A knock sounded on my open door and I looked up to find a fresh-from-the-shower Jack standing just inside my office, looking good enough to eat.
“Hi,” I said, the word coming out in a husky whisper.
He walked across the room, his delicious scent filling the small space with every step. Leaning his hip against the desk, he struck a casual pose, even though he looked anything but. He looked like the old Jack, the one the whole world sees. Not the one I’ve gotten to know the past few weeks.
“Was Doug Luna just in here?”
“Yes.”
“What for?”
“He invited me to happy hour with the rest of the gang.” When he didn’t say anything, I added, “Is something wrong?”
He looked down at his clasped hands and took a deep breath before meeting my gaze again.
“Everytime I turn around, he’s with you,” he said. “And it’s obvious he’s interested.”
While he stopped speaking, the question hung in the air anyway. I answered it before he felt the need to ask.
“Jack, there’s nothing going on with Doug and me,” I said, then decided to be completely honest. “We went on one lunch date when I first got here, but that was it.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why was that it?”
“Because we got involved and I told him I wasn’t interested.”
“Were you interested before we got involved?”
A hundred answers ran through my head, but I decided to go with the truth. At least a good portion of the truth. He doesn’t need to know about my decade-long obsession with him.
“He’s nice enough and I like him as a person, but honestly, I only went out with him to distract me from my growing attraction to you.”
The corner of Jack’s mouth kicked up into a small smile and he leaned forward, placing his hands on either armrest, trapping me in the chair.
“Growing attraction?” I nodded and his mouth curled into a sexy smile. “Is it still growing?”
“Every second of every day.”
“That’s real good.” He leaned down and kissed the corner of my mouth. “Because I don’t share.”
His mouth took mine in a searing kiss that had my head spinning.
He pulled back and resumed his perch on the edge of the desk.
“Now, the reason I came here in the first place was to ask what you’re doing tonight.”
“I have a few errands to run then I have to figure out what I’m wearing tomorrow.”
“Why don’t you stay at my place tonight? We can order some dinner, maybe watch a movie.”
I chuckled. “Did you just ask me to Netflix and chill?”
His laugh echoed through my office. “I hope I have a little more game than that,” he said. “I thought it would be easier if you stayed at my place tonight since we’re heading out early.”
“Sounds good,” I said. “Can I bring anything?”
Jack bobbed his eyebrows. “Have any more cupcakes?”
My nipples tightened at the thought of what he’d done with the last batch I’d made. There’s no way he could see that through the bra I have on today, but his gaze dropped anyway, as if he knew.
“I can make some,” I said.
He shook his head and dragged his gaze back up to meet mine. “Just come over as soon as you can.”
“What about for tomorrow?”
“We have it all covered.” He leaned forward and gave me a quick kiss. “I’m gonna head out now so you can finish up here and run those errands.” He stood and took a step back. “Don’t be too long. I’ll be waiting.”
This man does know how to make my heart go pitty-pat. He walked toward the door and looked back over his shoulder, his cocky smile promising all sorts of wicked things. I need to say something to knock him down a peg or two.
“Jack.” He stopped before stepping out into the hallway. “I don’t share either.”
His smile grew larger, and a look that I could only call relief crossed his face.
Rapping his knuckles against the door jamb, he said, “Understood.”
Chapter 24
Jack
Tom Phillips expertly docked the Lucky Catch in the slip and killed the engine. Monte jumped off and dropped the rope over the piling, securing her in place. We decided to change things up a little this year, starting with having a captain on board.
We usually ride by ourselves, but with the addition of Sabrina and Lexi, and then Hannah, decided it would be nice for someone else to be in charge of navigation. And it worked out great. Tom anchored us off a barrier island and we spent the day there, snorkeling, exploring, and relaxing. There was a lot of eating and drinking too, but not enough that I’m not craving cold beer and conch fritters at Arnie’s Place.
With my duffle and Hannah’s bag slung over my shoulder, I stepped onto the dock then turned and held out my hand to help her off the boat. As she stepped forward, I pulled her toward me so she fell into my chest. I lowered my lips to give her a small kiss, then held her close.
“Thank you for coming today.”
“Thank you for inviting me.”
Throughout the day, enough comments have been made so she knows it’s not normal for me to bring the women I’m seeing on outings with the guys. Not these guys anyway. It wouldn’t have been fair to have them get to know all the women through the revolving door of my love life on a personal level. They may have crossed paths a time or two, but for the most part, contact was limited.
“Trust me when I say the pleasure has been all mine.” I kissed her then pulled back and looked down her body, now covered in a long sundress, then back up. “Especially getting to watch you frolic in a bikini all day.”
She opened her mouth to comment, but Lexi’s laugh grabbed her attention.
Dan had picked her up out of the boat and swung her in the air before placing her on the deck. She ran toward Hannah and me as her father grabbed their gear and helped Sabrina out of the boat.
“Uncle Jack, that was so much fun,” she said.
I bent down and asked, “What was your favorite part?”
“Snorkeling. I did it in the pool before but not in the ocean. It was so cool,” she said, then looked over my shoulder. “Daddy, we’re going to eat now, right? I’m starving.”
