‘It was certainly a surprise. And one of the better ones I’ve had.’
‘Good.’ He straightened up, his confidence fully back in place. ‘Because that was my plan.’
‘I thought you hated plans.’
‘Hate is a very strong word, Miss Jackson. Just because I might not indulge in them often, doesn’t mean I’m incapable of making them.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes. For example, after we’ve had some breakfast, I wasplanningto see if you wanted to hang out with me for the day?’
More of the butterflies came back to life.
‘But you still haven’t answered my other question.’
‘What other question?’
‘Why you’ve been so quiet lately. I’ve barely heard from you, and now you just show up here out of the blue.’
Jacob dropped his head and scuffed the sand with his shoe.
‘I’m sorry about that.’ He kept his head hung low. ‘I got sick and it took me longer to recover than I thought, and … I don’t know … maybe …’
‘Maybe what?’ She could feel the answer on the tip of his tongue. She wanted the truth. She deserved the truth.
‘I guess a part of me freaked out a little bit.’
‘About what?’
‘I’m not sure.’ He shrugged. ‘I suppose I’m not used to speaking to someone so regularly. I told you that I got rid of my phone so I didn’t have to be connected to the world outside my very small bubble. At times it felt like I was going against my own rules. And those rules were set for a reason.’
Olivia could see his jaw tighten. His honesty was refreshing; upsetting, but refreshing. And in an odd way, Olivia understood. Didn’t she also find it uncomfortable going against the rules she set for herself, the principles she adopted for her life?
‘I get it.’
‘You do?’
‘Yeah, it’s annoying when someone comes along and disrupts the plans you’d made for yourself, isn’t it?’ she teased, noting the relief wash over him.
‘Touché, Miss Jackson.’ Jacob took a step closer, licking the front of his teeth and sending unnerving levels of adrenalinethrough Olivia’s body. ‘Now, will you allow me to make it up to you with breakfast and an afternoon of fun?’
Olivia folded her arms across her chest, resisting the urge to make a host of very inappropriate comments about what an afternoon of fun may consist of.
‘I’m very busy.’
‘I didn’t expect anything less.’ He inched towards her. ‘But I was hoping you could make an exception for me?’
‘I’m not sure – maybe we should consult your trusty dice.’
‘Oh, I already have.’ He pushed a stray piece of hair from his face. ‘They say yes. I even rolled three times to make sure.’
Whether it was the absurdity of the situation or the yoga high setting in, Olivia found she could no longer pretend to fight.
‘Fine. I’ll hang out with you this afternoon.’
‘Yes!’
‘But first, before we do any of that, we need to eat.’
