demanded to come along.”
“It’s good to see you again,” she said.
“The park is only a few blocks from here. Would you like to walk?” Jack asked.
“I would.” Emma closed the door. “I want to enjoy the warm weather while we have it.” She was wearing a beige skirt and yellow sleeveless blouse in homage to the shining sun. She appreciated the sight of Jack in his khaki trousers and green Polo.
“It won’t be much longer before the cold hits.” Jack took her hand as they began walking. “And once we’ve finished shooting here we’ll be heading to Falmouth. Back to outdoor scenes.”
“That’ll make Norah happy,” Emma said wryly. “At least we won’t have to live in trailers there. That little hotel with the cottages seems so cozy. I’m glad the owners rented everything out to the studio.” Jack nodded his agreement.
“Let’s get hot dogs from a vendor and see if we
can find an attractive lady.” James dug into his pocket
for his money clip.
“The hot dog sounds good, but I’ve the lady I want right here.” Jack pulled Emma closer and smiled down at her.
“Oh, brother,” James rolled his eyes, but he was grinning as he bit into his hot dog. “I saw you first,” he said to Emma.
Emma laughed. “You did,” she conceded, “and I’m so glad I made a new friend.”
“Always my luck. I find a girl and Jack steals her away.”
James eventually found more friends he wanted to join. He waved goodbye and left with them. Jack and Emma kept walking. They skirted a small pond and a group of children playing tag.
“Oh, to be so young and carefree again,” he signed dramatically.
Emma giggled. “You know you wouldn’t trade what you got for anything.”
“Why, you’re right, of course.” He picked a daisy and tucked it behind her ear. “I’ve got you here with me on a sunny day.” They smiled at each other as he led Emma to a cluster to oaks. He maneuvered her so that her back was pressed against a tree trunk. “I fell asleep last night thinking of you,” he told her.
His eyes locked with hers and Emma’s breath hitched. She couldn’t look away as he leaned closer. He kissed her cheek, then the corner of her mouth. His lips hovered over hers for a moment before he pressed a light kiss on them, then another.
Jack’s tongue traced the outline of her lips and
they parted for him. With a sigh, she sank into the
feeling of his tongue dancing with hers. Her hands fisted in his shirt and she hummed with pleasure.
Jack raised his head and whispered her name.
Before either one of them had a chance to recover, there was a bright flash of light. Startled, Jack looked around and saw a photographer.
“Damn it,” he swore.
“Who’s the lady, Jack?” The man snapped again, waved his camera. “Got me a couple of real nice shots. Is this your new girlfriend? What’s her name? How long have you been together? Does Sarah Reed know you’ve finally moved on?”
Jack swore again, and grabbed Emma’s hand. He pulled her away and they hurried out of the park with the photographer still hurling questions.
***
Two days later, a picture of Jack and Emma standing against a tree gazing at each other was on the cover of Now .
“I’m sorry, Emma.” Jack flung the celebrity tabloid onto the
Frankie Blue
john thompson
Alaina Stanford
Alexandra Ivy, Laura Wright
C.W. Gortner
Helena Newbury
Jessica Jarman
Shanna Clayton
Barbara Elsborg
James Howard Kunstler