Chapter 26
Wren
“The space looks incredible, Wren.”
I glance up from where I’m placing playing cards in the center of a table and wipe the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand.
Jacob Pierce lets out a low whistle as his gaze bounces around the event hall.
“So you like it?”
“Like it?” He chuckles, stepping closer to me. “I love it.”
Pride spreads warmth through my chest, and I feel my cheeks heat.
“I know most casinos use red, black, and white, but I thought gold, black, and green were a fun spin using our school colors.” My face creases with nerves as I nibble my bottom lip.
“I think it’s great. Besides, it’s a darker green. You should have seen it a few years ago. It looked like a leprechaun got drunk on St. Patrick’s Day and puked gaudy green in the gym.” He shivers, and I cringe.
I shake my head. “That sounds terrible.”
“The glitter. I swear, I was finding it in my car for months.”
My eyes go wide at the visual. “Don’t worry, no glitter is being used.”
“Thank God.” Jacob rests his hands on his hips.
I turn back to the table and continue fanning out playing cards.
Jacob bounces on his feet as an awkward silence falls over us. I risk a glance and find him observing the room.
“Jacob?”
He hums, turning toward me.
“What’s wrong?”
Letting out a soft chuckle, he runs his hand down his face. “That obvious, huh?”
“Is the sky blue?”
He sighs. “I wanted to thank you for your conversation with Abby. I don’t know what all you said, but she came home feeling relieved. There was a lightness radiating off my wife I hadn’t seen in a long time.”
My eyebrows crease in confusion as I rack my memory of what we talked about during our girls’ dinner last week. The only thing I can think of is mentioning the barn I’m remodeling.
“I’m not sure what I could’ve said, but you’re welcome. I’m happy she found some of her spark.”
“I’m not sure what it was either, or hell, it could be you inviting her over and letting her be herself outside of being a mom. As much as she loves being a mom, it’s been a challenge for her.”
“I’m sure it has. There’s a lot of pressure that comes with having children, not to mention having to rediscover who she is again.”
He nods. “I’ve been worried about her. She keeps a lot buried inside that brilliant mind of hers, but I’ve noticed how she spends more time with the animals.
Whenever I find her trapped with her thoughts, it’s usually when she’s pouring more attention into the farm.
Having you come back to town and encourage her to step away from our home is helping. ”
I smile brightly. “I’m happy to have helped.”
“Drummond!” a voice shouts from behind me. “Those better not be real candles.”
I whip my head around to find the culprit.
Digging into the pocket of my workout shorts, I pull out a lighter, flicking the spark wheel and winking at Heath. He tsks, and I smirk before letting the wheel go and extinguishing the flame.
“How irresponsible do you think I am?” I ask as he walks deeper into the room. He reaches a hand out to his cousin as Jacob pulls him in for a one-handed bro hug.
“I once heard you drove from Silo Bay to Riggsby Cattle without having a license… Doesn’t sound very responsible to me,” another voice adds, and I stare at the familiar man behind Heath.
“And whose fault was that, Levi?” I cock my hip and rest my hand on it, giving him all kinds of attitude.
“Are you insinuating it was my fault?”
I wave my hand around the room. “It surely wasn’t me who decided to drink my weight in beer at Greer’s house party.”
“Is she talking about us again?”
I jump at the sound of his voice as I whip around to the back entrance.
Jett moves through the room like a man on a mission with his dark denim jeans hugging his thick thighs.
A brown pocketed work shirt stretches across his broad chest and a baseball cap is flipped backwards on his head.
My stomach flips at the sight of him. Since the night he slept over, our whatever-ship hasn’t progressed.
He’s come over for dinner a few other nights, and we text constantly, but we haven’t slept together since that night.
We’re taking our time, relearning each other, and enjoying our company without the pressure.
“She seems to think she’s responsible,” Levi chides as they step closer, caging me in like two hungry bears. Levi and Jett take measured steps, their dark eyes locked on me.
“Wh-what the hell is this? Gang-up-on-Wren day?” My head bounces between both men. “And what are you guys doing here?”
“Fire check,” Levi answers at the same time Jett says, “Coming to see you.”
His admission has me turning in his direction.
“Coming to see me?”
He nods. I watch as his throat bobs with his swallow. It’s cute how nervous he is.
It feels like the room fades away. I hear Jacob and Heath talking, but I’m no longer processing. Levi slips to the back of my mind as I watch Jett tuck his hands into his front pockets. The glint in his eyes takes me to a time long ago, when he was a young, shy boy with an ornery streak.
“Got a second?” Jett asks, tipping his head to the side.
I glance around the room at the boxes of decor waiting to be set up. At the other women watching our interaction. It’s as if my life’s a movie and they’ve got a front seat. Everyone is nosy, waiting for that exclusive moment they can run home and tell their friends about.
“It’ll only take a second,” he presses, before grumbling, “I didn’t realize so many people would be here.”
I nod and glance at Levi, who’s smirking. “We’re going to do our fire check.”
Jett turns on his heels and steps toward the far corner, and I follow him like a lost puppy. Turning to me, he runs a hand down his face.
“You’re making me nervous.”
