Chapter 40

40

ELLA

It’s time to let go of the past, but my mind makes one last attempt to find a reason to doubt, to question, to deny my feelings and Jack’s attentiveness and affection for me. But it doesn’t come. He has been true to me in all the ways that matter. I take a deep breath, letting this sink in.

He smooths a piece of hair from in front of my face. “You can ask me all the questions in the world, and I’ll do my best to answer. But I will also show you. If you want me to ride up on a white horse, I will. I’ll carry you away from any doubts you have about us. If I need to climb a tower and rescue you from the clutches of worry, I will.”

Each promise stamps out the voices in my head cautioning me, holding me back, and bringing me closer to him.

His smile smolders. “I’ll also woo you if need be. Send you flowers, chocolates, and love notes.”

I giggle, then lace my arms around Jack’s neck. “You don’t have to do any of that.”

“What if I want to? ”

Tipping my head from side to side as if I need to give that even a moment’s thought, I say, “I wouldn’t object.”

“As pathetic and spoiled as this sounds, for so long, I felt like I was in a golden cage. With you, I feel free and that’s worth more than anything.”

“I don’t want to come between you and your father.”

“His expectations and love for money already came between us. But I have a feeling that’s going to change.”

“You do?” I ask, worried all over again. Even if they don’t have a great relationship, I don’t want him to disown his father or do something drastic.

“I don’t think my mother’s work was done.”

My forehead wrinkles, but I think he’s referring to how his parents truly loved each other and that tie is stronger than Allain’s detour with Aston.

“Remember when you told me about how your dad would ask me about your one thing ?”

I nod, lifting my gaze to meet Jack’s piercing blue eyes.

“My thing isn’t a thing. It’s a person. My one forever thing is you.” Jack’s eyelashes lower and his attention turns to my mouth.

My lips part, but no words come. There’s nothing to say to that other than, “You’re my one thing too.”

The space between us narrows and our lips press together in a long kiss.

The butterflies in my stomach flutter, casting away the last of my doubts. The crackling chemistry between us could detonate the state, but when Jack’s palm skims my jawline, his thumbs bracing me, the kiss slows as if we realize that there’s no threat, no rush, we can do this now, later, and forever.

When we part, his phone beeps. Jack ignores it and we kiss some more because we can .

When the kiss breaks again, I say, “My cheeseburger is getting cold.”

Jack laughs and then checks his phone, which had beeped a few more times. Eyes wide, he looks up abruptly. “Come on. We have a plane to catch.”

“Wait. What?!”

“I have to pick something up.”

“You might be used to jetting off at a moment’s notice, but a girl needs to prepare for travel.”

“You can bring your cheeseburger, fries, and milkshake with you.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Bark Wahlburger yips.

“We’ll only be gone for a few hours.”

“That’s what car rides are for. Road trips even.”

“I’ll make a playlist and get snacks next time, but this can’t wait. Carlos is meeting us at the airstrip. I’ll explain on the way.” His eyes sparkle, but in a way that I’ve never seen. Like he has a secret.

After freshening up, I tear into my bag, wondering what one brings when their fiancé gives them a moment’s notice about a flight.

I dump everything out and find the usual suspects: lip gloss, hair ties, my empty wallet … and at the bottom, the wig.

I’m not entirely sure what’s going to happen next, but I’m not going to try to make myself invisible anymore, so I toss it in the garbage can. I do bring his jersey, just in case.

Jack is on the phone with Carlos all the way to the airport. I only get one half of the conversation and it’s a lot of, Uh huhs , I sees , okays , and alternating yesses and noes until he finally concludes with, “See you there soon.”

Jack slurps his milkshake while I wait for him to explain, but he seems deep in thought. Did he forget about a game and he’s going to drop into the arena in a parachute with me clinging to him while wearing his jersey?

Jack opens the door for me and then Carlos appears at his side and passes off a manila envelope with a little metal clasp. They salute each other and then Jack guides me into the plane.

My nerves chew through my stomach. “What’s going on?”

Jack settles back into the seat and links his ankle around mine. “Okay, here goes. I’ve been trying to find the ruby heart necklace.”

Out of habit, my fingers float to my chest between my collarbones. “Really?”

“I failed.”

The plane taxis and begins to accelerate for takeoff.

“That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.” My belly swoops, partly because we’re now in the air and because Jack is so thoughtful.

“To be fair, I had Carlos hire someone to scour the island and the nearby areas.”

