Jack and I exchanged an amused look.
“Machiavelli would tell you to find an ally first,” I said gravely. “Divide and conquer.”
Crys narrowed her eyes in thought. “Good call, boo. I see other-Chris over there. Imma force him to join an alliance with me.” She nodded once, then saluted me. “See you on the other side.”
“She terrifies me,” Jack murmured, sliding his hand into mine and holding it firmly as we walked toward Darren Pascal’s barbecue table.
“Honestly, same. But sometimes a little terror is a good thing.”Take, for example, the terror I feel at finally holding your hand in public, I thought to myself.
Jack’s smile said he knew exactly what I was thinking, though, and the answering tenderness on his face warmed my stomach way more than the single bite of Darren’s smoked chicken sliders I managed to choke down.
If Jack was feeling any kind of way about the curious looks and beaming smiles people gave us as we wandered the town common, checking out the delicious food with our hands linked together, he didn’t show it. And when we rocked up to Knox’s table to get an order of corn ribs, Jack’s hand retained a firm grasp on mine.
Gage’s gaze landed on our joined hands, and he gave Jack a teasing smile. “So, I guess this means poor Joey Kincaid’s not going to get another model for his shibari photography?”
“Goodman,” Knox warned, shaking his head in amusement.
I shot Jack a confused glance.
“No,” Jack told Gage shortly. “Definitelynot.”
“Probably best that I never talked to him, then, hmm?” Gage said happily. He gave me a wink. “Really thrilled for you two.” He hip-bumped Knox. “We both are.”
“The whole family is,” Knox said firmly. “Or will be, once they hear about it.”
Jack didn’t seem quite so sure, but he simply nodded and slid his hand around my waist, like their approval of our relationship wasn’t going to change his mind either way… which was possibly the hottest thing he’d ever done in a lifetime of incredibly hot things.
As we strolled away, his hand tightened around me, and I couldn’t help wondering what it would feel like on other parts of my body. What was Jack Wyatt like in bed? Ademonlike Smug Peter claimed? Or gentle, the way he usually was with me? Bossy? Sweet? Aggressive? Playful? Loving?
I was like a kid on Christmas morning, waiting to unwrap my present and see what I’d gotten, but in my dreams, I’d enjoyed every possible incarnation of our lovemaking, and I had no doubt the reality would be just as amazing.
“Omigod! Hawkins Sunday!” Gracie Hubbard squealed. She waved at me eagerly before racing over.
I shot Jack a bemused look. Gracie was one of Emma’s friends, and I’d known her for a billion years, but she was six years younger than me, and we weren’t particularly close.
“Hey, Gracie,” I said as she rocked to a stop in front of me.
“Hi!” She beamed. “I’msohappy that you made it back safely and didn’t have to, like, burn all your money or whatever.” Her eyes widened. “Wait, did you?”
“Uh. What?” I glanced up at Jack, but he pressed his lips together and shook his head.
“Never mind,” she said, waving a hand. “You survived your ordeal, and that’s really all that matters.” She clasped her hands to her chest. “I told Emma you’re… kind of my hero.”
“Uh.What?” I repeated.
Beside me, Jack’s body shook with suppressed laughter.
“So, like… I know you’re basically a famous environmental activist now, and you probs have, like, way important friends and all, but can we get a selfie together? The other Peakies will be so jealous.”
“Uhhhhhh… whaaaat?” I said for a third time.
Jack was full-on chortling, bent over so his face was pressed into my shoulder.
“Please?” she begged.
“Oh… kay?”
Gracie sighed happily, like I’d just made her entire day. She came up beside me, wrapped her arm around my waist, and before I had a chance to fix my face or even look at her phone camera, she snapped three quick pictures. “Thank you so much, Hawk!”
