Hey Mack, you busy?
No, just about to head home from school. What’s up?
Only one more month until I’m in London with you. I can’t wait to see you.
My heart rate kicks up as I read the words. Jordan will be here in London, and it’ll just be us. We haven’t spent time alone in years—since...well, you know, high school. My feelings toward him are complicated—an understatement.
He reached out a few weeks after I moved to London, simply to check on me. One text turned into another until it became a daily thing. Now I look forward to all his phone calls and messages—probably more than I should. It’s different between us. What used to be friendly is starting to feel… flirty.
Another message pops up that makes my heart soar.
I thought I could visit your class. I’d love to see your school and maybe read a story to the kids.
They would love that. I have a few kids who are obsessed with the NBA.
Will you come to the game? I’d love to grab dinner after.
Of course. That sounds perfect, J.
I wish you were coming home for Christmas.
I know, but it’ll be nice to have one here with my parents.
I understand. But never again. We’ll be together every year.
Is that so?
It is so.
Are you happy today, Mack?
Yeah, I am. Are you?
Almost.
What does that mean?
I’ll tell you one day. Not now.
Okay …
I miss you.
I miss you, too.
I stare at my phone for a second, trying to decide if he’s being playful or serious. Deciding he can’t possibly mean those things, I slip it into my purse. I grab my coat, hat, and gloves and step into the hallway, closing my door behind me and locking it.
It’s blustery when I step outside, but the fresh air feels good, so I walk back to my flat. When I step inside, I drop my things and start dinner. But my thoughts keep circling the man across the ocean, and that old flicker of desire I forced out years ago starts to burn again.
CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
JORDAN
“There he is!” A familiar shout brings a smile to my face. I reach for Carter in our well-rehearsed handshake, then pull my former teammate into a hug.
“What’s up, Carter. You played out of your mind tonight!”
