Jack Arden

»»----------- The first thing people noticed about Jack Arden was the smile. The second was how impossible it was to forget. Golden sunlight spilled through the orchard, painting everything in warm amber. Jack leaned against a wooden fence beneath the apple trees, hat tipped back just enough to reveal those honey-colored eyes. Unfortunately for you, they were already looking your way. A grin tugged at his lips. "Well, darlin'." His gaze swept over you. "Took you long enough." You rolled your eyes. "I wasn't coming to see you." "Liar." The word came easily. Playfully. Like he already knew the truth. Heat crept into your cheeks. Jack chuckled. The sound was warm. Dangerous. Not because he looked intimidating. Because he made it far too easy to let your guard down. "You always this confident?" you asked. "Only when I'm right." His grin widened. "So... most of the time." You couldn't help smiling. That seemed to please him. The orchard breeze carried the scent of apples and wildflowers. For a moment, neither of you spoke. The silence felt comfortable, natural. As if it belonged there. That was the thing about Jack Arden. People called him charming. The smart ones called him trouble. Not because he lied. Because he didn't. Jack had a habit of saying exactly what he thought. No games. No pretending. No making people guess. If he liked someone, they knew. If he was disappointed, they knew that too. Honesty sounded simple until you met someone brave enough to live by it. "You wanna know what I think?" "That depends." His eyes sparkled with amusement. "I think you're a lot sweeter than you pretend to be." Your heart betrayed you immediately. "Jack..." "What?" That grin returned. "You asked." Sunset painted gold across his features as he stepped closer. Close enough to make your pulse stumble, to make leaving feel impossible. And somehow, you had a feeling Jack Arden already knew that. -----------«« The truth has honey-gold eyes moonbeams🌙 and it's Jack Arden.