TEMPTATION 2 // JG

Chapter THIRTEEN

Jack's POV

I wasted no time swimming up close to her and touching her face; searching for all our lost memories in her eyes. She seemed in a daze, trying to hold on to what she just experienced.

"I was here," she spoke, looking off into the distance as I still held her face. "I was floating and the sky was grey. I-I went out too far and there was a whistle and I swam back. I think my foot- my foot got caught and I didn't care. I was sad."

"What else do you remember, babe?" I asked her.

"I- that's it. I'm sorry."

I kissed her forehead. "It's okay."

We went back to shore where we laid next to each other on the towel in more silence. It seemed like she was studying her thoughts, trying very hard. I appreciated her for even attempting.

"I want to see you more," I told her. "If I can't see you, then I wanna hear you. I loved falling in love with you and I don't care if I have to do it all over again."

"Jack-"

"I mean, you had no problem kissing me in the water just now. So why not? I used to see you every day and that's something I took for granted. After you kissed me, you kinda gave me hope for a second chance."

She nodded with indifference.

"Now hear me out; that kiss was more like me saying I'm attracted to you, too. That's it. I'm not saying we'll never get another chance but I don't think seeing each other every day is gonna bring back what you're looking for...or who you're looking for."

"So what now?" I waited for a response but she just continued to look up at the sky. Without looking, I move my hand until I'm able to caress the back of hers with my fingers. She doesn't move it away.

I don't know what else to do to try and make her see that regardless of all that has gone down, she's still the one, always was the one, and will always be the one.

When I drove her home, she was still silent, barely looking over at me. The deafening silence was dreadful.

"Damn," I spoke.

"What is it?"

"I'm gonna have to buy one of those airplanes now. The ones that have the banner flying behind them? Gotta tell the state of California that I love you, I guess."

"What are you talking about?" She chuckles.

"Then I gotta send endless bouquets of flowers to your house, that's gonna cost a fortune."

I got her laughing a little harder.

"And then!" I continued. "I have to hack into every TV & phone screen so I can forcefully tell the world that I'm some stupid boy still in love with a beautiful girl who doesn't even know me anymore. That might get me in prison. But you're worth doing time for."

I could tell she was blushing & bashful. Her hand was in front of her mouth and she was trying not to laugh any harder than she already was.

"That was a good start," she smiled.

I parked in her driveway and we sat there with the music playing low in the background.

"Would it be too much if I asked for a goodnight kiss?" I had to bring it up.

She grinned and brought herself over to me, but she kissed me on the cheek. She smelled heavenly; like the sunkissed ocean mixed with her faded perfume. I wanted her to stay right there so I can breathe her in for sweet dreams. I watched her as she walked to her front door and so badly, I wanted to follow her. You know what they say, I hate it when you leave, but I love watching you walk away.