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His newfound knowledge of her tragic childhood loomed large in his mind, but he didn’t think now was the time to bring it up. Instead, he said, “You were there for me when I came back to the Masters Club last year, but I wasn’t there for you.”
“You were mourning—”
“No,” Jack interrupted. “Don’t make excuses for me. I’m not saying I had no reason, or that I acted out of malice. But the facts are the facts. You reached out to me. I didn’t have the courage to act on it.”
Cleo said nothing.
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, desperate to reach her. “I’m trying to say I know I fucked up.”
Cleo frowned, shaking her head. Pulling her hand from beneath his, she again started to speak.
Jack stopped her with a raised hand. “No. Don’t try to clean it up. I’m not talking about the fact that I was still mourning. I’m talking about the way I handled it, or failed to handle it with you back then. I knew there was something between us. I denied it, both to you and to myself. There’s no cleaning that up.”
He blew out a breath, determined to barrel on. “But I’m different now. I’m ready to live again. To love again.”
His voice dropped to barely a whisper as he dared to utter the words that had been burning in his heart for longer than he cared to admit. “I’m in love with you, Cleo. And I think maybe you’re in love with me. Come home with me, and let’s find out.”
Cleo’s mouth fell open, her eyes widening. “Wait. What are you saying? You mean just up and leave New York? For good?”
Before he could respond, she rushed on. “After two days together, you want me to throw aside the life I’ve built here and follow you like a puppy dog back to London?” Her hand came to her mouth, color washing into her cheeks. “Excuse me, Sir. That came out as impertinent.”
“No,” Jack quickly replied. “You’re right. The way you put it, it does sound kind of crazy.”
Slow down.
He paused a moment. “I was thinking we could play it by ear. I’m not talking a total move right now. Just a—a vacation. Grayson and Dominique are fine with you taking some time away from the club so we can figure out where we are. That’s all I’m asking right now. Just come back for a week or two. Give us time to connect more fully. The minute you want to head back to New York, I’ll book your return flight, no questions asked.”
Cleo sat still for a long moment, a stunned look on her face. “Blimey,” she finally said with a breathless laugh. “I feel like I’ve suddenly been plunked down in the middle of a rom-com.” She pushed her hair back with both hands. “I guess I’m kind of gobsmacked at the moment. I don’t know what to say…”
Jack waited, trying not to anticipate. He leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes briefly as he took a deep, cleansing breath. It would be what it would be. He wouldn’t bully her into accepting. She had to get there on her own. She had to want it too.
One… Two… Three…
He counted silently, wondering how long it would take for her to speak again, if she was going to. As the silence stretched, his heart sank.
What had he really expected, after all?
Dominique’s revelations had added another dimension to the picture. Both parents had abandoned Cleo, whether or not it was their fault. Then those two assholes she’d hooked up with… She’d had bad experiences with unreliable, dishonest men who didn’t know what they had.
Jack had done the same thing, in his way, shutting her out when his emotions were too hot for him to handle. Maybe too much damage had been done. It was a wonder she could trust anyone at all.
Whatever she decided, he would honor it with as much grace as he could muster. He wouldn’t plead or cajole or coerce. He would abide by her decision.
She still hadn’t responded when their server brought the check, along with a tiny ceramic bowl of crystallized ginger. Jack removed his billfold and took out enough cash to cover the check along with a hefty tip.
“Ready?” he asked, trying valiantly to keep his heart off his sleeve.
“Yes,” she said, but she made no move to stand.
He waited a moment, confused.
“Yes,” she repeated, this time with more conviction. “I’m probably bonkers, but I’m ready, too, to give this a try. So, yes, Master Jack. I’m saying yes.”
Chapter 20
Cleo had never flown first-class before. They each had their own little luxury pod with its comfy reclining-into-a-bed seat and all sorts of controls and gadgets. The flight attendant kept appearing to ask Cleo if she’d like some chocolates or champagne or another plump little pillow. Cleo said yes to everything, giddy with delight at the literally first-class treatment.
