He doesn’t even flinch as he says it, doesn’t try to soften the heat in his eyes. He just watches me like I’m the only thing worth noticing in this whole diner.
I sit back, trying to cool the ridiculous flush crawling up my neck. “Is that a line, or are you just a natural flatterer?”
“Not a line,” he says. “And I don’t flatter.”
I huff a laugh, shaking my head. “Well, line or not, this is the best grilled cheese I’ve ever had.”
He grins wider, clearly amused.
“And to think, I only came into town looking for a snow globe.”
Jake looks at me in surprise. “A snow globe?”
“Yup. I collect them.” I shrug, twirling my spoon in the soup. “It’s kind of ridiculous. But everywhere I go, I try to find one that really fits the place.”
“That’s not ridiculous. It’s kind of adorable.”
“Adorable?” I repeat, wrinkling my nose. “That’s dangerous talk, pilot.”
“Just calling it like I see it.” He finally takes a bite, chewing slowly, still watching me over the rim of his fork.
I glance down at my bowl, my lips twitching. “I guess I’ve always liked the idea of holding a little world in your hands. Somethingperfect and small, all contained. Even when everything else feels messy.”
His smile fades just slightly, like he’s sensing there’s more under the surface. “You’ve had some messy?”
I nod, eyes on my soup now. My voice drops, quieter. “Yeah. A lot.”
Jake doesn’t interrupt. He waits patiently, giving me the chance to either spill my guts or remain silent. For some reason, I want to talk to him. I’ve never felt so safe with anyone else, but I wonder if he’ll look at me the same after…
I sigh, leaning back against the booth. “My sister…she died two years ago in a car crash. I was driving.”
His fork stills midair. He sets it down gently, giving me his full attention.
“We were coming home from a concert. I was tired, but she didn’t want to stay the night. She said she had to be back home for something—can’t even remember what now. So I drove. It was raining. I—I misjudged a bend and we hit the guardrail.”
Jake’s expression is unreadable now, but his eyes stay locked on mine.
“She died on impact. I came out with a few broken bones and a whole life of guilt.” I give a hollow laugh. “My parents never said it was my fault. Not exactly. But they didn’t have to. Everything changed after that. My mom barely looks at me. My dad’s just…quiet. Distant. We used to be close.”
Jake doesn’t speak right away. He just reaches across the table, wrapping his large, warm hand over mine.
“You don’t have to tell me more if you don’t want to,” he says gently.
But now that the words are spilling, I can’t stop them.
“I came here to get away. Camp work was just an excuse. Places like this, close to nature, they’re good places to start over. I thought maybe if I could breathe new air, I’d feel less like a ghost.”
Jake squeezes my hand, grounding me.
“You’re not a ghost, Ruby,” he says. “You’re real. You’re here. And anyone who can smile the way you do and make grilled cheese look like a goddamn art form deserves to feel that.”
My throat thickens. I blink hard.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
He nods, thumb brushing across the back of my hand. “For what it’s worth…I know what it’s like to lose someone and not know how to stop blaming yourself.”
Our eyes meet, and the connection between us tightens into something fierce and unspoken.
