I thread my fingers with his, gazing at my bare skin interlaced with his tattooed fingers. The place where my engagement ring once was has a faint mark against the sunkissed skin. I hope one day, our hands will bear the rings of our love. It’s a crazy thought, considering everything.
Just then, my phone buzzes. His gaze darts to it rested on the table. Blake’s name flashes. He’s surely checking in before bed. “I’ll step out to answer this so he doesn’t worry.”
“Answer it here.”
I sigh, because I knew he’d say that.
I silence the ringer. I’ll call him back once I handle Jack.
“Trust me, you don’t want to hear me lie to him. If I act different, he may come here.”
“Lie? Like you did in the courtroom?”
“I lied for you.”
His eyebrows lift. “You are telling me that you really got engaged for my case?”
I nod, feeling oddly ashamed because my life seems like it is built on lies.
“Morgan, I told you never to give yourself to a man for me. Right before I fried Gabe.”
“I know,” I whisper.
I expect a lecture. Instead, he murmurs softly, “You make it hard not to love you.”
“What?”
“That’s the nicest thing anyone has done for me. Marrying someone you don’t want to.”
“Really?” I say, stunned he isn’t shaming me.
“Morgan, I’m the lucky one here — you realize that, right?”
My heart bursts in my chest. I can’t believe this selfless man thinks he is somehow lesser than me.
At this moment, he isn’t looking at me, as if he doesn’t want to delve much deeper into the topic. Thus, I say what I think he wants to hear. Something simple.
“Thank you, Jack. That’s very kind of you to say.”
The rest of dinner is wonderful. We share laughs, good food, and steadily, the tension lifts, but things have changed.
I understand him a little better. I love him more. And I truly am the lucky one.
Chapter 42
Morgan
As we walk back to the Lighthouse Nooks, Jack stops as we pass the parking lot.
“Is that the truck you bought me?”
“Yep. I drive it now,” I answer.
“Hm.” He stares at it. “Got the keys?”
I dig in my purse and hold them up.
He grins. “Let’s grab blankets and pillows. I got an idea.”
