Page 107 of Fairy Tale Lies
The old Greta would’ve stewed in indecision, fearing a quarrel or hostility. The new Greta grabbed her car keys and, thanks to her apartment’s new location, was at Jacob’s house in less than a half hour.
She might face her fears now; it didn’t mean the possibility of Jacob’s rejection didn’t coil in her stomach, making her a bundle of nerves and pent-up anxiety.No sense prolonging the inevitable. With shaky hands, Greta opened her car door and walked to the porch.
Heart in her throat, she made her way to the porch and knocked. Seconds later, heavy footfalls made their way in her direction.
Will swung open the door and stopped short. “Hey, Greta. Didn’t expect you. How’ve you been? Heard you moved and got a new job. How’s it all going?”
Not good.It didn’t matter. She wasn’t turning back.
“Is Jacob here?”
“Uh yeah…did he know you were stopping by?”
Dread became a living entity. It crawled from her stomach and wrapped itself vice-like around her heart.
Unable to speak, she shook her head.
After an excruciating pause, Will stepped aside, letting her come in. Closing the door, he asked her to wait in the foyer, like a guest, when he went to find Jacob.
This doesn’t bode well.
She waited in a cruel silence. After a couple of minutes, Jacob’s familiar tread moved toward the door. Her breath caught.
His hair was damp, but he was dressed for a night out. He was incredibly handsome in a pair of black slacks and an ocean blue long-sleeve button-up with the cuffs rolled. The color made his eyes appear electric.
Where was he headed? And with who?
He stopped in front of her. Droplets of water trickled down his neck. She followed its slow trail, wanting to press her lips against the moisture, taking in his warmth and scent. After a pause, Greta dragged her gaze from his throat to his eyes.
“Where’ve you been?” Her voice was whip-sharp and full of accusations.
He raised a brow. “Um. Business trip. We did talk when I was there…”
“Yes, but you’ve been home all day. Why didn’t you call me?”
He took her hand and opened the door with the other. “Come on. Let’s sit outside.”
Her pulse spiked, and butterflies started to fight in her stomach. Why hadn’t he answered her question? He’d taken her hand, but no kiss, big or small.
From the door to the swing wasn’t more than a few steps, yet it dragged as if it were her final mile.
She had to know. “Was work what kept you away?”
“Yes, of course.” Jacob cocked his head to the side. “What else would it be?” He let go of her hand and sat, motioning with his head for her to sit next to him.
She sat on the swing, shifting to face him. “I don’t know, Jacob. I’m worried. You were distracted whenever we spoke on the phone. Then you came home and didn’t call me. Also, your brother is acting strange. Treating me like a guest…” The butterflies were no longer fighting each other. They’d banded together and were eating through her stomach.
“I’m sorry I worried you. Though, I do love you’ve confronted me with your doubts.”
He kissed her cheek, and the love reflected in his eyes quieted her fears.
“I wasn’t brushing you off. The opposite, in fact. I want to show you how serious I am about us.” He stood.
She took in his dressy clothes, smiling. “Oh yeah, how so? Were you going to convince me to go to dinner, instead of lunch?”
His low rumbling laughter vanquished the chill from the spring air. “Yes. It’s the reason why I went to Mackinac, instead of Tony.”
“You wanted their famous fudge, right?” Greta joked, a bit giddy. “Did you bring me any?”
