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I didn’t want to argue with her, but I didn’t want to just show up at Jack’s house. Facing rejection from him was something I didn’t want to gamble with. Besides, it was just a kiss, right?
“I think I need to focus on how I’m going to pay rent,” I said, changing the subject, and putting the Jack, Cal, trifecta of passion and my uncommon behavior on hold.
“Agreed. I’ll call Sharon on Monday, and I bet by the week’s end, she’ll place you in a job.”
“Thanks.”
“I still don’t recommend hanging out with Cal.” Clearly, Harper wasn’t done with this subject, despite my best efforts.
“He’s not so bad.” He actually made me feel good. Looked at me like he understood the broken part, and with all his strength, could smother it away.
“He’s a runner, Lan. Actually, he’s a runner and a jumper.”
“What do you mean?”
“Cal works wild fires over the summer. He’s one of the adrenaline junkies who go behind fire lines and sometimes right in it.”
“Wow.”
Harper nodded. “He’s charming, and there’s a bad boy vibe there, I get it. But—”
“You don’t think I can handle him.”
“I don’t know any real details,” Harper said, a little softer. “But Cal has been through some crazy shit. I guess he had it rough as a kid? I don’t know for sure, but, for whatever reason, he doesn’t do commitment.”
“I’m not seeking out marriage or anything.”
“I know. But Cal is used to women who know the drill.”
“What drill is that?”
“A one-nighter, no strings kind of drill. You have a pretty raw heart and fresh emotions, Lan. God love you for it, but I don’t want you to get hurt anymore. I just think baby steps are a good thing. You have the whole summer ahead of you, and in one week, you’ve kissed two men.”
“They kissed me.”
“That’s right, they did!” She nudged my shoulder. “But a lot has gone down.”
That was true. I was all over the place with emotions and between Jack’s hot kiss—rough and wild against his front door—then Cal and his strong hold and soft sweep of his lips, I was on the brink of a meltdown. In the end, neither man owed me a thing. Nor I them.
We were all relative strangers, but the ache throbbed a little harder when I thought of how close I’d been to something good. I was standing on the edge of it, staring into Jack’s dark eyes, I could have fallen into the abyss of intensity. That was looking less and less likely. Besides, Harper was right. I didn’t know “the drill.” Both Jack and Cal were experienced and could easily crush the little confidence I had.
“Maybe slowing down is a good idea,” I said. At least when it came to men. I needed to focus on getting this job, and saving this summer for school. That was the priority. If the men wanted something from me, or to talk, or whatever, they’d find me. Right?
“I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted.”
I nodded. “Me too.”
Walking down the hall, I went to my room and sat down, determined not to think of Jack, of how he tapped into a side of me I’d thought lost forever. Strength. That strength in me directly led to my handling of Cal. Everything felt woven together.
No, I wouldn’t think of how Jack’s hands felt on my skin.
I also wouldn’t think of Cal, or his smile.
Chapter Five
Mondays always seemed to spike my adrenaline. It was a new week. A chance to start fresh. Especially this particular Monday, because I was half a day into my new job of crunching numbers for the staff of one of the many Reign Resorts.
And we had a meeting to go to in five minutes.