Cal, Monte, and Tom finished their conversation and walked our way.
“Are you guys dropping your stuff at the hotel before you head to Arnie’s?” Cal asked.
Our game isn’t until tomorrow night, so we’re staying in Key West for the night and chartering a plane to fly us back to St. Pete early in the afternoon. Tom plans on staying down here for a few days before sailing back.
Everyone looked around our little circle, waiting for someone else to answer. When no one did, I decided to pawn the decision off on the rookies.
“Let’s let the ladies decide.”
The guys liked that idea and we turned our attention to Sabrina and Hannah...and Lexi of course.
“Honestly, I thought I’d want to shower and change before dinner, but now I’m afraid that once I’m in the room, you won’t get me out again,” Sabrina said.
“How far is this Arnie’s Place from the hotel?” Hannah asked.
“It’s on the way to the hotel, about four blocks from here,” I said.
“Then if everyone is okay with going as they are, it makes more sense to go to dinner first then continue on to the hotel,” she said.
Leave it to my Hannah to take the logical approach. Everyone agreed that it made sense, especially Lexi, who reminded her parents that she’s starving.
“Tom, you want to join us?” I asked our captain.
He stepped toward me and slapped me on the back. “Thanks for the invite, but I have plans of my own.”
Walking past me, he joined his “plans” waiting a few feet away.
“Alrighty then,” Monte said. “Old man has more game than us,” he said to Cal.
“The only game I want
right now is on the field, but you feel free to find some,” Cal answered. “Ready to go?”
Our little mob walked the short distance to Arnie’s and I was happy to see that aside from two old men sitting at the bar, the place was empty. Then again, it’s never been crazy busy anytime we’ve been here...which is why we like it. It’s a local hangout more than a tourist trap, and any people here usually just leave us alone. Plus, the food is amazing. Arnie’s husband, Ted, had been a chef at a Michelin-rated restaurant decades ago before they decided to get out of the rat race and move to Key West.
Arnie greeted us and I introduced him to the girls. He made a fuss over Lexi, then took our drink orders and brought her over to the bar to pour her own drink from the soda gun. I pulled out a chair for Hannah then sat next to her. Everyone else settled in around the table and Dan left a seat between us for Lexi.
The two returned from the bar, Lexi holding her glass carefully in two hands and Arnie had two pitchers of beer in one hand and a stack of glasses in the other. He expertly set everything down on the table, then took Lexi’s glass from her and helped her climb into her chair.
“I had Ted drop some fritters for you,” he said. “Anything else you’d like to start with?”
“Garlic parmesan wings,” Monte said.
“Shark bites,” I added.
“Do you think Ted would whip up some of those crab nachos he made last time we were here?” Cal asked.
“I’m sure he will as long as you promise to kick Boston’s ass this year,” Arnie said. Both he and Ted were born and raised in New York and are rabid baseball fans. The flip side of that is that they hate Boston baseball.
“You know we’ll do our best,” Cal said, and the rest of us agreed.
Arnie turned his attention to me. “Want to add anything?”
“I think that’s good.” I said. “I want to save room for a burger and dessert.”
He went to place our orders and take refill drinks for the guys at the bar.
“You want to save room for a burger and dessert?” Hannah’s lips curled into a small smirk as she repeated my last sentence back to me.
I nodded. “The burgers here are amazing, and both the strawberry shortcake and brownie a la mode are delicious. Ted makes everything from scratch, including the ice cream.”
“I may not make it through all the appetizers, so I’ll have to live vicariously through you,” she said.
“Oh no, you better step up your game tonight. I don’t want to choose between those two desserts I mentioned and I’m counting on you to order one so we can share,” I said, then nodded my head toward Lexi. “I know better than to ask this one to share a dessert because I won’t get any.”
Lexi laughed. “I can’t help it. I love ice cream,” she said. “And chocolate.”
“I understand that,” Hannah said. “And I’ll do my best to keep up with all the food tonight.”
Cal poured beer for everyone and held his up for a toast.
“This was a great day. Thank you for distracting me from my current situation.”
His ex-wife was really putting him through the ringer, and we’ve done our best to be supportive without acting like total pussies or hovering like helicopter moms. We all raised our glasses and took a drink.
Arnie walked over with a platter of conch fritters and a stack of small plates. After placing both in the center of the table, he went back to the kitchen and returned holding a tray of small bowls.
“Here’s your dipping sauce,” he said, I assume speaking to Hannah, Sabrina, and Lexi because the rest of us know the drill. He always gives people individual bowls of sauce so there’s no issue with double dipping. Apparently, it’s one of his pet peeves. “Enjoy.”
“These are delicious. I expected them to be greasy, but they’re so light,” Sabrina said. “And I’ve never tasted anything like this sauce.”
“Wait until you taste Ted’s blue cheese sauce that comes with the wings,” Monte said. “I don’t even like blue cheese and I could eat that stuff like soup.”
