Chapter 23
Yawning,Jack made his way out of his childhood bedroom and into the kitchen for coffee. In his thirty-two years, there hadn’t been a day that that coffee maker wasn’t hissing right on the dot at seven in the morning. Through the window, pink, purple, and gold hues bloomed along the horizon. He’d stayed at his parents’ house the night before because they were riding together to the venue. It seemed stupid to wake up early just to drive to the house when he could get a few more minutes of shut-eye.
Booker and Ruger would head to the kitchen as soon as they smelled bacon.
Ethan lumbered into the kitchen, yawning as he ran a hand over his head. “I’m surprised to see you up this early.” He yawned a second time.
“Eh, I gave up after a while. Just been lying in bed until it was seven, and I knew the coffee was programmed to be done.” He chuckled.
His brother sidled next to him, waiting for his turn at the coffee maker.
“Sit, I’ll bring it to you,” Jack said.
With a shrug, Ethan took a seat at the table and propped his feet in the adjacent chair. “I can’t believe I’m getting married.”
Jack glanced at him from over his shoulder. “Well, you better believe it. You ready?”
Nodding, his brother replied, “Absolutely.”
“No doubts at all, huh?” He picked up the cups filled with brew and slid his brother’s cup in front of him before taking his seat.
“No. She’s the one.”
“What did she think of you getting that teaching job in California?”
Ethan took a tentative sip of his coffee. He sat up, pulled the sugar container closer, and tossed two more rounded spoonfuls in. “Now, it’s drinkable. I don’t know how you and Dad drink coffee so strong it can give you a left hook.” He took another drink. “She likes that I’ll have something to do while she’s filming. Teaching remotely will be an experience, but I agree with her. I think I would have been bored out of my mind if I didn’t have something to do.”
They sat in companionable silence while they drank their coffee.
Of course, the moment there was nothing competing for his thoughts, they were right back where they’d been since the day before, Jo.
He’d debated over and over about what to do about her. He also wondered if there’d be tension between them and if it would spill over into the wedding. Perhaps she’d just outright avoid him. He certainly didn’t want any argument between them to flare up and ruin his brother’s wedding. Whatever it took, he’d make sure that didn’t happen.
“Still thinking about Jo, huh?”
“There’s nothing to think about. She made it clear that she was done. I wish it weren’t, but I don’t think I can do anything other than honor her wishes.”
“I’m sorry.”
He shrugged. “Nothing for you to be sorry for. It’s just the way things worked out. It’s my own fault for getting my hopes up or…” He’d yet to say what his heart had declared days ago.
“Loving her?”
Jack jerked his head up, meeting his brother’s gaze.
“It’s pretty obvious. Honestly, with the way she looked at you, I’d say she feels the same way.”
“Clearly, that’s not true.”
Ethan played with the handle of the cup. “Nah, people aren’t that straightforward. Sometimes, it takes a minute to figure out what we want. I mean, I was in love with Serenity. I knew I was, and then finding out who she was. The situation was complicated and complex and nuanced. It was black and white with a little gray thrown in. You talked sense into me, but it also took me a second to shut down the thoughts that she was anything like Abby. I mean, she’d lied to me, too. But Serenity was nothing like her.”
Jack nodded. “This is different.”
“Not really. You love her. She loves you. I’d bet there’s something deeper going on, and once she figures that out, you’ll work it out.”
“What if she doesn’t?”
His brother sighed. “Then she wouldn’t have been good for you anyway. Loving someone is risky. If the other person isn’t willing to risk it all, hand you their heart on a platter, then they’re not ready to love at all.”
“Yeah, I know. I just wish it…” He let the sentence trail off. He wasn’t sure what he wished. No, that was a lie. He wished they had a future together, but perhaps that well had different plans in mind. Maybe Jo”s being in Wishing Well was to wake Jack up. To get him thinking about what he wanted.
Mostly, his heart was sad for Jo. He hoped she would find what she was looking for one day. Even if what she was looking for wasn’t him. He wished her happiness.
