“We had a crazy weekend.” His lazy grin never failed to make her stomach flutter.
“Crazy in a wonderful way.” She scrunched her nose. “Other than that business with Kelly.”
“Yeah, that wasn’t cool, but it had a happy ending.” His eyes narrowed. “When you said you wanted the day alone does that include me? I don’t want to overstep and invade your space.”
She rolled her eyes. “I invited you over, silly. You’re the one person I want to be around.”
“The feeling’s mutual.” He leaned over and gave her a deep kiss. “I have to leave anyway. I wish I didn’t have to, but if I have any hope of leaving even a half hour early tonight, I have to get going.”
“Can you finish eating first?”
He glanced at his watch. “Unfortunately, no.”
“I’ll wrap your sandwich for you. Try to finish eating at some point this afternoon.” She carried the sandwich to the kitchen, discarded the original wrapper covered with the secret sauce, and wrapped the sandwich in plastic wrap.
“You didn’t have to go through that trouble,” he said when she returned and handed him the sandwich.
“I know.” She shrugged. “Be safe heading back to work.”
There was a knock on the door.
“I wonder who that is?”
He lifted a brow. “You’re not expecting anyone?”
“No, and I rarely get solicitors here.” She walked to the door and saw Kelly on the other side. “It’s your sister,” she mouthed.
They both froze. Kelly had apologized, and they’d accepted the apology, but how would she react to finding Jack here?
“We have to answer the door,” Jack whispered after a long pause that only felt longer than the few seconds it was. “I have to get back to work, but I’m not going to leave you to deal with her if she has another meltdown.”
She took a deep breath and said a silent prayer on the exhale before opening the door. “Hi, Kelly.”
“Hi.” Kelly carried a tray of cookies. “I made these for you this morning. Your favorite, white chocolate oatmeal.”
“Thank you.” Anna took the sweets.
“May I come in?” Kelly must have spotted Jack just then. She flinched and paled, but it appeared more out of embarrassment than her anger yesterday. “I’m sorry, I’ll leave. I didn’t realize you had company.”
“It’s okay. Come on in,” she told her.
“I was just leaving.” Jack must have read the same vibe that Kelly wasn’t there to cause trouble. He gently touched Anna’s arm. “I’ll call you before I leave work. Kelly, good to see you. I hate to rush out, but I’ll see you tonight.”
“Bye,” Kelly said weakly.
“Are you coming in?” Anna asked after Jack left. “Cookies are best shared with friends.”
A small amount of color returned to Kelly’s face. “If you don’t mind.”
Anna thought she had wanted time alone, but now she realized she wanted this time with Kelly. Through thick or thin, they were best friends. Nothing would change that. “I want you to.”
Kelly burst into tears the second they sat on the sofa. “I’m so sorry for yesterday. I know I said that already, I wish I could undo every horrible word I said.”
“I’ve already forgiven you,” she assured her. “So has Jack.”
“You love him, don’t you?”
Anna faltered. She cared for him. On a completely different level than when she’d had a crush on him years ago. Was it love? “I do, yes.”
