This couldn’t be happening.
Hallie had to be dreaming. Not even four hours ago she’d seen Jacob on the television screen as he’d prepared for his round at the finals.
But now he was here.
In the flesh.
Yep, she was definitely dreaming.
Several gasps ricocheted through the air around her and her eyes darted to each of the girls in the room. Everyone was staring at the door where Sammie was still standing but they were zoned in on the visitor who hadn’t stepped over the threshold yet.
It wasn’t until someone shoved her shoulder then shoved it again while hissing, “Hallie,go.” that she startled and turned to find Faith grinning at her. There were stars in her eyes making it absolutely clear she believed in happily ever after and she was excited to be witnessing one take place.
Unfortunately for Faith, Hallie didn’t have the same beliefs. She’d been burned one too many times. When her eyes swung back to the door, she found Jacob still watching her. He was bathed in the porch lights and his hand was on the door jamb. She wouldn’t have been surprised to find that he had supernatural abilities, and that look alone could force her to her feet and bring her toward him.
In the next second, that was exactly what happened. She balled her hands into fists at her sides, but it wasn’t because she was angry. No, she was still far too confused right now but she needed to keep her hands to herself and that meant allowing the pain of her fingernails to press into her palms.
“What are you doing here?” she managed to whisper when she reached the open doorway.
Sammie hadn’t moved. Her presence offered a strength that Hallie didn’t have. It was nice to know that there was still someone who would stand by her side when things got tough.
As if Jacob could read her thoughts, he cut a look at Sammie briefly before returning his eyes to meet hers. “Could we… talk alone?”
Sammie stiffened. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, Hallie,” she muttered. “If you want him to go, I’ll get Caleb.”
Jacob’s eyes widened with what could only be surprise and maybe a little desperation. He held up both hands in a placating gesture. “I’m not going to do anything to hurt you.”
“Too late for that,” Sammie murmured but there was less bite to it than Hallie would have expected.
What little confidence Jacob might have had faltered. “I just want to talk,” he attempted again.
“Anything you want to say can be said in front of all of us. We know everything, Jacob.” Sammie wasn’t pulling any punches tonight. She’d placed her hands on her hips and stepped closer to Hallie. “You had your chance with one of the most genuine girls on the planet and you blew it.”
Hallie could have kissed Sammie for the way she was standing up for her. She was the best kind of friend and Hallie needed to make sure she knew it.
Later.
When Hallie’s ex wasn’t standing on her doorstep with those puppy-dog eyes.
Why was it so hard to look at him and not wish things had turned out differently? “You broke my heart, Jacob,” she finally managed to whisper.
He didn’t move. She half-expected that he’d try to get her separated from her friends again. Or that he’d make excuses. All of this was so out of the ordinary, though, so maybe her expectations were all wrong.
When he did show signs of life, his eyes flicked first to Sammie then to the girls who’d managed to retain enough control to remain seated in the living room. The house boasted an open floor plan and the door opened into the big entertaining area which was usually nice but right now Hallie was second guessing whether she wanted everyone to hear what Jacob had to say.
He could very well turn and walk away which would leave her wondering why he’d come all this way. He could slip through herfingers again. Panic clawed at her throat, but she dug those nails in deeper and waited for him to respond.
Jacob found her eyes and cleared his throat. “I was wrong.”
Sammie scoffed. “Obviously. We already went over that.”
He shot her a dark look and Hallie bit back a smile. Then she turned toward Sammie and prayed her friend got the hint with her own pointed look. Sammie rolled her eyes before she slipped away to return to the other spectators. But none of them turned away from the spectacle. This was probably better than any reality television they liked watching.
Hallie nodded at Jacob. “Go on.” She couldn’t be sure, but she thought she saw a hint of relief and perhaps amusement in Jacob’s gaze.
He tapped his fingers on the door jamb and nodded more to himself than anyone else. “I’ve never… I didn’t know…” He blew out a heavy breath and his expression turned almost pleading. “All my life I’ve only ever wanted one thing.”
She knew where this was going. His career. And she’d never faulted him for it. Not until it came in the way of what she was trying to build with him.
