“Is it serious?” he asked, unable to stop himself. Again, the words tumbled out before she even had a chance to speak, and he held up a hand. “Sorry. I'm sorry. You don't have to?—”
“Yes… and no.” Rachel's voice was quiet but steady. She met his eyes, and there was something careful in her expression, something measured. “There’s another teacher… we go out occasionally. But we aren't... we’re friends… there's no label. No expectation.”
The tension in Jack's chest loosened, just slightly. Not gone, but enough to breathe.
“Good.” Before he lost his nerve, he said, “Then I want to take you to dinner. Tonight.”
Rachel blinked. “Tonight?”
“Tonight.” Jack held her gaze, willing her to say yes. “What do you say?”
“I...” Rachel bit her lip, and Jack watched the conflict play across her features. Surprise, hesitation, something that looked a lot like want. “Um. I have plans tonight, actually.”
“Tomorrow night, then.” Jack didn't miss a beat. “Tomorrow night. Dinner. Just us.”
A smile tugged at the corner of Rachel's mouth, and Jack felt his heart rate tick up.
“Tomorrow night,” she repeated, as if testing the words.
Jack added, “Nothing fancy. Just you and me and a chance to reconnect more.”
“Okay.” Rachel's smile was soft.
Just like when he’d asked her out the first time all those years ago, the sight of her smile did something warm and dangerous to Jack's insides. “Tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up at six.”
They stood there for a moment, the easy warmth between them filling the space like sunlight. Then Jack stepped closer, and Rachel tilted her face up toward him. He bent down and pressed his lips to the side of her mouth… not quite her cheek, not quite her lips. Something in between. Something that said I want to, but I'm taking this slow.
Rachel's breath caught, just barely, and Jack felt the small intake of air like a physical thing.
He straightened and reached past her to open her car door, holding it for her. Rachel climbed in, and their eyes met one more time through the open door.
He closed her door gently and stepped back. Rachel started the engine, and Jack watched as she pulled out of the parking lot. She gave a small wave before turning onto the main road, and Jack stood there until her car disappeared around the corner.
He stood a moment longer, breathing in the morning air, letting the warmth of the past hour settle into his bones. Then he headed back to his own car and drove home.
The garage apartment felt too quiet when Jack walked in. Too small, too empty after the richness of the morning. He kicked off his shoes and dropped his jacket over the back of a chair, then stood in the middle of the small space and stared at nothing.
Tomorrow night. Dinner with Rachel. A real date with her for the first time in years. He thought of what her plans for tonight entailed, then wondered if it was a date… or a non-date with the person she was seeing. Shaking his head, he dislodged that thought, wanting to focus on the two of them.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. A text from his mom. Your dad and I are having lunch. Come eat with us.
Jack smiled and typed back. Just ate at the diner but would love the company. On my way.
He headed into the house and found his mom in the kitchen when he walked through the doorway. The smell of her homemade chicken soup filled the warm space. His dad was at the table already, reading something on his phone. The domestic scene was so familiar, so deeply comforting, that Jack felt some of the nervous energy from the morning start to ease.
“Hey, Mom,” Jack said, dropping a kiss on her cheek as he passed her. Looking around, he asked, “Where are Carson and Beth?”
“Carson spent the night at a friend’s house. He’ll be home later this afternoon. Beth is at a birthday party.”
* * *
“Sit down, honey. Even if you’re not hungry, you can keep us company.” She turned from the stove, studying his face with the sharp, knowing look that mothers perfected over years of watching their children grow. “You look like you have something on your mind.”
His dad stood and helped Carrie bring in the lunch, then looked at Jack with a lifted brow. “We’re all ears if that’s what you need.”
Jack nodded and pulled out a chair. His mom set warm cornbread with honey butter next to him, knowing he’d never turn down that treat, even if he’d already eaten. Once she settled into the chair across from Jack, she smiled. For a few minutes, they ate in comfortable silence.
“So…” Jack said. “I met with Rachel this morning.”