Page 50 of Call It Serendipity

I don’t live far from the shelter, and for the first time in my life, that disappoints me. Because the drive doesn’t give me enough time to form the thoughts I want to express to him.

As we park out front of my home, I shift on the bench seat, facing Jake. He does the same, our knees brushing together. “I appreciate it, too, you know,” I start, rubbing my lips together and wishing I was better at this. “Everything you did today.”

His eyes track the movement before flashing up to meet my gaze. “I meant it when I said anything you need. Not just if you need help, but any time you want to call, I want to be there.”

“Even if it’s a bad idea?”

“What’s the bad idea? Calling me?” He tries to mask it, but I hear the hurt in his tone. Like a subtle ripple breaking the surface of his typically cool demeanor. I shift closer, too, letting my knee graze higher along his thigh.

“It should be, shouldn’t it?”

A small smile returns to his face. “But you don’t feel like it is anymore.”

I rest my chin in my upturned palm and flash him a coy grin. “Apparently I’m not one for self-preservation either.”

His arm slips across the back of the seat, and his voice dips lower as he says, “I can promise you one thing though.”

He sounds terribly serious, but all I can think about is that I like the way it feels to be tucked against him like this. Tipping my face up, I give him a timid smile. “What’s that?”

His free hand reaches for my forehead, gently pushing my bangs over to my temple. “Whatever happens between Ellicottville and me, your preservation is a top priority for me.” His knuckle grazes the corner of my eyebrow, down to my cheekbone, and curls along my jaw.

My breath hitches, earning a tug at his lips. “Jake?” I rasp as his hand trails down my arm and stays at my wrist. All my attention settles on the heat radiating off his body and the tiny lines his thumb is tracing over my skin. I wonder if he can feel the way my pulse flutters at his touch.

“Lucy,” he whispers, his breath ruffling my hair. I’m not sure how we’ve gotten here, and I don’t care in the slightest. I’m just glad we have.

“What does that mean for you?”

His lets out a low exhale. “Hell if I know.”

I flinch in surprise as lightning cracks across the sky. It’s fitting, really. Because as his thumb continues to trace soft patterns on the inside of my wrist, an electric spark catches between my ribs.

Quietly he adds, “And hell if I care.”

I bite my lip to stop from blurting anything more out. Really, who needs self-preservation anyway?

28

“Tad, how’s it going, man?” I answer, resting the mobile phone between my shoulder and jaw so I can pick up my takeout container and head for the couch.

“Living the dream,” he drawls. In the background, the unmistakable sound of a fax machine groans to life.

Sitting, I deposit my dinner on the table and swat Taylor’s hand away from the loaded fries. Then I pluck one up for myself. “I appreciate you staying late to get this report for me,” I tell my friend.

“Wait, this is a work call?” Taylor whines. “I want to watch Clueless, enough with work already.”

“I still have my normal job duties on top of this acquisition,” I tell her. “When do you expect me to do it all?”

She rolls her eyes.

“Go watch Clueless in the guest room.” I had planned to make that my office when I rented the two-bedroom apartment, but Taylor had other plans.

“The VCR is out here.”

“Then take it with you.”

Tad laughs, pulling my attention back to our call. “Sorry,” I mumble into the phone.

“How’s life with a little sister for a roommate again? Getting along?”