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People are making far too much of my run-ins with Jackson and I hate it.

I was really going to do everything in my power to avoid him the best that I could because I was over all this shit.

Chapter 8

Jackson

Four days later, I strolled down the street, thinking of that woman again and again.

Why?

But not just about her, about the things she made me feel. I couldn’t get her image out of my head, but I also couldn’t get the words out either from my mom.

And it was playing havoc with me.

This wasn’t me. I was far cooler with the ladies, yet I’ve done nothing but be a dick to this woman and there really wasn’t a reason as to why.

Sure, we had history and not all was good. Okay, most of it wasn’t. But that wasn’t a cause for the way things were now.

And when I saw her in the bookstore, I had no intention of being a douche. I wanted to apologize actually,

I’m also going to go on record and say that her wardrobe now was looking far better. She didn’t look like an old frump. She had curves and beauty and it was shining, like it should always have been.

With a sigh, I leaned against the wall of the building, trying to get my head to stop twisting all these thoughts together.

I didn’t have this much trouble with Geri. But, again, women weren’t normally a problem for me.

Just this one.

And you know what? That should be a sign, right? That should make one stop and ask why?

I shook my head, about ready to push off the wall when I saw her sitting at the Pistachio Sweets Shop. I grinned, having overheard her talking to my mom about how she absolutely loved the Dubai chocolate from there.

I pushed off the wall and walked into the little shop, making a beeline for her table. Softly, I cleared my throat, waiting for her to look up.

“Going in late today?” I asked.

“Yes. It seemed that they were working on a pipe and I don’t need to be in yet. Are you here to bug me?”

“Yes, but not in a bad way.” I pulled out the seat at her table and her eyes narrowed slightly before she looked around. “I come in peace.”

“Really, Jackson? I don’t think there’s peace with you.”

“Fair. But I mean it this time. I want to start off by saying sorry.”

I watched as she blinked then leaned back in her chair and I took her attire in. She had a blush style top on with a cute sweater over it, and blue capris. I glanced down, seeing a star tattoo by her ankle and smirked.

This woman was far different than the one I had ever pegged.

“Sorry?” she repeated.

“Yes. I never cared for this town, and I certainly didn’t want to be back to lick my wounds. But it went beyond that with you. Maybe it’s our past, maybe it’s just that you were one of the first people I saw, I’m not totally sure, but I sure heaped a lot of anger on you, and it wasn’t okay. So, I’m saying I’m sorry.”

“You understand this feels very strange to me?”

“I do. And I don’t blame you, Jacqueline. I’ve also said some really horrible things that I can’t take back but I do apologize for them too.”

She fiddled with the napkin in her hand as she made a face. With a huff, she looked back at me.