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Duffy’s gaze went beyond Jack to meet with hers

Jack spun, spotted her and cringed “You heard that, didn’t you?” He shook his head with disgust, looking very unlike the laidback ? Of course you heard that”

That her s but threw Taylor She took a deep breath, pasted a smile on her face and went tohere the men were

“Heard what?” She walked right over to Jack, planted a kiss on his cheek as if it was thein the world to do and her heart wasn’t pounding out of her chest She held up the bags in her hands “You won’t believe the cool things I bought this ”

Duffy knew she’d been standing there, had heard, but the older man didn’t call her bluff Neither did he comment on the fact she’d kissed Jack’s cheek

Why had she?

Because she’d needed to touch him? To remind herself that he was real? Or had that kiss been an attempt to calm him?

Then it hit her

She was behaving as she would have with Neil

Nowas fine to keep the peace, not er

Startled at the realization, she lifted her gaze to Jack’s

Happiness didn’t fill her Neither did trust or a sense of safety

Anger That hat filled her

Anger that he’d immediately revealed this new side and she’d immediately fallen into old habits

She dropped her bags at her feet “Actually, I did hear your conversation, but I don’t understand why you’re upset that I heard Like you said, itNot to either one of us” Okay,the truth a bit, but it had sounded good “At no point have I had any expectations that you wouldn’t be sneaking into women’s tents in the future, neither have I had any desire for you not to,” she added for good s I already knew and had no problem with?”