Chapter 24
\nThree Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 24<\/p>\n
\u201cJackson.\u201d Hannah opened her eyes, stopping him mid-sentence.<\/p>\n
The car was filled with a heavy, awkward silence. After what felt like forever, Jackson finally spoke again. \u201cI\u2019ll go with you to the National Ballet Company. We\u2019re twenty-eight, Hannah. We don\u2019t have that many years left to dance. I want to spend them by your side.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hannah just felt lost for a moment.<\/p>\n
The two of them had been a team since they were three, back when they first reached for a ballet barre. Every step of the way, Jackson\u2019s name had always come right after hers.<\/p>\n
Three years ago, when she went abroad, Jackson went with her. He was always there. Always her constant.<\/p>\n
She was used to it.<\/p>\n
They didn\u2019t say another word during the drive. When they got to The Hamilton, Jackson insisted on escorting Hannah all the way to the door.<\/p>\n
Jasper happened to be outside tossing a ball around.<\/p>\n
As soon as they pulled in, the whole family in the yard\u2014three generations\u2014turned to look. Carl recognized Jackson right away and looked surprised. \u201cJackson, you\u2019ve come back too?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jackson greeted them politely. \u201cHi, Carl. Hi, Odette. In a few days, Hannah and I will go to the ballet company together. We\u2019ll still be partners.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carl smiled at that. \u201cThat\u2019s good. You two have such great chemistry. With you looking out for Hannah, we can really relax.\u201d<\/p>\n
Odette smiled too and waved her grandson over. \u201cCome inside for a bit. Jasper, come say hello.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jasper blinked his big eyes, let the ball drop, and was just about to come over when Hannah hurried ahead and scooped him up. \u201cIt\u2019s late. Dad, Mom, you two talk. I\u2019ll take Jasper in and get him washed up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jackson watched them as they went. Jasper rested his head on his mom\u2019s shoulder and gave him a little wave.<\/p>\n
Jackson smiled softly, then turned to say goodbye.<\/p>\n
The yard went quiet. Odette let out a long sigh. \u201cJackson\u2019s a good guy. He follows Hannah everywhere. If they\u2019d ended up together\u2026 they really would have been the perfect pair.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carl put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a gentle pat. \u201cIt\u2019s been more than three years. Try not to think about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Odette nodded. She just couldn\u2019t help feeling it was a shame.<\/p>\n
Such a shame that the people who should have been together, weren\u2019t.<\/p>\n
. . .<\/p>\n
She stayed busy all day and was just wrapping up when Felton messaged her again.<\/p>\n
Are you free tomorrow? Want to grab a coffee?<\/p>\n
There are a bunch of new movies out. Is there anything you want to see?<\/p>\n
Since they\u2019d been set up, meeting in person actually seemed easier. Bonnie thought about her weekend. Other than swimming on Saturday, she didn\u2019t have plans. She replied that she was free.<\/p>\n
For the movie, she checked a group-buying app. The first thing that popped up was Toy Story 4.<\/p>\n
Bonnie\u2019s finger paused on the title, and she chose it.<\/p>\n
Felton didn\u2019t mind. He picked a theater and showtime, and sent her a screenshot of the tickets.<\/p>\n
Bonnie texted back, Thanks, coffee\u2019s on me tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Felton sent another sticker. Bonnie closed the app, saved her PowerPoint, and sent it off to her team lead.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-692","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/692","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}