Page 56 of Beneath a Tennessee Sky

Chapter Eighteen

Jinnie

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MY PHONE BUZZES ON the counter, Jack’s name lighting up the screen. I wipe my hands on a dish towel, heart doing this dumb little flutter thing it always does when he calls.

But that flutter hasn’t happened in a while. It’s been three weeks since I abruptly left Memphis. Three weeks I’ve sat and thought about what Liz told me. I don’t want to believe her, but there’s a part of me that can’t let it go.

I take a deep breath before I answer, trying to sound casual. “Hey, stranger.”

“Hey yourself,” he says. I can hear the grin in his voice. “Got a question for you.”

I lean against the counter. “Shoot.”

“Do you want to come back out here? To Memphis?” he asks.

I freeze for a second. I’ve been trying not to wonder what he was doing out there. And now, just like that, he’s inviting me back.

I tuck the phone tighter against my ear. “I don’t know, Jack...”

“Come on, Jinnie. I miss you. It’s not the same without you.”

I bite my lip, thinking. There’s this ache in my chest; one I don’t want to admit to. “Would Liz mind?” I ask carefully, even though I try to keep my tone light.

There’s a beat of silence on the other end, then Jack laughs. “Liz? What? No! Why would she mind?”

I roll my eyes even though he can’t see me. “I don’t know, Jack. Maybe because you guys are together.”

“We’re what?”

“Together,” I say again. “As in seeing each other. Sleeping together.”

“What are you talking about?” he asks.

“She told me you guys are together. Have been since you’ve been there. If you are, just tell me. I get it. She’s gorgeous and rich and part of that world.”

He groans dramatically. “Jinnie, I swear on my life, there is nothing going on with Liz. She’s just my manager. Well—technically my label contact, but you know what I mean. She’s not—” He breaks off, laughing again. “Seriously, no way. She’s not my type. She’s like ten years older than I am.”

I hesitate. I want to believe him. Part of me already does. But another part of me is skeptical. Liz was very convincing. And she does spend a lot of time with him.

“Promise?” I ask, my voice smaller than I mean it to be.

“Promise,” he says immediately. “Jinnie, it’s you. It’s always been you.”

The knot in my chest loosens just a little.

I exhale. “All right,” I say, trying not to sound too giddy. “I’ll come.”

He whoops loud enough I have to pull the phone away from my ear. “Yes! You just made my whole damn month.”

I’m smiling now, can’t even help it. “Are you sending your fancy jet?”

“Nope,” Jack says proudly. “Check your email. I already sent you a ticket.”

I blink. “You already— Jack, what if I said no?”

“I had a feeling you wouldn’t,” he says smugly. “Besides, it’s refundable. I’m not a complete idiot.”