“See you Thursday, Daisy.” I watched him stroll out the door, too tongue-tied to say anything in reply. Sweet, butter-doesn’t-melt-in-his-mouth Evan was hot as hell, and apparently had a little alpha streak.
I had a lot to learn about nice boys, and couldn’t wait for Evan to teach me.
Five
Paige
I didn’t haveto deliver the printouts for the new sign for another week, but I needed an excuse to come back and speak to Jack alone. I didn’t like the way we’d ended things the last time we spoke, and after all the years of him taking care of me, it was time that I grew up and returned the favor.
I headed to his office early, but stopped to get donuts and coffee—my version of a peace offering—then steadied myself as I rang his office doorbell.
Jack answered the door with a smirk as he waved me inside.
“I don’t remember ordering breakfast.” He grabbed one of the donuts and coffee cups before strolling over to his desk.
I plopped into the chair in front of his desk and opened up my bag to take out the printouts of the sign.
“I think two and three look awesome in blue, but I could show you other options if you want. Plus, the blue would offset the red brick outside.” I handed Jack the papers and took a deep breath as I opened my coffee cup. Apologies between us didn’t come easily. My grandmother, rest her soul, used to laugh at how we were both ‘thick as shit’ when we fought as little kids. One of us would bring the other a cookie, and we would make up and move on. Twenty something years later, we did the exact same thing.
“Don’t go crazy. I think this is perfect. The early visit and breakfast really wasn’t neces—”
“Yes, Jack. It was.” I leaned back in the chair and raked one of my hands through my hair. More than apologizing to Jack, I needed to know what exactly was going on. I hated the fact he was sick, but it was a reality I couldn’t run from anymore.
“I never should have acted like that. You were always so against having a partner, and I know deciding to make Evan one is a big deal to you—and not something you would have done unless you had to. We’ve always told each other everything, mostly anyway. I know it’s my fault that you kept me in the dark. I’m asking you to stop treating me with kid gloves and tell me the truth.”
He let out a long sigh as he gazed up at the ceiling, and then folded his arms as he lowered his eyes to meet mine.
“You’re sure about that?” He took a deep breath and reached for his coffee cup. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it for dear life.
“Yes. Is this drug really working?” Jack folded his hands and leaned forward.
“They paymeto take it. That alone should say something. The doctor is pleased with how I’ve tolerated it, and all the tests look good since he’s given it to me, but he has no real proof this will work. Everything can turn on a dime. I could sit and wallow and wait for it to get me, or I can keep going, make sure my family is taken care of, and try to get the most good out of my life until…until I can’t anymore.”
I nodded, but didn’t look away—even as the tears I swore I would hold in escaped from my eyes and streamed down my cheeks.
“I…I love you. You know that, right? I’ll do anything you need me to…”
“I love you too, you pain in the ass.” I chuckled as Jack got up from his desk and squatted next to my chair. “What I need is for you to just go on with life like I am. I could have a couple of years, or less, or more. I don’t know. I just don’t want my wake to start before it absolutely has to. You know Aunt Rose is always the first one at those things and she never leaves.” I smacked him on the arm and he nudged me in response.
“Today. That’s all any of us really have. Let’s just focus on that, okay?” He took both my hands in his and raised his eyebrows at me.
“Okay.” I gave him the biggest smile I could manage through my still falling tears. The possibility of losing Jack had been a looming black cloud over my head since he’d first shared his diagnosis. Not denying it anymore made me feel a calmness I didn’t expect.
Jack stood and made his way back to the chair behind his desk as I wiped the wetness off my face.
“So, now that we have that all settled, I hear you have a date tomorrow.” Jack bit into his donut and smirked at me.
“So you’re alright with that? Me, Evan—”
“Yes! I’m actually very okay with it. You need to date a guy that’s not a jerkoff. That poor bastard has had a crush on you for years.” Jack laughed as he shook his head.
I nodded at Jack. “He told me.”
“No shit? Really?” Jack’s face dropped mid-chew.
I nodded again as I reached for a donut. “He told me he’d noticed me for years and has been waiting for this date since he was fifteen.”
Jack chuckled and shook his head. “Yep, that sounds about right.”
