by A. P. Watson
“Yeah. Did you?”
“I actually slept pretty good.”
“That’s good.” Ford trotted up to me and plopped down at my feet. “Oh, I guess that means you want me to rub your belly, huh?” I bent down and scratched his chest.
“The way he acts sometimes would make you think he was starved for attention.”
“Well, have you given him any today?” I asked sarcastically.
“We went for a jog early this morning, and I’ve been playing with him all day.”
“You just want someone to sweet talk to you, don’t ya, baby?” Ford pawed at me playfully and I planted a quick kiss on his head. “Have you eaten yet?” I asked Jacks.
“No. I started answering some emails for work and lost track of time.”
“Computer off, now. I’m cooking.”
Jacks closed his laptop. “You’re the boss.”
“Damn straight.” I opened the fridge and scanned its contents. “Looks like we have the fixin’s for spaghetti, taco salad, or eggs and bacon. What sounds good to you?”
“Breakfast for dinner sounds good. I’m starving.”
“That’s what I wanted too!”
“Why didn’t you pick what you wanted?”
I feigned shock. “You know good and well my momma taught me better manners than that.”
He smiled mischievously. “True.”
I pulled out a carton of eggs, bacon, mushrooms, shredded cheese, and an onion. Turning on dual gas burners, I laid out strips of bacon in a frying pan and began cracking eggs into a bowl. “Would you care to hand me a whisk and the milk?”
“Not at all.” Jacks handed me a whisk and placed the jug of milk on the counter beside me. “Do you need any help?”
“Actually, if you could dice up the mushrooms and onion, that would be great. I’m going to sauté them before I scramble the eggs.”
“Okay. I can do that.”
He set to work dicing vegetables while I flipped over the bacon. After sautéing the mushrooms and onion, I added the scrambled eggs and allowed everything to cook together. Less than thirty minutes later, Jacks and I were seated at the table, digging into the meal we had prepared.
“When do you have to work again?” he asked.
“Tuesday.” I grabbed the glass of water in front of me, taking a drink. “I’m working Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights this week.”
“That’s not too bad.”
“Yep. No overtime, so that’s nice.”
“I’d say so.” I watched as he finished off the last of his eggs. I stood and added another helping to his plate. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Hey, you like pot roast, right?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“I promised David last week that I would make him pot roast. I’m planning on running by the grocery store tomorrow afternoon, and I was thinking if you head over after work, you’ll arrive just in time to eat dinner with us.”
“I’d really like that,” he replied, smiling.
His smile was infectious as I felt my own lips curling upward in response. “Good. Now, have some more bacon.”
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were trying to fatten me up.”
“That’s exactly what I’m doing. You’re too skinny.”
“Thanks, I think.”
“Ter and Ryan have been commenting on how skinny you are, and I agree with them.”
“I haven’t even noticed.”
“Well, they have.”
He nodded. “They’re good friends to have.”
“Yeah.”
“You still haven’t reached out to her yet?”
“I will by Wednesday. I promise.”
“Okay, good.” I watched as he finished off the last two pieces of bacon. “Do you want to take Ford on a walk after we clean up the kitchen?”
“I’d like that.”
“Here, I can take these.” He grabbed the plate in front of me and then carried our dishes to the sink.
“Do you have some sweatpants and shoes I can borrow?” I questioned. “The only shoes I have with me are nude pumps, and those are hardly conducive to walking.”
“They’ll probably swallow your feet but should work for walking a short distance.”
Once the kitchen was spotless, I followed him to his room with Ford lagging behind us.
“Try these.” He handed me a hoodie and sweatpants, turning his back to me while I shrugged both items of clothing on. Once I was completely covered, he set out a pair of socks and some sneakers for me to try on.
“They look like clown shoes.” I stomped around in his shoes, amused by the difference between the size of his feet and mine.
“Well, what did you expect? You’re tiny.”
“I’m not that short!”
Jacks moved to stand in front of me. He was at least a whole foot taller, and I had to tilt my head back in order to keep looking at him. “Point made.”
I sighed, rolling my eyes toward the ceiling. “Ass.”
He sucked in a sharp breath, closing his eyes. “You know what your accent does to me.”
“Hey!” Just as I raised my fist to lightly sock him in the arm, his hands fastened around my waist, flinging me over his right shoulder. “Not fair! You can’t do that!”
His laugh echoed down the hall and sounded like music to my ears. “Come on, Ford.” He hooked the leash around the dog’s collar and closed the door of the apartment behind us.
I groaned in frustration, my hands pounding on his back. “You can put me down now!”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“Ass, ass, ass.” Unable to help myself, my gaze dropped to that particular part of his anatomy. And, oh, what an ass it was.
“You’re only making it worse for yourself,” he quipped.
If he only knew . . .
He pressed the button for the elevator, Ford perched at his heel. Admitting defeat for the time being, I rested my chin on my palm.
“Jackson,” a woman’s voice said from beside us. My head turned at the sound. An older woman wearing a fur coat stood on Jacks’s left.
