Authors: Cher Carson
Jake watched her eyes settle on a man he didn’t recognize and she smiled. It was that sweet, shy smile she used to reserve for him. He was dying inside, watching her walk right by him, refusing to meet his eyes, as though he no longer had a place in her life. He was a just a nameless, faceless guest in a crowd of hundreds.
Jared squeezed his hand. “Wow, Jessie looks pretty, Daddy.”
“She sure does, buddy.”
Jared had been pumping him for information about Jess for weeks. He was worried when he couldn’t reach her on the phone, so Jake had no choice but to tell him that she needed a little break. With the heartbreaking innocence of a child, he said, “But you guys were gonna get married and I was gonna come live with you. Jessie was gonna be my second mama and you were gonna have babies and…”
Jake had to shut the rest of his son’s outburst out of his mind. It was too painful to think about.
Jake couldn’t take his eyes off her as she winked and smiled at the nervous groom. It took everything in him not to go to her. He’d waited so long to see her, to touch her; he couldn’t stand to wait another minute.
He glanced across the aisle at the man who thought he was taking Jake’s place in her life. The kid was in for a rude awakening. He may think Jess was his, but they didn’t have a lifetime of history. She hadn’t spent most of her adult life loving him. She hadn’t given him her innocence. Jake held that special place in her heart, and there was no way he was willing to surrender it without a fight.
Jake rose with the rest of the guests when the bride appeared on her father’s arm. There was a collective gasp in the small church when the guests caught sight of her. There was no question, Ava looked stunning, but Jake’s mind’s eye could only see Jess wearing that long white veil and gown. He’d never wanted anything so much.
Jared sat down first, tugging on his daddy’s hand to prompt him to take his seat. Jake was one of the last people to sit down. He was too caught up in his fantasies to hear the minister ask the guests to be seated. He stared at Jessica, willing her to spare him a glance, but she was immersed in watching her best friend marry her soul mate.
“Dearly beloved,” the minister said. “We are gathered here today…”
Jake tried to focus on the vows the couple exchanged, the tears in his friend’s eyes as he recited his handwritten vows to his bride, but his mind kept wandering. He was imagining what he would say to Jess if they were standing up there. He’d thank her for being his soft place to land when life dealt him a hard blow. He’d tell her how much he appreciated her for loving his little boy unconditionally. He’d tell her how sorry he was that it took him so long to realize that she was the greatest gift God had ever given him.
“Daddy,” Jared whispered, “I think we supposed to stand up now.”
Jake looked around and realized that the wedding party was already making their way out of the church, followed by their guests. “Uh, sorry, bud, I guess my mind wandered for a minute there.”
“Did you see Jess blow me a kiss?” he asked, giggling.
“No, I must have missed that.”
He’d missed out on so much lately. He was barely able to go through the motions anymore. He could barely function at work. He hadn’t gone to the gym for weeks; he hadn’t even been to the Carltons’ for Sunday dinner. It was too painful to be in a house that reminded him of Jess at every turn. It was bad enough sleeping in his own bed, on sheets he’d washed several times, but still seemed to hold her scent.
“Is it time to go to the ‘ception?” Jared asked.
Jake smiled as he stroked his son’s hair. “I think you mean the reception, and yes, it’s almost time. But first we have to make our way outside to wish the bride and groom well.” And hopefully catch one more glimpse of Jess before she snuck away in the waiting limousine.
Jessica looked up at her date and forced a smile. “I want to thank you for coming with me, Bill.”
He smiled as he brushed a strand of hair off her cheek. “You know how many people told me they were shocked to see you here with me today?”
She frowned. “Why would they say that?”
“They said they always thought you’d eventually end up with Jake McCoy.” He held her closer as he kissed the top of her head. “I remember how you felt about him back in college. You were convinced that you were gonna marry that guy someday.”
She swallowed, trying to force words past the lump lodged in her throat. “I was just a kid back then. What did I know?”
“I saw the way he looked at you today,” Bill said, pulling back to look her in the eye. “He’s in love with you.”
Jessica shook her head, trying to deny his claim. She couldn’t allow herself to see something that wasn’t there, not again. She’d wasted too many years fantasizing about a future with that man. “You’re wrong. I’m sure he just missed having me around, you know, to talk to.”
“My brother’s coming to pick me up,” Bill said, quietly. “I told you he lives in Lindsay now, right?”
“What? Why are you leaving?”
“You need some time with your family. You can’t come back to San Francisco with me until you figure out whether that’s really where you want to be.”
“But I already told you
—
”
He placed a tender kiss on her lips to silence her.
A hand coiled around Bill’s shoulder, pulling them apart. “You mind if I cut in?”
There was no way Jessica could mistake that voice or the trace of anger lingering beneath the calm façade.
Bill looked down at her. “You mind?”
Jessica nodded. It was silly to think she could avoid Jake all evening. It was time to come to terms with her past, so she could move on to her new future. “No, it’s okay. Do you have to leave now?”
“Yeah, my brother’s going to be here in a few minutes. Will you call me tomorrow, let me know what your plans are?”
“Sure.”
Bill kissed both of her hands before offering one to Jake. “Take care of her, okay? She’s one incredible lady.”
