“But—”
“Please don’t. Not now, we’ll talk tomorrow,” she replied.
Mitch glanced over and saw the tears in Jess’s eyes, and it kicked him in the gut. He slipped a hand off the steering wheel and squeezed her thigh.
“Okay,” Mitch said reassuringly. Tomorrow was a new day. He’d discover a way of keeping Jess at his side. This was the beginning of something special, and Mitch wouldn’t lose her, not now that he’d found her.
Jess
Mitch walked her to the door, as he was wont to do, and kissed her. She leaned in close and clung to him. Jess let go of her passion and poured emotion into the kiss. It got heated, and Mitch pressed her back against the door as his hands wound into her hair.
“Mitch,” she whispered.
“Admit you feel it, Jess,” he ordered.
“I do, but I’m not ready,” Jess replied.
Mitch ended the kiss and withdrew. “I’d never force you.”
“I know, it’s why I’m beginning to care for you,” she whispered, swallowing tears.
“Me too,” he murmured and stepped away. “I’ll pick you up at ten tomorrow.”
“I’ll look forward to it. Wear something pretty,” she teased.
Mitch offered a dire glance, and Jess laughed, but there was pain mixed into it. Mitch rubbed his thumb over her lip and walked back to his car.
Jess watched him drive away and shut the door. She headed into her bedroom and straight to her mirror.
“Mary Worth, Mary Worth, Mary Worth, hear me, sister,” Jess cried with tears clogging her throat.
“I’m here, come,” Mary called.
Jess launched through the mirror and flung herself into her sister’s arms. There she broke down in sobs as Mary rocked her, trying to offer comfort.
“Mary, I did it again,” Jess sobbed.
“What, Jess, what?” Mary asked as she rubbed Jess’s back.
“Fell in love,” Jess wailed. She burrowed into Mary’s body and let her emotions out. Here in the castle, Disease might rant and rail, but he couldn’t infect anyone. That small victory gave her a little comfort. Nobody would die today.
Mitch
She was gone. Mitch stared in disbelief at the note she’d left and read it again.
‘Mitch,
If I didn’t leave tonight, I never would. As much as we might want to be together, forces are keeping us apart that you’d never understand. But know, if things were different, I’d stay by your side, and we’d live a beautiful life. I couldn’t bear parting from you tomorrow; it would have been too painful. So, I’ve gone now to save us both.
I wish you a good life.
Jess.’
That was it. All Mitch got. Jess had ripped his heart out and fled.
He’d find her. Jess wouldn’t get far. She might hide, but Mitch would seek, and when he found her… she’d know exactly how he felt.
Chapter Five.
