Jack lets me.
He watches the road, checks mirrors, takes the long way like he always does. He keeps one hand on the wheel and the other close—like he’s ready to reach for me if I start unraveling.
I tell myself I’m not unraveling.
I’m just… wound tight.
“So,” I say, flipping open my planner in my lap. “I have this idea.”
Jack glances at me briefly. “That sounds dangerous.”
“It’s not dangerous,” I say. “It’sgood.”
His brow lifts. “Mm-hm.”
I ignore his skepticism and barrel ahead. “It’s a program to help kids at risk.”
Jack’s posture shifts slightly. “Explain.”
“It’s called Safe Steps,” I say, excitement rising. “We partner with the community center and local businesses. We do after-school tutoring, mentoring, snack packs for kids who don’t have enough at home, and we bring in guest speakers—good role models. We create a safe place.”
Jack’s gaze flicks to me again. “You’ve done this before?”
“I started it at my last school,” I say, and my voice warms. “It worked. Attendance improved. Behavior improved. Kids had somewhere to go. Somewhere… stable.”
Jack’s jaw tightens, but in the good way—like he respects it. “And you want to start it here.”
“Yes!” I say, thrilled he’s tracking. “We had funding last month. I saw it in the notes. It wasn’t huge, but enough to start small. Hanover said we’d talk about it this week.”
Jack’s eyes narrow slightly. “You trust Hanover?”
I make a face. “Of course.”
Jack huffs a quiet sound that might be a laugh.
I grin. “You don’t?”
“I don’t trust anyone when it comes to you,” he says.
My stomach flips.
I clear my throat and look back down at my planner like it’s suddenly fascinating. “Anyway, I’m excited. This could help Evan too.”
“Yeah,” he says. “It definitely could.”
We pull into the school lot. Jack parks where he can see the entrance, like always.
“You ready?” he asks.
“No,” I say immediately. “But yes.”
Jack’s gaze holds mine. “I’m here.”
I nod. “I know.”
And somehow… that’s enough to make me step out of the truck.
The morning isa blur of kids and crayons and Levi loudly informing the class that Mr. Sinclair is “a ninja bodyguard who can defeat a bear.”
