Page 164 of Just One More Thing

He shrugs one shoulder. “You used to wear one every summer. I figured it belonged back on you.”

I curl my fingers around it. The second hand ticks against my palm. My eyes sting, and I blink hard, trying to force them not to.

After a minute, he says, “I was thinking maybe next month we do an overnight trip out to Moke’s Island. It’ll be cooler by then, and the skeeters won’t carry us off. What do you think?”

Next month.

He says it easily. Naturally. Like of course there’s a next month. Of course I’m in it. “That sounds incredible,” I manage. And it does.

He smiles, still looking out at the water. “I’ll have a surprise for you by then.”

I turn and look at him. The sun is dropping lower, catching the side of his face in gold. His shoulder is pressed against mine. Hank snoring against our backs. Jake sitting here like there is nowhere else he’d rather be and no version of the future where I’m not in it.

He deserves someone who doesn’t need a decade and a broken grandmother and a summer of second chances to figure out what she wants.

He deserves someone who would’ve stayed the first time.

“I know you’re figuring things out,” he says.

I let out one soft, sad laugh. “I’m not very good at figuring things out.”

“I know.”

He reaches over and gently takes the watch from my hand. “Give me your wrist.”

I hold out my arm. His fingers brush the inside of my wrist, warm and careful. He fastens the strap slowly, then smooths his thumb once over the band before he kisses my palm.

Then Jake lets go.

“It looks right on you,” he says.

I look down at it.

Then back at him.

For one terrifying moment, I can see it. Next month. Next year. Me here. Still here. Him on the pillow beside me. Hanksnoring between us while Jake complains he’s overheating and refuses to move him anyway. Feet dangling from the dock at sunset.

A life so easy to step into it feels like I already have.

Wanting it this badly feels reckless though.

I’m standing so close to the edge of this, I could ruin it if I said yes.

I cup my hand over the watch and look over at him. “Thank you.”

His expression softens. “You’re welcome.”

The breeze picks up and blows my hair across my mouth. I reach for it, but Jake gets there first. He tucks it gently behind my ear. The backs of his fingers linger against my cheek.

My hands are shaking, and I can’t stop them.

I quickly stand before he can see them.

“I should get back,” I say. “Check on Granny.”

He looks up at me, and I see that flicker of disappointment he tries not to show. Just for a second. Then it’s gone. “Okay,” he says.

“I’ll see you in the morning.”