My jaw was clenched tight as I watched the brief interaction with a reporter and Jane on the evening news. They included that little snippet as part of a story on the overall case.
“Fuck my life,” I muttered to myself.
As soon as the segment was over, I called Dallas. He answered with, “I just saw. It'll pass.”
“What the fuck? I cannot believe they're insinuating that somehow I'm a part of this.”
“They just want clicks and eyeballs. That's it. Just ignore it. You've opened up the books, and the case is rock solid. I talked to the main investigator who's handling it today. They've already got two of the guys involved working on plea deals. That will tighten up their case against the main instigator of the whole situation. Just be patient. The media will get bored soon.”
“Should I call Jane?”
“Of course, you should call Jane. Why are you even asking me that?” Dallas retorted.
“Because she hasn't returned my messages.”
“Ah, well then. For once, maybe you're going to have to chase her.”
“What are you implying?”
“I didn't mean that in a bad way. Just that you haven't been serious with anyone, and you’ve not had a shortage of women willing to go along with a no-strings kind of arrangement. You've known Jane since we were kids. It’s obvious to me that you love her—”
I cut in, “I already said I did.”
“So you did. Jane probably feels confused and doesn't know what to think. Like I said already, maybe you should tell her you're planning to eventually move to Boston. Because maybe she's thinking, why bother dealing with all this if it can't go anywhere anyway?”
I took a breath, letting it out in a ragged sigh. “Good point. I'll try again.”
This time when I called Jane, she actually answered. I was so surprised I almost didn't know what to say.
She prompted, “Ian, I'm here.”
I dived right in. “I'm sorry about the media. I know you're getting calls, and I'm really sorry that they approached you today.”
“It's okay. Obviously, none of that is your responsibility. I can imagine you're fending off more than I am.”
“I'm in the middle of it, and now you're caught up in it. It's like a riptide, and I wish people would leave you alone.”
“I'm not sure who figured out I was an old family friend,” she said.
“People are nosy, and it's not hard to find out you’re from Haven’s Bay. Look, I know this is weird, and you feel like I hid something from you, but I need to tell you something.” I took a breath, trying to ignore the twisty feeling in my belly. I'd never told anyone I was in love with them. I told her I missed her all the time, but it wasn’t the same. “I'm planning to move to Boston.”
“You are?” she squeaked.
She sounded so surprised I couldn't help but laugh. “Oh, yes. I'd been thinking about it before you and I connected. I didn’t have a timeframe. I also didn't want to make a move on it until this case situation was dealt with. I was concerned how that would look since my company is part of the overall consortium. My long-term plan is to keep an office here, but I’ll mostly work there. I can travel down here when I need to. I may eventually completely relocate. It's not like I have to stay in one place.”
Jane was quiet for several beats. Uncertainty, which I fucking hated, slid through me.
“Jane?” I finally prompted.
“I'm here,” she replied, her tone low.
“Is it okay that I’m planning to move there eventually?”
“Of course, it's okay.”
“I miss you.” I paused and took a careful breath. “I wasn't sure where things stood with us because we didn't really talk about it. This whole case blew up, and I know it’s a little crazy. I’m sorry I didn't tell you something was going on. I didn't want to lie. I didn't know how to explain, and maybe that wasn't the best call.”
“It’s okay. I understand.”