His face was thoughtful, no longer teasing. “It’s still the other one, isn’t it?” I cringed. Funny how he seemed to know not to say the name­ just like before in the car with the music. He picked up on so much about me that I never said.“You don’t have to talk about it,” he told me. I nodded, grateful. “But don’t get mad at me for hanging around, okay?” Jacob patted the back of my hand. “Because I’m not giving up. I’ve got loads of time.” I sighed. “You shouldn’t waste it on me,” I said, though I wanted him to. Especially if he was willing to accept me the way I was damaged goods, as is. “It’s what I want to do, as long as you still like to be with me.”

“I can’t imagine how I could not like being with you.” I told him honestly. Jacob beamed. “I can live with that.”