Page 65 of Stay for Me
I kissed Jacob.
I didn’t hesitate, I just leaned in and did it. It was my first, first kiss in thirteen years.
“I want you. I have never wanted another woman like this. You consume my thoughts, but I can’t promise you more than whatever we share while I’m living here.”
He wants me.
He wants me, and I want him, and we’re both single adults.
The thing I keep going back to is that I only have one life. I’ve seen death take someone early. I’m sure Luke had regrets. There were things he wanted to do, we wanted to do, but we put them off. Each year that want slipped away as something else took precedence.
I don’t want to ever look back on my life and wish I had chosen courage over fear.
Taking a chance with Jacob is the risk that might have the biggest reward.
The sounds of the creek start to become clearer, and then I freeze when I hear something.
“Damn it!”
My heart starts to race. I have no idea who would be out here this early, and on my land no less. Or at least, I think I’m on my land.
I really should’ve thought this through.
I start to turn, not wanting whoever it is to see me.
“Brenna?”
That voice. Jesus, please tell me that my mind conjured it because it’s five in the morning, I didn’t brush my hair, and I am wearing ratty old sweatpants and a US Navy shirt.
I hear squishing footsteps making their way toward me.
Don’t turn around. Don’t do it. Walk away.
“What are you doing out here?” Jacob’s voice is not a hallucination, and he’s right behind me. Great.
I turn, plastering a smile on my face. “Oh, you know, just . . . taking my morning stroll.”
“You’re out here every day?” he asks with a hint of skepticism.
“Sure! I love to get some fresh air before the world wakes up. Plus, the view of the mountain here is really spectacular first thing in the morning.”
He nods slowly. “It is.”
“What are you doing?” I volley back, hoping he doesn’t hear the slight tinge of panic in my voice.
“Well,everymorning, I come out here and fish.”
And I would like to please throw myself off that mountain. “Every day?”
He smiles. “Every. Day.”
Of course, he does. “We must just miss each other.”
“Yes, that must be it. Don’t worry, I’ll adjust my plans to make sure we don’t miss again.”
“Right. You should . . . because I’m out here all the time. Like you are.”
Jacob waits two seconds before he calls me out. “You’re a terrible liar, Brenna. Don’t go into acting.”
