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Jack nodded.
Taylor scooted back from where she’d been pressed against him and sat up. “How long before the festival?”
“I need to head out the day after tomorrow. He’s booked us.”
“Why would he book you without checking to make sure it was okay? That you didn’t already have plans?” Her voice had a panicked edge. He was leaving. Early.
“Because it’s what we’ve always done, and it’s never been a problem. There’s never been a reason for me to stay anywhere once a job finished. He knows that.”
His words shot arrows into her heart. She’d wondered if he’d told Duffy anything about her, if the older man even knew she was in Warrenville with him, that they’d been together this past month.
That this time Jack had a reason to stay a few days more.
He didn’t meet her eyes. “I won’t leave Duffy hanging, Taylor.”
No, he wouldn’t. Part of her understood and didn’t want him to. Duffy had been a good part of his life for so long. The kind of friend one rarely found. Jack had to go.
But the selfish part of her wanted every last second with him.
“I know that’s not when I’d originally thought I would be leaving.”
She didn’t say anything, couldn’t say anything.
“I’m sorry, Taylor.”
“It’s okay.”
Nope. Not even mediocre.
Jack leaving earlier than planned sucked. She’d thought she had four more days to say goodbye, that they’d work their shift tomorrow, then have tomorrow night and three days of just them.
Instead, she had a little over twenty-four hours, twelve plus of which would be spent at the hospital.
“I started to tell you earlier, but didn’t want that hanging over our evening.”
“I appreciate that.” She almost wished she didn’t know now, that he’d just waited until the last minute, said goodbye and left. That way she wouldn’t have had to count down those last minutes.
“I hear the hurt in your voice.” He touched her face, lifting her chin. “Look at me.”
She met his gaze. Barely.
“This past month has been amazing. You’ve been amazing.”
&n
bsp; She nodded. Don’t cry. You are not going to cry. No tears, Taylor. No tears.
“I’ve never known anyone like you, Taylor Hall.”
“Ditto, Jack Morgan.” She faked a smile and reminded herself that she’d known this moment would come from the beginning, that he wasn’t doing her wrong and that she shouldn’t feel hurt. She should be happy for the experiences she’d had with Jack and ready to move on to the next phase of her life.
With the life she’d planned when she’d moved to Warrenville.
Just look at how she’d let a man flub up her plans yet again. She should be glad he was leaving so she could get on with her life.
She should be.
He leaned forward, kissed her forehead. “Thank you, Taylor. For everything.”
