“I’d love to see it.”

“I’ll get the keys.” Standing, Jessie found her purse by the door and started to dig in to find her keys.

“Tell you what, why don’t we go for ice cream,” Jack suggested. “Your mom can give me a ride in her new car.”

“Can we, Mom?”

“Sure, why not. You wanna go, Monica?” Jessie turned to her sister, who busied herself cleaning the dishes.

“You guys go. I’ll finish cleaning this mess.”

Outside, the sun had set and the wind was whipping around the chill in the air. The apartment complex had a carport, but only one designated spot per unit. Until the new car, Monica had parked her car under it.

Jessie used the remote to unlock the car. “I still can’t believe it’s mine. I kinda feel like I’ve won the lottery without even playing.”

Jack placed his arm around her and rested it on her shoulder as they walked. “Sometimes good things actually come to those who deserve them.”

At the car, Danny opened the back door and jumped inside. “Look, Jack. TV.”

“It plays DVDs,” Jessie told Jack as he ran a hand over the frame of the door Danny had opened.

Jack tickled Danny as he leaned over him to look inside. “Perfect for those long drives.”

“That’s what the dealer said. I never thought I’d have a car like this.”

“Is it safe?” Jack asked.

“The crash rating had a decent score. The gas mileage is great.”

Jack rounded the car and popped the hood. “Four cylinder?”

“Again, gas mileage.”

From over the hood, Jack said, “I think it’s a great pick.”

For the first time since she’d driven it home, Jessie felt as if she could enjoy it. Without Jack, everything had seemed a little grayer.

Jack released the hood. “Wanna take me for a spin?”

Danny was already in his seat with the seat belt on.

After ice cream, they drove around looking at Christmas lights until Danny started nodding off in the back.

Jack stared at her as they rounded the street that led to her apartment.

“It’s nice to see you with new things,” he said. “You smile a little brighter.”

Damn, she didn’t want him thinking she needed him to provide them for her. Together they’d figure out how to pay the bills and make things work. “It’s just a car, Jack. I’m smiling because I’m sharing it with you.”

“Danny seemed ready to ask Santa for a garage to park this in.”

“Danny doesn’t realize what he’s asking for when he says he wants a house for Christmas. I think he watched Miracle on 34th Street.”

“Kids dream a little bigger than adults do. I think it’s part of the innocence.”

She agreed. “Adults know that making dreams come true is hard work. Kids think all they have to do is wish on a falling star.”

Jessie pulled into her parking space and turned off the engine. “Well, what do you think?” she asked, stroking the steering wheel.

“I think it’s perfect.” He leaned over then and kissed her. Sweet and short, but so very nice. “I think you need to keep wishing on falling stars,” he whispered with a grin.

Jessie watched his gray eyes sparkle and couldn’t help but think they looked like stars.

“Come on,” he said after pulling away. “Let’s tuck Danny into bed. Then I can tuck you into bed.”

She wiggled out of the driver’s seat. Now, that sounded like a perfect plan.

Jack and Jessie spent the night making love. Making up for the time they’d lost. By morning, Jack was prepared to break away for a few hours. He needed a solid plan to execute how to explain his deception to Jessie. He twisted words in his head, trying to phrase things so she wouldn’t feel lied to.

The more he pondered his approach, the more he knew she’d be angry. Hell, he would be if he were in her place.

He needed female advice.

Jack needed his kid sister.

Sliding behind Jessie as she assembled the makings for cookies, Jack placed a kiss on the side of her neck. “Sugar cookies?” he asked, holding her around the waist with one hand and dipping his finger into the sticky bowl for a stolen taste. He licked his finger and savored the flavor of the cookie dough.

“The best kind.”

“I don’t know about that. Chocolate chip cookies always sing to me.”

Jessie laughed and slapped his hand when he went in for a second taste. “Cookie cutters don’t work with chocolate chips, and you can’t frost them.”

“Yum, frosted chocolate chip cookies. I think you’re on to something.”

She giggled and picked up a spoon to stir the batter.

“I hate to say this.” Jack swiveled Jessie until they were face-to-face. “But I need to go and run some errands, check in at the hotel.”

“Do you have to work today?” She wiped her hands on a towel and set it aside.

“In a way.”

“What does that mean?” She smiled when she asked.

“I’ll explain later.” He avoided lying. Going to the hotel and working were on the agenda, just not exactly in the manner Jessie thought.

“We’ll save some of the frosting so you can make your own,” Jessie said.

Jack glanced at Danny, who was playing a board game with Monica in the living room, then leaned down to kiss Jessie.