Page 55 of Finding Yesterday
“You must be.” The corners of his mouth tick up. “He served in Vietnam, but only for six months. His vision got bad, so they sent him home.”
“How did he deal with it?”
“You know, I’m not sure.” He angles his head. “I think you might be the first person who’s ever asked that. As usual.”
I nod, saying nothing.
“So, Claire, about what happened—”
“Jack, I’m sorry. That was a mistake.” I cut him off.
“It was?” His expression clouds. “Why?”
I hesitate, closing my eyes. After exhaling, I say, “I saw you with that woman.”
“What woman?” His face goes ghostly.
“That night after I left your room, I was hungry and couldn’t sleep. So, I went down to the hotel bar to get food. You were having dinner with her. You told me you were so tired you were just going to pass out.”
“Oh, no.” He rubs his hands over his eyes. “I was going to pass out, but I got an emergency call. Claire, that was Julia, my lawyer.”
“Your lawyer,” I parrot, shocked and relieved.
“Yes, Julia was flying through Atlanta and called me. There was something pressing she needed to talk to me about, so I got up and met with her.”
“Oh.” My mind is spinning, trying to piece together the incidents of that night after realizing who she is. The dinner, their conversation, why she was wondering when he’d be back in San Francisco. It was all for work.
“She’s the reason I left on short notice.” He clears his throat. “We’re still having property issues with the San Fran restaurant.”
“Sorry to hear that.” I let out a long, slow breath. I don’t want Jack to notice, but I’m so desperately relieved. All the thoughts, doubts, and anger I’ve had about Jack have all been a stupid misunderstanding. Although, with the way she was laughing, I can’t help but think there’s more there, even if it’s just on her end. “I’m glad to know who she is after, you know…after what happened between us.”
“So, you still think kissing me was a mistake?” He stands from his chair and approaches.
“I don’t know.” I grab my beer and take another sip. As the days have passed, I’ve had a lot of time to think, and things between Jack and me are still not simple. I pick at the label on the bottle.
He takes a seat next to me on the swing.
I don’t want to admit it, but I’m so glad to be close to him again. I take in his scent, realizing I’m almost addicted to it. In an instant, it brings me the comfort of home and a rush of adrenaline. My body loves being close to Jack, and I don’t have a choice in the matter. I refocus before I say, “Your life’s in San Francisco. Mine is here.”
“Ah, I see.” He sighs. “There’s no solution to that one, is there?”
“Not really.”
His face drops. “Well, at least you should know that I thought that kiss was pretty amazing. Kind of the best ever.”
His words send a buzz of electricity through me, and a giddy smile spreads across my face. “It really was.” Automatically, my eyes roam to his lips. How am I supposed to ever forget that kiss? It hasn’t stopped hijacking my brain. And right now, I can actually feel Jack looking at my lips too, even though I refuse to meet his gaze.
I swallow hard, reminding myself of how terrible I felt when I realized I knew nothing of what he’s like in San Francisco, and how I’ll never be a part of his life there. Blinking, I look at the sky behind Jack. “But I don’t think it should happen again.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.”
I shrug. “You’re leaving for good in just over a week, anyway.” My own words stab at my gut.
“Wow, it’s that soon already?” He rubs a temple.
“Yeah.”
A gray cat jumps up to the porch, so I ask, “Who’s your friend?” The cat patters toward us, meowing. He—or she—is pretty. Soft, light gray fur with yellow eyes.
