24. Twenty-Four #2
Jake mumbles a polite greeting but looks like he wants to be anywhere but here. Biting back a possessive growl, I throw a pointed look at the spot where her fingers graze his skin and thank my lucky stars that she has the good sense to remove them before I’m forced to do it for her.
“I’ve been home for quite a while. I’m surprised we haven’t run into each other sooner.
You don’t get out much, do you?” I ask in a sugary sweet voice and ignore the choked sound from the man at my side.
We both know the reason why we haven’t yet had the pleasure, but I’m not above being petty when the situation calls for it.
Jessica’s blinding smile never wavers, but the blush staining her cheeks red speaks volumes.
Good. I want her to be uncomfortable. After everything she’s put us through, she deserves to squirm like a worm on a hook.
“Well, I’m sure Jake told you about my issues.
Unfortunately, I’ve suffered a little setback recently.
You’ll be pleased to know it’s nothing too serious, but Grandma thought I should brush up on my treatments to ‘err on the side of caution.’ I’d have found you sooner, but I was only released a few days ago. ”
Her honesty surprises me, taking the wind out of my sails and leaving me unsure how to respond. When I say nothing at all, Jessica releases a breathy laugh and the surprises just keep on coming.
“I think we can all agree that an apology is in order. Part of my healing process is to make amends with the people I’ve wronged.
I would’ve called you, but it just didn’t seem like enough to apologize over the phone, considering the damage I’ve caused.
You deserve to hear how much I regret my actions face to face,” she says, stunning me into silence.
“I apologized to Jake a long time ago, and I’d like to think he’s found it within himself to forgive me.
But the truth is, he’s not the only one I’ve hurt.
I manipulated the two of you because I couldn’t deal with being rejected.
I admit I had a bit of an unhealthy obsession with him back in the day. ”
Jake shifts from foot to foot, focusing his attention on something across the road, as he does his damnedest to avoid her intense eye-contact.
I can only imagine how uncomfortable this strange interaction must be for him.
On a surface level, Jessica may seem stable and genuine, but there’s something simmering just below the surface that I can’t quite put my finger on.
Back in the day, I was too self-absorbed to pick up on it, as my own insecurities and jealousy clouded my judgment.
I’d simply looked at her as a threat to my relationship, because she was an attractive girl and didn’t hide the fact that she wanted Jake.
These days, I’m a little more attuned to people, and something about the way she looks at him makes me very uneasy.
“Anyway, I just wanted to come over and say I’ve worked hard on myself over the years. I understand it was wrong of me to pursue him, when it was obvious he only had eyes for you. I’m truly happy you guys have found your way back to each other, and I sincerely hope you can forgive me…someday.”
“I appreciate your apology. I hope you understand it might take some time to fully accept you mean it.”
Jessica gives me a sharp nod.
“I get it. I didn’t expect you to wrap me up in a hug and ask me to be your new BFF. I’m just hoping we can be civil with each other. If the rumors are to be believed, we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other in the future, and I’d hate for things to be awkward. ”
I can’t help the feeling that she’s fishing for information on our relationship status, like her curiosity goes beyond a passing interest. If she still harbors even a sliver of hope that she might have a chance with Jake, it needs to be squished once and for all.
I peer up at him, not bothering to hide the genuine love and adoration before turning back to her lingering form.
“The rumors are true. I’ve decided to move back to Jenkins Creek permanently. I couldn’t let a man like this slip through my fingers a second time. That would be incredibly foolish of me, wouldn’t you agree?”
Emotion flickers in her eyes. It comes and goes so quickly, I almost wonder if I’ve imagined it.
But I recognized it. That old-familiar anger.
The glimmer of jealousy she never quite managed to hide whenever she saw us together.
Jessica Cartwright may have everyone else fooled with her innocent I’m-a-changed-woman act.
But I see her for who she really is. That girl is pure evil, and no amount of therapy will ever cure her of her delusions.
“Very foolish indeed,” she mutters, as I rise on my tiptoes and press a soft kiss to Jake’s lips. He indulges me just long enough to let me have my moment before he draws back, giving me a look that lets me know he’s not comfortable playing with fire. He offers Jessica a polite smile .
“Well, it’s been nice seeing you, but we’ve got somewhere to be, so we’d better get going.” Cradling my elbow in his hand, he leads me away from the deranged bitch who almost cost us our future, and I can’t help but take a look back.
Jessica tries, but she’s too slow to conceal her calculating expression, sending a shiver down my spine and confirming my gut feeling—this is far from over.