“Did you make it?” Jack asks, munching on a small bag of potato chips.
“Just in time,” Jonathan says, smoothing Maddie’s hair. “She was about to deliver her lines when I ran in.”
“Good deal,” Jack says, eyeing Maddie. “So you’re the kid, huh? Heard a lot about you.”
“Who are you?” she asks, eyeing him back.
“Name’s Jack,” he says, holding his bag of chips out to her, offering one. “Chip?”
She stares at the bag for a second before glancing at Jonathan and whisper-shouting, “Is he a stranger? ‘Cuz then you gotta eat one in case it’s poison.”
“They’re safe,” Jonathan says. “Jack’s a friend.”
Maddie grabs a chip, smiling at him. “Are you best friends?”
Jack makes a face in protest. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Excuse me, I’m sorry,” Meghan interjects, motioning to her brother. “I hate to break up whatever this is, but why the hell are you wearing that? It’s weirding me out. Like… it’s weird.”
Jack looks at her in awe, like he’s just now noticing her presence. He holds his bag out toward her. “Chip?”
Meghan looks at him, scowling, and I think she might be about to hurt his feelings, but instead she reaches her hand in, plucking out a single chip and popping it in her mouth.
“We wrapped late,” Jonathan explains. “Didn’t have any time to go to wardrobe. Hell, I didn’t even grab my phone from my trailer.”
“So that’s why you didn’t answer when I called,” I say. “Thought you were avoiding me.”
Jonathan puts his arm around me, pulling me to him. He presses a kiss to the top of my head, whispering, “Never.”
“He literally ran off set,” Jack says with a laugh. “Weirdest shit I’ve ever seen, dude wearing tight ass spandex being chased by an angry man in a suit. It was so ridiculous, like a scene ripped straight from one of the stupid Breezeo movies.”
“Hey!” Maddie says, narrowing her eyes at him. “Don’t say that! Breezeo’s not stupid!”
“You tell him,” Jonathan says, nudging her.
“My bad,” Jack says, holding out the bag again, like a peace offering. “More chips?”
Maddie doesn’t hesitate, snatching an entire handful out, so many that some fall to the ground. Jack looks at her with shock before glancing in the bag, holding it upside down. Empty.
“You don’t deserve none,” she tells him. “Only if you like Breezeo can you have some.”
“Ah, that’s foul,” he says. “Does it count that I love the comic books?”
She considers that before handing him a single, broken chip.
He eats it, as Meghan stares at him, a peculiar look on her face. “So, Jack, how is it you know my brother? You weren’t, like, his coke dealer, were you?”
Jack’s eyes widen as he looks at her. “Your brother?”
“That’s my Aunt Meghan,” Maddie tells him, finishing the rest the chips.
“Meghan Cunningham,” Meghan says, holding her hand out as she introduces herself. “My brother doesn’t claim our family, so I’m not surprised he hasn’t mentioned me.”
Jack takes her hand. “Oh, he’s mentioned you. He just failed to tell me you were so goddamn beautiful.”
Meghan blinks at him, surprised, her cheeks turning pink when he kisses the back of her hand. Oh my god, she’s blushing.
“Well, uh, thank you,” she says, pulling her hand away.
“And I wasn’t his dealer,” Jack says. “Although, whoever was is probably filthy rich by now, so I sort of wish I was. But no, I help keep the jackass sober, which really is a thankless job.”
“I thank you all the time,” Jonathan says.
Jack waves him off. “Whatever, dude.”
“So, you’re a sober coach,” Meghan says.
“More like an intern,” he tells her. “I don’t get paid for it. Should, though. I mean, have you ever had to deal with the guy?”
Jonathan laughs. “You know I’m right here, right?”
“Impossible not to see you,” Jack says. “What, with you dressed like it’s Comic-Con.”
Meghan laughs, like she finds that hilarious. “Well, this has been a blast, but I should get going. Maddie, my cinnamon-strudel banana-bread, you were brilliant. Thanks for inviting me. I’ll see you guys later.” She turns, looking at Jack. “It was a pleasure. Hopefully, I’ll see you around.”
“You can count on it,” Jack says as she starts to walk away. He watches for a moment before turning to Jonathan, raising an eyebrow as he nods toward Meghan. “Might that be my reward?”
“Don’t even think about it,” Jonathan says.
“Not gonna think about it,” Jack says, hopping off the hood of the car. “I’m just gonna go for it.”
“Good luck,” I say, while Jonathan grumbles, glaring at Jack as he jogs to catch up to Meghan.
“What’s he doing?” Maddie asks, glancing at me.
“I think he’s going to ask your Aunt Meghan out.”
Her eyes widen. “Like on a date?”
“Yep,” I say.
“Oh, tell her she’s pretty!” Maddie yells, jumping around. “And bring flowers! Right, Daddy?”
“Right,” Jonathan says, although he doesn’t look as excited about the idea as Maddie does.
“Why don’t we leave them to it and head home?” I suggest.
“Home,” Jonathan says. “Sounds nice.”
The fresh blue notebook lays on the coffee table, the gel pen on top of it, the ink almost depleted because I’ve used it so much.
Jonathan pauses in front of it in the living room. “I see you got my gift.”
“Of course,” I say, slipping my arms around him from behind, resting my head against his back. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he says, pulling me around into a hug.
He holds me, and I feel like I’m melting in his arms, the warmth swallowing me up. I could get used to it.
Get used to having him around.
“How long are you here for?” I ask, dreading his possible answer that being here is temporary. He brought nothing with him—no clothes, not even his phone. For all I know, he’s just passing through.
“I told you before I left,” he says. “I’m here for as long as I’m wanted.”
“That’s not a real answer, Jonathan.”
“Why isn’t it?”
“Because I’ve wanted you since I was seventeen years old. Saying that is like promising forever. I need a real answer.”
He’s quiet for a moment, resting his head on top of mine before he asks, “What’s wrong with forever?”
“Nothing,” I say, “as long as you mean it.”
“Would you believe me if I promised it?”
“Yes,” I whisper. “That’s why I need you not to.”
He sighs, loosening his hold a bit to look at me. His eyes scan my face as a slight smile touches his lips. “I might’ve destroyed my career today.”
I blink at him. “What?”
“It’s a long story,” he says, “but I just can’t keep doing it.”
“But that’s your dream.”