Hearing her voice had an unexpected effect on me. It seemed to calm down my nervous system and loosen my muscles. I’d been tense the whole day, but chatting with her about my brothers was thoroughly relaxing.
"What else do you plan to do while you’re in Boston?" she asked. "Besides working."
"I have two jobs to fulfill, so that's all I'll be doing."
"Right," Natalie said. "And your brothers are just going to be okay with that? Gabe seemed like he had plans yesterday. He's fun."
I straightened up in the chair. My muscles went rigid.Is she attracted to him? Is that it?
"Just so you know, Gabe is never serious about women."
"Thanks for this information I never asked for." She sounded completely confused.
Fuck me, I was losing my mind. I'd never cared about a woman. Ever. I'd only met Natalie a couple days ago, yet I was obsessing over her safety and whether she was attracted to my brother.What’s happening to me?
"I don’t have fond memories of Boston," I admitted, to my surprise. This wasn't something I talked about, not even with my brothers. They suspected it, of course.
"I think that's a pity," Natalie said. Her voice was kind. "I think the city is amazing, and I love it so much. I like the harbor, the redbrick buildings, the history throughout, the farmers markets, the art galleries, and the ice cream. Oh God, I have my favorite gelato shop by the harbor. It's called Gelateria Di Venezzia. I love the pistachio and lemon flavors."
"Those are the most unappealing ones I've ever heard of."
“Don't diss it until you try it. Anyway, was there anything else, Jake? Or did you just call to berate me for not having an alarm system?"
"I want you to be safe."
"Jake, I’m okay. Trust me. Now I have to let you go. I'm sauntering around the city, trying to discover the best location for Jeannie's birthday."
"Good luck," I said.
"And to you. Don't overwork yourself."
I snorted. "That's impossible."
“Ouch. Okay. I’ve got to go. I’m going to short-list the locations that are available on her birthday—and then I’m going to quiz you on Jeannie. I’ll need very detailed answers.”
“You’ll get them.”
“Oh really?”
“I’m always thorough, Natalie. In everything I do.”
She sucked in a breath. Clearly she could sense I was speaking in double entendres.
“I’ve really got to go now. Talk to you later?” she asked.
“Of course.”
“Jake? You’re a very surprising man.”
It was a good thing she’d picked up on that, because I planned to surprise her in more ways than one.