JACK
Later that night, after dinner, Jack lay on his back on the couch with Mia, lightly stroking her back as they talked about their day like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Do you want to hear the latest in the Rebecca saga?”
“I want to hear everything you have to say.”
She raised her head from his shoulder, placed a hand on his chest, and rested her chin on it. “That’s very sweet, but if you’re bored with Boring Rebecca, you have to tell me.”
“I’m not, I promise.”
“Okay, so George called me and said they thought there was an inaccuracy in my numbers on last month’s report.”
Jack couldn’t help it. He scoffed.
“Exactly.” Her emerald eyes sparkled up at him. “So I had a meeting with him, turns out it was a ‘typo’ on their end. But I know it was deliberate and I know if I wasn’t so careful and sure, she would have gotten around me. George was lovely about it, apologizing profusely. Rebecca just glared daggers at me the whole time.”
“It would be nice if she just went away, wouldn’t it? Do you need some help with her? Anything I can do? I could, technically, hack her computer if you like…” He wiggled his eyebrows, obviously going for levity.
Mia laughed as she reached up and gave him a long, lingering kiss. “Cute. Thanks. She’s annoyingly persistent, but I can handle it.”
“Of course, you can. You know what else would be nice?”
“What?”
“If you could stay the night.”
“Well, actually…” Looking down and then looking back at him shyly through her lashes, Jack felt all the blood rush from his head. “I have a bag in the car.”
“You have a bag in the car?” He jumped up. “Really?”
She giggled. “Yes, really. In the trunk.”
Without a second thought, Jack grabbed her keys from the sideboard, went out to the car and popped the trunk. He hadn’t wanted to put the pressure on, but he was so glad she obviously wanted this as much as he did. He wondered if he’d ever stop being surprised by her. I hope not; he thought as he walked back into the house.
* * *
The week flew by, and before Jack knew it, it was Saturday and he was checking his climbing gear, getting ready to pick Mia up and drive to New Bern. They’d stuck to their two nights a week arrangement, mostly because Mia was busy doing things like girls’ nights and hot yoga on the other three nights in the week.
He couldn’t wait to spend the whole day with her.
Arriving at Mia’s house, he sent her a quick message and waited for her in the car as agreed. It had been Mia’s wish for him not to be seen in broad daylight picking her up, even though he was sure they could have come up with a reason, in case someone from work had seen them.
“It’s not just someone from work, you know? You haven’t lived here long, but I grew up here and everyone knows me. If anyone saw you coming to pick me up, word would get around. And if word got around, it could easily end up back at the office.”
Which was obviously a point he couldn’t argue. So he waited for her in the car. As she walked towards him, he saw the curtain on the front window pull back and two heads peek out at him. One was obviously Emilia, and the other had to be Annie, their roommate.
Grinning, Jack lowered the car window so they could get a better look. “Hey,” he leaned over and gave Mia a warm, gentle kiss when she got in the car. He’d missed her. “You ready?”
“I am! I’ve read all about rock-climbing. Who’s going to be securing you? Cause I’m not allowed.” Her eyes were sparkling, knocking the breath out of him.
“Someone who works there will secure me.” He pulled away from the curb and headed towards New Bern.
“And are you sure you’re good to secure me? Cause, you know, I’m heavier…”
A spark of annoyance shot through him, but he bit down on it. Whoever had done a number on her self-esteem definitely didn’t want to meet him in a dark alley. “I’m sure.” He put a hand on her thigh and squeezed as they reached the Esperance town limits.
He noticed how she visibly relaxed, taking off the sunglasses he now realized were to disguise her.