“That’s lovely,” she commented and didn’t push.
Thirty more minutes later and we were flooded with orders as the concert ended just after ten. In the end, I was bagging bagels and donuts and writing cups like a seasoned barista.
When I looked up at the next customer, I was surprised to see it was Hannah.
“Jack?” Her voice was laced with shock.
I looked at Claire, and she took the Sharpie from me, winking.
“Thanks for your help, Jack. If you ever need a part-time gig, we could use you,” she said.
I chuckled. “Nice to finally meet you, ma’am. Merry Christmas.”
She leaned into me and whispered into my ear. “I probably should have mentioned this earlier, but tread carefully. Hannah’s not too happy you blocked her number.”
And just like that, it was like cold water had been doused through my veins.
I peered at Hannah again and was met with a look of wrath.
This was not going to be the welcome reunion I’d hoped for.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
HANNAH
Coming out of an amazing two-hour worship concert to see Jack running the church coffee cart with my mom wasnotwhat I’d expected!
Why was he here? Had he come to watch me sing? I mean, it was Christmas, so I knew why he was in town, but why my church?
We stepped outside as I waved goodbye to everyone, and I walked over to the playground I used to play at as a kid. It had since gotten an upgrade. I sat down on one of the swings and looked over at him as he chose the swing next to me.
He was eyeing my left hand as if looking for a ring. I’d waited a year for this conversation, yet I found myself looking at him. He was handsome as ever, but also something seemed to have changed. There was a still a sadness in his eyes, but also…hope?
“So you come to my concert again and didn’t tell me.” There was hurt in my voice, but I didn’t care. I was mad at Jack. It felt like he was playing with my heart at this point, and I didn’t have time for that. I didn’t have the energy for that. I’d only just healed from my breakup with Luke.
“I…thought you were engaged or married by now. I wasn’t going to text another man’s wife,” he said.
I scoffed. “Well, you would know I wasn’t engaged if you hadn’t blocked my number.Andemail!” I snapped, though I felt bad right after. His comment about not texting an engaged or married woman was admirable. But this man got under my skin. He’d ignored me for a year and then just showed up and ran the church coffee cart with my mother!
He nodded. “I’m sorry. I…” He let that sentence linger and stared off into the night sky.
Dennis locked the doors to the church, and I watched as the last stragglers got into their cars and drove off. Now it was just my car and what I assumed was Jack’s rental.
I stood, and Jack did the same. We faced each other, and I held my chin high.
I’d asked for a sign from the Lord if Jack was to be the man for me, and I felt it was no coincidence he was here tonight.
“I liked you,” I confessed. “I felt like we had something special brewing in India. You should have told me you came to my spring concert. You shouldn’t have run off.”
He froze as if my declaration of liking him was a shock. “I…don’t deserve you. And I heard everything Luke said to you that day in your dressing room. You’re better off with him.”
I frowned. “You don’t get to make that choice! And what’s with this undeserving stuff? What did you do that’s so bad that you think you don’t deserve good things?” I’d Googled him within an inch of his life and nothing bad had come up.
He shook his head. “You don’t really know me, Hannah. That’s the problem. You like the idea of me, but notme,” he growled.
I threw my hands up. “Because you don’t let me in, Jack! Tell me what happened.”
“You’ll never look at me the same again.” He shook his head and a spike of fear sliced into my chest.
