Page 85 of Yes No Maybe

I smile. “No, I wouldn’t dare.”

“When in doubt, read them one of Jack’s sex scenes,” Rose advises. “That’ll keep them interested.”

“Those are my favorites,” Marcy admits.

“Ah, me, too. They’re always fraught with emotion, so full and rich and unyielding,” Mom chimes in, making me blush, wide-eyed with shock. “How do you do it?”

Jack blushes, too. “Um, I don’t know—it’s love as I imagine it… and it’s not such a great mystery anymore.”

His eyes land on mine. I half-wonder if he says things to get a reaction—a type of click-bait with words. The chair screeches against the deck boards as I rise from it.

I find the downstairs bathroom, a charming half-bath with an R2-D2 soap dispenser and a framed cross-stitch that says,“You should’ve brought a book.”I run cold water over my wrists and take deep breaths. Guilt about Dean compounds.I miss Jack.

He waits for me outside the bathroom, leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets. “I’m not being creepy.”

“Feels a little creepy.” I shrug.

“I just wanted to see if you’re okay. It’s been hard not talking to you.”

“Hard for me, too.” With a deep breath, I lean against the wall across from him. “But I’m okay.”

His head droops, sending his dark hair over his creased brow. He offers a weak smile. “Your mom’s everything I thought she’d be. Funny, formidable, warm. I’m glad she’s here.”

A small smile edges my lips. “Me, too.”

“Sorry we crashed her homecoming, though.”

A chuckle escapes. “I should’ve expected it in this neighborhood. We’ll have time to catch up, and I need to—something’s different about her.”

“She’s in love.”

“What? No. Really? Why do you think that?”

“She said ‘we’ instead of ‘I’ a half-dozen times, and… there’s an unexpected lightness about her. She’s sharing her world with someone.”

“Just not sharing it with me.” Tears pop into my eyes like strangers crashing myI-have-it-all-togetherparty. “Why wouldn’t she say?”

When he hesitates, I step closer, my hand resting on his black t-shirt like I can’t help but touch him. With a gentle tug of the soft fabric, I say, “Just tell me. Please.”

“She blames herself for what happened to you. That’s why she didn’t date afterward. Now that she’s found someone, she feels guilty for being happy when you’re…”

“When she thinks I’m not…” My eyes close, as if I can block out this new information and push away the sadness I suddenly feel. More guilt heaps on my shoulders. “I’ve always encouraged her to date, always assured her that she’s not to blame.”

“Noneof this is your fault,” he says sternly. “You know how it is, Rowan. We all take on burdens that we were never meant to carry. They weigh us down and make us believe things we shouldn’t.”

And once again, Jack Graham edges me out from under the chandelier. “What should I do?”

“Nothing. Be happy for her,” a playful smile perks on his lips. “She’ll come clean about her sexy, fun times with her new boy toy when she’s ready.”

“Ah, gross. Sexy fun times? Now, I’ll thinkboy toywhen I meet him,” I laugh.

“And blush just like you are now.” His thumb sweeps my cheek. “You’re welcome.”

His hand lingers until I take it in mine and hold it between us, unable to let go just yet.

“I hope you know how much you mean to me, Jack.”

“I do.” He grows serious. “I miss you.”

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