The smirk deepened, satisfaction creeping in. “Hi, uh, it’s good to finally meet you. In person, I mean.”
“Then you know this doesn’t change anything.” She pulled her arm free and adjusted her sunglasses. Her knee throbbed. Her pulse still hadn’t decided to behave itself, though she chose not to examine why. “Thank you for what you did. I mean that.”
She glanced at Jocelyn, who was staring at her with an expression that would require a long conversation later. “But we should finish our run.”
He stepped back and gave a small nod, something unreadable settling into the lines of his face.
Steph got to her feet. Her shoe caught a sliver of ice, sending her stumbling. Jack reached out and grabbed her arm, steadying her before she went down again. She nodded sharply at him, turned, and ran.
She made it nearly half a block before Jocelyn pulled up alongside her.
“Steph.”
“Don’t.”
“I’m just saying—”
“Enough.” She paused and asked, “What kind of name is Jack Swisher? I mean, really. His last name has to be fake, right? A cross-country skier named Swisher?”
“I don’t think it’s fake. It might be, but I never heard anyone say anything about it.”
“You checked?”
“Well...when we learned about him moving here and the things he’s doing, it seemed smart to do some research.”
“And?”
“And there’s a lot about him all over the internet. He looks different than in pictures and videos, don’t you think?”
“He looks like a . . . never mind.”
She wanted to say more about what she thought of Jack Swisher, but her thoughts tangled before they ever formed words. What Steph knew more than anything was that he was trouble. Swisher and his big plans were already causing her more heartache than she wanted to admit, even to Jocelyn.
“He’s very tall,” Jocelyn said.
Steph didn’t argue.
Chapter 2
Jack
Jack watched her go, a slow, bemused smile tugging at his mouth. Steph Pierce was even more striking in person than in her faculty photo from North Basin Community College. The picture hadn’t caught the way she moved, all quick energy and sharp edges, or how that ridiculous stocking cap with the pompom somehow worked on her.
Right after he’d grabbed her, she’d smiled at him. Open. Unfiltered. Grateful.
Then she realized who he was.
The change was instant. Her face twisted as if she caught a whiff of something sour. Or rotten.
Jack’s smile faded, more puzzled than offended. He had no idea what he’d done to earn that.
He was still watching when Liam appeared beside him.
“You good?” Liam asked.
“Yeah.”
“That was something. Didn’t know you could still move that fast. Now that you’re old and retired, I thought—”
