‘You believed her?’ I repeated. ‘You think I go around hurting everyone?’
‘I had no reason not to believe her,’ said Jack apologetically. ‘You must understand – she is very persuasive.’
‘What happened? Did she kiss you again? Did you swoon over her and believe every word she said?’ I snapped.
Jack deflated. ‘No, it’s not like that.’
‘What is it like then?’ I didn’t want Jack to know how much that kiss had upset me. ‘I saw you two kissing the other night. I knew you wanted her all along.’
A vein in Jack’s temple throbbed as he clenched his jaw. ‘I didn’t want her.’
I folded my arms and glared at him, waiting for an explanation.
Jack heaved a sigh. ‘I know it seems as though I wanted her, but she has the ability to manipulate thoughts and feelings. She’s been doing it to me since she met me at the lodge.’
I scoffed. ‘I’m sure you put up a fight.’
Jack’s eyes were pleading. He wanted me to understand.
‘I thought I did like her, at first,’ Jack admitted and I felt my stomach churn with jealousy. ‘But something about it didn’t feel right.’
‘So, why did she want you so badly?’ I said, a little more harshly than intended.
Jack’s ears turned pink. ‘I guess she didn’t really. She said … she said she has many partners – but that is not the point - you were gone and she was hurt. I thought you had run off. I thought you-’ Jack stopped suddenly.
‘What?’
Jack seemed on the verge of saying something important, but he was holding his tongue. ‘I thought you didn’t need me anymore,’ he said.
‘So what happened next?’ I asked, wrapping my arms around my body defensively.
‘She was fed up. Said I was too much effort – too much baggage. It’s how she makes a living, you see. She tricks men into giving her gifts, money or a place to stay. She is currently in forty-seven different relationships, under different disguises.’
I gaped, forgetting to look angry. ‘Forty-seven?’
‘Georgia might not even be her real name,’ Jack continued. ‘Before I left she transformed into you, right before my eyes.’
I stared. ‘Me? Why?’
‘To make me stay?’ Jack shrugged. ‘To seduce me?’
I snorted. ‘Well, that wasn’t very bright of her, was it? I’m the last person who would-’ I stopped when I saw Jack frown at me. ‘-What?’
He shook his head. ‘She kissed me – when she was you, I mean.’
I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to say. ‘Oh.’
Jack smiled cheekily, ‘It was awful.’
‘I’m sorry. That must have been awful for you.’
Jack laughed, the corners of his eyes crinkling. I allowed myself a small smile before an idea struck me. ‘How do I know this is really you then?’
Jack grinned and took my hand, which was still extremely hot from the fireballs.
‘Who else would hold the hand of a Fire-Mage?’ he asked.
‘Fire demon, don’t you mean?’ I said.
Jack’s smile faded. ‘Don’t call yourself that.’
‘Why not?’ I said. ‘Everyone else does.’
‘Because it’s not true.’
‘Fire demon and proud of it,’ I said aggressively.
Jack laughed and raised his hands to my face, touching my skin lightly with his fingertips. I allowed myself a sheepish smile. I had been silly to think he would treat me like that.
Jack’s long fingers lingered upon my face, touching my cheeks so gently, as if I was a delicate, breakable object. His smile fell slowly and his expression became serious. My focus slid from his eyes to his lips, which were slightly parted. They looked soft and moist. No. This couldn’t be happening. Jack was my best friend. He didn’t want me. Did he?
Jack leaned closer, hesitating before tilting my chin so the tips of our noses grazed. He didn’t take his eyes off mine and I couldn’t look away. Overhead, the trees stopped rustling in the wind as if all life in the forest was holding it’s breath, waiting for what came next.
Jack closed the few inches between us and brushed his lips lightly against mine. It felt like a ghost had kissed me. It was so gentle, I wasn’t even sure it had really happened.
He kissed me again, just my top lip this time. Jack slid a hand into my hair before kissing my bottom lip. My head spun as he embraced me, bringing me closer to his chest.
I cared about Jack more than even my own mind could comprehend. I knew how I felt, but I had been suppressing it for weeks.
Pressing my hands to his chest, I gently pushed Jack away. The forest breeze felt cool on my moist lips, as if it was telling me that Jack was meant to be there.
I couldn’t make eye contact with him. Instead I stared at a button on his shirt. He cupped my chin in his hand, tilting my head up again.
‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.
I didn’t want to say it. The words were stuck in my throat. This was a bad idea. Yes, I cared about Jack, but I could not afford to get distracted. My parents and my sister were my first priority.