Page 59 of Second Chance Vacation

“Of course. I just was hoping tonight could just be us…”

“We’re not the only people on this trip, Jackson.” I roll my eyes playfully, pushing down the pang in my stomach at his words at the reminder of our lost alone time. He doesn’t meet me with the same playful demeanor. He just nods. Without missing a beat, Jackson’s look of disappointment dissolves as he pushes a kiss to the side of my head, water-logged hair and all.

Savannah is staring at us, a shit-eating grin plastered across her lips.

“What?” I snip.

“Oh, nothing—you guys are just cute…” Her grin grows wider, and I am reminded, once again, that Savannah is an evil mastermind.

TWENTY-THREE

JACKSON

“Let's go.” Savannah tugs at Gen's arm with a chuckle.

We arrived at the restaurant a while ago and had an incredible meal. But the staff just cleared space for the dance floor, and Savannah appears to be impatient. The lights dim, and my eyes instantly find Gen, who is now being pulled from her seat and out to the dance floor by Savannah.

It breathes life into me to know that she is enjoying herself, as it seems like she never shuts her brain off and allows herself to be happy for a moment. So knowing that she is having fun tonight warms me.

“What's going on there?” Wes asks as his eyes don't divert from the swirl of chocolate and orange locks moving on the dance floor.

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, don't bullshit me, Jax. I get that the circumstances of this trip weren't ideal. But I was there when you were getting over her. Based on the look on your face right now, that's not over Gen.”

I know he's right. My feelings are on the tip of my tongue. But I can't get myself to say it. Not yet. I pull the glass of single malt whiskey to my lips as I catch a glimpse of Gen's grin.

Savannah pulls her to her as the song picks up, and the two move around the other pairings without a care in the world. I wish I could be that carefree.

“They're pretty incredible, huh?” I say, shifting the conversation.

“Yeah, they are.” His eyes are on the redhead moving around the dance floor with my girl.

My girl.

Gen.

If only it were that easy. The feeling in the pit of my stomach reminds me of how it went last time. The second it gets too real, Gen runs for the hills. I'm anticipating it, but I can't hold myself back from giving her everything, even if it kills me in the process.

Sounds of string music cut through the air as the music shifts to a more soft sensual beat.

Gen and Savannah dart toward us. She wraps her arms around me. Her eyes are glimmering with mischief, and I can tell the wine is hitting her by the way her lips meet mine. She is showing a level of affection she hasn't allowed to slip through the cracks in front of company since we've been here.

I have to admit, it's nice.

Savannah seems to notice, too, as I can see the smirk on her face through my periphery, but thankfully, it seems that she has learned to not say anything about it.

“You want to dance?” Gen asks, resting her chin against my chest as she peers up at me.

“Sure.”

I allow her to pull me up from my sitting position and drag me out onto the dance floor. We've been here so many times before. Even on this trip, it's becoming second nature to have Gen pressed to me. As we sway to the music, I smile. I'll never grow tired of it.

She tilts her head up and presses her lips to mine again. It's not heated or urgent but shows a certain level of contentment that I ache for.

I pull her closer to me, whispering in her ear, “You, little miss, are drunk.”

“Am not!” she replies with a grin, her head drifting back and forth lazily to the music, just slightly off-beat with every movement.

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