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I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down, but it was no use. The distance between us was too close to handle. I could feel his breath on my neck, his body so close to mine. I wanted to lean in and feel his lips on mine, but I knew that would only complicate things even further.
“Eli,” Jack repeated and the sound of Eli's name coming from Jack's mouth almost broke me. “That’s a nice name.”
His voice was soft and kind. I could feel Jack’s eyes on me, but I couldn’t look up. I felt like I had just given away a part of me. A part of me that I treasured more than anything and didn’t want to share with anyone.
We sat there for a moment, neither of us speaking. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, and my palms were sweaty. I was so nervous, but I didn't want to show it. I sat tall, trying to maintain my composure, even though I was falling apart inside.
Finally, Jack broke the silence. "So, how old is your son again?" he asked, his voice low and deep.
Dammit. He asked. "He's six," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
"And what does he look like?"
I smiled and shrugged, trying to keep my vibe light even though a storm was rolling through me.
“Oh, you know. He’s a pretty boy, just like his mom.”
There was a loud bang at the front door that made us both jump. Jack lept from the couch and went to check it out.
“Just the storm door coming unlatched. It’s really windy out there.”
He sat back down next to me and I smiled. This time, though, he sat a little bit closer, his knee brushing against mine, bringing my whole body to awareness. I focused on that spot for a moment before looking back at him. He was just staring at me, or more specifically, at my lips. I felt the air between us change-something charged and dangerous stretched between us as he brought his hand to my face, smoothing a lock of hair away. His fingertips pressed lightly, too lightly. I couldn’t stop myself from leaning into his touch.
My body was responding, every cell waking up and standing at attention–waitingfor attention. Waiting for Jack’s touch to continue down my body.
My brain was screaming at me to stand up and go to bed, but it was no use. The attraction between us was too strong.
“Maya, I’m sorry.” I barely registered Jack’s words as he continued to brush my neck with the pad of his thumb.
“What are you sorry for?” I forced myself to ask.
“For leaving you.”
Reluctantly, I turned away from his touch to look at him. His eyes were filled with regret. We both knew what had happened seven years ago.
“I should have never left you like that,” he whispered. “It was a mistake. I have regretted it ever since.”
Time stood still as I felt my heart breaking all over again. It was like he was ripping open an old wound and I didn't know if I could handle it. But deep down I knew, this was maybe my only opportunity to find out what really happened.
Jack
“Whydidyou leave, Jack?”
I took a deep breath and tried to keep my cool as Maya and I sat together, discussing the events of seven years ago. It was still hard to look her in the eyes, but I knew I had to face the music.
It was made even harder by sitting so close to Maya. My knee and thigh were pressed up against hers and I was barely a breath away from being able to feel her lips on mine. From the uneven cadence of her breath and the rapid pulse I felt in her neck, I was thinking she felt this, too. Maya wasaffectedby me and something about that lit a fire even hotter and stronger in my body.
But Maya’s question cut like a knife. It was a fair question. Something we had never talked about. Sure, she knew the broad strokes of what happened by now, but we never actually talked about it together.
"Why did you leave, Jack?" she asked again, her voice laced with anger and pain.
I swallowed hard, my throat tight with emotion.
"Well, I got that job in San Francisco," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"And that was it? You just decided to leave without even talking to me about it?" Maya's voice rose, her eyes blazing with righteous anger.
But God, I had been twenty-five years old and an idiot. I had no idea what I was doing with my life, but things were starting to happen fast back then.
