“I think you mean, Eloise Carter’s whipping boy.”
I laughed at his deflection before disagreeing gently, “No. You could have passed on trick-or-treating.”
He eyed me, looking a little cagy. “Yeah, but that seemed like the easiest way to get her off my back. Next thing I know, it’ll be the holiday market or the Christmas parade or the Spring Fling or whatever small-town event she can think up next. Believe me, I do not want to be on Eloise Carter’s email list.”
“Why does that bother you so much, Jack? Why wouldn’t you want to be involved?”
Despite being born here and living most of his life in Kirby Falls, Jack had been somewhat of an outsider. His solitude contributed to his reputation. One of a self-contained man who flew under the radar. Who didn’t need anyone’s approval or support, and lived the life he’d chosen. Almost like he’d decided to stay in his hometown in spite of the gossip and rumors.
He didn’t answer. Darkness rolled over his expression like a storm rumbling in. He was irritated, likely upset that I was pushing so hard. But this was important. He was already a part of this community. The only person who saw him as an outsider was Jack himself.
“You’re one of us,” I told him seriously. “This town is as much yours as anyone else’s. It’s okay to want to be a part of that.”
After a long moment, Jack nodded, his expression still a little unsure, or perhaps disbelieving. But the dark clouds of his temper had drifted into the distance, like a summer shower over the mountains, just barely hiding layers of the hillside behind a gauzy curtain of rain.
“It’s okay to be a little scared,” I said, using his own words from a few weeks ago.
I could tell he remembered. His face softened, the last hint of bad weather dispersing on the wind.
Then he raised a dark brow in my direction, enhancing his roguish appearance. “Well, don’t expect me to turn Magnolia into the hometown watering hole. The last local who picked my bar over Mattie B’s is still causing all kinds of trouble.”
Then he winked and shot me a grin that had me going warm all over.
Eventually, the shuffling mass of parents and costumed children dwindled along with the candy in our bowl. I saw a few more students and said hi to plenty of neighbors. Jacob and Charlie had even stopped by our table. Jacob had been dressed as a king, his costume complete with a cape, crown, and royal scepter. Charlie had taken a very creative approach and put together a Chef Mario Batali costume with the help of his dad. They were polite and spoke to me, but they were obviously there for Jack. I knew the boys still frequented the girls’ practices, and they’d attended every Saturday game I’d been to as well. I wasn’t surprised at all when Jack passed the boys full-sized Snickers bars, further earning their hero worship and undying devotion.
We managed to make it to Jack’s building just as the streetlights turned on. Following Jack, I gathered my layers of skirts and took the stairs up to his apartment. I could tell he wanted to peek in downstairs at Magnolia, but he resisted.
He’d gotten better about that, letting those scheduled to close up actually do their jobs without stepping in or checking to make sure the kitchen wasn’t overwhelmed. Magnolia was well staffed, but it was obvious that Jack had a hard time letting go where the bar was concerned.
But tonight, he’d been content to lead me right up to his apartment, his hand wrapped around mine.
My phone buzzed in the pocket of my dress as we stepped inside. I looked at the screen after I removed my shoes and felt my stomach drop. Another text from Danny. This time, asking if I had time to talk.
He’d been sending these messages every now and then, and I’d just been ignoring them, but too scared of an emergency with Diane to block him.
“Everything okay?” Jack asked, swiping the bandana off his head and raking his fingers through his hair.
“Yeah,” I replied as I turned off my phone. “It wasn’t important.”
I didn’t want to talk about my ex-husband. I didn’t want to think about him either. Danny had occupied enough of my thoughts for a very long time.
Jack shrugged out of the white lace-up pirate shirt, and suddenly my attention was fixed wholly on him. He unclipped the gold hoop from his ear and placed it on the counter before stepping close.
Carefully, he removed the crown from my hair. Then he reached behind me and found the zipper of my dress.
“You know some people would be into the Princess Peach thing,” I said with a grin. “I can leave it on, if you want.”
His eyes stayed on mine even as I felt the fabric slide down my body, the air cool against my skin.
Jack ran the backs of his knuckles along my spine, making me shiver. Anticipation bloomed, and something heavy and warm settled below my belly button.
He shook his head slowly from side to side. “No costume, Clyde. I just—” He paused, throat working as he swallowed. “I just want you.”
All my teasing and amusement abruptly fled as he leaned in and pressed a lingering kiss to my jaw.
No matter what happened with Jack, I knew I’d probably remember this moment for the rest of my life. When Jack laid me down on his bed and made slow, sweet love to me, it was withthe knowledge that for the first time in my life, someone simply wanted me.
And maybe—just maybe—I was more than enough.
