I remembered seeing him at training. The other female trainees had thought he was so attractive and sweet. And he was. After all their efforts to catch Jackson Schultz, I’d managed to catch him with no effort at all. He was attracted to confidence and brilliance, he’d said. And I had both.

Here he was, begging me to want him, when he could walk out of here and make a number of women swoon, women who would love him and appreciate his bad habits along with the traits that I’d fallen in love with.

After some hesitation, I decided the truth wasn’t pleasant, but it was necessary. I simply shook my head.

“Holy shit.” He laughed once without humor. “Did you move out here for someone? It’s not my business, I understand that, but I still gotta know.”

“Absolutely not.”

He nodded, satisfied. “Well, my plane doesn’t leave until Wednesday. I guess there are worse places to be stuck.”

“Can you change your flight?” I’d known before I asked that he wouldn’t.

Not only was Jackson terrible at letting go, he was also completely helpless at things like changing a plane ticket, making reservations, or scheduling appointments. I was sure his mother had taken care of his travel arrangements for him to even come here.

“The Top Gun bar is here. You’d really like it,” I said.

“Yeah.” He chuckled. “That sounds pretty great.”

“I’ll walk you out. I’m really…I’m just sorry, Jackson.”

“Yeah. Me, too.”

I guided him across the lawn and back into the main building. He didn’t say a single word as we walked across the lobby and to the entrance.

“I just…I have to say it once…before I leave. I love you.”

I kissed his cheek. “Thank you. I don’t deserve that, but thank you.”

He smirked. “I know you can handle that jerk-off upstairs, but if it gets old, you can always come home.”

I snickered. “He’s not a problem.”

“Good-bye, Liis.” Jackson kissed my forehead and turned, pushing through the door.

I took a deep breath and suddenly felt exhausted.

Trudging back into the elevator, I leaned against the back wall until the chime signaled that I was at my floor, and then I stepped out into the hallway, forcing one foot in front of the other.

“Liis?” Marks called as I passed his office. “Get in here.”

I stopped and turned around, surprised at the gratefulness I felt for the invitation. I slumped in his chair. “What?”

He raised an eyebrow, momentarily halting the continuous clicking on his keyboard. “I told you. You’re trouble.”

“What makes you say that?” I asked.

“Everybody can tell that he’s different. He’s practically happy when you’re around.”

“I’m missing why that makes me trouble.”

“Is your ex staying with you for a few days?”

“Of course not.”

“Why not?”