Until We Touch (Fool's Gold #15)(48)

Had she been nearly anyone else, he would have told her to get over it. But he couldn’t. Because he carried the same type of guilt around, too. Not about his parents, but about his brother.

“Jack?”

“I’ll talk to him,” he said. “I promise.”

“Soon, right?”

“Yes, soon. Right after I finish banging my head against the wall.”

The worry faded as she smiled. “You always say that, but I’ve never seen you do it.”

“Some things are best done in private. How’s Dyna?”

“Beautiful. It’s nice to have a warm, furry body in bed with me.” She held up her hand. “Do not make any cracks about the guys I’ve dated.”

“Would I do that?” he asked.

“In a heartbeat.”

* * *

THE REST OF lunch passed in easy conversation. Larissa ate too much, but how was she supposed to choose just a couple of things when there were so many options?

She leaned back in her chair as Jack cleared the table. He was moving better now, she thought, noticing the lack of stiffness in his shoulder.

“You know there’s surgery,” she said before she could stop herself.

Jack scraped the plates into the sink, then ran water and turned on the garbage disposal. When he walked back to the table, he put both hands on her shoulders, then bent down and kissed the top of her head.

“No.”

“They’ve made advances. It could help.”

“I’ve had surgery. It didn’t help.”

“It helped a little.”

“Not enough.”

He released her and she scrambled to her feet, prepared to take him on. Because this was important. He was always in pain and what if she wasn’t around to make him feel better?

“Taryn find her dress yet?” he asked in a very obvious attempt to change the subject. “Because I have to tell you, I don’t think I can take another afternoon in a wedding-gown store.”

“She’s decided and she’s going to look beautiful.”

“Good. She and Angel are good together. They fit.”

He was relaxed as he spoke. There was no tension, no sense of hesitation. She knew in her heart that whatever had happened between them all those years ago had never grown into anything more than friendship. They hadn’t been in love.

Because being in love would change everything. Being in love meant always thinking about the other person. It meant wanting to be close, having everything divided into Jack or not Jack. It meant being happier when he was around and needing his smile, his touch, like she needed air.

“Larissa?”

Jack’s voice came from very far away. Like through water. Or over a distance. She could hear him but she couldn’t react. She was too busy trying to stay standing as the truth slammed into her. That her mother had been right all along. She was in love with Jack.

“I have to go,” she said as she raced for the front door.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Everything. “I’m fine.” She would never be fine again.

* * *

LARISSA DIDN’T REMEMBER much about getting from Jack’s house to the Score offices. She was out of breath so she’d probably run more than she was used to. She hurried into the building and raced down the hall. She flung open the door to Taryn’s office and stared at her friend.

Taryn was on the phone. She glanced up, took one look at Larissa and spoke into the receiver. “Jenny, I’m going to have to call you back...Uh-huh. This afternoon. I promise.” She hung up and stood. “Who’s dead?”

“No one. Everyone is fine.”

Taryn’s brows drew together. “You don’t look like everyone is fine.”

“They are. It’s not that. It’s me. It’s my mother. She was right.”

Larissa didn’t want to say the words out loud, so she waited for the truth to sink in. Taryn’s violet eyes widened.

Her friend swore. “Seriously? You’re in love with Jack?”

“I think so. Maybe. I was having lunch with him and he mentioned how you and Angel fit. And then I started thinking what it means to be in love.” She paused for breath. “Is it possible?”

Taryn sank back into her chair. “Dear God, I hope not.”

Larissa settled across from her. “Because it will end badly.”

“That’s one way of putting it. Jack doesn’t commit to anyone. He won’t let himself get that involved.” The worry returned. “You know that, right?”

Larissa nodded. “Of course. I’ve seen him with his women. He’s good for a few weeks and then he’s gone.” She was still trying to absorb the unexpected truth. In love with Jack? Seriously?

She didn’t have to ask how it had happened. He was a great guy. Giving to her causes, always there for her. Funny, charming, sexy. Maybe loving him had been inevitable.

“I really hate that my mother was right,” she admitted.

“That would be annoying.”

“It could be a stage in my emotional development,” she said slowly, thinking aloud. “Being around him like I have, maybe I didn’t have a choice in the matter.”

“I warned you about him when you first started.”