Casey stroked Jacqueline’s face. She hadn’t planned to have thisconversation first thing this morning. But Jacqueline’s call with Owen mighthave been the catalyst for their future. “I—you came home.”
“Sean told me that you and Dad were fine. But I just—had to seeyou.”
Casey hadn’t noticed Sean when she passed through the livingroom. He’d left a note on the kitchen counter—an entire sheet of haphazardlytorn notebook paper that had only “school” scrawled across it. “You were inAtlanta.”
It wasn’t a question, but Jacqueline nodded anyway.
“Did you see Marti?”
“I was with her when Sean called.” Casey started to pull away,but Jacqueline held onto her. “I’d just told her I couldn’t be involved withher anymore.”
“You had?”
“Did you really think I could just go sleep with her, given howwe’d left things?”
Casey shrugged.
“Well, then, just so there’s no doubt. I didn’t sleep with Marti.I haven’t slept with anyone since before you and Nina broke up.”
“Wow. Is that a record?”
“It might be.” Jacqueline smiled, and then her expression grewserious. “I know I’m supposed to be waiting for you to be ready to talk. But Ineed to say some things before we decide what’s going to happen between us.”Jacqueline released her and took a step back, but she maintained eye contact,keeping their connection strong. “I’ve made so many mistakes and excuses. Iknow we had problems before—before Elle, but afterward, I used my job to runaway from you. I shut down exactly when we should have been opening uptogether. And now, I’m scared I’ll wake up at seventy years old with a bunchmore regrets and wishing I hadn’t let you go.”
“You’re afraid of ending up alone.” Casey had heard Jacqueline’sapologies before, and she’d made her share of them as well. But somehow theyalways ended up in the same place.
“No.” Jacqueline grabbed Casey’s wrist. “I’m afraid of beingwithout you.”
“Jacq—”
“It’s you, Casey. It has been since the day you walked into ourpoker game in that ridiculous scarf.”
“It wasn’t ridiculous.”
“It hid your cleavage.”
Casey smiled.
“The point is, I loved you almost immediately and every daysince, in one way or another. Yes, I’ve learned how to live without you. But mylife is fuller with you in it. Please, give us another chance?” Her expressionwas sincere—but more than that, she was incredibly open. Jacqueline had putherself out there farther than at any other point in their relationship.
“I want to try,” Casey said, but when Jacqueline stepped towardher, Casey put her hand on her chest, stopping her. “But I don’t know how I’llever get over you again.”
“You won’t have to.”
“You think we’re different enough?”
“Yes. I’ll never put my job in front of my family again. I don’tknow yet what that means for me professionally, except that I’ve decided Idon’t want to chase Owen’s job only to get it and find out I’m lonelier thanever.” Jacqueline took Casey’s hands in hers. “I know I said you’d have to begif you wanted me back. But I never did a good enough job letting you know howmuch I needed you all of those years—how much I need you now. So, I’m preparedto plead for our future.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary.”
“Then let’s try a fresh start, get to know each other all overagain, for who we are today. Would you like to go on a date with me?”
“A date?” Casey smiled coyly. “That depends. Where would you liketo take me?”
Jacqueline’s eyes darkened in a way that always made Casey weak.“While I can think of all kinds of places I’d like to take you, we shouldprobably start with dinner.”
Casey struggled to shut out the image of Jacqueline dominatingher. When she spoke, her voice sounded unnaturally high and tense. “Dinner?”
“Yes. A quiet evening at my condo. I’d like to cook for you.”
“Okay. I think I can handle that.”
“Yeah.”
“Yes.”
Jacqueline’s smile was so wide and full of love that Caseycouldn’t help but return it. Jacqueline caught her in an embrace that liftedCasey’s feet off the floor. When she set her back down, she kissed her. Givingin to her strongest urge, Casey wrapped her arms around Jacqueline’s neck anddeepened the kiss.
“When?” Casey asked.
“As it turns out, I’m free for the rest of the week. What are youdoing tonight?”
“I have a shoot this afternoon, but I’ll be free in plenty oftime.”
“Are you okay to do that?” Jacqueline glanced at her leg. “Do youneed any help? Someone to do the heavy lifting? I think I can still take orderspretty well.”
“As much as I hate to turn down free labor, it’s a portraitsession in my studio, so I think I can handle it. In fact, I should grab mystuff and head home to get ready.”
“If you’re sure. I think I’ll spend the day hanging out here withDad. So if something changes, call and I can run over there.”
“I will. Text me later and let me know what time to head over forthis gourmet dinner and what to bring.”
“Who said gourmet?”
“Don’t worry.” Casey rested her hand on Jacqueline’s chest andgave her a peck on the lips. “I know you can’t cook.”
*
Jacqueline hummed to herself as she returned to the kitchen aftershe’d showered and changed. She poured a cup of coffee and joined her father inthe living room. He sat in his chair, albeit somewhat stiffly, with his ownmug. He wore his favorite flannel pajama pants and a black, long-sleevedT-shirt. She searched for signs of injury but didn’t see any redness on hisvisible skin. Sean had said he’d burned his arms and chest.
“How are you feeling?” She settled onto the couch and studiedhim. He looked tired. He might not have slept comfortably, but it seemed to herlike there was more going on.
“Minor burns. Nothing to worry about.”
“That’s not how I heard it.”
“I don’t care what you heard. I’m a grown-up and don’t need ababysitter—least of all my grandson.” The bitterness in his voice surprisedher.
“Sean was trying to help.” She wouldn’t let him diminish the waySean had stepped up.
He sighed. “I know.”
“He did what I wasn’t here to do. But that’s going to change.”
“Quitting your job?” He clearly
