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JENN
The horny vacationhaze lasts all the way back to New York. I cling to a meager hope that the flight home will break the Austin spell. Maybe he’ll take his shoes and socks off on the flight, revealing gross stinky toes, and I’ll be completely, permanently turned off. Maybe I’ll fall asleep and drool on his shoulder, making him reconsider this whole affair.
But nope. We land in New York still unable to keep our hands off each other. Austin holds my hand casually through the airport. He stands behind me in the cab line as he did at the festival, hand against my hip. And once we’re riding back to Manhattan, he slings an arm over the backseat, one hand resting reassuringly on my shoulder.
Except it’s not reassuring, not anymore. My guilt and unease grows by the mile now that we’re back in city limits.
What the hell was I thinking, drunk on tequila and the vibes at VibeFest? I’m in so far over my head, starting a romance with the boss of my ill-gotten job.
So much for coming clean. Instead, I got very, very dirty with Austin.
We reach my place, and Austin carries my bag upstairs. I pause outside my apartment door, summoning the will power to not invite him in. I need some time to think.
“Some trip, huh?” Austin asks. “How are you feeling?”
“A little sunburned,” I say, even though that’s clearly not what he meant. “Excited to go to work on Monday and spend all that McClintock money on marketing plans.”
Austin chuckles. “Easy there,” he says, setting my case down. “That money’s got to last us a while, until we get some paying customers.”
“No problem,” I insist. “They’ll be lining up around the block. Especially once Lanie and Mac start pimping the place on their social channels.”
“Gee, you make it sound so classy,” he jokes. Then Austin pauses. “And how do you feel about the rest of it,” he presses. “Us.”
There’s an us!
I swallow hard. He’s so close, his beautiful eyes locked on mine. “Uh… Good?” I squeak.
“Good,” he echoes, smiling. “Let me take you out tomorrow, officially.”
“Our first date?” My heart pounds. I want to say yes so badly. Every day with him has been amazing, with easy conversation and attraction zinging between us. “But how will you ever top the Deconstructed Niçoise?” I tease.
He laughs. “You’re right. Chef Robby sets a high bar, but I’ll think of something.”
“OK,” I nod. “It’s a date.”
Austin kisses me, his mouth cool and seductive. And although I badly want to bust into my apartment, both of us ripping off clothes as we go, I reluctantly pull away. I need to figure out how the hell to explain the whole Other Jennifer deal to him—and I’m not going to be able to make the plan with his tongue in my mouth.
Or… Other places.
“I should get settled,” I say, stepping back. “I’m sure I have a billion emails waiting.”
“Me too. So I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says, with one last, lingering kiss. “Let’s make a day of it, start early. Brunch, park. Sound good?”
“Sounds great.”
Austin turns and heads for the elevator—and that’s when I see Millie’s door is open, and she’s rubbernecking out of her apartment like a cartoon character, eyes agog.
“Oh my God,” she mouths at me, gesturing to Austin’s general presence.
Lord help me. I put a hand on Austin’s arm, nodding down the hall. “Austin, this gawker is my best friend, Millie.”
He turns and Millie straightens up, though she’s not quick enough to wipe the goofy grin from her face. “Nice to meet you, Millie.”
“I’ve heard good things,” she says. I widen my eyes, willing her to keep it vague.
“I’m flattered,” Austin says, glancing back at me. I flash a smile, but the second he turns away, I glare at Millie threateningly. “I should go. Clearly, you two have some catching up to do,” Austin smirks. “Hope I get a good review. See you around, Millie.”
The second the elevator doors shut, Millie scurries down the hall like a mouse with a hunk of cheese. “Oh my God, oh my God. He’s going to see me around? He wants to become a regular fixture around here?”