“How are you, Mrs. Stanton?”
“Very well.” She barely managed a smile before turning to gawk in my direction.
“Hi,” I intoned cheerily.
The woman stared at Jacks, her eyes quickly darting to me and then to Ford. The surprise from seeing Jacks toting me around like a rag doll was written all over her face.
“Twisted ankle,” Jacks finally stated. “She’s a beautiful but clumsy little thing.”
Her eyebrows arched so high that they practically merged with her hairline. “So it would seem,” she sneered.
I snickered silently at the woman’s dry reply. Maybe if I asked, she would lend me the stick up her ass so I could beat Jacks with it.
The three of us, four including Ford, rode the elevator down in complete silence. Jacks’s body began shaking right as the elevator dinged to indicate we had reached the ground floor. As soon as the doors sprang open, Mrs. Stanton shot forward, clearly desperate to be rid of us.
Jacks waited until she was out of sight before erupting in laughter.
“Well, she’s just a vibrant ray of sunshine.”
“She’s one of the most condescending people I’ve ever met,” he replied. “My first day back in the apartment, Ford escaped and was running through the hall. Without thinking, I chased after him, not realizing I only had on a pair of gym shorts until I almost ran her over.” Jacks walked through the lobby of his apartment building, his arm tightening around my thighs. “You would’ve thought I whipped my dick out right in front of her with the way she was staring at me.”
“She probably hasn’t seen a half-naked man since the Reagan administration! I bet you almost gave her a heart attack.”
“I didn’t think about that.”
“Ooh, what if she has a secret crush on you now and is only acting like a bitch to throw you off her scent.”
> “God help us all,” he countered. “I suppose that’s nothing compared to the patients you have to deal with at the hospital though. You probably get a marriage proposal every time you work.”
“If they’re not asking to marry me, they’re asking for a sponge bath.”
“Can you blame them? I mean, if I was stuck in the hospital and you were my nurse, I’d be asking you for a sponge bath too.”
“Ass,” I mumbled.
Once more, Jacks’s laugh echoed all around us as we headed out into the chilly Chicago night.
chapter thirteen
gravitational pull
I WAITED UNTIL NOON the following day to return to the townhouse. I knew Ryan and Ter would both be at work, and I was still too much of a coward to attempt calling them first. Experience taught me that it was best to let my best friend have some space for a few days before trying to patch things up. So, I hurried over to my place and packed enough clothes, pole outfits, and scrubs to last for a week. I was in and out within a few minutes. I didn’t want to stay longer than necessary in case Ter decided to eat lunch at home today.
After a quick stop at the grocery store, I ended up back at Jacks’s apartment. If someone had told me a month ago we’d practically be living with one another, I would have punched them in the throat. Every time I think I have it all figured out, life tends to drop me on my ass. I guess that’s what I get for being so arrogant.
I hung all my clothes in the closet and arranged my toiletries on the bathroom sink. I’d been alone in his apartment on several occasions, but this time was different. After everything I’d learned yesterday, the idea that this could’ve been my home hit me harder than I ever imagined.
If I hadn’t gone to the party . . .
If Jacks had asked me to move to New York . . .
If I hadn’t seen them kiss . . .
If.
It was such a simple word, and yet, it had the ability to shatter the entire world. Who would’ve guessed the pairing of two letters could have such a monumental effect? Months had passed and hundreds of miles had separated us, but some kind of intangible force pulled Jacks and I back together. That force was like gravity. And if we broke apart again, how long would it take for us to come crashing back together?
I sucked in a deep breath to still my mind. These kinds of thoughts would only lead me astray, and I’ve traveled down the wrong road more than once.
I shed the heavy thoughts as best as I could while I changed out of the clothes Jacks had lent me. Visiting with David always lifted my spirits, and I had no doubts tonight would be any different. Pulling up some music on my phone, I set the volume all the way up, hoping it would drown everything else out. After curling my hair, I pinned half of it up, allowing the rest to tumble down my back. For clothes, I settled on skinny jeans, a taupe camisole, and a black cardigan. As soon as my ensemble was complete, I marched out to the kitchen.
Ford acted as my shadow while I packed up all the ingredients I’d need to make dinner. It would take a couple hours for the roast and vegetables to cook, so once I had everything ready, I put Ford on his leash and headed outside.
Not wanting Jacks to think I stole his dog, I whipped out my phone and called him. He answered after the first ring.
“Hey.”
“Hi. How’s work?”
“Tedious. What are you up to?”
“I’m driving to David’s. It’ll take a while for the roast to cook and everything.”
“Okay, good.”
“And I have Ford with me.”
“I should’ve known.”
“Stop acting like you’re opposed to the idea of giving me whatever I want.”
“You have my apartment, my dog . . . Is there something else you want me to give you?” His voice sounded deep and husky, and I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt his lips were curled into his signature devilish grin.
Oh, the things that mouth could do.
I swallowed thickly. “What?” I asked.
“I asked if there is something else you want me to give you.”
