11:10 a.m.

Jack stood up and walked over to his dresser, leaving Elizabeth out of breath and grinning from ear to ear. He sure knows how to rile me up! She laid back on the bed, letting her body cool down. Holy moly. That wake-up call was certainly better than my clock. I really need to talk to Ab- She was lost in thought when something soft hit her in the face. She sat up startled, pulling the sweats into her lap and giving Jack a smirk.

Jack pulled on a pair of shorts, but didn't bother with a shirt. The Calvin Klein logo peaking out had answered a question for Elizabeth. He sleeps in boxer briefs. Elizabeth's cheeks were feeling flushed as she stood and slipped into the sweats.

"Thank you."

"For what?" he responded, returning to her.

"For the sweats."

Jack smirked as he backed her into the wall, strong hands on her hips. "For anything else?"

"Well..." she spoke softly as his face grew near. "I guess I should thank you for sharing your bed with me this morning..."

"Oh, that was my pleasure. Sasha and I are happy to share anytime you like," he flirted, his eyelashes raising slowly.

He kissed her softly and she returned his affections, her fingers grasping his hair.

"Let's go have some breakfast before you get carried away," Jack teased.

The smell of bacon permeated the loft. They headed for the stairs, his hand guiding her.

She hesitated. "And Jack..."

"Yes?" he turned back to her, green eyes sparkling.

"Thank you for waiting for me."

He kissed her again, beaming as he led her downstairs.

11:15 a.m.

Tom had returned home and was surprised to trip over a pair of wet running shoes by the door. They were much too small to be his brother's, and they were purple. He was even more taken aback to hear that Jack had company up in the loft. Perhaps the owner of these shoes! Must be someone special! I don't remember him ever having a girl up there... Well, other than Sasha! He chuckled to himself. His older brother wasn't nearly as charming as he was. He smiled proudly.

Their voices were quiet, with giggles and the sound of ruffling sheets intermixed. Hmmm. He squinted, as if that would help him hear better. The voice sounded familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on it. His curiosity was getting the best of him as he dropped some bacon in the skillet and went to the refrigerator for some eggs.

He looked up as two sets of feet appeared on the stairs. One of them was in sweats much too large... and the other pair were hairy. Those must be Jack's! He cracked himself up. If the idea of a girl in the loft had surprised him, the shock of who that girl was nearly made him drop the eggs.

He stood there, eyes wide, mouth agape, eyes glancing back and forth from his brother's face... to Elizabeth's. Wait, Elizabeth's?! What the?! Elizabeth Thatcher spent the night with my brother?! And is now wearing his clothes?!

11:22 a.m.

Jack's eyes met Tom's. He had some explaining to do. Before he could open his mouth, Elizabeth greeted his brother nonchalantly.

"Good morning, Tom!" she smiled grandly, desperate to hide the sheer panic in her voice.

"Good morning, Elizabeth!" Tom replied demurely. "Wasn't expecting to see you here this morning."

She ignored his ploy for more information. "I trust that you had an exciting night last night?" she responded coolly.

"Oh, I did. And it looks like you all might have had some excitement too, eh?" He wasn't going down without a fight.

With impeccable timing, Sasha barreled down the stairs, rescuing Elizabeth from the drama playing out between her and the Thornton brothers.

"Hey Sasha! Do you need to go out?! I'll take you!" Elizabeth hustled to the door, not even bothering to slip her shoes on. Face red, excited to leave Jack to deal with his little brother.

Jack and Tom stood in silence for a minute as Elizabeth practically pulled Sasha down the steps. And then they both burst into laughter.

"Tom! You are awful! How could you ambush her like that?!" Jack laughed.

"ME?! Ambush YOU GUYS?! Are you kidding me?!" He slapped Jack on the back. "Did you even SEE my face when she came waltzing down the stairs with your clothes on?! What the hell, man?! HOW did that happen?! I thought you said she was going to see Mr. Perfect this weekend?"

Jack grinned, his dimples matching his brother's. "She did. She did go. I went out with Lee and Frank, got home in time to catch Fallon and went to sleep," he shrugged. The next thing I knew, she was standing in my room sopping wet and changing into my t-shirt." He smiled. "She told me that it was over between her and Charlie and that she was 'tired of pretending'," he gestured with his hands.