“You remembered what it looked like?”

“Sort of, but I went into the security archives for the first time I saw you at the Beachside to obtain a photo of it. Hope that’s not creepy.”

“Jack, the fact that it even occurred to you means so much to me.” I kiss him on the cheek.

He clears his throat. “I was also looking for Slater, if that’s his real name. An investigator was trying to find the history of you and a man on the island. We went through hours of security footage to ID him. Turns out the guy is already under investigation for defrauding the elderly and infirm.”

I gasp. “Seriously? I mean, it’s not surprising.”

His nostrils flare and I imagine him wishing he could hit the guy with his hockey stick. Or maybe that’s just me. Sorry about the violence .

“Where are we going?”

“To pick up an important package.”

“Couldn’t you have it delivered?”

“I didn’t want to wait another moment.”

It’s dark when we touch down, but in the distance, a building glows. Instead of a slick black SUV, a horse and buggy like a hansom cab in the old days wait for us.

A footman opens the door and gestures for me to get in. Jack follows and the horse clip clops on the cobblestones.

As the building comes into focus, a castle takes shape, complete with a turret.

“Where are we?”

“Where I grew up. My father regarded my mother as his queen. Built her a castle.”

“Are you serious?”

His smile is half You’d better believe it and half bashful.

Sprawling grounds gather around an imposing stone structure with parapets, turrets, and whatever those little bits jutting up that look like jack-o’-lantern teeth are called. The carriage stops in a grand porte-cochère . The covered area is as fancy as it sounds, reminding me that I’m not. I only know the name of the structure because I watched a special on HLTV about nineteenth-century manor houses during the long hours at the hospital with Dad.

“When I was a little girl, I drew pictures of a castle that looked a lot like this. Is there a moat?”

He answers. “A pond and gardens.”

We walk up a slate path flanked by shrubs and low landscape lighting.

“You really lived here?”

“Some of the time. We have homes in Hawaii, Switzerland, and New Zealand. Plus, all the resorts.”

“Who are you, Jack Bouchelle?” I ask, transfixed .

Footsteps approach from behind the door, and he presses a kiss to my forehead and then says, “Your fiancé.”

A butler greets us and we enter a massive foyer with a crystal chandelier overhead, sconces with flickering candles, and a grand staircase. An old hound ambles toward us. Bark Wahlburger trots forward proudly.

He crouches down and pets the dog. “Bruno, my boy. My good, good boy.” Bark Wahlburger nudges him. “You too. Of course.” Jack introduces the dogs and they scamper off, already friends.

I ask. “Did I fall asleep and wake up in a fairytale?”

Jack gently pinches me.

“Ouch.”

“See? You’re awake.” He draws me toward a room with a big hearth containing a crackling fire and a family painting hanging over the mantle. His mother was beautiful with dark hair and the same sparkle in her eyes as in Jack’s.

He takes a box off a table. “When I proposed to you, the sentiment was real even though it was under the auspices of being my fake fiancée.”

My breath catches.

“I wasn’t able to get your necklace back, but I want you to have this.” He opens the box. Inside is a red stone set in a golden heart pendant necklace.

I gasp. “It’s beautiful.”

He gestures for me to lift my hair so he can clasp it around my neck. Standing behind me, his breath tickles my cheek, sending warm shivers through me. “The red diamond was my mother’s favorite and I think you would’ve been her favorite, too. You’re mine.”

Jack kisses me on the cheek. The words seal something between us as the necklace closes around my neck and he faces me .

My fingers float to it and even though it’s not my mother’s, it feels so right, but I hesitate. “Jack, this is so generous. Beyond my wildest dreams, but I don’t know if I can?—”

He shakes his head. “She would’ve wanted you to have it. Trust me.” His lips quirk. “I have a feeling our moms are up in heaven right now, best friends, and cheering us on.”

Tears roll down my cheeks and I wrap my arms around him. Pressing my face to Jack’s chest, I feel the thrum of his heart.

After drying my tears, I meet his gaze. “You said you want people to know that I’m yours by wearing your jersey. But this also makes me yours. You’ve done more than prove that even though this may have started as a wild fake relationship, it’s real. I’ll wear your jersey and be your wife.”

“And you are my puck princess,” Jack says and then presses a kiss to my lips.

I used to toss coins into the fountain at the resort, wishing for my Prince Charming. But I don’t need to anymore. I got my wish. Even if he didn’t have any coins, riches, or wealth, I’d pick Jack all over again.