I laughed against him. "Yeah, me too."
"But you didn't. Why?"
"Okay, yeah, I was pretty angry. But then I saw that news story about the judge, and I did a little more research, and then, there was that thing today with your family. And well…I finally remembered something."
"What?"
"Back at my condo, when you searched Nicky's room, you wouldn’t tell me what you found in his dresser, remember?"
"I remember."
"And when I asked you why, do you recall the reason you gave?"
With a wry laugh, Jack said, "Plausible deniability."
"Right," I said. "And, after I thought about it, I realized why you didn't tell me what was going on during the book tour." My eyes grew misty as I explained, "It was because you didn't want to get me in trouble…" I hesitated. "…you know, if things didn't turn out so great."
Into my hair, Jack said, "You're pretty smart for a trouble-maker."
Once again, I pulled back to look at him. "But you're here now. Does that mean that everything turned out okay?"
"So far."
This wasn'tquitethe answer I'd been hoping for. "So…you're not sure?"
"A hundred percent? No." His gaze warmed. "But Iamsure of one thing."
"What?" I asked.
"Make that two things," he said. "One—I love you, Becka."
I fought another urge to cry. And now I didn't know what to say, or rather,howto say it. I mean, I wasn't even sure what to call him. But that didn't change the way I felt. In the end, I settled on, "And I loveyou.A lot."
He smiled. "And, two – no matter what happens, you won't be involved."
"So I was right?" I said. "That's why you sent me away? So I wouldn't be involved?"
"I should've done it sooner," he said. "But you want the truth?"
I nodded.
"I wanted you with me." His voice grew quiet. "It was selfish. Stupid, too."
"It wasn't selfish," I said. "And it was smart,reallysmart." I smiled through my tears. "And besides, it all worked out."
Jack didn't smile back. "There's no guarantee. You know that, right?"
"I don't need a guarantee," I said. "All I need is you."
Now, he did smile. "I know the feeling."
My own smile faded as I realized how much I still didn't know. I had a million questions. But first there was the most important question of all. "Are you okay? I mean, with the news about your family?"
"I'm more than okay." His eyes met mine. "And I want you to know something."
"What?"
"I would've told you."
