“You don’t have to apologize.” The reality of what had happened to this wonderful, sparky woman was suddenly so much more important than all the other hurt feelings in the room. “I’m just glad I know now.”
A small hand pushed into his. Jackson would have recognized it if he was blindfolded. Leah’s touch was his lodestone.
He turned to face his parents. “I think we all need a bit of space. A lot’s been said this weekend. We need time to get our heads around it. We can talk again during the week.”
His dad opened his mouth.
“My resignation stands. I’ll see out my notice period and we’ll decide what to do about the loan once you’ve spoken to Martinez.” Jackson understood his father better now but it didn’t undo the shit he’d put him through. “I’m ready to move on. I’m just not willing to give my life and soul to Hale Evolution anymore.”
A hush welled through Amity Court like the backwash of a gentle wave. Even Handyman Stan had sauntered out on silent paws, with a last enigmatic look over his inky shoulder. Jackson closed his eyes, resting his head against the inside of the front door. He was hollowed out. And the toughest part was still to come.
“Are you OK?”
He turned to find Leah fidgeting in the living room doorway, the sleeves of her hoodie leaving only her fingertips exposed, untidy bangs masking her expression.
“Yeah,” he said, when the pause had strung out from brittle to intolerable. “I will be.”
“Good.”
“I bet that little drama did wonders for your head.”
“I can’t imagine yours is feeling much better, even without a hangover.” She reached up to twist a small hoop in one ear.
“Leah—”
“I think I’ve found somewhere I can move to. Someone in Florence’s salon has a room to rent in town. She says it’s available immediately, so I can get packed up and go. I’ll only have to pop back now and then if I need any of Esther’s notes. Since I’m nearly finished, it shouldn’t take long.”
“No.”
Leah’s eyes shied away as hurt flooded her face. Strain tightened her words when she spoke again. “I promise I won’t come back unless it’s absolutely vital. I can make sure you’re not here if you’d prefer.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Jackson stepped away from the door. He was messing this up already. “No, I don’t want you to go.No, you’re not moving out. No to renting someone else’s room. No to it all.”
Leah’s lips parted. “I don’t understand.”
Jackson’s limbs were dull and heavy with the fear of losing her. “It’s simple. I want you to stay.”
“I don’t believe you.” Guarded confusion tugged at her eyebrows.
There was a brief standoff. Neither of them moved. His thoughts raced. Inspiration, when it came, finally freed his muscles and set his heart somersaulting.
“Come with me.” Jackson grabbed Leah’s hand. He dragged her toward the stairs.
“What—!” She didn’t finish the protest as he towed her behind him, forcing her to keep up with his longer stride. They reached the landing and he pulled her onward, heading for the stairs to the third floor. Leah tried to put on the brakes. “No... Wait—this isn’t the way to sort this out!”
“It’s exactly the way,” Jackson promised grimly as he shoved open the door of his room and hauled her toward the bed. “Get on.”
“You need to work on your seduction technique!” She was defensive, deliciously ruffled, doubt and uncertainty in the rise and fall of her chest.
Jackson lifted her bodily and dropped her onto the covers.
“Jax! What the hell!”
“Where are we, Leah?” He knelt on the bed, hands clenched, trying to pretend his fingers weren’t tingling with the need to touch her again.
“We’re in your bedroom and I don’t know what you—”
“Where are we, specifically?”
