Page 28 of Under Southern Stars
“It’s always complicated with you.” Her tone softens. “But if she’s as special as you seem to think, maybe it’s worth the complication.”
After we hang up, I sit in the dark, the high from the evening slowly giving way to a familiar anxiety. How long can I keep this up? How long before Sophia starts asking more pointed questions about my background, my family, my life before America?
“It can just be…this. Whatever this is.”
She is right. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Not yet. Not when we are just figuring out what this is between us.
I have to tell her eventually. Soon. Because whatever this is, it is too important to build on a foundation of half-truths.
But not yet. Not when everything is so new, so fragile. A few more dates. A few more chances to show her who I really am before revealing what I come from.
A little more time to be just Jack.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
SOPHIA
The sun streaming through my kitchen window feels accusatory. I’m on my third cup of coffee, still wearing Jack’s jacket from last night—it smells of cedar and something uniquely him—and I’ve checked my phone approximately eight thousand times
Last night feels like a fever dream. Chloe’s mom, Rachel, had given me this knowing little smile when she dropped Madison off to get ready for soccer. “Have fun at book club?” she’d asked, winking. “That’s what Madison said you were doing.”
Book club. Right. I should have known something was up then.
“Mom, you’re being weird.” Madison emerges from her room, already in her soccer uniform. “Also, is that a man’s jacket?”
“It got cold last night.”
She grins, sliding into a chair. “Uh-huh. Sure. And you always look like you just had the best night of your life the morning after ‘book club’?
My face heats. “MadisonGrace—”
“Don’t worry, I only told Chloe’s mom you had a date. Not who with. Yet.” She steals a piece of my toast. “So how was Mr. New Zealand?”
“His name is Jack.”
“Ooh, first name basis already?” She steals a piece of my toast. “Did he kiss you goodnight?”
“Madison—”
“He didn’t?” She looks horrified. “Mom, no. Please tell me you didn’t do the awkward car door shuffle.”
“I don’t know what that means.”
“It means you sat in your car for like five minutes wondering if you should kiss him first.” She shakes her head. “Classic overthinking.”
The accuracy stings. “Shouldn’t you be warming up for your game?”
“Dad’s picking me up in twenty.” She checks her phone, frowns. “Of course, he’s already fifteen minutes late.”
“And Chloe’s mom is bringing you back to their house?”
“Yeah, she—” Madison stops mid-bite. “Wait. You’re coming to my game, right?”
“Of course.”
“Even though Dad will be there with Tiffany?” She watches me carefully.
Right. Troy’s new girlfriend. The wellness influencer who’s convinced Madison needs to cut out gluten and dairy and joy. Asif my daughter needs some Instagram-inspired ‘optimization.’ Just another way Troy tries to assert control.
