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“Overfifty now.”
“Wow.That’s…a lot.”
“Asidefrom actually distributing the food, my main role is drumming up donations from local businesses, looking for non-profits who might give us a grant.”
“That’sa lot for a volunteer position,” she said, tilting her head. “Haveyou thought about?—”
Herwords ended in a shriek as she slipped on a patch of ice, arms and legs flailing.Actingpurely on instinct,Jack’sarms shot out, wrapping around her waist to steady her.Hehauled her flush against him to keep her upright.Everythinginside him went completely still—his lungs, his brain, his sense of time—with the exception of his heart, which slammed against the cage of his chest with an intensity that almost scared him.Shemade a soft whimpering sound, her pupils huge even in the dim light cast from the streetlamps.
“Youokay?” he asked, his breath puffing out in a white cloud.
“Yeah.Thanksfor the save.”
Slowly, he released her, making sure she had her balance before reluctantly dropping his arms to his sides.Theystarted walking again, and she slipped her hand back in his, as though it belonged there.Effortlessand natural.
God, none of this was unfamiliar territory.Flirting, going home with a woman.Sowhy did it feel so foreign?
Herealized then that it was because he cared.OhGod, he cared.Andhe didn’t want to care.Hedidn’t want to feel…anything.Thereason for hot, meaningless sex was to forget about feelings.
Okay, yeah.Definitelygoing with the whole “walking her back and saying goodnight” plan.Itwas the only thing to do, for so many reasons.
“Anyway,Iwas going to say that you should look into working with a charity navigator.Theyusually work for non profit foundations and might be able to make some connections for you, with grants and gifts in kind.”
Hiseyebrows rose. “I’lllook into that.Ididn’t know that existed.”
Shesent him a teasing smile. “GossamerFallsmight feel isolated, but you’re not that far from the city.Thereare resources.”
“YouthinkGossamerFallsfeels isolated?”
“Alittle, yeah.I’ma big city person.Don’tget me wrong, your town is very charming.Earlier,Icompared it to something out of a movie.Andmaybe it’s the snow, but it feels…Idon’t know.Veryfar from the city.”
“Hey,I’llhave you know that we’ve had electricity for over ten years now.Internetcoming soon.Oh, and we just got these things called fax machines…”
Sheknocked into him, laughing. “Okay, okay.Pointtaken.”
Anothereasy silence fell between them, permeated only by the crunch of their boots in the pillowy snow.
“What’syour favorite song?” she asked suddenly, glancing at him.
“Hmm, tough question.Ihave to pick just one?BecauseIdefinitely have favorites.Butthey sort of fall into different categories.”
“Interesting.Continue.”
“Aslong as you don’t judge me for being basic.”
“Iwould never.Seriously,I’ma super basic bitch, andI’mfine with it.Ilove pumpkin spice lattes and those big salads you get at theCheesecakeFactory.Ihad aMarilynMonroeprint in my first apartment.Ilove rom coms and pop music.Ihave a star tattoo on my foot.Iwas obsessed withSexand theCity.Ilove musicals and the beach andIliterally barfed whenImetRyanGosling.Iam the queen of the basic bitches, andIkinda love it.”
Jackfound himself grinning from ear to ear.Rosaliehad money and clout and a job most people would kill for, but she wasn’t full of herself.Shewas down to earth and didn’t have a pretentious bone in her body.
“Astar tattoo, huh?”
“Yep.Gotit whenIwas nineteen andIthoughtIwas super posh and sophisticated.”Shepointed at herself. “Basicbitch.AndIdon’t care.Idon’t think people should be shamed for liking what they like.Idon’t believe in the concept of guilty pleasures.Imean, honestly,Icould go on a whole rant about the patriarchy and feminism, butI’llspare you.”Shebit her lip. “So.Favoritesong?”
“Doyou know the song ‘Skate’ bySilkSonic?”
Shenodded. “Yeah.Greatsong.”
“It’smy go-to whenIneed a pick me up.Itfeels like…”
