"Answer me anytime, dear. I'm a patient woman."

I sat in the chair next to Everly's bed completely stunned. I heard the question she asked me, but I was too shocked to even process an answer. I'm sure Jackson wouldn't have told her about us...right? Especially if she had a close relationship with Ryan. I doubt she would like that Ryan's soon-to-be wife is hooking up with his own brother.

I looked back at her. "How-- What made you ask that?"

She gave me a small smile as she explained, "Jackson called me when he arrived in Hawaii. He told me that he met a girl in the states."

"He told you it was me?" I asked, shock clearly on my face.

"No. He actually told me very little. But the fact that he told me anything made me believe this time was different." She seemed to think about her words before she continued, "He never had been in a relationship in all his life. He never even told me about any of the girls he-- spent time with. But he told me, the girl he met, was witty, beautiful, and kept him on his toes."

I couldn't hold back my smile when she said that. I remember the night on the beach when Jackson told me similar things about myself. I cleared my throat before I spoke again. "But, if he didn't tell you my name, how did you know it was me?"

"Darling, I saw the way he looked at you when you came in. He may not know it, you may not know it, but it's written all over his face. Besides," she said with a cheeky smile, "a real mother always knows."

I thought about what she said and tried everything I could to not wonder if it was true. I had my own concerns regarding my feelings for Jackson and whether or not he had any feelings for me. Our deal was, very simple and straightforward, no feelings.

I let out a deep breath. "I don't know what to say."

She stared at me for a moment before she cocked her head to the side with curiosity. "Harper, how well do you know Jackson?"

That was actually a pretty good question. I would like to think that I knew him extremely well. But beyond anything physical, he hasn't really shared much about his past or anything really personal. "To be honest, he hasn't told me much. I know that I can trust him and that he's a good guy. He's sweet and protective."

She smiled lovingly. "That sounds like him. The one thing I am proud of is that, like you said, he's a good man. I know that he will always do the right thing and has always tried to make the right choices. But he's also always been very private. He tends to keep everything inside."

Everly worried her bottom lip before she asked me, "Can I trust you not to repeat any of what I'm going to tell you to Jackson?"

The question worried me. But I couldn't stop my answer. "Yes, of course."

"I think the reason he is the way he is, and has led the type of life he has, is because of the relationship between me and his father. Has Ryan ever mentioned anything to you about that?"

"No," I answered honestly as I shook my head. "I didn't even know who Jackson was until Ryan introduced us at the engagement party."

She laughed under her breath. "That sounds about right. Ryan is two years older than Jackson. When Ryan was one, I meant his father in New York. I was going to school there on a student visa for nursing. He had divorced his wife and had custody of Ryan. We met, fell in love, two years later, Jackson was born. We were together until Jackson turned seven. Damian started staying out late and ignoring my calls. It wasn't long before I realized that he had started seeing his ex-wife again behind my back. We split up after that and shared custody of Jackson. Well, the boys had grown close, as brothers do."

She grabbed a Kleenex and wiped her eyes before she continued, "I tried to stay in the states as long as I could, for the boys' sake. But it just got hard to see their father with his wife. So, I took Jackson and moved back to London. He would fly Jackson out to New York to spend time with him and sometimes he would allow Ryan to come over here and visit when he wanted to see his brother."

I thought about what she said. Hearing this story definitely filled in some holes. "Ryan mentioned they had grown estranged. Do you know why?"

"As they got older and started college, they just...changed. Grew apart. From what Jackson has told me, it seemed like his father and mother started trying to control Ryan's life and make him be who they wanted. I think that caused a rift between them." She wiped her eyes again with her Kleenex. "As much as Ryan's father tried to change him, the one thing that never changed was the bond he and I shared. He would call me a few times a week to check on me and talk to me. I still consider him one of my sons. My one regret is that I wasn't able to be in his life more as he grew up."

