Hannah with two N’s: Why Chloe? Why not you?
The three dots indicating he was replying popped up, then they went away, then they were back. Dread filled me. Finally, a text came through.
Jack: I don’t like seeing little kids in those conditions. It will make me sad. I’d rather just pay for it.
I could understand that. I had done a missions trip to Tijuana with my church when I was seventeen and it was so hard to see the people there living in poverty, especially the children, but this was the happy side of that. Jack was making their lives better; he should see that.
Hannah with two N’s: You have to go! You need to see the joy on those little kids’ faces when they get let into their new home. I would kill to go on a trip like that. I could use some joy in my life right now.
His response was immediate.
Jack: Would you go with me?
I laughed.
Hannah with two N’s: Go with you to India tomorrow?
Jack: Yes. Do you have a passport?
Was he serious? A thrill went through me. Go to India with Jack and see the opening of the orphanage he built? I would love to.
Hannah with two N’s: Yes, but flights last minute will cost a bomb.
Jack: You’re cute.
I grinned at that. I’d forgotten for a moment that he was a billionaire.
Hannah with two N’s: Wait, so are we going to India?
My heart was beating out of my chest.
Jack: Yes. I’ll pick you up at Willow Harbor Airport at 9AM tomorrow.
I shrieked with excitement and my mom came running into my bathroom.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, eyes wide.
I looked over at her with a grin that wouldn’t fade. “I’m going to India with Jack.”
I told her about the orphanage and her smile grew. Then I worried out loud about her and the restaurant and she shooshed me.
“Sydney can handle the restaurant for a few days, and I’ll be fine,” she said.
“Is this crazy? I mean, I don’t really know him very well,” I hedged.
She nodded. “He bought you a restaurant and has been paying for consulting on my cancer treatments. He’s now opening an orphanage in India. I think we can assume he’s a good person, but if you feel uncomfortable at any time, you call me and we will get you home.”
She was right. All of the flags surrounding Jack were green. I knew there was some darkness in his past, but he didn’t strike me as the axe murderer type, so I was safe. And if I was beinghonest, I was excited to explore my connection with Jack and get to know him better.
Chapter Eight
JACK
“Marry her,” Chloe declared as she handed me my duffel bag on the runway of the small private airport in Seattle, where Jason and I stored our private jet.
I rolled my eyes. “Calm down. The only one getting married is you.”
She grinned. “I just love that she convinced you to go to India and see the good work you’ve done there when I couldn’t.”
