Chapter 46
Jessica didn’t say a word. She just weighed the charm in her palm, took a deep breath, and aimed at the wishing well ahead. With more strength than she usually used, she threw it.
As expected, it missed.
This time, instead of bouncing off and vanishing into the bushes–or worse, knocking over some poor stranger like before–the charm ricocheted and flew straight toward Zachary.
It stopped inches from his face before he caught it with a clean grip. “Impressive throw, Ms. Lockman. If I hadn’t been quick, I might’ve just lost my life in the most poetic way possible.”
His voice was calm but deadpan, delivering the kind of line that hit just the right note between sarcasm and charm.
Jessica stared at him, speechless. Nearby, some passersby let out a chuckle.
Zachary shot her a look, half–asumed, half dismissive. Then, without so much as aiming, he casually tossed her wish charm toward the well.
It landed snugly inside.
“Hey, that was my wish!” she barked.
“As is mine,” he said, walking off like it meant nothing.
Jessica had to admit that he could easily become a basketball player, the kind who could shoot a three–pointer whenever he liked.
She took one last look at the wishing well, then at his retreating figure, and ultimately ran after him. Just as she thought she had finally caught up to him, her foot slipped on a patch of
wet stone.
Zachary’s arm shot out and pulled her into his chest, catching her mid–stumble and saving her from embarrassment.
She immediately pushed him off, shamefaced all the same. At that moment, a burst of familiar laughter climbed up from the bottom of the hill.
Jessica’s heart almost did a flip.
“Quiet!” she hissed, grabbing Zachary’s hand and pulling him behind a decorative rock wall nearby.
The panel was barely large enough to hide one person. He stood with his back to it, while she was fully pressed against him, tucked in close.
Chapter 46
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“I think this is a good time for me to remind you that we’re married, not having an affair, Jessica.”
His words were serious, but the way he said them implied more.
“Zip it!” Jessica hissed again, glaring up at him.
It was the first time she had ever snapped at him like that, yet Zachary simply looked at her with an affectionate smile.
It reminded him a little too much of that day at the hospital, where she called him out by name with zero formality. Of course, he’d loved every second of it.
Down the hill, voices floated up once more.
“I heard Ms. Lockman’s been living here for a while,” said Eric. “I thought she’d show us around, but apparently she had other plans.”
“She’s never been the social type,” the taciturn Susan added softly.
“Please, she’s back on her turf. She must’ve gone to catch up with all her old friends,” Joshua
teased.
Eric tentatively asked, “Say, do you guys think someone like her–smart, gorgeous, with total boss energy–has a boyfriend?”
Neither Susan nor Joshua said anything.
Eric turned to Joshua, not giving up just yet. “You were her classmate. Think I’ve got a shot?”
“Sorry. I’m not into men,” came Joshua’s response.
Spending too much time around Zachary had clearly rubbed off on Joshua. He was starting to develop that same dry, biting humor.
Not many people knew about Jessica and Derrick’s past. They hadn’t been very public, only attending occasional dinners together and going on a few outings.
To outsiders, they had seemed more like emotional confidants than actual partners.
Hearing Eric’s bold question, Jessica couldn’t help but tense up and grip Zachary’s coat.
“Hey! You guys, look!” Eric exclaimed, eyes narrowing. “Doesn’t that guy look like Mr. Jones?”
There weren’t many people at the chapel today, so they naturally noticed all the visitors
around.
Jessica instinctively shrank back into Zachary’s chest like a startled rabbit.
In one swift motion, he pulled her into the folds of his coat and gently tilted her chin up with a
single finger. One foreign sensation, and her eyes widened in shock.
He had leaned down, sealing her warm lips with his. His action muffled any protest and hid her completely beneath the drape of his coat.
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