“I know.”
“I have a career and a life in the city.”
“I know.”
Emma tilted her head to the side and took a deep breath. “How would we make it work? Fly back and forth all the time? I don’t know if that’s possible.”
“We’ll do what it takes,” Jack replied without breaking their gaze. “I let you go once. I’mnotgoing to do it again. These past few weeks have opened up my eyes, to the kind of life I want for myself, Emma. Running around town, solving mysteries, and digging up treasure… It didn’t just make me realize how much I miss the good old days. It made me realize how much I missedyou.”
Why couldn’t he have realized it sooner?
Why was he choosing now, of all times, when Emma still wasn’t sure of the path she wanted for herself?
Jack released her hands and cleared his throat. “Of course, this would be very awkward if you told me you didn’t feel the same—”
“I do,” Emma blurted, tears burning the backs of her eyes. “You have no idea how hard it’s been, being back here. But you…you’rethe one thing that hasn’t changed, Jack. You still feel like home to me… I do want to give us another chance.”
But she was terrified of losing him for good if things didn’t work out.
They didn’t have the luxury of time anymore.
Life is giving you a second chance together. Andrew would understand. Heck, he’d even tell you to seize the day.
“I know you’re afraid. I’m scared too, and I know we still have to figure out the semantics of it all, but we’ll do it together.”
Emma searched his face. Her heartbeat grew louder, nearly drowning out everything else. “How are you so sure?”
Jack peeled a glove off her hand and pressed a kiss to the inside of her wrist. “Because I’m sure about this. About us. I’m surer than I’ve ever been about anything in a long time.”
“We’ll need to talk to the kids.”
Jack kissed her other hand and laced his fingers through hers. “We can do that together.”
Emma blew out another shaky breath. “I…I never thought I’d move on after Andrew.”
Jack nodded, his eyes softening. “I figured as much. I know there’s going to be a transitional period. Nothing you say is going to change my mind, Sullivan. So, go ahead. Hit me with your best shot.”
Emma let out a nervous laugh. “Well, it’s a good thing I left my boss a message this morning. I doubt he’ll call me back until after the holidays, but it’ll give me a chance to think about what I want to say.”
Jack’s face lit up, and his lips spread into a smile. “You…what?”
Emma shifted closer so their chests were inches apart. “My dad and I had a long talk last night, and he wants me to workon the research with him. He’s got this idea for my grandfather’s findings, and I think he’s on to something. I haven’t told him my decision yet because I wanted to work out a few details with my boss, but I want to stay and work on this with him.”
Jack let out a whoop and threw his arms around her, crushing her to him. “Emma, that’s amazing. I’m so happy for you.”
Emma let her head rest in the crook of his neck. “I still need to figure out the logistics of my last case, but some time off will be good for me. I need it. I needthis.”
It was exactly what she’d been searching for all these years, and it had been right under her nose the entire time.
Emma felt like an idiot for not realizing it sooner.
Getting a second chance with Jack didn’t have to mean forgetting her past or pretending like it never happened, but maybe it was time to turn over a new page.
Jack drew back to look at her and cupped her face in his hands. “I need it too.”
He touched his lips to hers, and the rest of the world melted away.
They sat like that, kissing and giggling like teenagers while the town ambled past on either side. When they finally came up for air, Jack tucked her into his side, sending goosebumps up and down her arms as he stroked her hands. He dropped her off in front of the library with another searing kiss and an endearing smile.
