Page 99 of Second Time Around

“If either of us is feeling insecure or unsure about something, we need to talk it out, not run away.”

“You’re right.”

“We can’t keep doing this,” he repeated.

“You mean me, and I won’t.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“While I was waiting for you, I had a lot of time to think.”

“I thought you were sleeping.”

“I was just resting.”

It sounded like something his dad often said, and he chuckled.

“Anyway, the thought of losing you again…I couldn’t stand it.” Her voice broke, but he resisted the urge to gather her close. They needed to talk this through if they were to have any hope of a future together.

“You’re not going to lose me,” he said firmly.

“I almost did tonight.”

He shook his head. “You’re wrong about that. Yes, I was angry, but that didn’t mean I wanted to call it quits. We’re going to get mad at each other sometimes. That’s just life. But the key is to work through things—together.”

She scooted closer until their legs touched.

He took her hands in his and squeezed. “For what it’s worth, I understand why you reacted the way you did. If I would have seen you hugging some other guy…well, I would have slugged him first and then asked who he was after.”

She laughed, the sound brightening the dark. “That’ll never happen.”

He raised his brows. “Says the woman who has dated more guys than I care to think about.”

“Dated isn’t the same as loved. I’ve only loved one man, and that’s you.”

He hopped off the bench and pulled her with him.

“Where are we going?”

“Inside, where it’s warm.”

“Does this mean you forgive me?”

“I’m working on it.”

Keeping ahold of one hand, he unlocked the front door with the other, and then they stepped inside. The warmth was especially welcome after sitting outside in the crisp fall air.

Jenna set down her purse and beach towel. Then she gazed up at him like she wasn’t sure what should happen next.

While some guys might have held onto their anger a little longer, he couldn’t do it. Not with her. He came closer so they were standing toe to toe. Then he cupped her face and tilted it up so they were eye to eye as well.

“I’m sorry too.”

“What for?”

“For giving you a reason to worry. What you saw was a goodbye hug, but I would have rather said goodbye over the phone instead. It should have been you and me in the restaurant tonight, not her.”

“I’m here now.”