Page 114 of Could Have Been Us
This is all I may ever get, and I see now she feels the same.
Chapter 35
Stella
The last week and a half has been strange. It’s like something shifted between Jack and I when we were at the lake. He’s here with us, but it’s like he’s gone as well. He’s still sweet and attentive, but there’s a wall that wasn’t there before.
Kinsley has been better. She spends time with us, and she’s excited about Amelia’s birthday that is coming up because she’ll meet Alexander and Joshua. Oliver is coming for lunch today, and she’s been all nervous energy since I asked her if that was okay.
Maybe that is why Jack has been so reserved—because he doesn’t have anyone to introduce her to. If that’s the case, I wish he would talk to me about it so I could make him feel less isolated.
I lie on my side, facing him as he sleeps. The sun hasn’t fully risen, but I can’t sleep and am desperate for him. He had a fire call last night, which must not have been anything crazy because he was only gone for about two hours. Tentatively, I reach my hand out, touching the scruff on his cheek.
He shifts, eyes slowly opening, and his lips turn up. “Hi there, gorgeous.”
“Hi.” My cheeks burn at the compliment.
“It’s early,” he notes.
“It is, but I missed you.”
“I wasn’t gone that long last night.” He lets out a long stretch, and I smile at the sight of what dips below the sheet.
“Maybe not, but I still worry when you go out.”
Jack rubs his thumb along my lip. “We’re always careful, and trust me, I take far fewer risks since I fell in love with you.”
“Awww,” I say, snuggling against him a little deeper. “You’re so sweet. But I still miss you.”
Jack smiles softly. “I’m right here.”
“You are, and you’re not. It’s been hard for us, and we haven’t had a lot of time for just the two of us.”
“No, we haven’t. I’ve missed you too, Stella.”
“You have?” I ask, feeling stupid and shy.
“Most definitely. I love you even more.”
Maybe I’m imagining it all. Maybe Jack isn’t being weird, and I’m reading into things.
“I love you more.”
“Not possible.”
“Wanna bet?” I challenge, then laugh and rest my head on my hand before adding, “I think you’d lose.”
“Are either of us losing when it comes to this?”
“Nope.”
His hand moves to my hip and then slides to my ass. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did, even with your snoring.”
Jack laughs, his hand cupping my butt and pulling me toward him. “You’re one to talk.”
I move in closer, my hand on his chest. “I’d rather not talk.”
