“Thanks, Rachel.” Jack sank into one of the chairs on the porch overlooking the water. He clicked the phone off and set it on a small outdoor table. An old copy of Old Man and the Sea sat tucked into one of the chair cushions. Jack pulled it out and began leafing through the pages, trying to remember the plot from lit class.
It wasn't long before he heard motion from inside. Emma stepped out on the porch, her eyes distant but strong as she looked out at the water.
“Good morning, Sleepy-head. I thought you were going to sleep the day away,” he said, setting the book down. She jumped a little, but the smile that lit up her face was worth it.
“You're still here,” she murmured. “I woke up and thought you had left.”
“After a showing like last night? I may never leave,” he replied with a mischievous grin.
“It was pretty good, wasn’t it,” she remarked with a grin. Jack stood up and took her into his arms. She felt so good there, like it was exactly where she was meant to be.
“Better than good,” he whispered, and truly meant it. He tucked his chin and leaned forward to kiss her. She opened up like a flower under his touch and he could already feel himself getting hard after just one kiss.
Unfortunately, his phone had other plans.
“What is it?” Jack growled into the phone. She untangled herself from his arms and stepped down into the sand, trying to give him some privacy. He leaned against the rail, watching her and wanting to hang up the phone instead.
“It's the lawyers again, Jack,” Rachel started.
“I don't care about the damn lawyers.” Jack did his best to keep his voice low and even, but the fact that lawyers were interrupting his vacation put him on edge. “Take care of it.”
“I'm trying. They need your signature, Jack,” Rachel explained. “I can't forge it, not for this. Just come sign the paperwork and I'll take care of the rest.”
Jack ran his hand through his hair, looking out at Emma. She was watching the water dance across the shore. He didn't want to leave her. He wanted to stay right here, perhaps even in the bed, but definitely with her.
“I'm sorry, Jack. This is important. I wouldn't call if it wasn't,” Rachel said after a moment.
“I'll be there in a bit. I'm done in two hours, though. Even if it means Robbie has to run the company, I'm back here in two hours.” Jack hung up the phone and watched as Emma tucked a strand of brown hair behind her ear.
“Emma,” Jack said softly, joining her in the sand. “I have to leave for a little bit. There is something I have to take care of that can’t wait. Business.”
Her green eyes clouded and she looked away. “I understand.” Her voice wavered and it broke his heart. He could only imagine what she thought he was leaving for.
The stand of hair escaped in the wind again and Jack gently tucked it back behind her ear once more.
“I will meet you here in two hours. Don't be late,” he said and kissed her.
***
One hour and forty five minutes later, Jack was ready to murder the lawyers and Owen. His neck hurt from cradling the phone against his shoulder as he signed every sheet of paper Rachel put in front of him. It was a never ending task.
“I'm done,” Jack informed Rachel, setting his phone down. “I said two hours, and I have a ten minute walk back. Owen can handle the rest.”
Rachel picked up one last sheet of paper. “Just this one and you are free for the day, I promise.”
Jack hastily scribbled his name and looked up at Rachel. He wanted to do what was right by both Emma and his company.
“You're free. Go have fun,” Rachel told him, stacking up his signed documents. She checked her watch. “Oh, by the way. Brandy's plane just took off.”
He grinned, feeling free. Now he could have his vacation without interruption. Now he could enjoy the one person on this island who saw him as a man instead of a meal ticket. He felt lighter than air.
He was so happy he had to share it, so he did the only thing he could think of. Jack hugged Rachel. She pulled back in surprise and then squeezed him hard. “You haven't done that in years,” she whispered, holding him close.
“I'm happy for the first time in years,” he said softly.
“You are, aren't you?” Rachel looked up at him, her brown eyes soft as she searched his face. Whatever she saw there made her smile. “I'm glad you found someone that makes you happy. You deserve it.”
He unwrapped his arms around the woman he considered an older sister. “Thanks, Rachel.”
She smacked his shoulder. “Now get going. I don't want to see you for the rest of your vacation.”
He grinned and took off for the door. He was going to make it back to Emma with time to spare.
Jack heard the door close behind him, but he stood frozen to the front step. His smile faded and the joy abandoned his mood. Standing in the driveway, her things on the ground behind her, was Brandy. He watched as a cab pulled away, leaving her with him.
“Jack,” she said softly, her doe eyes big and sad. “Jack, what's going on?”
“You're supposed to be on a plane,” he informed her, not really sure what else to say.
“I couldn't leave without saying goodbye, Jack.” She took a step forward. “I love you, Jack.”
Jack snorted. Confusion and a hint of anger flashed across her face, but she quickly schooled it into a hurt expression.
“I do, Jack. I couldn't leave without telling you.” She quickly crossed the space between them, putting her hands on his chest and looking up at him through long, eyelashes. He looked down and realized the eyelashes were fake. Emma's were real. Everything about Emma was real, while Brandy was just an imitation of real. The differences between the two women, real and fake, amazed him. He gasped at how blind he had been to Brandy's true nature.
Brandy took his gasp to mean he felt something. She rose up on her toes to kiss him, but he turned his face from her. Her lips grazed his cheek, twisting his stomach with their touch.
“Jack, baby, what's wrong?” Brandy pouted. Panic flickered at the corners of her eyes and mouth. “I don't want to lose you.”
“You never had me in the first place,” he said coldly. Jack picked her hands off her chest and dropped them as if they were covered in mud. “You're supposed to be on a plane.”
“I told you, I couldn't leave without telling you I loved you.” Her voice took on a hard edge. This wasn't how she had envisioned this reunion. “I love you, Jack.”