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On instinct, I whipped my arms across my chest, nervous for him to go on, but curious as to why he looked so nervous. Plus, there was the whole “don’t be mad at me” thing, too.
“There may have been a reason Lucy kept you busy and away from me all day,” he said as he began unfolding a piece of paper I realized was mine.
Lucy managed to keep a secret from me? I’m impressed.
“I found your to-do list the other day.”
I reached out, ready to snatch it in embarrassment, but he held it up over his head, damn him. “Not a to-do list. A wish list.” And oh jeez, there are some things on it about us. My face was more than likely as red-hot as my body felt. It was the first time I’d made a list since I was in high school. I craved the “normal” things I’d been missing for so long. Even the walks to the mailbox, knowing I now had an address and mail could be delivered to the real me, not an alias, felt amazing.
“Wish list. To-do list. Same thing.” He shot me a cocky, devilish smile—the kind that usually resulted in us falling into bed together—because he knew what that handsome look of his did to me. Especially when he gave it to me while shirtless.
“Not really. There are things on there I’ll probably never be able to do or have. So, wishes.” I backed up a step, feeling a touch nervous about his thoughts on a few of those “wishes” I had on the list.
“Mmm. Never say never.” With the paper fully opened, he reached into his pocket, and a moment later, the garage door opened. “I know this house is temporary, but since we may stay here a bit longer than planned, I bought all the supplies needed to build the fence you have on your list.”
Am I lame for wishing for a fence? Another normal thing I wanted. But that fence had a purpose. Better protection for a future dog. Or maybe kiddos while playing out back. “You’re going to build us a fence?” The reality of it all hit me hard—he was serious about trying to cross some items off my list.
“I am. I plan to put some of my friends to work this weekend. Beer and bourbon as their payment.”
I laughed. “Not a bad trade for their manual labor.”
“I thought so.” He reached for my hand. “Next up on the list, well, you have ‘find out what you want to do with your life for work.’”
“Not so much a wish, I suppose, as a to-do. You’re right about that one.”
He quietly walked us into the garage, maneuvering us around his Harley and the supplies for the fence, ensuring I didn’t trip and fall over anything. “I know you haven’t figured out what you want to do for work yet, but you’ve been busting your ass for over a decade working multiple jobs.” He stopped and faced me, still holding my hand. “I’ll support whatever you want to do. I know your dad didn’t want your mom to work, and if you don’t want to work, I’ll support that, too. I’ll take care of you. If you want a break for a month or a lifetime, I’ve got you.” His voice was rough with emotion, and as what he said sank in, my eyes became glossy with recognition and appreciation.
Damn. I wasn’t sure what I wanted, or if I could really allow him to take care of me like that. But then I remembered I’d never really had anyone take care of me since Mom, so . . . maybe. For a little bit, at least, until I made my decision. I really did have a ton of offers to choose from thanks to Jack’s friends’ wives who were all so helpful and friendly in that department as well.
“Shit, you okay?” He let go of my hand and set his fist beneath my chin, guiding my eyes to his.
All I could do was nod, my emotions pushing from my chest and into my throat.
“Well, next on the list, and I’m a bit confused by this one, but you said you wanted to go camping.”
“That’s confusing?” I asked around a laugh that came out a bit strangled because of my choked-up state.
He removed his hand from my chin and opened the door leading to the house. “After our jungle adventure, I’d thought you might want a break from the outdoors.” We started down the hallway, heading toward the living room, and I was curious what he had in store for me next.
“Camping feels like one of those normal family things I missed out on,” I explained. “Is it a silly wish?” At the entrance to the living room, I halted at the sight before me. “Oh my God.”
Jack turned off the lights, then hit another switch, and the ceiling was lit up by stars. The furniture had all been pushed to the side, and he had a huge tent set up in the center of the room. The front flaps were tacked open, and the floor around the tent was covered in pillows and blankets. Lanterns shone on each side of the tent, and a cheese board was set out in front. Because, well, cheese. Why wouldn’t we want that?
“Until we’re ready for the great outdoors and I can stomach the sight of a river or pool again, I thought . . . domesticated camping. Is that a thing?” He laughed. “Indoor camping? Whatever it is, I thought we could sleep here beneath these stars. No call of the wild tonight. Well, I mean, I have plans to make you call out a few swear words while you come, but—”
“I love you. I love this.” I faced him and slid my forearms over his shoulders, drawing my body closer.
“Good, because I love you, too. And I’m not done yet. More wishes to go.”
“You’ve already done so much. You don’t have to fit it all in one night.” I pressed up and kissed him, and he slid his tongue between my lips to meet mine. And what a toe-curling kiss it was. God, this man was something else.
Everything really did work out how it was supposed to. I was sure of it. Just as sure as I was that I’d truly met his mom the night I died. Because when Jack showed me a photo of his parents, I’d recognized her.
“Two more wishes tonight. Maybe a third if I’m lucky,” he whispered against my lips a moment later.
“Well, I certainly won’t stop you from fulfilling my dreams, mister.” I kissed him again, then he took my hand and held up the list between us.
There were quite a few more wishes there, so I had no clue which would be coming next. Naked in an overwater bungalow with him, only the sounds of the ocean surrounding us didn’t seem quite possible tonight. But the naked part? Hell yes, that’d be happening.
