I hated this. I hated how awkward things were between us now. I just wanted to go back to India, back to the plane flight when we were laughing and playing cards and carefree.
“It’s good to see you,” he said earnestly, and I saw a little vulnerability in his gaze.
It was good to see him too, but I shouldn’t have been thinking that now that I had a boyfriend.
“I didn’t take you for a fan of theater?” I changed the subject.
Jack shrugged. “Jason dragged me here with clients, and if I’m being totally honest, I expected to be bored out of my mind.”
I smiled. “But?”
He leaned in and lowered his voice. “It’s amazing. I’m buying season tickets.”
I burst into laughter. “Hey, there’s no shame in a manly man liking theater.”
He raised one eyebrow, giving me a half-cocked grin. “So you think I’m a manly man?”
Guilt washed over me. Were we flirting? I hadn’t intended that. I just fell so easily into banter with Jack.
“There you are, babe.” Luke’s voice called from behind me and I froze.
Jack’s gaze went to Luke and then to me, and I watched the moment he realized we were here together. Liketogethertogether.The blood drained from his face.
Well, that was going to happen sooner or later. Jack was emotionally unavailable and lived in Seattle, so maybe him finding out I was in a relationship now was for the best. Besides, it wasn’t like he’d ever tried to date me or anything. We were just friends.
“Jack, this is Luke. My…boyfriend.” I cleared my throat.
Luke stepped up beside me, surprised. “Jack, who bought you the restaurant, Jack?” he asked.
“The one and only.” Jack’s face changed again, and I watched as his lips pulled into a pained smile as he reached out and shook Luke’s hand.
“So nice to meet you, man. What you did for Hannah was incredible,” Luke said, shaking his hand as he juggled my water bottle and his own drink.
“Uh, thanks,” Jack said sheepishly.
“So, do you—” Luke started to ask Jack something, but the announcement that intermission was ending in five minutes cut him off.
“Good you see you, Hannah. Nice to meet you, Luke,” Jack said quickly, not even allowing Luke to finish what he had been saying. Then he turned and gave us his back, pushing through the crowd, likely to meet up with Jason.
“Oh…you too!” Luke called after him.
I was slightly embarrassed by how quickly Jack had walked off.
“He’s very busy. Here with work clients,” I explained to Luke.
He just nodded, giving me a small smile.
“I still have to pee. I’ll meet you at our seat. No need to wait for me,” I told him and then went to the bathroom.
The entire time I walked there, my heart felt like a war drum, pounding wildly in my chest.
Why? Why, of all people, did I have to run into Jack Marrow? Right when I’d decided to give Luke and me a fresh start?
Lord, help me,I prayed.Take Jack off my heart if he’s not meant for me.
Chapter Eighteen
JACK
