The Truest Thing (Hart's Boardwalk 4)

I gave him a vague smile and nod, and he released me.

Seconds later, I was in Jack’s arms.

I tried to keep a distance but he pulled me close. Despite my struggle to keep thoughts of our night together out of my head, the memories flooded in. Although it had ended disastrously, I couldn’t deny that sex with Jack was beyond my wildest imaginings.

Gazing anywhere but at his face, I whispered, “You promised.”

He bent his head to mine, his lips brushing my ear and setting off a cascade of shivers down my neck. “Don’t make me stand by and watch you flirt with someone else.”

I jerked my head away and glowered. “Why? You’ve done it to me for nine years.”

Remorse and pain flooded his eyes. “Em …”

“I don’t want to dance with you, Jack, but I don’t want to make a scene. Will you please let me go?”

“Okay.” He loosened his hold to tilt my chin up, forcing my eyes to his. “But only right now. In this moment. I can’t let you go beyond that. I can’t.” Jack shook his head solemnly. “We’re not done, sunrise.”

No, we weren’t.

Just not like he thought.

Tears threatened to choke me, so I hurriedly pulled out of his grasp and walked away, trying to look calm as I made my way off the dance floor.

Unfortunately, the scene I’d tried to avoid found me anyway.

It was hours later. Our group of friends were crowded near a table at the back of the room. Bailey and Vaughn stood with their arms around each other, laughing and joking. Vaughn’s dad was dancing with Bailey’s mom, while Bailey’s dad had coaxed Cat and Joey onto the dance floor. Iris and Ira were laughing uproariously at something Old Archie and Anita were telling them a few tables over.

Dahlia, Michael, Jess, Cooper, Ivy, Jeff, Jack, and I stood in a huddle. It was a mark of how deep the connection between Cooper and Jack must have been that they seemed to fall so easily back into their friendship, despite their jagged past.

I attempted not to act overly aware of Jack’s presence as we all chatted.

We were having a wonderful time.

Until it took a terrible turn.

A waiter stopped by with a tray of drinks. Vaughn took one for Bailey, for himself, and then held another out to me. I waved it away. “I’m fine, thanks.”

“Oh, have a drink.” Bailey took it from her husband and gestured to me with it. “Cut loose. It’s our wedding.”

“I’m really fine.”

“Not everyone needs to have a drink to have fun,” Jess teased, trying to rescue me.

“I know, but Em loves champagne.” Bailey mock scowled at me. “You haven’t had a drink all night. And you wouldn’t take a drink last night at the inn, either. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were pregnant.”

Panic froze me to the spot as my cheeks bloomed fiery hot and an awkward silence fell over us.

It was moments like these that birthed the phrase “pregnant pause.”

Fuck.

“Oh my God.” Bailey inhaled sharply.

Jack stared at me in shock.

“Oh. My. God.” Bailey glanced between the two of us.

I was going to be sick.