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Jonas took out his phone and started talking on it the second we settled in the back of the car. My hopes of capturing his attention for a little longer were put away. I stared out the window at the passing cars and the myriad of people heading off to work this morning. It was only Tuesday, and I had only met Jonas four days ago, though so much had happened. He took my hand and held it firmly, yet gently, as it finally registered that we were at the Arch Limited building on East 44thStreet. Jonas climbed out of the car and helped me onto the sidewalk.
“Jonas Crane.” I turned my head and caught sight of a suited group of men heading our way. I turned back and leaned towards Jonas for a kiss goodbye, but Jonas not only hesitated, he patted my arm. “See you at five thirty.” He started moving away from me.
I swallowed hard as I turned my face to recover, hoping he didn’t see my embarrassment as I moved away from him, tossing a wave over my shoulder and running inside the office building.
Why did I do that?I worried as queasiness threatened to expel my breakfast. My mind replayed all the times Declan had stood separate from me so no one would think he was witha girl like me.
Jonas was way out of my league. And the quicker I understood that, the easier things would be, or so I hoped. Wiping the corners of my eyes, I skipped the elevator and ran up the five flights to our office. I stopped to catch my breath, then pushed through the steel door and walked over to my computer and turned it on.
My stomach soured as I took out my cell and saw two messages from Jonas.
I’m sorry I hurt you this morning. Let’s talk about it.
I texted him back:
I’m the one that should apologize. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. Sorry.
I rubbed my throat to soothe the ache there.
Don’t apologize. We’ll discuss this at 5:30.
I pursed my lips.If I go at 5:30.
I worked through the morning, though my mind shifted between last night and the morning. I didn’t know what to make of the last night, Jonas, or the stranger on the street. Over lunch at my desk, I picked up the phone and called my friend Mary for advice.
“NuqeH?”
I groaned. “Klingon, Mary, really?”
“You need to stay sharp for when you visit over Christmas. Star Trek Next Generation marathon.”
I groaned again. “It’s January, Mary.”
Mary knew I avoided the holidays like the plague, but she had started making Christmas full of things untraditional and coaxed me into coming a few days last year.
“I’ll think about it, but I have a bigger problem.” I looked around my cubicle, making sure no one was around to eavesdrop. I lowered my tone, “The Shakespeare quoting suit and I had oral sex last night.”
Mary giggled. “Hell yeah, but why only oral?”
I huffed into the phone. “It was late after we went to pick up my clothes.”
“Wait. What? I’m confused. Start from the beginning,” she said.
I sighed and quietly told Mary everything that happened from the dinner, to the companionship discussion, and finally the morning kiss denial.
“Maybe he doesn’t kiss on the lips. Oh, wait that’s not true eh, sex kitten?” Mary said and laughed.
I groaned. “I’m hanging up.”
“Okay. I’m sorry. It’s new. You need to relax. He said companionship, so he’s not ready for kisses at the door and flowers. Just try to enjoy yourself,” Mary said. “I don’t think he was being like that asswipe Declan.”
I twirled my finger around my hair. “You’re right. I’m just… I don’t know.”
“You like him,” Mary said. “Nothing wrong with that. Just think about your own rules to protect yourself if you want. Maybe you both could make a list of rules so you don’t rabbit boil?”
I frowned at the phone. “Mary, you’re getting close to Natasha now.”
She cursed and I giggled. “No way. I love you, kiddo.”