He wished that for both of them.
When Jack got married—ifhe ever got married—it would be far less chaotic than what was currently transpiring. Yeah, his sister-in-law was famous, and weddings were known to be fraught with madness, but this one was next level.
Not because of the guest list. It wasn’t too bad, maybe a hundred people. Serenity Harper being who she was, he’d expected five times that. Jack was sure there were people she had to invite because of the industry she was in.
Paparazzi were everywhere, snapping photographs of everything… from the cake to the guests and everything in between. Maybe they were afraid of missing something, and they were casting wide nets in the hopes that they’d catch something worth money. It was only a guess, though. A few would be in attendance, but camera-less. Serenity would be negotiating with the different papers to use photos from the photographer she’d hired.
He wanted his wedding to be an intimate affair and well-executed. Not that he expected perfection, but the fervor of hustling and bustling to make sure everything was just so seemed too nerve-racking to him. He wanted his wedding to be stress-free. To be peaceful and easygoing.
His first impression of the venue from the day before was that it was nice but a bit of a drive from Wishing Well. Serenity wanted an outdoor wedding, and with the fields of wildflowers surrounding it, it was nice. Just not as fantastic as Stewart Mansion could be—he’d be developing a better name if Charlie sold it to him. He was getting ahead of himself, though. He hadn’t even spoken to her about it yet.
Out of sight, he scanned the seating area. His breath caught as his gaze landed on Jo. He was still amazed that she managed to outshine herself every time he saw her. Her curled hair cascaded around her exposed shoulders, framing her delicate features. Dressed in a pale blue, off-the-shoulder dress that hugged her curves, she looked like she’d walked off the runway.
A few women encircled her, engaged in lively and humorous conversation, evident from their laughter. Almost as if she sensed his gaze on her; her brows furrowed, and their eyes met. A faint smile graced her lips, causing his breath to hitch once more.
She gave him a thumbs up and mouthed, hot stuff. What was she doing flirting with him when he knew she was ticked off at him? Could it be she was offering a ceasefire just for the ceremony? Whatever the reason, the compliment made his heart pump faster and heat creep up his neck.
He looked away, worked to force the blush away, and returned his gaze to her. Breathtaking. He mouthed back and shot her his best smile. Or the one he was sure she thought was his best. Anytime he threw it in her direction it resulted in her face turning a delightful color of pink—like now.
Her hand came to her neck as she shook her head. Not fair.
“Hey, it’s time for us to do our escorting,” Booker said as he tapped Jack on the shoulder. “Whoa. Jo Stewart is looking fine.”
“Shut up.”
“Message received.”
Jack glared at him. “There’s no message. Just… go away.” He returned his attention to Jo and smiled. Gotta go.
She nodded and winked.
For a split second, he was almost tempted to tell her he was sorry for the argument the day before, but he couldn’t take back what he’d said. It would be a lie if he did, and he wouldn’t do that, not for her, not for anyone.
If this was a truce for Ethan and Serenity’s wedding, he’d play along. At least this way, he could say goodbye.
As he paused by his brother, he stuck out his hand. “I’m proud of you. I’m happy for you. Happy you found someone who loves you. Happy you found someone to love. I hope your marriage is blessed and your life with Serenity is everything you hoped and wished for.”
Ethan smiled, shook his hand, and pulled him into a hug. “Thanks, Jack,” he said and stepped back. “I hope you find someone soon, too.” The music started, and he straightened his bow tie. “See you out there.”
“See you.”
Jack nodded to his mom as she hooked her arm in his. As they waited, his mom whispered, “I have a feeling we’ll be doing this again soon.”
With a chuckle, Jack lowered his gaze to the ground. “Yeah, Mom, I hope so.”
His heart and his mind, finally having found the same page, brought Jo to mind. He knew it wasn’t possible, but maybe someone was listening, and their story wouldn’t over. It would just be… to be continued.
Jack sure hoped so because when he pictured his future, the photograph had Jo beside him.