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“Ride around?” Jack quirks an eyebrow.
“That means I drive her around while she looks at all the things from her childhood and tells me stories—or vice versa, but today it’s my turn to drive. Then we stop for ice cream at Sugar Rush.”
“I hope you guys have fun.” I turn and press a kiss to Papaw’s soft cheek. “I’m gonna get home and get cleaned up. Love you.”
“Love you, Rachel. You kids have a good day.” He tips his hat to us before heading to the ATV. It roars to life and he takes off toward the house.
Jack turns my way, his face contorting into a perplexed expression. “What are we supposed to be doing to have fun?”
“So, I have to tell you something awkward.”
“What’s new?” Jack throws his head back laughing. “You already blamed your tits today. What else could happen?”
“Very funny. Now listen. Papaw thinks we’re back together.”
Jack closes his mouth, his laughter gone now. “Why would he think that? Unless someone made him think that…”
“Well, he kind of assumed because I was messing around and told him I stayed at your house last night.”
“Ah, so you led him to this conclusion.” Jack crosses his arms, surveying me with a sneaky smile. “Come back to bite you in the ass now, right?”
“It’s not funny. He was so excited. I couldn’t break his heart.”
“What if you break mine?”
“What?”
“By breaking off our fake reconciliation.”
“You literally just acted like kissing me was the worst thing in the world,” I point out.
Jack takes a step closer, his eyes almost predatory. Something in me has the urge to run, but I resist, standing my ground, planting my hands on my hips.
“What if we made it real?”
“Quit being ridiculous.”
“I’m not being ridiculous at all. I’m dead serious.”
“Which part?” I lick my lips, then drop one of my arms so I can tap my fingers on the side of my leg. It normally helps me focus, but he’s so close that his scent overwhelms me. He must have gone home and showered after he took me to my car, because his pine soap is overpowering in the best way now.
“All of it. What if we try again?” His hands cup my face, and he leans toward me.
I close my eyes in anticipation, every cell in my body coming alive at his touch. He trails his nose along my jawline, inhaling deeply.
I’m holding my own breath in anticipation of what he might do next, but I haven’t been able to guess his moves at all like I used to, so I don’t even try anymore.
“You wanted to avoid me for months, and you just ran away after we kissed. I can’t commit to trying anything again with someone who’s afraid.” I take off toward my house without another word, leaving Jack behind.
I can’t even comprehend the suggestion he just made. We’ve been thrown back into each other’s lives, and it’s a lot right now. To my surprise, the grass starts crunching behind me, and soon Jack falls into step, keeping even with me the whole way to my cabin.
“This place is amazing. I’d forgotten how beautiful it is,” Jack says as we walk, his head turning occasionally to admire the scenery. “The mountains here are incredible.” He’s going on like I didn’t just walk away to avoid him, like I didn’t just insult him.
We reach my house in a few minutes, and I kick off my shoes. I don’t like dirt being trailed through the house.
“May I come in?” His polite, controlled tone makes me want to scream. Why isn’t he running away again?
I point at Jack’s feet. “Are your shoes dirty?”
