was

ything, exuding control and precision in every aspect of his life. Tonight, though,

one again- messag

after all. But as much as I tried to convince myse

ppeared in the doorway, his tall frame silhoue

eat across from me. His suit was dashing as always, but his tie was slightly

I asked, trying to

he said, flashing me a quick smile

eve him, but som

said, keeping my to

g a hand through his hair. "Things g

, even though it wa

ze looking to the window as if he w

Jack?" I asked,

quickly, too quickl

said, watching him closel

e of the table. "It's just work," he said finally, his to

t it?" I asked trying to

y. "I don't want to bother you

to forget about the expression on his face and focu

acked tried to carry on as if nothing w

r a while. When we were

you home"

y coat tightly around me. Jack walked beside me, his ha

I asked again as we reached

me, his expression softening

inced, but I

ent, the tension between us melted away. But

he screen, his

I asked, trying to keep th

the phone back into hi

the way his eyes darted toward his pocke

Jack was eve

restaurant, he was nowhere to be found. After waiting for tw

meeting or dealing with another work crisis. But as the hour

that evening, I was sitting

m, almost too calm. "Sorry ab

a pattern," I said, unable

id, sounding genuinely remorse

ow

place. Tom

ng answers and wanting to push

I said

ening, hoping to get an explan

led me to the dining area, where an elegant ta

aid, his voice soft

ries, the tension from the past few days melting away. But as the night w

the couch, where he poured

ng?" I said, breaking

cour

oing on w

halfway to his lips.

d, my voice gentle but firm. "Distr

gaze fixed on the floor. "I

me abou

ght he might open up. But then he shoo

ac

, cutting me off. "I don'

that Jack was hiding something. His charm, his warmth-it was all st

small voice in the back of my mind whispered

his wealth or his power, but because he was

I might lose myself try