“When you and I broke up, it wasn’t just because being apart was hard or because we had different lives,” Emma continued, the words pouring out of her in a rush. “I also couldn’t handle how close you and Marley had become, remember?”
It had nearly destroyed her to go home every week and see them together.
She had known nothing was happening between them and was certain neither of them would betray her like that, but once the seed of doubt had taken root, Emma hadn’t been able to stop it from unfolding. For months, she’d swallowed back every mean retort on the tip of her tongue and tried not to scowl whenever the three of them got together.
But it had almost killed her.
Seeing Marley and Jack with the same easy banter had broken something inside her.
Knowing she couldn’t go back in time had weighed heavily on her, and for a year, she’d carried that feeling around, the deep-seated belief that she wasn’t good enough anymore.
A part of her had always wondered what would’ve happened if she hadn’t let her jealousy get the upper hand.
You and Jack would’ve broken up anyway. It just wasn’t meant to be, and it had nothing to do with Marley.
Jack frowned and took both of her hands in his. “You know nothing ever happened between Marley and me. She’s like my little sister.”
Emma gave him a weak smile. “I know, but at the time, seeing the two of you was hard, and I’ll admit, I let jealousy get the better of me.”
“You had nothing to be jealous of.”
Emma sighed. “I know. I know that now, but my jealousy isn’t the only reason we broke up. You and I both know that.”
Pretending otherwise wasn’t going to help anyone.
It wasn’t going to turn back the clock.
“I shouldn’t have given up so easily,” Jack whispered, his eyes moving steadily over her face, making the rest of the world melt away.
Abruptly, he stood and led Emma to a quieter part of the room, where the music and conversation weren’t as loud. By the light of the fire, he stroked her hand and gazed into her eyes, making her feel like she was back in high school.
Looking into Jack’s eyes made everything feel possible.
He drew her into his arms, and she didn’t protest. “You came back for a reason, and I’m not giving up that easily this time.”
Emma tilted her head back to look at him, and the words died on her lips.
Why could she still see forever in his eyes?
She made a low noise in the back of her throat, grabbed a fistful of his shirt, and pressed her lips to his. Jack was still fora long moment, and then he kissed her back with just as much fervor, as if he’d been starving for air all these years.
The years between them no longer mattered.
Nothing mattered except the rush in her veins and the stardust exploding behind her eyes, reminding her of how it used to be between them.
Jack’s hands moved to her waist, and she tilted her head to the side, marveling at how good it felt to be held by him.
A loud chirping sound broke through the fog, and Emma whimpered.
When it happened again, Jack drew back and fished her phone out of her pocket. “You should probably get that.”
Emma’s heart was still pounding, and her chest was heaving. She took a step back, slightly shook her head, and pressed the phone to her ear. “Hello?”
Her mother’s voice was frantic, her breathing coming out in short puffs. “Emma? Thank God you picked up. Your father wanted us to leave early, and we didn’t want to disturb you, but…you…you need to come to the hospital. It’s your father. He collapsed.”
The heavy fog that had settled around her vanished in an instant, replaced by a hard knot in the center of her stomach. Emma’s veins turned to ice as she mumbled something into the phone and fumbled with her keys. She didn’t realize she was shaking until Jack took her elbow and led her outside to the rental car. Wordlessly, he buckled her in, got into the driver’s side, and drove her to the hospital. He kept one hand on the steering wheel, and the other held her hand in a viselike grip.
I just got him back. Please, let him be okay. Please.
