Good guys didn’t choose alcohol over their family. Jack would’ve said so if he thought he could run and talk at the same time.
“That night when you showed up, I was angry at you but more than anything, I was sad. I thought, what a waste of all your potential, throwing it all away for something as silly as alcohol. But I’ve never seen you drink again, and I’ve been watching you.”
“I stopped drinking not long after that,” Jack said, breathless as he jogged. “I’ll never drink again.”
“You could’ve killed my only daughter,” Edward said. “I want to hold that against you and never let go. But more than anything, I also want to see Emma happy. You seem to do that for her.”
They ran a few silent beats before Edward continued. “If you hurt Emma, I won’t forgive you next time.”
Did that mean Edward was forgiving him now? “I would never intentionally hurt Emma.”
Edward glanced over. “Good. Now stop jogging before you drop dead out here, and I have to do CPR on you. See you at the finish line.”
“Not arguing with you on that one.” Jack stopped jogging and leaned forward over his knees for a moment. If he weren’t tired, he might do a little victory dance out here in front of everyone. He had Edward’s approval. There were no hurdles being together with Emma, assuming he hadn’t scared her off by telling her he loved her.
He wanted to tell her again. A dozen more times. But first he needed to cool down. He straightened and spotted the water stand up ahead with Sam handing out bottles to passersby. Jack started walking in that direction.
“Got one for me?” he asked.
Sam tossed it, and Jack caught it like a football. He twisted the cap and drank half the bottle before taking a breath.
“I’m going to take up jogging so I’ll be ready for next year.”
Sam grinned. “I haven’t seen Mom or Emma go by yet. I’m looking for them.”
Jack nodded and drank some more water, noticing how Sam reacted when a teenage girl ran by. “She’s pretty. Does she know you exist?” Jack asked.
Sam shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve talked to her a little bit.”
“Wanna know my secret with the ladies?”
Sam looked at him again. “What?”
“Our last name is Hershey, bro. Use it to your advantage. I always carry some Hershey’s Kisses with me. I used to leave one behind every time I saw Emma. I still do it sometimes. It makes an impression.”
Sam handed a bottle to another walker. “Maybe I’ll try it.”
“You should.” Jack winked. “Got to go. Keep up the good work.” He started walking, feeling lighter than he had when the event had started. He didn’t mind passing on his secrets to his nephew because he didn’t need those tricks anymore. All he needed was Emma.
* * *
The event had been over for half an hour, and Emma hadn’t been able to find Jack anywhere. Everyone she’d asked said they hadn’t seen him.
“Hey, Dad,” she finally said, reaching for her father’s arm. “How was the run?”
“Great. Perfect weather, and I could’ve run another three miles.”
She shook her head. “You’ve always had more energy than most twenty-year-olds. Hey, wasn’t Jack with you?” she asked.
“For half the run. I left him in my dust for the other half.”
Emma drew a hand to her forehead. “Dad, you didn’t. He’s trying so hard to get you to like him.”
“I know,” her father said.
“So give him a chance, okay? For me?”
Her father smiled. “I already am giving him a chance. And I gave him my blessing to date you, not that he ever needed it. Guys don’t ask for that anymore, do they? It’s a bit old-fashioned, which makes me like him even more.”
Emma expelled a breath. “So you forgave him?”
“And I trust him. I trust you too. If you think he’s the one for you, then who am I to stand it the way?”
“You’re my father.” Emma wrapped her arms around him in a huge hug. When she pulled away, she looked up. “That still doesn’t explain where Jack is.”
Her father shrugged and then smiled as Angel walked up to them. “There’s my lovely bride. How was the run?”
“Amazing. Emma and I ran together the whole way,” Angel said proudly.
Emma felt a surge of pride that intertwined with her guilt. She should’ve made more effort to get close to Angel earlier than now. But it was better late than