I take the time to gather my thoughts before answering. The sun streams through the extra-large windows and I pick up a remote and click a button. Slowly, the window treatments begin to close and kill the glare.
“Your sister is different,” I finally tell him. “She has been from the beginning. We both tried to fight the attraction and when we couldn’t do it anymore, we agreed to end things when the Thunder party was over. And to keep things quiet so we didn’t hurt you. She’s been worried sick about what you’ll do when you find out.” And I doubt she’ll be happy when she sees the bruise he no doubt left on my jaw.
Jack shakes his head. “I’m not hurt. I’m worried about my sister getting her heart broken,” he mutters.
“That’s not going to happen.”
He narrows his gaze. “Because it’s just a fling?” he asks in disgust.
“Because I love her!” I shout, then rise to my feet and begin to pace. “I don’t think Rainey or I ever truly believed we could walk away when the event was finished. We’ve gotten too close. She’s a special woman.”
I glance at my friend who’s merely watching me carefully. Listening.
“I admire Rainey’s work ethic. I appreciate how she cares about her friends, family, and employees. I love her smile and her laugh. I like how she’ll eat a huge sandwich in front of me and not blink an eye. No salad for her. And I adore the freckles on the bridge of her nose.”
“That’s enough.” Jack holds up a hand, an uncomfortable look crossing his face. “I get it.” He pushes himself up and stands, then walks over to where I’m leaning against the bookshelves lining the wall. “Those intimacy issues you had?”
“I can’t say they’re gone completely. But being with Rainey has taught me to trust. And if you think back, when was the last time I was with another woman?”
Jack remains silent.
“Right. It’s been a long while. I’ve been working on myself, whether you knew it or not. I have been since I let Matthew and Jacinda in. Since I trusted them.”
“And Rainey knows all this?” Jack asks.
I nod. “No secrets.” I meet his gaze. “I’m committed,” I assure him, and extend my hand.
Jack doesn’t pause before shaking it. “But cliché or not, you hurt her and next time I won’t just punch you, I’ll break your jaw.”
And no matter how much I can protect myself, I know he means it.
Good thing I have no intention of doing anything to Rainey but protecting her and making her happy.
Once he’s calm, we talk about his trip and the various locations he scouted, and I learn he’d been in Charleston the longest.
“I—”
A knock sounds on my door, which means it’s someone on my automatically “allow up” list. I doubt it’s my parents, so that only means… Rainey.
“Hang on, Jack. I’ll be right back.” I hope to talk to her before she goes off on her brother once she sees my jaw. I know it’s red and will turn black and blue eventually. But it’s no big deal.
“Sure.” He rises to his feet and walks over to the large window.
Once I’m sure he’s occupied, I turn and head to the door. I open it and I’m right. It’s Rainey. “Hi!”
“Hi.” She meets my gaze and her eyes open wide. “What happened?” She gently trails her fingers over my jaw.
“It’s nothing. Just two friends coming to an understanding.”
“Where is he?” She strides past me, a woman on a mission.
“Rainey, wait.” I shut the door and follow her into the family room, her long hair gliding against her back as she walks. “Let’s talk about this first,” I say, but she’s not paying attention.
“Jack!” she calls out.
Her brother turns from his place at the window. “Rainey.”
“What the hell do you think you’re doing? How could you hit him?” She shoves his shoulder with one hand. “You don’t get a say in who I’m with.”
