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***

  The next day, Jackie had planned on getting a lot of work accomplished at her client’s house. She slid her earpieces into her ears and turned up the volume on the music player on her phone. She’d allowed herself to cry a couple of times since she’d learned that Grant was in love with someone else. Her heart was truly broken.

  The students had stayed at the school for a school-wide test and Jackie was alone inside the quiet house. The silence was almost too much. She’d dive into her work, finish the house, and forget about Grant once-and-for-all. Jackie grabbed the paintbrush and started to work.

  ***

  Grant turned his car into the driveway of Jackie’s client’s house and put the car in park. He’d been surprised at how much colder it was than just two weeks ago. When he arrived the night before, his mother had been so surprised. It might have been the first time she didn’t have something ready to eat.

  Grant stepped out of the car and felt the cold blast him as he walked up to the door. He knocked a couple of times but she didn’t answer. Jackie’s truck was the only vehicle parked in the driveway, so he figured she had to be inside.

  Grant pushed the door open and went inside the house. He could hear footsteps in the distance and walked into one of the backrooms. He found Jackie painting the walls. “Jackie, I don’t want you to say anything. I just want you to hear me out,” Grant said. Jackie kept her back to him and appreciated that she respected his wishes. “I know it seems crazy and we barely know each other, but I am falling in love with you. I ached for you while I was gone. I’ve never felt the kind of loneliness that I felt without you. I can’t live without you.”

  Jackie continued to roll the paint on the walls and remained silent. Why would she ignore what he said? Why didn’t she respond?

  Grant walked closer and touched her elbow. Jackie jumped and swung around, hitting Grant in the face with the paint roller, knocking him down. “I am so sorry!” Jackie yelled. “What are you doing here?” She bent down and grabbed a rag off the floor and started to wipe his face.

  “Didn’t you hear anything I said?”

  Jackie pulled the earpieces out of her ears. “What did you say? I didn’t hear you.”

  Grant laughed and laid his head back on the floor. “I said I love you. I love that you always end up in a paint catastrophe. I love that you don’t even know who movie stars are. I love that you are the easiest person to get along with and I ache for you when you’re not around. I’m back home to stay.”

  Jackie leaned down and kissed Grant. “I thought you were with that Jennifer woman. I saw your picture on the cover of that tabloid.”

  “Didn’t anyone ever tell you that you can’t believe most of what the tabloids print?” Grant asked, laughing. He leaned up on his elbows and kissed Jackie again.

  “I love you, too,” Jackie grinned. “I am so glad—”

  “Hold on… my phone buzzed again.” Grant lifted the phone out of his pocket. His mother’s name came up on the screen.

  Well, did you kiss her yet? Did you tell her you love her? Grant lifted the phone and showed his mother’s text to Jackie. The two laughed.

  Grant tapped his fingers against his phone. Yep. I did. And yep, she knows. He set the phone down on the floor and wrapped his arms around Jackie.

  Well, when am I getting grandchildren? His mother added.

  Grant lifted the phone again and showed it to Jackie. They smiled at each other, set the phone and on the floor, and laughed.

  “She’ll be tweeting it soon. Brace yourself,” Grant said.

  “As long as I’m with you, I can handle anything,” Jackie said.

  Other Books By Julie Pollitt

  A Land To Call Her Own

  Finding Kate