Page 54 of Just One More Thing

Except it’s deeply relevant.

“I didn’t leave because of you,” I say.

“I know.”

Of course he says that. Of course he makes it easy. “I mean, I did leave. Obviously. Physically. With my feet.”

His mouth twitches. “I noticed.”

“But not because I wanted to get away from you.”

There. The truth sits between us, small and exposed and much too serious for ten in the morning with a bulldog drooling on my foot.

“I’m glad you came over,” he says.

Hank’s head snaps toward The Green. I follow his line of sight just in time to see French Fry bounce across the grass, wings flapping, taunting him.

“Han—“ I start.

Too late.

Hank bolts.

Jake swears and takes off after him.

Halfway across The Green, he turns and shouts, “Don’t leave!”

Don’t leave.

I stand there watching Hank chase French Fry and Jake chase Hank, all three fully committed to chaos. Hank looks like he’s half running and half hopping. French Fry bobs just out of reach. Jake cuts across the grass with the speed of a man who has chased both footballs and bulldogs professionally, or close enough.

A laugh slips out of me before I can stop it. I cover my mouth and glance around.

The entire town has paused. Granny sits outside Holey Moley, looking delighted. Miss Hattie is frozen mid-mustard squeeze. Nobody at Lazy Larry’s cares about Larry right now.Walt stares from the patio mid-pour. Mrs. Kravitz is filming like she’s submitting footage to the nightly news.

Jake finally scoops Hank up. He kicks his legs like he’s still running. The seagull screams victory from a safe height.

Jake looks over at me and smiles the smile he used to give me. Before thank you ruined everything.

The noise fades. The staring fades. It’s just him looking at me like I’m not temporary.

Like I never was.

Jake jogs back over, Hank tucked against his chest. Hank’s tongue hangs out the side of his mouth, pleased with himself despite the fact that he has achieved absolutely nothing.

“You stayed,” Jake says.

His voice is quiet enough that it’s only for me.

I meet his eyes.

“I did.”

CHAPTER 16

EMORY

Ijust dropped Granny and her scooter off for an afternoon of visiting when I spot Jake coming out of Holey Moley.