The Truest Thing (Hart's Boardwalk 4)

He kept going.

Dammit.

“Jack!” I yelled louder.

This time he glanced back over his shoulder. Catching sight of me, he stopped and turned to me. I hurried as fast as I could, despite the obstructive sand.

“How do you do this every day?” I huffed as I approached him.

Although his eyes moved over my face, there was a cool blankness in them I didn’t like.

Moreover, his hair was beautifully disheveled, a flush rested high on his cheeks, and I was desperately trying not to stare at his corded throat or muscular forearms or basically any part of his profoundly attractive physique.

Which meant there was nowhere I could look that didn’t make me blush.

And quite abruptly, the blankness melted from his expression and something warm moved through him.

I relaxed a little.

“Em, what are you doing out here in your pajamas?”

I ignored the flutter in my belly at the nickname. “I came to apologize.”

Just like that, his expression grew stony. “Not necessary.”

“But I was—”

“Em, leave it.” He turned to go.

And even more abruptly, I was mad. I’d trusted him enough to approach him despite his past behavior. “You know how hard this is for me?”

Jack halted and heaved a sigh. He glanced back, frowning. “Em, you don’t owe me anything.”

“No, but you owe me.” I surprised myself.

I think I surprised him too.

Jack wiped the sweat off his forehead with his arm, and I tried not to notice the way his T-shirt rose, revealing a flash of hard abs. My eyes darted upward and my cheeks prickled with heat against the icy ocean breeze.

Jack’s lips twitched with amusement, which was better than the coldness, so I’d take it.

“I’m sorry I was rude to you in Millton.”

He shrugged. “I understood why.”

“It doesn’t excuse my behavior.”

“It actually does.” He shook his head at me. “Em, you’re too good for your own good.”

Despite what sounded like a warning in his words, I took another step toward him. A flicker of wariness crossed his face, but I boldly took another step until we were almost touching.

“Will you tell me why you stood me up?” This man made me inexplicably brave. I wished whatever it was about him that made me feel stronger could be bottled so I could have it with me through the rest of my life.

Jack’s eyes searched mine before moving down my face to my lips and then back to my eyes. “I wish I could, sunrise.”

There was that endearment again.

I reminded him of the sunrise. It was probably the best compliment anyone had ever given me. Sweet and surprisingly poetic from Jack.