“Nope,” I answered too quickly, much too quickly. “I’m good.”
“You’re sure?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“Just wanted to check.”
“So, what time do you think you’ll make it to David’s?”
“I’m leaving the office early today, so I’ll be there in about an hour.”
“That’s good. I know David will enjoy the extra time with you.”
“Do you need me to pick up a bottle of wine or anything?”
“Nope. I already got one, but thanks for asking.”
“After dinner, do I get you all to myself?”
The underlying implications of his question flowed through the speaker and into my mind as smoothly as silk.
I breathed deeply, mostly in an attempt to quiet my thoughts. “I wish, but unfortunately, I have plans.”
“Plans?”
“Yeah. Kenneth invited me over to watch a movie.”
“Oh, okay.”
“But I’ll be home early.”
“Sounds good to me. Well, I’m getting a call on my office line, so I’ll have to let you go.”
“Okay. See you soon.”
“Bye.”
I tossed my phone back in my purse and paused for a moment to scratch Ford’s head. Jacks sounded disappointed when I told him about my plans with Kenneth. Jacks and I had been friends before we even attempted to be anything more. As of late, things between us felt like they used to. I thought I could keep things simple. Kenneth was sweet and kind, and although we hadn’t spent a ton of time together, I could tell he was crazy about me. And with Jacks . . . we always had such a strong connection, but rebuilding our friendship and trust would take time—a lot of time. For now, it seemed that, per usual, my life was getting more complicated by the second.
I parked in front of David’s place and opened the door for Ford to jump out. With his leash wrapped around my wrist, I gathered my purse and the groceries before walking up and knocking a couple of times. Ford’s tail wagged erratically while we waited for an answer.
“On my way!” he called out. The door swung open and David beamed at me.
“Hi,” I said, smiling. “I brought Ford with me. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” David bent forward, scratching Ford’s ears as he removed the leash. “Come on in.” Ford raced past him, disappearing around the corner. “I can get those bags for you.”
“Oh, I’ve got them.”
“You’re sure?”
“I promise. Believe it or not, I’m actually a lot stronger than I look.”
I followed him to the kitchen, setting the groceries on top of the table. David’s kitchen connected to the living room, giving the entire layout an open and spacious atmosphere. I laid out all the ingredients I brought and preheated the oven. David had already set out a cutting board and a large pot, so I grabbed a knife and began dicing vegetables.
“How did the engagement party go?”
“It went perfectly until everything crashed and burned.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” David replied. “What happened?”
I placed the pot on the stovetop and added a couple tablespoons of olive oil to braise the roast. “It’s just a really long and complicated story,” I answered finally.
“And you’d rather not discuss it?”
“Pretty much.”
“Then we’ll change the topic.”
“That would be great.” I made sure the meat was browned on both sides before tossing in some diced onion and garlic. After adding a few more ingredients, I placed the entire pot in the oven and popped the lid on. “The roast will have to cook for about an hour before I add the rest of the vegetables.”
“It already smells delicious.” David uncorked the wine, setting the bottle on the table. “I can’t remember the last time I had roast, which seems strange since it has always been my favorite dish.”
“It’s time consuming, and I didn’t want to put you through all the trouble.”
“I’ve always enjoyed cooking, so it’s no trouble at all.”
“Well then, know your efforts are greatly appreciated.” David reached into a cabinet to retrieve two wine glasses.
“Would you mind grabbing another glass?” I asked. “Jacks should be here in a little while.”
David beamed at me. “Not at all.”
I finished chopping the potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms while David set the table for three. As the roast cooked, a delicious aroma filled the air. I’d just added the remaining vegetables and doused the entire dish with a cup of red wine when Ford let out a loud bark. I turned to see him running in the direction of the door.
“Hey,” Jacks called out. “It smells really good in here.”
“I was just saying the exact same thing.” David rushed toward Jacks, pulling him into a tight hug.
“It still has another hour to cook, but hopefully it will taste as good as it smells.”
“It’s going to be delicious. I have no doubts about it,” Jacks replied, removing his jacket and tie.
“I couldn’t agree more,” David added. “Since the three of us are having dinner together, does that mean the two of you sorted everything out?”
I conveniently took a drink of wine, deflecting David’s question to Jacks. “We’re working on it,” he answered, his gaze meeting mine.
“Wren?”
I nodded in response to David’s question. “Yeah, we are.”
“Good! Now how about some music?” David walked through the living room to a record player sitting on the far wall. “Any requests?”
“Hendrix,” I said, moving to stand next to Jacks.
“You took the words right out of my mouth,” he whispered in my ear.
“Will you sit with me?”
“Of course.”
Jacks and I walked toward the couch, both of us placing our wine glasses on the coffee table before sitting. “I saw Mrs. Stanton when I got back from the grocery store today. We rode the elevator up together.”
“I’m sure it was an awful experience.”
“I thought her eyes were going to pop out of her head when she saw me pull out a key and enter your apartment. She probably thinks we’re living in sin.”
