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

at me, shaking his head. “Why do you

I cock my head to

me sometimes,” he murmurs, stepping

have you 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

grinning nonetheless. “I’m just big, but you’re used to that, in the family you came from.”

Jacks,” I say with a little sigh, drawing his eyes back to me. It smile at him

the smile falling from his

was coming? I

someone new

up in surprise to see him looking towards the door with real anxiety on his

watching him curiously. “Is that

brow furrowed, but before he can

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

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

bolts?”

little look. “I just told him a girl is coming and he flipped.”

Chapter 85

out laughing at this, shaking 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

want Jackson to have fun,

little salute before moving to Jackson’s

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

is he doing

out of my skin, so lost was I in contemplating the fire, before I look up to see Luca staring down

my surprise. “Luca,” I growl, grabbing his wrist and tugging him down next to me. “You’d better

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255