Tom was perplexed, but excited for his brother. "'Tired of pretending?!' What the heck does that mean?!"

"I'm not exactly sure, but if it means the girl of my dreams wakes up next to me every morning, I'll take it."

11:35 a.m.

Sasha did her business pretty quickly, but Elizabeth didn't really want to go back in there. To face Tom. We'll just stay out here for a little while longer, m'kay Sash? She gave the sweet dog an ear scratch. Sasha loved Elizabeth and was happy to be outside. Elizabeth sat down on the steps, enjoying the smell of the air after the rain. She pulled out her phone.

Abigail had texted her last night to see if she'd made it to Charlie's alright. "I'm fine. But we need to talk. ASAP. You free tonight?" "Sure, is everything alright? I thought you were staying with Charlie this weekend?" "Yes, everything is great, but plans changed. Let's get dinner? Frank can come too if Becky can stay with Cody. I have some news." She ended the statement with a smiley face emoji.

Elizabeth stood and took a deep breath. You can do this. Just don't embarrass yourself. She and Sasha rejoined the boys, who were sitting at the table having breakfast.

"It smells wonderful, Tom! Who knew you could cook like this?!"

Tom chuckled. "Who knew you'd look so good in my brother's clothes?"

Elizabeth's face blazed red as she bit her lower lip and looked down at her plate. Jack kicked Tom under the table. "That's enough Tom." He winked. "But you're right, she does look way better in them than I do."

Elizabeth shook her head at the two boys and took a deep breath. "Please pass the orange juice."

1:15 p.m.

Jack emerged from the shower with only a towel wrapped around his waist. Elizabeth was laying on his bed petting Sasha in between texts from Abigail. They had discussed weekend plans, but Elizabeth had only divulged that she and Charlie had broken up. She had conveniently left out the fact that she had spent the night at Jack's house and was currently wearing his clothing. That was information the pastor's wife needed to find out in person. She smiled, imagining her reaction.

Jack slipped into some jeans, as Elizabeth's eyes were concentrating intently on the message she was typing. She looked up just as he was buttoning them up. Water trickling from his hair down his chest. She could feel the sudden charge rush through her body. Oh Elizabeth. Get a hold of yourself. It's just a guy without a shirt on. You've seen him shirtless plenty of times. And still, her toes curled as he sat down next to her. Heat radiating off of his bare skin. He smelled like cinnamon and vanilla. What is it that Rosie always says? Keep busy so you won't be in a tizzy?! He reached over and swept her hair from her eyes. I haven't even brushed my teeth! I'm a mess!

Elizabeth promptly stood and left Jack sitting on the bed, heart pounding in her ears. "I think my clothes are dry, so I'm going to get dressed and run back home. I could really use a shower too."

Jack grabbed her by the hand, rising to pull her back in. "Why don't I drive you?" he spoke softly, his warm breath on her neck. "It looks like it could start raining again any minute." His strong arms reached around her waist, pressing her body up against his bare skin.

The thought of being in such tight quarters with him made her squirm with anticipation. "Are you sure? I don't want to mess up your plans." The feeling of his still-wet hands as they slipped under her shirt, traveling up her back made her breath catch in her chest.

"The only plans I have for today," he uttered between delicate kisses on her neck, "are to meet Lee and Rosemary for dinner. Would you like to join us?"

Breathless, laying her head back in appreciation, she whispered back "Abigail and Frank... they've invited me to dinner with them... and I really need to talk to her..."

"About what?" his lips traced her jawline and found her mouth. "Me, right?" He grinned coyly as he nudged her back towards the bed.

She traced his lips with her tongue, no longer able to resist him. "Maybe you guys can catch up with us after dinner at the Lion?"

He no longer heard the words she spoke. "Sure, whatever you want." His fingers feeling her soft skin as he kissed her, much harder than he ever had before. The room was starting to spin as she lay back on his soft bed. He followed. He balanced over her, his muscles rigid. Her hands grasping his hips and pulling him onto her.

2:30 p.m.

"So I'll see you tonight then?" he called to her as she closed the door to his jeep and headed for her apartment.

"Yes, I'll message you, but probably around 9. At the Lion."

He watched her climb the steps to her place and let herself inside. She turned and smiled at him before she closed the door behind her.

Jack, you are a lucky, lucky man.