Page 64 of Acadia Falls

“Because of the money. It’s a lot of money.”

“So?”

“What do you mean, so?”

I threw up my hands. “Fishing is your whole life. It’s your family business. What on earth will you do if you don’t go out on the water every day?”

“Well.” Jack scratched his chin. “I’m going to have enough money to do whatever I want.”

I might not have known Jack long, but it was long enough to recognize that this island and his family business were in his blood. I crossed my arms against my chest. That’s who he was. “And what’s that?”

He shrugged. “I won’t have to go to work every day. I won’t ever have to work another day in my life.”

“That’s true.” I started tapping my foot. This man would last one week, maybe three days, without fishing before going crazy.

“Why do you seem so irritated?” Jack scowled at me. “I thought you’d be happy about this.”

“Why on earth would I be happy?”

“Because if I don’t have to fish, I can leave the island,” he said.

He sat back, looking slightly… embarrassed? Was that possible?

“I spent the day thinking,” Jack continued. “It’s time for me to grow up a little bit. Or maybe a lot. I got into another fight this morning.”

I raised my eyebrows. “I heard.”

“I’m getting too old for this shit. It just got me thinking… If I didn’t have to work, I could come to New York.” A hot flush started to creep up his neck.

I blinked at him. “Why would you come to New York?”

“Ugh, never mind.” He stood up. “I gotta go.”

He started down the steps, but I was faster than him. I blocked his exit. “Wait! Did you mean you would come to New York for me?”

The muscle in his jaw popped out. His hands were clenched. “I might’ve been thinking that. But it’s not like I’m going to admit it now.”

We stood there for a moment. I was so confused. Jack looked embarrassed, which only confused me more.

“Like I said, I gotta go.” He scratched his neck, which was red.

“Hold up.” I took a deep breath. “Are you… Are you upset?”

“I don’t know.” He scratched his neck again. “I feel all itchy.”

“Come on back to the porch and sit down. Let me get you something.” I marshaled him back up the steps and grabbed him some water. “Drink this, okay?”

He had a sip of water. He stopped scratching, but he still looked miserable.

“I’m sorry if I was abrupt just now. I didn’t think you’d ever sell your rights—I didn’t even think you were seriously considering it.” I bit my lip. “And I didn’t expect you to say that about New York, not at all. After last night… I didn’t think you wanted anything to do with me.”

He blinked at me. The muscle in his jaw relaxed, at least a little.

“Do you?”

Jack blinked again.

“Do you want anything to do with me?” I hated how vulnerable I sounded. But there was little point in hiding my feelings. It was now or never, and I might as well find out.