Falling For Jackson Again ✓

22| LIPS WON'T SHUT UP

MIA

I have never felt this nervous in my entire life.

Was he being serious?

"Ha..." I chuckled anxiously, attempting to withdraw my hand. "Not funny,"

But he held on, seizing my hand firmly.

His tone was grave, sending shivers down my spine. "I'm not joking," he said, his grip tightening. "Remember how we used to hold hands when we were younger?"

"Yeah," I managed to swallow the lump in my throat. "So?"

"Let's take a trip down memory lane," he suggested.

After his words, silence enveloped us. I was at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond. He didn't speak either; instead, he gently swung our intertwined hands, silently urging me on. His behavior had been peculiar since our time at the pool, or perhaps it had always been odd, and I had chosen to overlook it.

My gaze darted towards the exit, where a few people were leaving, intensifying my anxiety.

Without hesitation, I clasped his hand tightly. "Let's go for a walk then," I suggested, surprising both him and myself with my sudden change of heart.

He squeezed my hand in response. "Or better yet, let's run," he proposed.

"Huh?"

"Come on," he urged, pulling me closer. My legs moved reluctantly, but without thinking, I found myself running alongside him. He laughed joyfully as we ran, our destination unknown and irrelevant at that moment. He seemed liberated.

And then it dawned on me. Was something troubling Jackson that I hadn't noticed?

As we ran, the wind tousled Jackson's hair, making it dance around his face. His brown eyes sparkled with excitement as he glanced over at me, a smile playing on his lips, revealing those irresistible dimples that always drove me wild. Every time I saw that smile, I couldn't help but wish I had the courage to grab him and kiss him right then and there.

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks – I'd let him slip away once before, and I felt like the biggest fool for it. If he ever thought about leaving again, could I bear it? The mere thought made my heart ache with regret and fear.

Finally, we came to a halt, our chests heaving with each labored breath. Seizing the chance, I gently slipped my hand away from his, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it might leap right out of my chest at any moment.

Taking a quick survey of our surroundings, I realized we were on some random sidewalk. "Don't worry, I can call an Uber if you want to head back now," Jackson offered, his voice breaking through the haze of my thoughts.

He was still trying to catch his breath, his chest rising and falling in rhythm with each intake and release of air. My gaze lingered on a droplet of sweat trickling down his neck, disappearing beneath the collar of his shirt, and I felt a rush of heat flood my cheeks.

"Did you hear me?" Jackson's voice jolted me out of my trance, and I flinched guiltily, feeling like a caught cat.

Which, in a way, I was.

"Um... no need," I mumbled, but my feeble response did little to dispel the sadness in his eyes. "I mean it, let's grab some water. You look like you could use it," I teased, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Can't argue with that," he chuckled.

Scanning the street, we spotted a shop, and Jackson swiftly purchased a bottle of water.

"Looks like we'll have to share," he remarked, a hint of amusement coloring his tone as he handed me the bottle.

I took a few swigs before passing it back to him, but as he took a sip, I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. Just moments ago, my lips had touched that same bottle, and now his did.