My laughter bellows and I wish Blair was here so I could reach out and hug her. It’s been eighteen hours since I last spoke to her and three days since I made the decision to come. Yet she chooses now, when I’m in front of his house, to change her mind. Oh, B.
My phone buzzes again, and I smile at Hayley joining the chat.
Hayley: He’s not a stranger, Blair. Jenna’s met him
Blair: Eight years ago. People change
Me: Some do. Some really don’t
Me: I’m already parked in front of his house, seconds away from getting out of the car
After puckering my lips, I touch up my gloss and grab the door handle, until another message comes through.
Blair: Wait!I’ve added to my cons list and I thought you should know
Blair: Cons—He could be a psycho. He might have an awful haircut (Hayley showed me photos of some popular Australian styles and just…no. You are better than that), and finally, he may be all talk and no action
An obnoxious laugh snorts out of me and I cover my mouth with my hand.
Hayley: Ooh she’s right. He could be rocking a long-haired mullet
An image follows showing a guy with a unique haircut that could rival something from the eighties, and I shudder at the sight.That’s got to be fake. I hope. But real or not, I’m confident in saying…
Me: He doesn’t have a mullet
At least he didn’t.Eight years ago.
The Jack I remember had short hair, almost a buzz cut, and a rigid jaw line. He was also, as Blair said, a little bit nerdy. He doesn’t strike me as the type of guy to have a mullet. But… peopledochange. Hell, I’ve changed since we first met. I was a platinum blonde with stick-straight hair back then. Now I keep my hair natural—light brown with soft waves.
Makes me wonder why we never exchanged more recent photographs over the years. Although, I’m on TV and Jack’s a professional rugby player—Rugby, not league. I have no idea what that means but he was always sure to distinguish between the two. Either way, I’m sure I could find his photo online.
Hayley: You could look him up
I laugh at her thoughts reflecting my own, only I have a better option, now that I’m here.
Me: Or…I could just knock on his door?
Hayley: Yes, go get him, girl
Blair: Be careful
If I wasn’t as convinced as I am that I know him, I’d probably be worried like Blair, but I’m not. I’d be willing to bet he’s the same guy he is in his letters. Except maybe the last letter because that’s a whole different side of him that I never knew existed. I can’t wait to meet him.
God, if he—
A thundering knock startles me and I throw my phone, watching it disappear between the seat and the center console.Goddammit.What the hell was that for?Armed with an obviously forced smile, I turn to greet the shadowy figure lurking by my window—ready to give them a piece of my mind—but freeze at the sight of him.
Hot damn. Are all Australians gorgeous? I should have made the trip sooner.
My smile turns real until I register the curl of his lips, and the anger in his eyes throws me.What did I do?
“Move your car!” He answers my unspoken question, gesturing for me to move out of my prime parking space and pointing down the road. “This is not beach parking.”
The beach?That’s not why I’m here. Not entirely. According to B, I’m here to meet my soulmate, and this guy is ruining my buzz.
“What?” I mouth, pointing to my ear, pretending I can’t hear him. “I’m sorry.” I frown sympathetically, hoping to get a rise, and he delivers with the most delicious scowl.
His nose flares, frustration rising, and I almost laugh but catch myself in time.
