Lily’s cheek still stung from the pinch, but she barely noticed.
In a rush of emotion, she leapt up and threw her arms around Jackson—then planted a kiss right on his cheek.
Jackson blinked, startled. “Hey—what was that for? I thought you were supposed to be dead.”
He raised an eyebrow, amused. Seeing her back to her lively self, his worry finally eased.
Realizing what she’d just done, Lily froze. Her face turned scarlet as she stared at the rain outside, wishing she could sink into the ground.
What had she just done?
She had kissed her captain.
And before that—pinched his face like a child.
God, just let me disappear, she thought miserably.
Jackson chuckled quietly, pretending not to notice. “Alright, you’re fine now. Come inside before you catch a cold.”
He turned toward the ca
