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I nodded. “But we’re on a break.”
“A Ross and Rachel kind of break?”
I laughed. “You make tea for houseguests and referenceFriends. Some gal is going to be really lucky to have you, Jack.”
“But it won’t be you.” He smiled ruefully. “Just my luck. It sucked a little that you didn’t remember me when we met again last night, but I figured it was a second chance to make a first impression. Guess not.”
“I’m sorry. But thank you for being so great. Twice.”
“I have to admit, the first time was a lot more exciting,” he said with a grin and got to his feet. He nodded at the plush bench in front of the bed. “Your dress is there. Would you like some water or coffee?” He smirked. “Tea?”
“No, thanks. I’d better get out of here before I make a bigger fool of myself.”
“You weren’t all that big of a fool,” he said at the bedroom door. “You obviously love the guy. I hope it works out for you.”
He went out, closing the door behind him to give me privacy.
I sat and basked in the relief that I wasn’t completely hopeless. But the ache still gripped my heart. My drunken self knew what I wanted better than I did. I was in love with Asher. Even at my most reckless, I couldn’t give myself to anyone else. And now that the feelings I’d been trying to deny were running free, out in the light of day, the canyon-depth of them stole my breath.
“Oh, Asher,” I whispered, my eyes filling with tears. “Is it too late?”
I dressed and found Jack in the kitchen making coffee. He held up a mug to me. “You sure you don’t want?”
“I’m good. I should go…” I headed for the door, then stopped and redirected my steps to join him. I pecked him on the cheek. “Thank you, Jack.”
“Hey, if things don’t work out with the firefighter, you know where to find me. Since you’re a frequent houseguest and all.”
I slugged his arm, forcing a small laugh. If things didn’t work out with my firefighter, I was going to be an even bigger mess than I was last night.
I went back to my place, showered, and—still wrapped in a towel—called Silas.
“I’m in trouble,” I said when he answered.
“Which jail is it this time? I’ll arrange bail…”
“Ha ha. I’m serious. I…I miss Asher. A lot. To say the least.”
“Oh, Jesus, is that all? You scared me.” Silas’s laughter died. “Wait. How does that put you in trouble? Faith…what did you do?”
“Nothing, thank God. It’s what I almost did. Asher won’t talk to me, and I didn’t know what to do with myself, so I kind of went out and nearly made the worst mistake of my life.”
“Nearly isn’t the same as actually.”
“Yes, but—”
“Look, you have a very important award ceremony coming up. Let’s just get through that and then…go from there.”
I frowned. “Why do you sound so chipper? I’m having a crisis.”
He laughed, then coughed it down. “Nothing, sorry. Something Max said. What time did I say I’d pick you up on Sunday? Six?”
“You know it’s six. You’re being weird.”
“I have to go. Something’s come up. Just go take a bath or something and remain calm. Don’t do anything rash. Maybe…don’t leave your house. Once the awards excitement is out of the way, you’ll have a much better handle on things.”
“I guess,” I muttered. “But you’re right. I’ll get through this weekend and then…”
Then I’ll rip my heart out of my chest and airmail it straight to Kauai.
