Chapter 85

“Nah,” he says, grimacing and starting to back out of the door, “I’m totally carly-

“Jacks!” I laugh, darting over to him and grabbing his arm, tugging him into the room. “Everyone will be here in like, thirty seconds. Just come and sit down or, better

or, better yet, make yourself useful –”

I drag him over to the coffee table and shove a pen and paper into his hand.

“What am I supposed to do?” he mutters, staring at it.

“Just write that we’d like dinner sent up for two more,” I say, waving a hand at him as I continue to straighten up, setting pillows right and folding blankets. Jackson sighs dramatically but does as I say, heading over to the dumbwaiter with the note even as I marvel that he’s here at all.

I mean I shouldn’t be that surprised that Jacksons‘ here I invite him to come over all the time. He’s gotten closer with Rafe and Jesse over the past two weeks during magic class, and I know that they like him. Plus, like Daphne, I suspect that he’s lonely and could use a night.

of fun.

I know that it will be awkward with Luca at first but I mean, Luca’s going to have to get used to it too, eventually, isn’t he? I mean, I have to imagine that at some point…Luca and Jackson are going to like, know about each other. And I figure….the more used to each other they get now, the easier that will be?

Right?

I sigh, shaking my head, not wanting to think about that now as I put my hands on my hips, looking around the room.

“What’s next?” Jackson asks, walking slowly over to me, his hands in his pockets, just the touch of a smile gracing his lips.

I start to say something but then forget my words, captivated as I am by the sight of him. his broad shoulders, his strongly featured face, that long, straight nose. Instead of speaking. I just smile.

Chapter 85

me, shaking his head. “Why do you

my head to the side.

stare at me sometimes,” he murmurs,

seen you?” I say, my eyes going wide as I take a long moment to look at him from head to toe. “You’re kind of a surprising specimen.”

am not,” he sighs, looking away from me and grinning nonetheless. “I’m just big, but you’re used to that, in the family you came

big, Jacks,” I say with a little sigh, drawing his eyes back to me. It smile at him again. “I’m really glad

smile falling from

grinning anew and moving to the fire. “Didn’t I tell you she was coming? I figured that’s why you came you’re probably sick of our faces, but you’ll get

someone new

girl!?” he asks, and I look up in surprise to see him looking towards the door with real anxiety on his

slowly, watching him curiously.

he can

room quickly and shaking Jackson’s hand, giving him a warm welcome and working very hard to make him

me wood, “I can’t believe you finally got him here. To a social occasion. How

bolts?”

giving Ben a sad little look. “I just told

Chapter 85

his head at me. “Oh, if he only knew that he’s been in the presence of one all this time.” I grin too, stacking the longs on the fire and speaking

Ben? I want

Princess Captain,” Ben says happily, giving me a little salute before moving to Jackson’s side to say

with contentment as the fire catches on the little bit of kindling I’ve shoved beneath the logs, starting to burn warm and cozy. I sit back on my heels, watching the fire lick up the cool wood, pleased again to have

the hell is he doing here?”

before I look up to see Luca staring down at me, his hands tucked deep in his pockets.

the moment I recover from my surprise. “Luca,” I growl, grabbing his wrist and tugging him down next

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