Page 69 of Chasing Stars
“Jenna,” I manage to rasp out. “I have no idea what she’s doing here, I promise.”
Jenna licks her lips and nods. “Yeah. Okay.” She sucks in a breath and pushes herself off the bed, grabbing her purse. “I should get out of your way so you can talk to her.” She starts shoving some things in her bag, deodorant, her toiletries.
I catch her arm. “Jenna, stop it.” It comes out like a growl. I swallow the panic rising in my chest—I’ve upset her, and I haven’t even talked to her about her father yet. I pull her into me and cup both sides of her face. “This doesn’t changeanything,” I murmur, kissing her feverishly.
Jenna pulls away and meets my gaze with a nod.
“Jenna, I love you,” I say firmly. “I don’t know what she wants, but it doesn’t change anything.”
“Okay,” Jenna whispers.
“I love you,” I say again, this time more emphatically.
“I love you, too,” she relents. “I’ll see you tonight.” She slings her purse over her shoulder and brushes past me.
I follow her out, glancing at Erin, who’s already made herself at home at the kitchen island. I ignore her and follow Jenna to the door.
“Call me when you get a break,” I say, tugging her close again.
“I’ll try.” Jenna shrugs, all the warmth from her face gone, replaced with a line of concern over her brow.
“Jenna,” I mumble, pressing my forehead into hers. “This is not how I saw this morning going.”
“Me neither.” She pats my chest, forcing me to take a step back. “You better go see what she wants.”
I lean down to kiss her, but she quickly turns and my lips land on her cheek instead. “Jenna,” I bemoan, but she’s already down the steps.
I take in a sharp breath and close my front door, leaning against it for a moment before facing Erin. With a defeated sigh, I walk back toward the kitchen. Pete watches Erin cautiously from the couch. I round the island and square my shoulders, looking at Erin.
“Bad time?” She lets out an awkward giggle.
“Yeah. You could say that.”
35
JENNA
Iclose my car door, taking a moment to collect myself before I drive away. It’s at this moment I realize how little I actually know about Miles and his previous relationship. But I know I didn’t have to leave. And he’s told me he loves me no less than fifty times since last night. That seems important. But when I said I was going, he didn’t try to stop me. He didn’t try to introduce me to her but I also didn’t give him the chance.
I let out a frustrated groan and throw my head back against the seat. Life is really unfair sometimes. I lost my dad, then my mom, then my job. I’m underwater in this godforsaken house. Just when I think I might have found happiness with Miles, anxiety creeps back in. He’s given me no reason to doubt him but I’m still scared. If Miles was as good to her as he is to me, she probably realizes she lost something good and wants it back. What if when he sees her and wants her back, too? I could just really use a win right now.
I can’t bring myself to pull out of the parking lot for a good fifteen minutes. I tell myself it’s because I can’t calm the anxiety that’s camped out in my chest, but deep down, I’m hoping it’s a short conversation and I’ll see her come back out. I never shouldhave left. I should have asked to stay and hear what she has to say.I know that’s irrational though. It’s likely a conversation they need to have privately.
I shudder and suck in a breath, throwing my car in reverse. I think about calling Morgan and unloading on her but I know how busy she is. Then I think about calling Joy, but she’ll probably sayI told you so, it is Miles after all. So instead, I drive to my house. I’ll get ready for work, put on a brave face, and do the best I can until I can talk to Miles.
I’m surprised when I pull up to find Danny’s truck parked in the driveway on a Saturday. He’s coming around the side of the house with a large piece of drywall when I get out of the car.
“Jenna!” He calls. “I wasn’t expecting—” His face falls and he quickly sets the drywall on the grass before rushing to me. “Jenna, are you okay?”
All I can do is nod—no chance Danny wants to be caught in the middle of this.
Danny steps in front of me. “Is it Miles? Did you two fight?” I can see why Danny has been married for so long; the care and tenderness in his voice immediately puts me at ease.
“Erin came back,” I say with a defeated sigh.
Danny’s jaw falls open, but he quickly fixes it. His lips form a tight line as if he’s thinking about what to say next. “Jenna, listen to me. That means nothing. I’m sure of it.”
I shake my head. “I left so they could talk, and he didn’t stop me,” I mumble.
