His face fell at her apology but Jack immediately regarded her with tender eyes. He wouldn't let his experience trump hers. She was tender enough to reach for him and he turned over his hand to hold hers. It took a moment for him to realize Jane was alone in the world. He knew what that felt like, even with his mum and other relatives. The pad of his thumb softly stroked where it reached on her hand as they spoke.

"It's been many years for me." He would be honest with Jane. No one deserved deception. "Those who knew him in Scotland say my father was gone long before his death. So I can't say I ever really knew the man." Jack preferred to think his father was the Kevin Flanagan he rarely got glimpses of than the constantly drunk and brooding man he knew. "But I have my mum and other relatives. And always room for new friends," he ended with a soft smile.

Jack was interested in more than friendship but it didn't seem appropriate to say then. Besides, he hoped they could be friends. Relationships were empty and short-lived when the time wasn't taken outside of romantic escapades. He would gladly trade seeing different women for one who could steadily be there. In part, it was why he hadn't allowed himself a serious romance before establishing his career. He couldn't end up resentful and bitter like his father.