Page 107 of Someone to Tempt
“Your guy better be very special,” Tom tells Char, “because these two would light that showcase on fire.”
“You’ll do great without me,” Jake says quietly.
The word on the tip of my tongue—stay—fades. Sloane told me I should ask for what I want, but I’m not going to get it. Asking will just make the rejection sting worse.
“I have all the faith in the world in your friend,” I say to Char as I take a step away from Jake. I wanted to put my faith in him. I placed my heart in his hands, that’s for sure, and it’s come back to bite me in the ass.
I gather my stuff and walk out the front door. I don’t stop when he calls my name because I’m unsure how long I can hold back the tears pricking my eyes. Life was so much simpler when I wasn’t a crier.
The cool air feels refreshing against my flushed skin, and sunlight slices through the golden leaves of the cottonwood trees lining the sidewalk. Today, the beauty of the season feels like an insult—the world doesn’t care that my heart is breaking apart.
I’m at the corner when a firm hand closes around my wrist.
“You can’t have more surprises in store for me,” I say, half-joking, as I pull my arm away. “We don’t have an audience.”
His jaw is tight, and his eyes search my face. “You told my grandfather I’m not staying in Skylark.” It’s less of an accusation than a statement of fact.
Except…
“I didn’t tell your grandfather anything.”
He waves away my denial. “You told Daniel. A secret for a secret.”
I think back to my last conversation with Daniel and Jodi and shake my head. “It wasn’t like that. I didn’t?—”
“I get it. I should have told you about Spencer Charles.”
“Is that why you’re leaving? Because your grandfather found out your plan for the foundation because of me?”
“I shouldn’t have kept it a secret. I’ve kept too many secrets from people I...” He pauses, and it feels like my heart stops right along with him. “From people I care about. I don’t want things to be awkward for you.”
A broken heart isn’t awkward at all.
“I know you love this town. Me being here complicates things, so...”
“I’m not running for mayor,” I blurt. “I’m not...I might not even stay in Skylark.”
“Why?” His thick brows draw together. “I don’t understand.”
“You’re not the only one with secrets.”
He laughs softly and reaches out to touch one finger to my cheek. I swallow hard but don’t pull away. “Secrets are easier to deal with,” he whispers, “if you tell someone.”
“I had an affair with a married man.” My voice cracks, and I hate him seeing me like this, but I continue, spilling everything into the space between us. “I thought they were separated. It was stupid, but I was desperate for someone to love. He made me feel like I mattered…until I found out I didn’t.” The irony isn’t lost on me and I straighten my shoulders. “I don’t want it to be made public.”
Jake stares at me like I’m a puzzle he can’t solve. “You think it will if you become mayor?”
I shrug. “Maybe it will now. Maybe later. But it’s made me…the possibility has made me understand I don’t want a career in the limelight. I want to help people, to do good work. To make sure kids like my brother and I have places to go where they feel safe and a community to support them. I can do those things behind the scenes.”
“What are the consequences for the jackass who cheated?” Jake demands, his words heavy and charged like the first crack of thunder in a rainstorm.
“He’s not my concern anymore.”
“It’s not fair, Iris. I don’t know if you’re aware of it or not, but you have so much to give. I know how much you want to make a difference. You are?—”
“Thank you for that,” I say, cutting him off. “You helped me see that it’s okay to be who I am.” I reach up and cup his cheek. “It’s okay to be who you are, too—both the writer and the grandson.”
“You don’t need to leave, Iris. This is your home.”
