QUOTE : Why didn’t you ask me out?” Layla blurted, suddenly needing to know. She bit the inside of her lip, cursing her impulsive tongue. Her heart beat erratically, thumping hard against her ribs. “Two summers ago when we volunteered at the theater? I kept thinking you might.” His hands paused on a spool of twine as he looked at her, his eyes somber. “I wanted to. But I was coming off a difficult relationship—I needed some time.” Regret laced his voice. “Chloe Peterson.” He nodded. She’d seen them around town for about a year. The grapevine claimed she’d cheated on him with Chris Geiger, but who knew? “I was about to ask you out,” he said. “But before I could . . .” “Jack.” His eyes skimmed over her face. “You have no idea how many times I’ve regretted waiting.” Her face warmed under his perusal. Her pulse skittered. “Wonder what would’ve happened.” One corner of his lips tipped up as a look of serenity passed over his face, displacing the regret. “Who knows. Maybe we’d be engaged for real.