“Uh, hello. My name is Hannah Phillips. I live in Willow Harbor. Jack bought me the restaurant?”
“Hello, Hannah. Of course I remember you.” Her voice was slightly strained, and it felt like I was overstepping, but I was desperate to see if Jack was okay after last night.
“Umm, I just wanted to speak to Jack?” I paused, praying she didn’t know he’d blocked me and that she’d hand him the phone.
“Oh, I’m in Italy for the holiday, Hannah. But I’ll let him know you called.” There was a dismissiveness in her tone that crushed me. Had he told her to ignore my calls? It sure felt that way.
“Chloe, I don’t want to overstep, but I saw him last night, and he left upset. I want to make sure he’s okay.” He wouldn’t hurt himself or anything, would he? I didn’t think so.
She was silent for a moment. “He’s okay, Hannah. I spoke to him this morning. He’s throwing himself into work. Okay?”
I guess that was good. Yeah. That was good.
“Okay. Merry Christmas, Chloe.”
“Have a nice day, Hannah. Merry Christmas.”
I hung up and put my head in my hands. Why was everything so hard with that man?
Don’t give up on him. The words were so clear in my head I jumped a little.
My heart raced in my chest, and I peered around my small office.
That was God speaking, I knew it—nudging me not to give up on Jack.
Don’t give up on Jack? He wasn’t taking my calls. What was I supposed to do, drive to Seattle and confront him?
It was like a light bulb went off at that moment. Yes. I should. Jack was always coming here, but what if I went to Seattle and told him how I felt? What if I forced him to see the good in himself that I saw? Even with his mistakes.
I burst out into the kitchen and met Sydney’s gaze.
“Can you manage the restaurant for me for a few days if I take a trip?” I asked her. I’d promoted her to assistant restaurant manager a while ago. She knew how to do everything, including ordering the right parmesan for Carl.
“Absolutely,” she said. “Where are you going?”
“Seattle,” I answered, which made her grin. There was only one thing that would bring me to Seattle the day after Christmas.
Jack.
I ran home and packed a two-day bag, texting my mom on the way.
I didn’t know what God’s plan was for Jack and me, but I was excited because I had faith it was going to turn out beautiful.
Chapter Thirty-Two
JACK
I’d literally just gotten into work after taking a late-night flight home from Willow Harbor last night, and there was a mound of paperwork waiting for me. Technically, I wasn’t supposed to be working until New Year’s Day, but I needed to keep my mind busy.
The one thing I wanted to do was text Hannah. I couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss. I also couldn’t forget the way she’d shrunk away from me when I’d told her what I’d done. I couldn’t believe she’d even kissed me after that. After hearing who I really was deep inside.
My phone rang, and I saw that it was Chloe video chatting me.
“Hey,” I answered.
She and Roberto were sitting on a balcony overlooking the city in Italy. He was holding a glass of wine, and both were smiling.
“Merry Christmas!” they said in unison. Technically, it was the day after.
