Page 34 of Stay for Me
“I can see that,” I say, and his eyes cut to me but his head doesn’t turn. “I mean, he spent time with an eleven-year-old boy he had never met and is now going to direct their play.”
Beer flies toward the fire and Sydney pats her husband’s back. “You okay there?”
Declan nods. “I’m sorry, did you say that Jacob is directing a play?”
“For the middle and high school kids.”
He turns to Jacob. “Well, when we said to make sure you do something while you were here for the next five months, I didn’t expect this.”
“Sebastian mentioned it, and . . . well, I couldn’t tell the kid no. I have other reasons too.”
He looks to me, and there’s something in his eyes. Something I don’t know how to interpret. It’s a sense of longing mixed with apprehension. The butterflies in my stomach take flight, causing a nervous rush to go through me.
What is it about this man? Why am I so pulled to him when every instinct I have is telling me that I shouldn’t feel this?
It’s been so long since I’ve felt this way about anyone other than my husband, but Jacob Arrowood makes me feel like a woman. Someone to be desired, cherished, and cared for. My chest rises and falls a little harder as this realization dawns on me.
Ellie smiles and reaches her hand toward him, breaking my and his moment. “I think it’s wonderful, Jacob,” she says. “Mrs. Finnegan was so upset that she had to cancel. This makes me proud to be an Arrowood. You’re not only the hot one but you’re also the kind one now too.”
“Let’s not go that far,” Sydney says with a laugh.
Connor clears his throat. “It’s great that you’re doing it. You were worried about being bored.”
“I wasn’t worried about being bored. I have a movie to prepare for.”
“Well,” Declan speaks up, “I think it’s a good use of your time.”
Jacob rolls his eyes. “I’m so glad I have all of your approval on how I’m spending my time.”
“No one has issues with what you’re doing, Jacob. In fact, we’re proud of you.” Sean reaches over and punches his arm. “You have a talent you’re going to share with kids. If their coach broke his leg, I would offer to help out if I could. I’d just hate to see you mixed up in something you can’t get out of when you leave.”
I can sense the tension around here, and I feel like there’s another conversation happening that I don’t know about. I look down at my phone and internally groan. It’s late, and I have to be up stupid early tomorrow. “I really need to get home. Tomorrow my mother-in-law wants to ride out early to go to breakfast.”
“Oh, that’s too bad,” Devney says as she gets to her feet.
When I rise, the wine or . . . something, hits me. I stumble a little, but Jacob reaches out quickly to grab me.
His hands are around my waist as I plaster to his chest. The smell of smoke and cologne fills my nose, and the sense of security wraps around me.
“Sorry,” I say softly.
“Are you okay?”
I nod. “I’m fine.”
Although, I’m not.
He releases me and drawing breath is just a little difficult. I feel slightly dizzy, but I’m not sure if it’s what caused me to wobble or if it’s the fact that I didn’t want him to let go.
Devney is at my side a second later.
“Oh my God, I thought you were going to fall.”
I rub my cheek and try to smile. “I guess I had a few too many glasses.”
The truth is, I haven’t drunk more than a glass of wine in a very long time. Before the fire, Ellie, Sydney, and I finished off two bottles.
“I’ll drive you home. Sean can follow in my car,” Devney offers.
