narrow window in the door, fixated on Jolene’s every move. He could hear the muffled sound of her voice but couldn’t make out the words. The sound of her laughter floated through the door, and it made his heart skip a beat. As she laughed, her long auburn hair, which hung in a single tail down her back, swayed. He watched her chest rise and fall with each breath, completely captivated. As she sat in the chair, she appeared small and delicate and so alone. But she was anything but. She had a spine of steel that was enviable. As he watched her from afar, he felt a mix of emotions. Curiosity, longing, and guilt all rolled into one uncomfortable lump. He hated that she was in there alone. He wished he could be closer to her.

Looking at her, a sharp ache bloomed in his chest. What would she think about what he’d lived with for far too long? He wondered if her opinion of him would be negatively impacted. It would be worse if she only felt pity toward him.

He doubted she would react negatively, but the possibility still lingered in his mind. Anxiety filled him, making it difficult to breathe, like a weight crushing his chest.

Jolene must have exhausted her list of questions since the doctor was making his way to the door. She glanced over and spotted him through the window. When he realized he had been caught watching her, he couldn’t look away from her piercing gaze. They locked eyes, and he could feel his heart racing. The intensity of their eye contact was electric. He longed to reach out and touch her, to feel the softness of her skin, but he remained rooted to the spot, unable to move. The connection they had formed in that moment felt too fragile.

Maybe it was time for him to stop worrying and waiting and start chasing his dreams.

Chapter 6

Jolenehadbombardedthedoctor with questions the moment he’d walked through the door. She listened attentively until the doctor was ready to leave the room. That’s when she noticed Finch peering at her through the door’s tiny window. His expression left her feeling breathless and disoriented.

His piercing gaze and the intensity in his eyes made her feel as if she was drowning in a sea of emotions. The sound of her own heartbeat pounding in her ears drowned out the faint hum of the air conditioner. Her knees felt weak and her hands trembled as she struggled to catch her breath.

As she stared, her senses were overwhelmed. All she could think about was the way he looked at her, leaving her breathless and unable to focus on anything else.

It was almost as though she was the embodiment of all his wants. It was all right there in his eyes. As if he was trying to tell her he was done pussyfooting around and was determined to grab hold of her and never let go.

Her insides quaked. Did she want him to grab hold? Despite the events of a year ago, he remained a constant presence in her life. He never let their differences come between their friendship, and he was always there for her. Even now, he had given up a lot of time to be here for her. It revealed a lot about the kind of man he was.

Yet he’d lied to her. She had been under the impression that he was unattached until she found out otherwise. She’d felt played. The aftermath of that night had been devastating. The memories of which still haunted her.

The night had been absolutely perfect. A thrill of excitement and anticipation swept over her, knowing this was going to be a magical night. They’d been building up to it for weeks. With eagerness budding in her heart, Jolene knew that tonight was the night.

Brimming with a vast expanse of black and white tuxedos and sparkling evening gowns in every shade imaginable, the ballroom was a bustling hub of excitement. The air was thick with the sweet perfume of floral bouquets and the gentle aroma of cologne, while the soft hum of chatter and laughter filled the room, creating a symphony of sound that echoed off the walls. Plush carpeting underfoot offered a comforting sensation, as guests mingled and danced to the lively music playing in the background.

Jolene was in Finch’s arms, exactly where she wanted to be as they danced. The energy of the music infected their friends, too, and soon they were all dancing around them. Natalie’s and Annika’s eyes were locked on their partners, lost in the love and the intimacy of the moment. As Jolene danced with Finch, she noticed her own smile reflected the happiness of those around her.

A flash of silver caught her eye, and she smiled. Marcus Rayne, the actor that had been training with the Nighthawks, was pulling Emma out onto the dance floor. Marcus had been gone for months, but before he left, he and Emma had been at the beginning of something special. A sense of relief and happiness washed over her when she saw her friend back with him. The months apart had not been easy for Emma, and Jolene hoped this moment was the start of something wonderful. Or was it the continuation? Whatever it was, Emma deserved to be happy.

Finch’s hand stroking up her spine drew her attention back to him. His eyes, a mix of green and brown, took on a blue hue as he peered down at her. The gentle glow of the chandeliers illuminated the room with a soft, warm light, casting a romantic atmosphere that was almost fairy-tale-like. The soft lighting added a bit of sparkle to his eyes that made her smile.

With his hands on her back, he pulled her in closer to him. The softness of his tux jacket cushioned her cheek as she laid her head on his shoulder, swaying to the music. She closed her eyes and let herself be carried away by the rhythm of the dance, feeling the heat of his body and the hardness of his chest beneath her cheek. As he leaned in, she breathed in the scent of his cologne, a sweet and earthy fragrance.

She pushed her hands through the hair at his nape and felt more than heard the groan rumble up from his abdomen. “Wanna get out of here?” she asked.

He whispered, “Absolutely,” with his lips gently brushing the top of her head.

With a big smile on her face, she lifted her head to look at him. His eyes were flooded with longing and a hint of something else. It almost looked like he was fretting over something. She had no idea what he could possibly be worried about. She was a sure thing.

“Give me a few minutes, then come up to my room?”

He nodded, and she reluctantly stepped out of his embrace, already longing for the warmth of his body. As she weaved her way through the throng of people, she couldn’t help but steal one last glance over her shoulder at him.

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