Through the tinted windows of my truck, I see the door swing open, nearly making me forget I’m driving when I see her again.
Jase seems animated but relieved when she does answer the door, and they both go inside. Neither of them spotted me, and I park a few houses up, looking in the rearview mirror so I can see her house just fine.
And what a house it is.
It’s somewhere to live, sure. But Vanessa deserves way better than a tiny place like that in a neighborhood even a guy my size wouldn’t feel safe walking around in after dark.
My quick drive-by turns into ten minutes and then twenty. But I’ve got nothing but time when it comes to Vanessa now.
Jase's text makes my face twitch. Making me wonder if he’s spotted me after all.
But he’s just letting me know he’s at Vanessa’s. That she’s okay, and yeah, she fell asleep so wasn’t answering her phone.
No mention of her running off or being mad with me.
That’s all I need to know for now.
That and maybe just getting another glimpse of her if I can.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Vanessa
Jase tells me as much as he can about his upcoming trip away, which sounds like his Dad sprung it on him right after my interview. Or maybe I’m just reading more into it than there is, but Jase always mentions his work. Even before all this business with me working for Hart Construction.
“You’ll be on your own for your first day,” he cautions me, knowing my nerves well enough, too.
But I’d give anything to have my time at that interview over again.
Time to show Mr. Hart…I mean, Michael, that I’m up for more than the job in accounts too.
True to his word, my bestie patiently waits and pays for everything while I shop for new outfits. But he uses the time to buy himself some new clothes for his business trip, so win-win.
And even though I know he won’t press me for it, I keep a tab on how much I spend.
Vowing to pay back every cent from my first paycheck.
Dinner is a little less extravagant than last night, but a burger and fries fill the belly. And calling it an early night, Jase drops me home.
“I’ll call you before I go,” he says, pulling into our driveway.
Dad’s home and I feel a stab of guilt for not calling him up with the good news about the job.
“Night, boss,” I joke to Jase, waving goodbye as he pulls away. Wondering if the pair of us can actually work together. I mean, when it’s Jase and me, we usually end up goofing around and achieving a whole lot of nothing.
But like I said, he is more organized than I am.
I just hope working for him doesn’t change our friendship.
Not like falling for his Dad would either, eh Vanessa…?
Lucky for me, Dad’s in the kitchen when I get in. And he doesn’t even mind that I never called.
A knowing look is on his face as he smiles happily to himself once I walk in. He doesn’t even mind the bags of new outfits I’m carrying that he knows were paid for by someone else.
Jase even refused to let me spend any of my birthday money, picking up the tab for the whole day out.
Telling me before I even have a chance to make my announcements. “You got the job, and being a clever girl, you bought some new outfits,” Dad says, his smile widening as he hugs me tight.
Telling me how proud he is.
“How’d you know I even got the job?” I ask, feigning ignorance, not able to stop myself from smiling too.
“Because anyone would be crazy not to hire you, Vanessa. I’m so proud of you…when do you start?” he asks, lifting the coffee pot and making me shake my head.
There’s no way I wanna have coffee jangling my nerves too.
“Monday,” I pipe in as he busies himself with his go-go juice, whistling through his teeth.
“He must really want you bad,” he murmurs to himself.
“What?” I exclaim, feeling a jolt of panic.
As if everyone knows exactly what happened in Michael’s office today.
“Hart,” Dad shrugs. “I know plenty of guys who’ve applied down there. They run a tight ship, and they only want the best of the best. I guess you knowing Jase kinda helps,” he adds.
And noting my pout of disapproval, he tells me he didn’t mean it like that.
“I just mean, honey, that people like that get where they are by hard work and having the right people. They’ve done well if they can snap you up. Probably wanna keep you forever,” he muses.
Pecking the top of my head as he leaves the kitchen, he lets me know he’s going to get a couple of hours of sleep before his night shift.
“With coffee in your hand?” I call after him jokingly. Even though I know it won’t keep him awake.