The Reluctant Romantics Box Set (The Fall, The Mind, The Heart)

“Go on in,” he said with slight irritation in his voice. “I’ll come in. Just give me a few.”

“Please don’t be mad at me,” I said, insecure for the first time I might have crossed a line.

“Go on.” He nudged me toward the door, and I went in reluctantly.

“Jack—”

“Baby, go!” he said with an impatience I’d never heard from him.

I felt completely crazy as I made my way in and crossed the lobby, looking for my family. They were all huddled around a large conference table and looked up to greet me with smiles. My mother was the only one to notice my ill ease.

“Rose, come walk with me. I want to show you something,” my mother urged as she guided me back through the door I’d just entered.

“Mom, we ha

ve a thousand prep questions to write down,” Dallas said with a squeak.

“Don’t blow a gasket, Martin,” she snapped back in warning. “I’ll have her back in five minutes.”

My mother led me past the reception area and into the newly finished arboretum. I looked around in wonder at the large plants surrounding us, my gaze landing on the huge fountain Dallas had made sure was a part of our blueprints. It was her only real request when it came to the building, and I knew why. Water was her calming element, and I looked to it, trying to allow its calming effect to work on me.

“Okay, your sister is officially losing her shit,” my mother said with a laugh. “Dean and I are working on a plan to get her out of this building so she doesn’t make a bad first impression on her new staff tomorrow. But before we execute ‘project remove crazy Dallas’ from the premises, tell me, baby, why are you panicked?”

“I had an incredibly bad day,” I said as I looked at the entrance for Jack’s return and came up empty.

“Okay, anything else?” My mother followed my eyes, and I was instantly thankful he hadn’t come. I’d gone completely irrational again, and I didn’t know if I’d just pushed Jack away by letting my emotions get the best of me. I recognized the behavior. I knew it wasn’t healthy, and still I couldn’t keep from letting it take over. I began to break down in front of my mother.

“Rose?”

“What?”

“You’re shaking,” my mother said, pulling me to her. “What’s going on?”

“Mom,” I croaked as my whole body went numb. I kept looking at the entrance for Jack, who wasn’t there. Fear covered me and I broke out in a cold sweat, unable to answer her. She gripped me tightly to her as she yelled for my father. Just as he raced through the door with panic covering his features, everything went black.

I heard my mother’s tear-filled voice as she spoke to Dallas.

“Her vitals are fine, Mom. She’s coming to now,” she said, looking down at me with a worried smile. “Hey, sis, talk to me. What’s your favorite song?”

“Jack?” I said in a whisper.

“He’s in New Orleans,” she whispered back. “What’s your last name?”

“I want to go home,” I insisted in an attempt to sit up.

“Lay down, little woman,” my father barked without apology. I stayed put. When my father used that tone, there was no arguing with him.

“Okay, sis, answer the question and I’ll get you home.”

I nodded, humiliated that I didn’t have better control of myself.

“What caused the attack?”

I thought quickly, despite my reeling senses. I didn’t want to have to explain myself further. “Highway accident.”

Dallas nodded and shared a knowing look with my mom.

“Where are you?”