"I just realized I might need to cancel part of your birthday gift, considering … no. No, forget that. We are going to find this dagger and solve this problem, and you're going to have a wonderful birthday."
"I am?" I didn't see how it was possible, what with the constant headache, the threat of total town destruction, and the fact that I needed wrinkle medicine.
"You are," he said firmly, taking the turn to his driveway.
He parked the truck in front of his house. "Tess, I, um, I had this made for you. I hope you like it."
His eyes were so very green, but those amber sparks were back. He cleared his throat. "It's not a birthday present, it's a … well. It's a present that says that you are the most important person in the world to me. Because it's true. You are."
I couldn't speak. Words literally wouldn't form in my mouth, which was suddenly as dry as if I'd put a whole shakerful of salt beneath my tongue.
"I … I am?"
He pulled a small, white box out of his pocket and almost shoved it at me. "I had this made for you. I hope you like it."
I carefully opened the box, feeling my heart beating so hard I was surprised he couldn't hear it. Inside the box, a stone pendant lay on a bit of blue velvet. I gently lifted its delicate chain out of the box.
"It's a tiger's eye. I found it in a gem shop the year I first shifted, and I've carried it with me ever since. I wanted you to have it, so I had it set with that chain, and … I hope you like it."
I loved it. It was beautiful.Stunning.The stone glowed with swirls and bands of color; rich chocolate brown, glowing amber like Jack's eyes, and a brilliant gold. It had a roughly triangular shape, and the gold chain was perfect with it.
"I love it," I whispered. "But, Jack, I mean, if you've carried it that long, it must mean so much to you. I can't possibly take it away from you."
No matter that I wanted it more than my next breath. My heart, mind, and soul were all shoutingmine.
"It belongs to you, Tess. Just like I do." He took the necklace from me and unfastened the clasp, motioning to me to lean forward. Almost despite myself, I did, and he fastened it around my neck, his eyes so very serious. "I'm not good at pretty words, Tess. I'm a soldier trying to learn how to be a civilian. I know I can be bossy and overprotective. I know I need to learn how to operate more like your friend and less like your commanding officer when danger is involved. I just…" He blew out a breath and shoved his hair out of his eyes.
"You just?" I couldn't stop stroking the silky, polished surface of the stone, but his next words snapped me out of my trance.
"I love you, Tess. I'min lovewith you. I'm not sure if I just realized it today, or if I've known it since the day I walked into your shop clear back in January, but there it is."
The world fell off its axis, and I felt cold and hot and like I might float right up off the seat and into the air, all at the same time.
"I—"
He shook his head, his cheeks reddening. "No, don't answer me yet. I know I sprang this on you. In one way, we've barely started dating, but—"
"But, in another way, we've been together almost nonstop for a year," I whispered. "Oh, Jack, I never—"
His phone buzzed.
He hit the button to decline the call.
It buzzed again, but this time I snatched it and declined the call before he could throw the phone out the window (I'd seen him do that before, and the warning signs were there).
"Jack, I—"
This time, my phone rang. I glanced at it. Aunt Ruby. I sighed. "Sounds like I picked a bad time to tell you I love you, too. Maybe—"
But then I was in his arms. He scooped me up from my seat and lifted me into his lap, right there in the truck, and kissed me until I could barely remember my name.
"Say it again," he rasped.
I put my hand on his cheek. "I picked a bad time," I said, teasing.
"Not that."
"I love you too," I whispered. "I'm in love with you. I've been in love with you since that first night you stayed at my house to protect me. Since you were so kind to me about Owen. Since you saved Shelley's life. Since all those times you saved mine. Since you joked with my uncle and were so kind to my aunt and helped protect my grandmother. Since you took me to Atlantis and Beau's Diner and Super Target. For a million reasons—more than I could ever count—I love you too, Jack."
