More Than Love (NG3)

43 - Self-preservation

After Jake left, Sasha curled up and sobbed. She had to find enough faith to trust God. More wind gusts shook the house. Usually she took storms in stride, but this one felt like it had the power to ruin what was left of her existence.

A loud bang made her jump, and her heart took off on a race. A branch?

Bang. Bang.

Her door. She jumped up and pulled it open. Soaking on her doorstep stood Jake. He rushed past her, dripping.

"The road's closed. They sent me back."

She looked at him, shivering. His nice clothes were plastered to him.

"My dog's in the car."

"Get him."

Sasha ran for an old towel and Jake appeared with a black dog. Sasha started drying the dog off and pointed to the bathroom. "Go shower. I'll put some of Reed's clothes outside the door. There are towels in the closet."

He stepped out of his wet shoes and followed her orders. She busied herself drying the dog, who didn't mind the stranger touching her. When she bent down to dry her face and ears, the dog kissed her.

The dog followed her as she picked out flannel bottoms and a long sleeve shirt. Hopefully Reed won't mind sharing his boxers. She added warm socks.

When she left the pile of clothes on the floor, she heard the shower. The last thing she needed to think about was Jake naked. It was bad enough he was trapped with her until the storm let up and the causeway opened.

She expected the dog to wait for Jake, but she followed Sasha into the kitchen. Her phone was blinking on the counter. She had an alert about the causeway and messages from both Reed and Davis. Why did Davis still get alerts?

🗨I'm fine. Power is still on. I'm prepared. Don't worry.

She sent them both the same text. If they knew about Jake, they would worry, especially Davis.

She put on the microwave to heat the soup again. She poured herself a glass of red wine and took a mental inventory of how much wine she had.

When Jake appeared, she was sitting at the table with the dog at her feet. He looked from Sasha to the dog. Sasha looked away. His towel dried hair made him look ruggedly handsome.

"Do you want some? You won't be driving anywhere tonight." He nodded. She poured him a glass of wine and pushed it across the table. "Are you hungry?"

He shook his head. "I'll need something to feed Misha."

Sasha looked at her feet. "She's sweet."

"She likes you."

"Don't be so surprised."

Jake slumped into the seat across from her and picked up his glass. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"You ask why I came? The truth is, I feel guilty."

Sasha gave a little nervous laugh. "I'm the only guilty party."

He shook his head. "I've been selfish and hurtful. You hurt me and I wanted to hurt you back. When you messaged how you hadn't forgiven yourself, I felt sorry for you. My mother harping on me didn't help."

"That was a couple of months ago. The night I introduced Davis to Laney."

Jake looked at his hands. "Laney told me."

Sasha felt her belly tighten. "Told you what?"

"That you think you don't deserve better than a guy who cheated on you."