Jack: You’re coming with us tonight?
Prudence: I’m good. I’m not ready to just talk and pretend like the last ten years didn’t happen.
Jack: We’ll probably just catch up.
Jack: Ikram is coming with me.
Jack: What will you do?
Prudence: Probably go hang out with Evie.
Jack: Okay.
Jack: By the way…
Prudence: Yeah?
Jack: I had sex with Ikram
Jack: I mean, kind of. Not SEX sex, but we did… Stuff.
Prudence: Wow… What happened to waiting?
Jack: No more waiting. We’re living in the moment.
Prudence: You’re feeling okay?
Jack: Amazing.
PRUDENCE
My hands are clammy. I’m tempted to just slide them in my pockets and pretend Nate is not handing me his, just so he doesn’t know how anxious I am.
Should I discreetly wipe them off on my jacket at least?
“Not that watching you internally freaking out about taking my hand isn’t really entertaining, but—”
“Right, yeah! Sorry,” I say, shaking my head in shame.
I step forward to leave my hotel room, closing the door behind me. I adjust my bag on my shoulder and nod. With a determined exhale, I grab his hand and interlace my fingers through his.
“Why are you freaking out?” He asks as we start walking towards the elevator.
“Not freaking out. My hands are clammy and I was embarrassed.”
He lifts a brow, turning his head slightly towards me with a playful smile.
“They’re not clammy.”
“They’re not?” I frown, confused.
“Well, maybe a little.”
I pull on my hand, a blush creeping up my cheeks, but he doesn’t let go, letting out a soft laugh.
“Hmhm, you gave me your hand, I’m keeping it for now.” He grins, aswe step into the elevator. “Random feeling of the day? Contrary to what you might think, I’m not someone who goes around punching people.” I give him a pointed look. “But I really wanted to push your father off his hospital bed yesterday, and I can’t seem to feel guilty about it.”
I stifle a laugh at the mental picture. “I’m not sure I would have done anything to stop you, to be honest.” The elevator stops and we step out, heading out without lingering in the lobby. My smile drops when I continue. “I knew our visit wouldn’t be appreciated, but what he said to Jack…”