We’d just about finished off the platter of fritters when Arnie and Ted walked out of the kitchen, each carrying a tray heaping with food. After they set platters on every available inch of the table, introductions were made. Sabrina and Hannah complimented the food and Ted started a serious discussion with Lexi. Apparently there’s a debate on whether or not Tinkerbell...whose likeness covered the front of Lexi’s shirt...is a princess. After spending so much time with Lexi, I’m aware of the fact that she was considered one a few years ago but now isn’t, and Ted knows this because he has two daughters and four granddaughters.
From what I understand, he married young and had three children, then divorced years later when he realized, or should I say admitted, he’s gay. I met his son, one of his daughters, his ex-wife, and her husband when they all came to the game when we played New York and they all seem to get along well. I didn’t hold the fact that he rooted for the other team against him. Hell, in my mind I’m still a Boston fan, though I don’t share that with the world.
Ted excused himself to get back to the kitchen and Arnie checked to see if we needed anything else.
“Just let me know when you’re ready to order entrees,” he said, then took his place back behind the bar.
We dug into the feast in front of us, and did very little talking. It’s been a long day on the boat and even though we kind of grazed all day, everyone was hungry. It didn’t take long for the seven of us to put a good dent in the food and finish both pitchers of beer.
Hannah consolidated the remaining food onto a few plates to make room. She is seriously the queen of organization. A very attractive trait to a man who likes everything in order.
I stood and said, “I’ll take these over to the bar and get some more drinks. More beer?”
Lexi jumped off her chair. “I want another soda. Do you think Arnie will let me pour again?”
“We can ask,” I said and handed her to one of the empty pitchers to carry.
I managed to balance the empty plates in one hand and carry the other pitcher in the other. Lexi handed Arnie the empty pitcher and he ushered her behind the bar to fill her glass. I set my load on the edge of the bar closest to the kitchen.
“Two more pitchers of beer and one of water,” I said.
Lexi and I managed to get everything over to the table unscathed and on the way, she noticed the vintage jukebox tucked into the corner.
“Can we play some music,” she asked before we sat back down.
“Sure, let’s go see if it takes bills,” I said.
Thankfully it had been modified to accept bills, so I pulled a five from my wallet and handed it to Lexi. She put it in the slot and surprisingly it went in on the first try.
“Now remember, we have to play songs everyone will like,” I said. For a kid, she has decent taste in music, but every once in a while, she wants to listen to the new crap being put out nowadays.
I showed her how to punch in the codes and she’d entered three before she screeched.
“Uncle Jack! They have our song,” she said. “Will you dance with me?”
“Sure,” I said. “Punch it in.”
We were still picking songs when the first chords of Stone in Love by Journey started to play. Lexi loves Journey, but only with Steve Perry singing. Her father is raising her right. We selected a few more songs and with all our money spent, returned to our seats and waited for our song to play.
“I’m going to the ladies’ room,” Sabrina told Dan. “Lexi?” She nodded and hopped off her chair.
“I’ll join you.” Hannah stood and the two left the table.
“So Jack, who was that kid you were talking to at the game yesterday?” Monte asked.
“Jeremy Walsh,” I said. “That’s the kid I met at the beach bash fundraiser.”
“That was his mom with him?” I nodded and popped a nacho in my mouth. “Was the dad at the game, too?”
“The dad was killed by a
drunk driver,” I said.
“That’s awful,” he said. “They live here?”
“Somewhere close by, I guess.”
He was about to say something else when Cal interrupted. Leaning his elbows on the table, he gestured for us to move closer.
“I don’t want to sound like a fangirl here, but I’m pretty sure Mac Flynn just walked through the door,” he said.
I glanced over my shoulder and watched the man in question walk toward a table in the corner of the bar area. The woman with him looked around the room then sat in the chair he’d pulled out for her. I’d have to agree with Cal. He looks exactly like the star of all the Mac Flynn movies.
The girls came back and before we could say more on the subject, Down Under by Men at Work ended, and the beginning of Cotton Eye Joe echoed through the restaurant.
“Come on, Uncle Jack!” Lexi held out her hand.
“Cotton Eye Joe is your song?” Hannah asked, one brow raised.
“You know it.” I leaned down and kissed her then allowed Lexi to pull me toward a clearing near the jukebox.
We stood next to each other, with enough space between so we could dance. I looked at Lexi and she nodded and we went through the steps, repeating them over and over as the song went on and on. Instead of doing the basic line dance, I usually add things in that I know will make Lexi laugh. At one point, I leaned down and hooked my elbow with hers and we spun around in one direction three times, then turned and repeated the action on the other side. That had the desired effect.
My table clapped in time with the music, and between spins, I saw Hannah smiling as she watched. At least there’s not a crowd in the restaurant. I really don’t want a video of this showing up on the internet because it’s personal. I’m okay with having my public persona out there for everyone to see, but I’d feel exposed if something like this was out there.
Toward the end of the song, I got down on one knee and reached my hand out for Lexi. She held on as she continued doing the dance moves while circling around me. The final notes played as she completed her second rotation and I pulled her in to sit on my knee and into a dramatic backward dip.
She laughed, then sat up and threw her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek.
Waste of Handsome (Carolina Waves #2) Page 20
