Page 54 of The Callahan Effect

"I don't think I've ever met anyone who can say so much with so few words."

His thumb hovered above the screen before another message appeared.

I've had a lifetime to practice.

"Well, I'm glad you did."

The corners of his mouth lifted in return before he slipped the phone onto the desk behind him. He didn't need it every second we were together. Sometimes a glance, the brush of a hand, or the smallest change in expression told me everything I needed to know.

Neither of us seemed interested in sitting down.

Instead, we wandered aimlessly around the room, pausing beside the shelves while Jack examined the framed photographs I'd brought from Florida.

The first one he picked up was of me with Mom and Dad after I'd won a junior ice hockey tournament.

"Mom and Dad."

He placed it back on the shelf and the next he lifted was of Emma and me standing ankle-deep in the Gulf on the same day.

"My sister," I explained.

He studied the picture before raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, she really is my twin."

His eyes widened.

"I know." I laughed softly. "Most people don't see it either."

Another photograph caught his attention. This one showed Corey and me outside Gulf Coast University's arena after our freshman conference championship.

"My best friend, Corey. He's studying to be an engineer. Hockey got him the scholarship he's on but he has no intention of continuing after university. We've known each other since middle school."

He nodded thoughtfully before placing the frame exactly where he'd found it.

"I'll introduce you properly one day."

His expression brightened at the thought.

"I think you'll like him."

The words had barely left my mouth before an uncomfortable feeling settled in the back of my mind. I hoped that was true. Pushing the thought aside, I crossed back toward him.

"Come here."

Jack stepped into my arms as though he'd been waiting for the invitation.

We stood together near the window overlooking campus, the afternoon sunlight stretching across the floor while students wandered between buildings completely unaware that my entire world had shifted during the space of a single weekend.

I rested my cheek lightly against his hair.

"Whatever happens next...I want it because it's what we both want."

His fingers slipped through mine before he guided me toward the bed. Jack grabbed his phone as we passed the desk. There was no urgency in either of us, only the unspoken certainty that neither wanted the afternoon to end.

I sat first, and Jack settled beside me, close enough that our shoulders touched. We spent the next little while sharing stories about favorite places we'd visited as children, movies we'd both pretended to enjoy because everyone else loved them, and the little differences between growing up in Florida and Washington.

Eventually the conversation faded and Jack reached up and brushed his fingertips lightly across my cheek. I turned into the touch, lifted his hand to my lips, and kissed his knuckles.