offer much. She was laid off from work and couldn’t afford to pay rent. So she’s been camping at the park.”
“But she can’t do that, right?”
“No. We gave her a ride to the women’s shelter,” Jack said. “Trisha, the director there, is well connected. She might be able to help her find a job.”
“Wow.” The song ended, but Emma didn’t pull away. If anything, she leaned closer. Jack slid a lock of hair out of her face, trailing his finger along her skin as he looked at her. “I’m sorry I missed prom.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I’m not apologizing to you this time,” he cut in. “I’m sorry for myself. Dancing all night with you would’ve been one of the most amazing nights of my life, and I missed it. Who knows where things would’ve led between us after that night if I’d have been there?”
Emma’s lips separated.
“Maybe we would’ve ended up, you know…” He trailed off, not saying what he was thinking. Maybe he’d already said too much.
“Jack…”
He looked away, scanning the other couples on the dance floor. They were all laughing and smiling, and here he was being serious. “Yeah, I know. We’re friends, and nothing would’ve happened between us anyway. I’m talking crazy. Forget I said—”
Before he could finish his sentence, Emma went up on her toes and pressed her lips to his. His grasp tightened around her waist, holding her there as he deepened the kiss. Even though they’d kissed twice before, she tasted forbidden, like his best friend and alcohol. The first kiss had been under pretenses. The second, they were still holding back. This kiss, however, was a no-holds-barred kind of kiss, and more real than anything he’d ever experienced.
Step away, Jack.
Instead, Jack inched forward and kissed her some more, blocking out all the reasons that had kept him away so long. He swore he’d never lose his self-control in a bar again, but here he was, losing it with Emma.
Chapter Fifteen
Emma was drunk, but not so much that she wasn’t completely in control of what was happening right now with Jack. Nina was so right. She was in a rare situation this summer where she could throw caution to the wind and have a get-out-of-jail-free card if things went south.
Jack pulled away and looked at her, concern etched in his brow. “Sorry.”
“I’m not,” she said.
“I don’t want to take advantage of you when…you’re like this.”
She tilted her head. “Maybe I’m the one taking advantage of you, Jack Hershey.”
“I don’t mind one bit.” The corner of his mouth kicked up. “So you’re leaving here with Nina and the other women at your table?”
Emma lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. You’re my boyfriend. It only makes sense that I’d leave with you. Nina can get a ride home with Brenna or Sophie.”
“Or,” Jack countered, “I can give you all a ride home when you’re ready to leave.”
“What about your night with Granger and Luke? Won’t they be upset if you bail on them?”
“Nah. Ladies come first. That’s the code.”
“I thought the code was in favor of the guys.”
“Depends on the guys, I guess,” Jack said, his breath tickling her ear as they continued to slow dance. “I’m not that kind of guy.”
She looked up and practically melted in his arms. “It was so much easier when I thought you just didn’t want me.”
“Is that what you thought?” he asked, pulling back to meet her gaze.
“Well…You stood me up, and then you never gave me any reason to believe you were interested in being more than friends.”
“I wasn’t in a good place, Emma. Your dad was right. I didn’t deserve you.”
“What?” Emma asked. “Did he say that?”
Jack looked away. “I had to pull myself together, and I did. Although some days I don’t feel that way. Your dad still hates the idea of us. I can tell.”
“Who cares?” she asked.
“I do.” He looked at her again.
“Because you’re a good guy. And you deserve to be happy.”
“So do you,” Jack said.
His fingers curled into her waist as he held her. The sensation and the vibration of the music in the air made her body buzz. A dance wasn’t enough. She wanted Jack—all of him.
“Maybe, once you drive me home, I’ll invite you inside for a sweet tea?”
He gave a slight nod. “Sounds nice.”
“Yeah,” she whispered, “it does.”
“So how much longer until your friends will be ready to go home?” Jack asked.
“An hour maybe.”
He nodded. “That gives me just enough time with the guys. And an excuse not to