Page 110 of The Second Kiss
“My youngest daughter graduated WSU last year. You kind of remind me of her. If you were her, I’d tell you to turn around and head back. I don’t think you’re going to make it in that car.”
I lean my head against the steering wheel. It’s fate telling me I should go back to my apartment—that I should forget all about Jacob.
He strokes the tip of his mustache. “I can follow you for a ways, but I’m worried about you making it over the pass.”
I consider his offer. If I can at least make it to the pass, I can call Dad to come get me. He’s won't be happy about it, but at least I’ll get home in time to say goodbye to Jacob.
“I think I’ll try to keep going,” I say quietly.
“I thought you might. My daughter probably wouldn’t have turned back either; she’s stubborn like that.” He sticks his hand through the open window. “My name is Jake, by the way, Jacob Watson.”
I shake his hand. I can’t believe the coincidence. “Thanks so much, Mr. Watson. I’m Jess Roberts.”
The knock comes while I'm standing in the kitchen talking to Mom. I hurry to answer it, but Jacob doesn’t wait for me to open the door. He steps inside like he belongs here. When he looks up, I notice two things. He’s completely shocked to see me, and he’s by himself—no Laini.
I smile. “You didn’t honestly think I was going to let you leave for Iraq without saying goodbye.”
He steps forward, wraps his arms around me, and holds me against his chest. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home?”
“She didn’t tell us either.” Dad comes up behind us, but Jacob doesn’t let go of me. “She just kind of showed up here last night.”
Jacob looks down. “Last night? Why didn’t you call?”
“It was pretty late.” My car limped home, barely on its own power, at about one o'clock in the morning.
“Did you find a new car?” Jacob asks.
I shake my head. “The Nag is still hanging in there.” I haven’t mentioned how badly my car is doing to anyone. I’m not sure how I’m going to make it back for class tomorrow.
Mom comes in from the kitchen. “Where is Laini?”
“She couldn’t come,” Jacob replies. I try not to look too relieved.
“Too bad.” Mom doesn’t sound disappointed. “We made salmon just for her.” I see the look that crosses Jacob’s face. He’s too polite to mention that he really doesn’t like fish. Mom sees it too. She pats his back. “We made steak for you. Everything will be ready in about ten minutes.”
“Can I help, Mom?” I ask.
“No.” She keeps smiling at us. “Keep Jacob company while I finish. Hon, could you check on the steaks?" She heads back to the kitchen and Dad goes out to the grill. We're alone, at least as alone as we can be with my family in the next room.
Jacob slides his hands down my arms until he’s holding both of my hands. He stands back. “It’s so good to see you. You look great.”
“Thanks. You look pretty good yourself.”
“How’s school?”
“It’s going okay. A little more work than I thought, but I’ll get used to it.”
“What about the social part of school?” He’s trying to sound casual, but I catch an edge of something in that question.
“Social part?” I ask innocently.
“You know, dates, parties, that kind of thing?”
“Oh,” I wrinkle up my nose and think of the one party I attended. “I haven—
“Steaks are perfect. Let's eat,” Dad calls.
Jacob drops my hands and follows me into the dining room. He pulls out my chair for me and then sits beside me. I catch him watching me while I’m eating.
