Page 115
“Yeah? So do I.”
“She adores you, you know.”
I do know, but I still scoff.
Jackie lifts her head and narrows her eyes. “It’s true. She wants you to be happy. That’s why she called me. She asked me not to give up on you.”
“I’m glad you didn’t.”
“Me too.” Jackie’s eyes get a suspicious sheen in them. “Anyway, she said you refused to get close to anyone because you’re afraid you’ll hurt them too. You try to protect the ones you care about by staying away from them.” Her lips curl in a sly smile. “She really pegged you.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it?” she challenges.
Probably not.
My hand floats up, and I touch the tip of her nose. “I have a question for you. Why do you trust me not to hurt you?” Her earlier comment about Grubbs niggles.
“I can take care of myself.”
I shake my head. “Not what I meant. I mean the way your ex did. How he conned you, made you fall for him so he could convince you to do things that go against your nature.”
Sitting up, she drags a sheet with her and rests against the headboard. She slides her gaze to the side, watching me. “Besides being a little wiser now, I know you’re not him. I also decided that even though I let myself be fooled by one bad actor, I don’t want to go through life not trusting people. Aware, yes, but mistrustful, no. I have to let go and believe in myself, believe that I may not always understand a person’s real intentions, but I have a solid foundation and good judgment that sits on top of that foundation. I can tell good from bad.” She gives me a cute grin. “And you’re the perfect candidate for me to try out my newly sharpened skill set.” I bark a laugh. “I’m serious, Colby. Like I said, you’re a good man, even when you’re all blustery agitator. You show that soft side of yourself when you think no one’s watching.”
Her words touch something deep inside me, and the big feelings that spring free overwhelm me. “Is Donovan okay having you stay with him?”
“For now.”
“Would you ever consider moving in with me?” Damn, I’m greedy. I just got her back, and already I’m pushing for more. “Not right now—unless you want to because I’d be down with that. I just meant would you maybe be open to it sometime down the road?”
Her head wags back and forth. “I might be talked into it.”
I’m practically giddy, so what do I do? I fall back to my usual jackass self and give her a dramatic arch of my eyebrow. “Blustery agitator?”
She nods, and a twinkle lights her eyes. “I see you, Colby Chase. I know exactly what you’re doing.”
My heart feels like it’s going to bust its walls. God, I love this woman.
I roll onto my side and peer up at her. “Yeah? What am I doing?”
“You’re uncomfortable with hearing you’re a good guy, so you’re deflecting.”
Cupping the side of her head, I pull her down and take my time sweeping my gaze over her beautiful face. I’ll never get tired of this view.
“You’re right, but I kind of like where this deflecting is going.” I slide the sheet from her body, pull her on top of me, and arrange her so she straddles me.
She giggles. “What are you doing?”
“I’m about to blow your mind with some blustery agitation.”
Chapter 50
What a Difference a Year Makes
Jackie
9 months later