When Jake sensed that his competition was willing to back down, his eyes softened. “You can count on it.”
Jessica drew a deep breath as she stepped into Jake’s strong arms. They hadn’t danced together in a long time, but she would never forget the feeling of being wrapped in his arms and lost in his unique scent as they swayed to the music.
“I’ve missed you so much, baby,” he whispered, his voice deep and raspy.
She looked up, surprised to see his eyes were reflecting something she’d never seen before. “I’ve missed… everyone, too.” She couldn’t admit she missed him. Giving him an opening would be too easy.
His hand glided up her bare back, tangling in her hair. “How could you do that to me?” His voice sounded so raw, like the words were being ripped from his throat by force.
“I didn’t do anything to you, Jake.” She wished she were immune to his pain, but she still loved him too much to pretend she didn’t care that he was hurting. “I did what I felt I had to do to spare myself anymore heartache. Surely you can’t blame me for that?”
“No,” he said, brushing his lips across her cheeks. “I don’t blame you for anything, angel. This was all me, all my fault.”
She didn’t know what he was trying to say or even what she hoped he meant. “Um, it looks like Ava is getting ready to throw the bouquet. I should make my way over there.”
He held her tighter, pressing her body against his. “I don’t want to let you go… ever again.”
Her heart started racing. “Jake, I have to.”
“Come home with me tonight, sweetheart? Please. We need to talk. There are so many things I need to say, so many things I should have said before you left.”
Jessica looked around, hoping to find an escape route. Five minutes alone with Jake would un-do all the grueling work of the past several weeks. She couldn’t risk it. “Where is Jared? Isn’t he staying with you tonight?”
“No, he was tired, so his Nana and Papa took him back to their place.” He smiled. “I saw you dancing with him earlier.”
She’d missed that kid more than she thought possible the past few weeks. It was almost as if Jake had one half of her heart and Jared had the other half. “He’s a good dancer, must take after his old man, huh?”
Jake grinned. “There’s no one else I’d rather dance with than you, Jess.”
Yet she’d seen half a dozen women ask him to dance tonight. He was definitely one of Brant’s most eligible bachelors, and she knew it was only a matter of time before one of them stepped in to fill Diane’s shoes.
“I have to get over there,” she said, taking a step back as the song ended. “I’ll catch up with you later, okay?”
Jake watched her take a spot among the chattering women, all anxious to claim the customary reward. All the single ladies were hoping they would be the next in line to find wedded bliss, but Jessica stood just outside the group, as though she secretly hoped someone else would steal the coveted prize.
Ava turned around to look over her shoulder. “Okay, on the count of three, y’all. One… two… three.”
Jake watched the small bouquet of white roses sail over the heads of the other women as Jess took a step back, trying to let someone else secure the spotlight. But the flowers came down, almost on top of her, and she had no choice but to reach out and grab them.
Jake grinned and winked when she shot a nervous little glance in his direction. The fates were definitely aligning in his favor tonight.
Jessica was waiting at the bar for a glass of white wine when her father came up behind her.
“In case I forgot to mention it, you look beautiful, sugar.”
She nodded her thanks to the young man who filled her order before turning toward her father. “Thanks, Daddy. It was a beautiful wedding, wasn’t it?” She smiled. “I’ve never seen Ava look so beautiful or so happy.”
Merle nodded as he glanced across the dance floor at the bride, who was dancing with her groom. “They make a fine couple. She’s good for Craig.”
Jessica took a sip of the wine. “I think so too.”
He pointed a beefy finger at her. “I should put you over my knee for what you put us all through, young lady.”
Jake came up behind her and settled an arm around her waist. “I was kind of hoping you’d reserve that privilege for me, Merle.”
Jessica turned ten shades of red.
Merle chuckled. “On second thought, you’re right; you might be just the man for that job.”
Jake touched his scotch glass to her father’s. “I promise you that her sin won’t go unpunished, and I’ll be damned if I ever let her pull another stunt like that again.”
Jessica felt like she was invisible. They were talking about her like she wasn’t even there. “Excuse me! I’m not some disobedient child who got a D on her report card.”
Jake’s hand dipped lower, skimming the swell of her bottom as she gasped. Was he crazy? They were in a public place, standing face to face with her father, no less.
“Do you need a ride home, honey?” Merle asked, extracting his car keys from his pocket.
“Uh, I…”
“That won’t be necessary, Merle,” Jake said, as though the question had been directed at him. “Jess is coming home with me tonight.”
Her mouth fell open. When had she agreed to that, and what must her conservative father be thinking of Jake’s announcement?
Merle raised an eyebrow as he looked Jake over thoughtfully. “That thing we discussed…”
“Consider it a done deal,” Jake said, setting his glass on the bar before extending his hand to her father.
Merle smiled and winked as he gripped Jake’s hand. “Damn glad to hear it, and not a moment too soon as far as I’m concerned.”
Jessica kissed her father’s cheek, silently seething inside. Whatever Jake was up to, it wasn’t going to work.
Jake waited until Merle was out of earshot before pulling her body flush against his. He nibbled a moist trial down the side of her neck as her pressed his arousal into her stomach. “Let’s get out of here, baby.”