I leaned back in the chair as I tried to process everything. It was definitely true what she said about Ryan. His parents still try to control his life. She was also right about who he was as a person. Even I could tell you that he is a good guy. It doesn't surprise me that he kept in touch with Everly.

"Jackson confided in me that Ryan was in an arranged marriage."

Okay, that got my attention. "He did?"

"He was worried about him. I was, too. We both think it's absolutely ridiculous that his father is insisting he do this." She looked up at me and gave me a sympathetic smile. "Your parents shouldn't be making you do this either, Harper."

I glanced away, comfortable with the reminder of my unfortunate situation. Right now, I didn't want to think about the life that was being forced upon me. I wanted to think about anything else.

As if Everly sensed my unease she said, "I don't mean to make you uncomfortable, Harper. I just feel like you really need to understand Jackson."

"Why?" I asked like an idiot because I couldn't think of anything else.

"As you know, I don't have a lot of time left. I see a difference in my son and the one thing I want most is for him to finally allow himself to be genuinely happy. When he told me he actually met someone and then the way I saw him look at you today, I know that you are what's going to make him happy. But for that to work you need to understand what happened."

I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "Between his dad and you?"

"Yes. What he did really hurt me, and I was never able to get over it. I tried dating a few years after I moved back to London, but I just couldn't trust anymore. I gave up; and I think seeing that is what made Jackson afraid to be close to someone."

I saw the tears start falling from her eyes and I handed her more Kleenexes. She continued, "It's my fault that he's scared to love."

My heart broke for her and I wanted to try to ease her pain. I reached out and lightly placed my hand on her forearm. "It's not your fault. Jackson loves you. If anyone should be blamed it's his dad." Another thought occurred to me. "Everly, even if what you think he feels for me is true, I'm still engaged to Ryan."

"You can't call that off? I mean, I love Ryan. If I thought he was really in love with you I would have told Jackson to step aside. But Ryan is clearly just as trapped as you are. He deserves to be with the one he loves, too."

"I wish I could. My parents are financially dependent on this wedding for their business. I think there's more behind that story. So does Jackson."

"I really believe you are exactly what Jackson needs; and he is what you need. I'm not going to be around much longer, and I want to know he will be happy. I really hope you guys can find a way to make it work." She laughed before adding, "I know I dropped a bombshell on you. But I'm dying. I can say whatever the hell I want."

This time when she laughed, I joined her. She pulled me into a hug, and we heard the door open. Jackson came in with the coffee and food we requested.

"What's going on in here?" He asked with a hint of suspicion.

I sat back in the chair as his mom answered. "What's going on is this amazing young lady and I are coffee depraved."

"Yeah, I'm sure," he replied as he cast an accusing look at me. He walked over to his mom and handed Everly her coffee before passing me mine.

"Where's Ryan?" I asked, taking it from him.

"He needed to clear his head. He went for a walk."

"Is he okay?" Everly asked in a concerned voice.

"Yeah, he's fine."

I could tell by Jackson's tone that Ryan wasn't fine. Neither of them were fine; and I didn't blame them. This whole situation was unfair for everyone involved. They didn't deserve this. Everly didn't deserve this.

"Here's your food." Jackson's voice was low as he handed me my meal. His hand lightly brushed against mine and he smiled at me.

I took the food from him and set it on the small table in the room. Jackson gave his mom her meal before he sat in the chair across from me. He started eating and before I did the same, I glanced at Everly. Her eyes met mine and there was a hopeful, yet mischievous, expression on her face.

As I finally started eating, I couldn't stop our earlier conversation from repeating itself in my head. I saw Jackson in a different way now that I knew about his childhood. It explained why he was so adamant about not catching feelings with me or anyone. Perhaps with me, since I was engaged to his brother, he felt like he was safe from catching feelings.

I looked up at him as he took a bite of his food. He had his eyes on the television and laughed at whatever show he was watching. I couldn't stop my eyes from scanning his profile. When he laughed again, my body shivered.

Everly's words whispered through my mind. "I really believe you are exactly what Jackson needs; and he is what you need."