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“The charity event next month in New York would be another great networking opportunity. And obviously a good excuse for us to spend time together. Do you think you’d be able to sneak away overnight to attend? It’s on a weekend, which I know is a challenge for you, but it’s at a Mills Hotel, and you’ll have a chance to speak with some of the people you met last night. It would be a great opportunity to meet new potential clients and grow Spark House even more.”
“Selene will be there, won’t she? It’s unfortunate she had to leave in such a hurry. I hope everything is okay.” I sincerely mean the last part, despite my relief at her not actually being at the event.
“I’m sure it is. She has a big event she’s covering in New York this week and probably shouldn’t have tried to make the trip to Colorado. But at least she was able to see Spark House, which is good.” Jackson’s gaze shifts away and he focuses on his drink.
“Do you work together often?” That foreign hot feeling creeps up the back of my neck. The one I don’t quite know what to do with, even though it now has a name.
“She manages projects for Holt Media on occasion.”
“So you have a business relationship, then?” I press.
Jackson regards me for a few long moments. “She’s a family friend and a business associate. I’ve known her for a long time.”
“Right. Okay.” I swallow down the lump in my throat. “Thank you for being honest.” Now that I’ve met Selene, I can unfortunately say that she’s even more stunning in person. And she lives in New York, where Jackson’s home base is, while I’m a three-hour flight away.
“Hey.” Jackson skims the edge of my jaw and takes my hand in his again, bowing until his lips touch my knuckles. “Wherever you’re going in your head, don’t. I’m fully invested in you and me, and while I realize all of this is very new for both of us, let me be clear that it’s only you that I want.”
“I believe you,” I whisper.
“Good.”
“I have a question, though.” I fidget with the napkin on the table.
“I’ll do my best to answer.”
“When you say you’re fully invested in us and that it’s only me you want, does that mean we’re dating exclusively?” My mouth is bone dry.
“Unless you don’t want to be exclusive.” I can’t read Jackson’s expression, but there’s something in his tone—it reminds me of the way he is in the boardroom, when he turns off his emotions and goes into business mode.
“I would prefer exclusivity. I just … My whole life is in Colorado and yours is mostly in New York. How is that going to work? Can a relationship survive that kind of distance?” Part of me wishes I’d kept my mouth shut because it feels like I’m ruining what should be a nice dinner.
“Have you ever had a long-distance relationship before?” Jackson asks.
I fold my napkin into a square. “Daniel traveled often for work, but that’s not a great example because he and I weren’t a good fit. In fact, I don’t know if I have any good examples because I’m starting to think I haven’t made the best choices in my past relationships.”
“How so?” Jackson props his chin on his fist.
“I think I’ve always played it very safe. Or maybe that’s not totally accurate. I think losing my parents impacted how close I would allow myself to get to another person. And my sisters were always going to be the top priority, so my past boyfriends were like … hobbies, I guess?” I tap the edge of my wineglass. “That sounds awful. I didn’t want to get too invested. Daniel was easy to date because he wasn’t around a lot, and he didn’t interfere with my job or my relationship with my sisters.”
“I don’t think that sounds awful. It sounds a lot like self-preservation and what I tend to do. Or had. Until you came along.”
“I don’t think I had a chance to put my guard up with you because we were in a working relationship, so it couldn’t be more than friendship. And now, well, I’m invested. It’s a bit scary.”
“As I already mentioned, I’m also invested.” Jackson reaches out and brushes my bottom lip with his thumb, and I realize I’ve been biting it. “I’m very concerned that you’re going to do damage to those lips, and I’m selfishly worried that I’ll have to be exceedingly careful when I kiss you later.”
I free the skin from my teeth.
“Thank you.” He exhales a deep breath. “It’s also a distraction, and makes it a challenge for me to think.” He takes my hand in his again. “I’ll be spending more time in Colorado while I’m setting up the office in Denver. And I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to fly you out to New York in between those visits. And of course we’ll have video chats, and Google Docs, and messages.” He winks.
