The roughness of his scruff tickles my palm, and I let out a single giggle. When he rests his hand over mine and leans into my palm, pressing his lips against my skin, warmth shoots through me.
“I’ve missed you so much, Becs.” My thumb rubs against his cheek as he continues. “Do you think you can ever forgive me?”
“Jacob, when I heard that you saw me with Caleb, I felt my heart break for the third time in my life.” His eyes find mine in and the dark and his brows knit together. “The first time was when you left, and I never heard from you again. The second was when I lost Caleb. But tonight, finding out that you came home and, rather than get in the way of my happiness, you left…was the third.”
My other hand reaches out and rests against his cheek. His hand cuts in between mine and gently grasps my chin. “When I saw you smile at him, it nearly broke me. I always thought I’dend up being the one to grow old with you…But there you were, looking at him the way you once looked at me. I knew I couldn’t get in the way of that. You deserved that type of happiness and so much more.”
His words slam into me like a lightning rod, and my breath catches.
“I’m glad you got to live that life with him, and I’m truly sorry he’s gone. Is it okay for me to be selfish for a moment?”
Words won’t come; I’m overwhelmed with everything that’s been said, not just here but tonight. I barely nod my consent.
“Coming back to you, knowing I could have a chance, has hope coursing through me. Thoughts of us actually growing old together, me getting to know your boys, being back home. With you. Is all I’ve ever wanted, but never thought I’d get.”
The only thing I can do is stare at him while he pins me with his gaze. It’s as if he’s trying to figure out what I’m thinking.
“Do I still have a chance, Becs?”
His question is ragged, and it’s then that I notice how glassy his eyes are. My chest explodes with feelings that have been buried for decades.
Sliding my hand along his jaw, I bask in his warmth, the roughness of him, how he feels. My eyes dip to his lips, and before lifting back up to find his gaze searching my face.
My hand slips into the hair at the nape of his neck, and I hear him gasp.
When his eyes meet mine, there’s a fire in them that leaves me breathless. His hand slides to the side of my face, and his thumb glides along my cheekbone. Holding his stare, I watch as his eyes dip to my lips and then back up to my gaze, and I know that I will give this man all the chances he wants.
Leaning in, I get close enough for our breath to mingle, but before I reach him, I stop. I know what kissing him means, andas much as I want to feel his lips against mine, I don’t know that I’m ready.
His forehead rests against mine, and a gentleness enters his eyes as he looks at me.
“There is nothing I want more than to kiss you right here and now, Becca, but I understand this is a big step for you.”
Pulling away, I look at him, really look at him, and for the first time I see the boy I knew has become a man.
My whole heart belonged to that boy, but I was just a girl. Now I’m a woman, and I’m pretty certain my heart jumped out of my chest, landed on my sleeve, and is waiting for him to take it.
Chapter Thirteen
Jacob
Groundroastedcoffeebeansand a very long line greet me as I walk into The Bleacher Bean. Stretching my fingers and slowly fisting them, I take a deep breath to calm the thumping in my chest.
Since being in Maple Ridge, not one person has gotten out of line or asked any personal questions. If anything, it was as if I’d never left.
“Jacob Thornton,” a voice that could never be forgotten, calls out from my left.
Twisting my head over my left shoulder, I find the familiar, if not older, face of my fifth-grade teacher. “Mrs. Clark! How are you?”
“Betty, please, Jacob.” She reaches out and gives my hand a gentle squeeze, and then winks at me. “We’re both adults.”
A wide grin covers my face, and I nod. “Yes, ma’am. I mean, Betty.”
“What brings you to The Bleacher Bean?” She shifts her gaze over my shoulder before whispering, “Or maybe I should ask who.”
“Hi Betty,” Becca’s voice rings behind me, before she comes and stands next to me, her arm brushing mine, sending shocks of electricity through me. “Jacob here has been assigned the task of helping me finish up the decorating for the fundraiser tonight.”
“I’m not sure how much help I’ll actually be,” I tell Betty before turning toward Becca, “but when this lady asks, the answer is always yes.”
