A Hunger to Share ( Book One )

chapter 24

Maggie

"What are they saying?"

"I'm not sure I should share that with you." Maggie leaned beck in the kitchen chair, propping her feet up on the round table.

"Come on. I'm bored. Help a friend out." Jack pushed off the counter, and joined her at the table, mug of tea in hand, a little wicked smile playing at the edge of his lips.

She rose an eyebrow. "I didn't realize we were friends."

He took a sip of tea. "What are we then?"

"I don't know Jack. You tell me." She crossed her arms in front of her. "Friends don't hate eachother's guts..."

Jack's face got serious. "I don't hate you..."

"You have a funny way of showing it."

His eyes slid to his mug. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have reacted like that. I was just surprised, and I tend to get a bit overprotective when I think Jamie's life might be in danger. But it doesn't justify me being an asshole."

Maggie clicked her tongue. "No it doesn't but I was kinda an asshole too."

"we're good then?" He asked hesitantly.

"We're good." Maggie leaned forward, placing her feet on the wooden floor. "Jack you don't have any feelings for me, do you?"

He looked up, waving a hand in the air. "Nah. Do I look like a naiive highschool boy to you? I know it didn't mean anything."

Maggie smiled at him, tapping his wrist lightly. "But we had a good time?"

He smiled back. "Yeah, let's go back to that. Without the sleeping together part."

She held out her pinkie. "Friends?"

Jack snorted. "Really?"

She grinned. "Really."

He shook his head but interwined his pinkie with hers. "Will you tell me what they're saying now?"

Maggie chuckled. "You probably wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me." He leaned back in his chair, looking at her expectantly.

"Ada wants an open relationship with James which involves you and me."

Jack laughed. "What?"

"Told you, you wouldn't believe me."

"What did James say?"

"Turned her down."

"Of course he did. What was Ada thinking?" He was still laughing softly, shaking his head.

"She just wanted to make this work between the four of us." Maggie said defensively. "Ada wasn't being greedy or anything..."

"I know and it means she really does care about James..."

"Of course she does."

"But that's not James or me." Jack finished, voice serious.

"Your loss." Maggie clicked her tongue.

"If James had said yes, you'd be Ok with this?" Jack asked with a raised brow, cupping his hand around his mug.

"Yes. I don't mind sharing Ada with someone else. It wouldn't be the first time."

"I could never do that." Jack took a thoughtful sip. "I'll definitely get jealous."

"You're too traditional for your own good." Maggie said, patting the back of his hand.

"I still can't believe Ada would say something like that." Jack chuckled.

"Why not?" Maggie drew her hand back.

"She looks so innocent."

Maggie grinned. "Ada might come across as suger, spice, and everything nice, but she has this really kinky side..."

Jack held up his hands. "I do not need details."

"Calm your balls." She rolled her eyes playfully. "I'm not going to discuss her fetishes with you."

"You had me terrified there for a second." He chuckled. "So have they broken up yet?"

"Yeah."

"Thank God." He sighed with relief.

"Don't you want your brother to be happy?"

"More than anything, but Ada's not his happiness. She's yours."

"You really believe that?" Tears of gratitude burned the back of her eyes.

"Yes. You two were happy before, weren't you?"

"We were but we've changed. Even if...after the cure works, we can't go back to who we used to be."

"Then don't." Jack's voice was kind. "Don't chase the past. You have now, and the future. That's more than enough."

"Thank you." She grabbed his hand. "Finish your tea Mr English. They'll come up any second now."