“I’m not trying to,” he says on a sigh. “I, uh, I was wondering,” he pauses, clearing his throat, “if you’d be my date tonight.”
My eyes widen, and Jett’s face falls, mistaking my shock for a no.
He begins backpedaling. “We don’t…”
“No, no,” I plead, gripping his forearm. “You surprised me.”
“I did?”
I nod, smiling. Butterflies take flight deep inside me.
The corners of his eyes soften, and I’m transported back to high school all over again.
To the first time he asked me to be his date.
It was the homecoming dance during our freshman year.
At the time, we weren’t dating, just childhood friends going to our first dance together.
High school dances were intimidating. I was terrified to go, of what to expect, but knowing I was going with my best friend eased every worry.
A gentle brush against my face has a soft breath escaping my lips.
“Your hair is always falling in your face.”
“It’s the haircut.”
“I know, but I love seeing your freckles.”
I blush, glancing down at my feet. But only for a second because Jett’s fingers are placed under my chin as he raises my head. “Don’t hide from me, Wren. Not anymore.”
I glance around the room, at the women watching us, whispering amongst each other. “You’re causing a scene.”
Jett surprises me as he leans in. The smell of leather, vanilla, mint, and a hint of smoke surround me. For a moment, I think he’s going to kiss me, but that would be crazy…right? Instead, I feel his lips brush against the shell of my ear.
“Let them watch,” he whispers, and goosebumps break free over my skin.
I swallow, painfully aware of how exposed this feels, how intimate it feels when it’s anything but. Eyes bore into my back from everyone watching this interaction and filing it away for gossip over coffee tomorrow morning. That’s if it doesn’t hit The Bay Buzz by lunchtime.
His mouth curves into a small smile, the kind that always did me in. It’s the private one he reserves for the people closest to him.
He shifts his weight, eyes never leaving mine as he slides his hands into his pockets before clearing his throat. “So what do you say, Wren?”
Patient and open, his eyes search my face. Vulnerable in a way that takes me straight back to the boy who once waited outside my house until I came home from student council, a bouquet of wildflowers draped across his lap, palms sweaty, and his heart on full display.
The room doesn’t go quiet, but it’s as if we’re the only two people in it. There’s still conversation and laughter. Tables are being moved as lights are strung.
But everything inside me stills.
This is it.
The moment I knew was coming. The chance for a fresh start. We’ve been through so much over the years, so much pain and hurt, but this is our second chance.
“Be my date tonight?” he asks.
I glance around again without meaning to.
Levi and Heath are conducting checks around the room, but I don’t miss the not-so-subtle glances they cast our way.
Jocelyn Reames and her mom are openly watching us, lips pursed in interest. Jocelyn’s arms are folded across her chest, a jealous look on her face.
She’s always had a crush on Jett, and needless to say, she made my high school years hell with her insecurities.
Not to mention, she likes to post a lot on The Bay Buzz about me.
There are no secrets in a small town.
Especially when it comes to us.
“I’d love nothing more than to be your date tonight, J.”
His breath releases like he’s been holding it for weeks, maybe even years.
“You would?”
I nod, my smile breaking free despite the tears escaping. “Yeah, I would.”
The smile that spreads across his face is slow and brilliant, devastatingly handsome. Pride mixes with relief and something tender, all wrapped together.
“Six o’clock?” he asks, voice lighter.
I laugh. “You always did like to be early.”
“More time to spend with you.”
I shake my head and playfully shove his shoulder. “Get out of here.”
A hearty chuckle escapes him as he flashes me a wink. “See you tonight, baby.”
Baby.
There goes my damn heart skipping another beat.
It feels like I’m sixteen again, not nearing thirty.
But I guess that’s what being in love—wait, I’m not in love with Jett.
Or…maybe I never stopped being in love with him.
Maybe I’ve been waiting for the right time to feel these feelings again.
Has it always been him? Were we destined to go through so much agony to prove how much we mean to each other?
Because at the end of time, it’ll always be us.
Jett steps back, his eyes never wavering as he reaches up and cups my cheek again. It’s soft and intimate and the opposite of him. His lips find my forehead in a gentle kiss.
“It’s a date.”
A date. The word echoes in my chest as he walks away, and I swear his absence causes a shift in temperature.
He starts talking to the guys, giving them each a bro hug before heading toward the exit. With one last glance in my direction, he flashes me another wink, and I nearly melt into a puddle.
It’s all I can do to finish decorating the hall. When I’m finally happy with the setup, I dig through my purse and pull out my phone.
Guess who has a date tonight!
Greer
Let me guess…you?
Saylor
OMG SHUT UP!!!
*gif of Rachel from Friends blowing in a paper bag in a wedding dress*
Greer
You’re not getting married, get a grip.
I’m still nervous!
Saylor
What’s to be nervous about? It’s just Jett.
That’s the problem.
Greer
*shrugging emoji* This may be exactly what you two need. A night to get dressed up and have fun with no strings attached.
Saylor
Oooh, good advice, Greer!
Greer
I know, it’s one of my specialties.
Does it feel too soon?
Greer
With you two, no. There’s so much history and the chemistry is still smoking. Don’t overthink tonight.
Easier said than done.