“I’m leaving the city tomorrow, but maybe I could get your number and the next time I’m in town we can meet up.”

Chyna grumbled something in her ear, but she swatted her away not wanting to hear her voice of reason. Of course she should go home with this guy, but that really wasn’t going to help her tonight. She was too drunk at this point to go home with his guy. She quickly punched her digits into his Blackberry and then dragged Chyna to the door.

As they drove back to Lexi’s dorm, Chyna kept staring at Lexi in dismay. “I don’t want to hear one word,” Lexi said pointing her finger in Chyna’s direction.

Chyna pulled a zipper across her lips, but raised her eyebrows in further disapproval. A few minutes later as they entered the dorm, Chyna couldn’t hold back any longer. “You should have gone with him.”

“Yeah, I probably should have, but there will be other guys and other nights.”

Chyna scooted closer to Lexi as they reached the top of the stairs and began walking down the stained hallway Chyna had been so uneasy about earlier that afternoon. “Yeah, but he was delicious.”

“I guess he was.”

“I hope he calls you though.”

“I doubt he will,” Lexi said coming to a stop in front of the door and fumbling for her keys.

Lexi pushed the door open and immediately veered towards the bedroom. Chyna shut the door behind her and walked towards the lumpy couch. She plopped down allowing her aching feet a reprise from their tormentors. Just as her butt hit the cushion, she jumped up screaming at the realization that whatever she had sat on was not a cushion. And now it was moving.

Lexi darted back out of the room sobering up as soon as she heard the blood-curdling cry echo throughout the apartment. “Chyna, what is it?” she cried unsure what she would find. Lexi gasped in surprise at what appeared to be someone rising from the dead. The figure’s head hung limp and arms were stretched out in front like Frankenstein’s monster. A low menacing moan escaped the person. Just then the figure’s head snapped sideways as Chyna slammed a pillow into the side of his head. Lexi rushed back to the front door, latching on to the handle in the event that they needed to make a run for it, and flicked on the dorm light.

Chyna brought the pillow viscously back down on the intruder several more times. A yell sounded from the person seated on the couch. “Oww, stop that.”

“Get out of here! You can’t take our stuff!” Chyna screamed smacking him across the face another time.

“I’m here to see Lexi, Goddamn. Chill out,” the intruder cried shielding himself from Chyna’s assault.

“Chyna, stop,” Lexi demanded her feet frozen in place as she stared forward. Chyna paused mid-swing, and then brought the pillow back down to her side. She glanced back at Lexi in confusion. The intruder looked to where she had spoken ignoring the possibility of another attack. Lexi’s throat caught at the sight. “This is Jack.”

“Jack. Jack, Jack. You mean the Jack?” Chyna asked stumbling on the name.

Lexi nodded. “Yeah.”

“Well then,” she mumbled tossing the pillow onto the loveseat, “guess that’s my cue. Sorry.” She walked to Lexi and gave her a quick hug whispering into her ear, “Let me know if you need anything, sweetie.”

“Jack, what are you doing here? How did you get inside? How did you know where I was?” she asked letting loose a string of questions that had flown through her head at the sight of him.

He stared at her in awe. He stared at her like he had never seen her before. He stared at her like she was his lifejacket and he was sinking.

“Jack,” she whispered the earlier memories that she had briefly evaded her were clouding her vision once more.

He stood quickly and scooped her into his arms. “I’ve missed you so much,” he whispered sweetly into her ear.

Goosebumps cascaded up her arms as she circled his neck. “I’ve missed you too,” she admitted.

When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes breathing her in. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” She couldn’t believe this was happening to her. She felt like she was so drunk that perhaps she had passed out and was dreaming about Jack being here.

“Don’t ask that. I’m sorry for everything. I ended it with Kate. All I saw was you when I looked at her.”

“Me.”

“Yeah. I was an idiot for staying with her. You’re what I want.”

“Me?”

“Yes, Lexi. You.”

“Oh,” she whispered breathlessly, pushing her fingers up into his dark, thick, mess of hair and twisting the strands around her fingertips.

“I shouldn’t have come like this.”

“No, you shouldn’t have,” she agreed shaking her head.

He pulled back to look at her and her breath caught again as his brilliant blue eyes locked onto her. “I really am sorry for everything, Lex.”

She nodded knowing he meant it. She let the memory of him telling her that he loved her for the first time wash over her. It had been so long since she had allowed herself to think of that without tears springing to her eyes. He was here for her. He had come to New York for her.

“I didn’t mean to scare your friend.”

“Don’t mind Chyna. She’s probably already asleep. How did you get inside anyway?” she asked her brow furrowing.

“One of your roommates let me in. I told her I was a friend of yours and that I’d wait to see you,” he said sheepishly.

“Ugh,” she groaned, “you could have been anyone. I’m going to have to talk to them about this.”

He pulled her closer against him again. “Aren’t you glad they didn’t turn me away?” he asked, his mouth turning into his characteristic smirk.

“Very glad,” she agreed allowing his lips to fall on hers and savoring the taste of him. In fact, what was going on in her head was how glad she was that she hadn’t gone home with Armani Guy, because what she had come home to was nothing compared to what she had found at a club. She applauded herself for her stubborn nature.

“Lex?”

“Yeah?” she mumbled licking her lips.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too,” she said for the first time, allowing herself to tell him how she really felt. Then she got lost in Jack’s kiss once more.

CHAPTER 17

PRESENT

“Mmm,” Jack grumbled holding onto Lexi’s waist tightly, “where ya goin’?”

Lexi sighed back into his embrace loving the feel of him pressed against her. At the same time, her stomach rolled knowing that she shouldn’t be wrapped up in him like she was. She had been lying there half the morning, her stomach knotting and unknotting for every thought she had about Jack. They had talked the night away and managed to stay closer to the friend’s side of the spectrum, but she knew they couldn’t stay there. She knew she didn’t want to stay there. Nor did he. In fact, he had been the one that said that he wanted to be with her. Luckily, she had kept her wits about her long enough to tell him she wanted him, but only if she could have all of him.

Yet, it was still nagging at her. If she had really meant that, she would have left last night. She wouldn’t have stayed up with him and imbibed a bottle of wine. She wouldn’t have woken up this morning with his arms wrapped around her.

“I…I’m going to make some coffee,” she whispered attempting to extract his hands from around her middle.

“No. Don’t leave me, Lex,” he begged nuzzling into her neck and trailing light kisses across her skin.

Her body reacted wonderfully to his touch, forcing her back to arch and head to lean back. “Jack, you can’t do that.”