Page 130 of Drive
“Yeah,” she fibbed. “Why do youask?”
He gave her a no-nonsense look. “Because your shoulders are up around your ears, and you haven’t said a word since you told Pal and Floydgoodbye.”
She brought her eyes back to the yarn in her lap. “I’m just… thinking about getting back to reality,” shehedged.
Jacques’s hand settled on her knee, and she found herself meeting his gaze. “Are you worried about Holi?” heasked.
She hesitated for only a second. Holi hadn’t exactly been the focus of her concern. “Yes… ofcourse.”
He narrowed his eyes at her, but before he could press, the light changed, and she pointed to it. “It’s green,” sheoffered.
Jacques negotiated the turn onto Johnston Street, but he said nothing until he merged into the turning lane in front of FatimaChurch.
“So, my meeting’s in twentyminutes.”
Rainey eyed his profile. He didn’t look at her, and he didn’t say more. “Yeah?” sheprompted.
A long moment passed. A break in traffic allowed him to make the turn into herneighborhood.
“Yeah. So… I’m wondering if you’re going to tell me what’s really bothering you before I have toleave.”
Rainey sighed, but she didn’t want to give ground and look like a coward. “It’s nothing. I’m fine,” she said, and she told herself she would be. No matter what. That almost made it the truth. Didn’tit?
Jacques pulled into her driveway, killed the engine, and gave her a hard stare. Rainey found it easy to smile at his serious, scrutinizing expression. Serious and scrutinizing — like everything else — looked good on Jacques Gilchrist. Her best defense, she decided was to stare back, even if she had to bite her lip to keep her smile incheck.
He narrowed his eyes at her. “You’re so damn cute. Even when you’re keeping something from me.” He gave a tight shake of his head. “It’sinfuriating.”
“I told you everything when I said I love you.” It was an equivocation, but no less true. Telling him she loved him summed it all up. He had her heart. And it would hurt like hell when he gave it back toher.
Jacques’s serious expression softened. “I don’t know how long this will take, but I want to see youtonight.”
She wanted to see him too. And she hopedseeinghim meant sleeping in the same bed. Among otherthings.
“I’d like that,” she admitted. “You’re welcome to come over. I think I should be here tonight. Ash has had to do everything for Holi solo for the last three days, so I want to be here to pitchin.”
Jacques nodded. “Of course.” Then his eyes locked with hers. “As long as I’m welcome, I’ll behere.”
Rainey’s breath hitched. It was in moments like this — moments like last night when he’d said he loved her, moments like the look in his eyes after she’d walked away from her father — when Rainey could abandon alldoubt.
Maybe this canwork.
“You are always welcome,” she vowed, and Jacques, shaking off the last of his scrutiny, rewarded her with a genuine smile. He reached for her, wrapped a hand behind her neck, and tugged her tohim.
He kissed her once and spoke against her lips. “Have I told you this was the best road trip of my life?” He pulled back just far enough so he could look into her eyes. His were soft andwarm.
“Um… no, but I can safely say the same.” She hoped he knew it was true. She’d travelled all over as a kid, but the last few days had been better than the best tour stop or family vacation. If Rainey ever had the chance to do it again, she’d claim it without lookingback.
Jacques pressed his lips to hers again, lingering, savoring before he pulled back. “I’ll help you in with yourbags.”
Rainey shook her head and unlatched her seatbelt. “You’ll be late. This meeting is tooimportant.”
Despite her words, Jacques was out of the car and carrying her backpack and now empty ice chest to the front porch before she could stop him. She collected Archie, her purse, and craft bag and followedhim.
“You need to go, Jacques,” she scolded gently. He’d set down his load by her front door, and when she reached him, he turned and threw his arms aroundher.
“I’m going,” he said, kissing her one last time. And then he was walking backward as he spoke. “I’ll see youtonight.”
He was halfway to the Impala when the words bubbled up inside her. “Thank you!” she shouted. “Thank you foreverything!”
