My hands clenched into fists.
Even though I had already decided to break up with him, the pain in my chest hit like a punch to the lungs, sharp, stifling, and all too real.
Jack Hunt would never know I’d loved him for ten years.
He was my older brother’s classmate back in high school.
I was still in elementary school the first time Jack started coming around the house.
My brother had always been the “model son” type, serious and no fun, never let me tag along with
anything.
But Jack was different.
He was playful, wild, full of life.
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He brought the kind of joy I never got from anyone else.
He’d sneak me into the backyard to climb trees.
Take me to McDonald’s when my mom said no.
My mom never let me buy anything over a hundred dollars.
She said it was “inappropriate.”
But Jack’s family had money.
He’d take me shopping, buy me cute hair clips and pretty little princess dresses.
He even gave me my first phone.
That old phone is still locked away in my dresser drawer.
So when my mom told me she’d arranged a date, with Jack Hunt, I said yes without a second
thought.
And for the past year, I kept trying to find that boy again.
The one who used to ruffle my hair and sneak me french fries.
But no matter how hard I looked, he was gone.
Jack had grown up.
He was more mature now.
More composed.
But even if he’d changed, I still loved him.
Until Olivia Moore showed up.
That’s when I realized, Jack hadn’t changed at all.
He just didn’t love me the way he used to.
Still gripping my shoulders, Jack leaned down and murmured near my ear, “Emma, trust me. I’m going to make sure Olivia gets the message this time. She’s done.”
Instinctively, I tried to pull away, but he only tugged me closer into his chest.
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I used to love when Jack hugged me like this.
His broad shoulders, firm arms, they used to make me feel safe.
Even the cologne he wore was my favorite scent.
But now… that familiar smell was mixed with something floral.
A woman’s perfume.
I inhaled sharply, forcing myself not to pull away.
I just wanted to end things with a shred of dignity.
At the restaurant, we sat down and Jack immediately grabbed the menu and began ordering.
“Spicy chicken tacos. Cajun blackened catfish…”
Every dish he called out was spicy.
Olivia slammed her purse onto the table, furious.
“Jack Hunt, are you kidding me? You know I can’t eat spicy food.”
Jack turned to her with a smirk. “That’s fine. Emma loves it.”
For a second, I was dizzy.
For just a moment, I was back in the past, when Jack used to ruffle my hair with that same teasing
smile.
But reality hit me fast and hard.
That boy was gone.
He had someone else now.
TOTE
Choking back the pain, I turned to the waiter and calmly re–ordered two new dishes.
Jack’s face tensed
“Emma, you don’t have to compromise for her. Just pretend she’s not even here.”
I set the menu down and met his gaze with unsettling calm.
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“She’s not the one I’m compromising for. I don’t eat spicy food.”
For a moment, Jack froze.
Maybe it was the way I said it, quiet, firm, serious.
His hand trembled slightly as he gripped the menu.
Then, without thinking, he reached across the table and took my hand.
“Emma… I’m sorry. I’ll order something else.”
His palm was warm.
Just like I remembered in all my daydreams.
But I gently pulled my hand free.
Then I turned to Olivia Moore and said, coolly, “Miss Moore, would you mind giving us a moment? Jack and I have something important to discuss.”
Jack’s expression changed the moment he heard this.
I guess he took it as a chance.
He grabbed my hand again, tighter this time.
But Olivia just let out a laugh full of venom.
“Nope. I’m not going anywhere. Why should I? Last I checked, neither of you own this place.”
Chapter3
