Chapter 15

Stepping off the stage, heart hammering hard against her ribcage, no matter how many times she performed the exhilarating high would never leave her. Taking one last fleeting glance at the crowd Erica knew she'd never give up that feeling regardless of the offers that may be laid at her feet to give up music. For in it she had found a paradise that couldn't be matched by any other lover.

"I swear your voice never fails to surprise me," she stopped in her tracks at the deep voice she had been hoping to never hear from again. She closed her eyes slowly and sent a silent prayer to her maker hoping the words wrapped in a veil of sincerity would be heard as she turned around to find Jack's eyes on her. Swallowing nervously, she smiled hoping the slight shaking in the curve of it wouldn't reveal how she wanted the ground to swallow her.

"Thank you," she replied. Jack nodded his head in acknowledgement taking a bit more time than usual to appreciate her beauty once more. He knew that even though what they shared was at best a one-time thing he couldn't ignore the disappointment he felt at the cold empty sheets he woke up to every morning whenever his hand reached out in the hopes of finding her warmth.

"I don't mean to sound rude but..." she paused rummaging through her brain for the appropriate set of words to use that wouldn't reveal her surprise at him being here, "how did you know that I would be here? No offense but –"

"I'm not the type to be in a place like this," he cut her off and her silence was further proof of how she viewed him. He couldn't exactly blame her, if it weren't for her waltzing into his life, he'd be home, face buried in a stack of papers. "I-I decided to switch up my routine tonight."

"Funny you decide to do that the one time I happen to not be performing at the restaurant," she murmured narrowing her eyes on his profile studying him quietly. The smile that broke out on his lips was only a small glimpse into the sudden crack in his exterior at the fact he should've formulated a believable lie on how he happened to know where she was. Yet as he tried to come up with some reason, he blew out a harsh breath in sudden defeat knowing there was no point in hiding it.

"Busted, I could lie and say fate decided to interfere once again in ensuring both of our paths align but truth is your cousin was the one who told me."

"Of course," she scoffed crossing her arms not the least bit surprised that Sabrina would start playing cupid in her love life.

And her reaction did more to unsettle him turning him into a stuttering mess for coming to see her, "I-I'm... shit! I shouldn't have come here. Honestly, I wouldn't have come if it would piss you of-"

"No, no. It's fine honestly. I'm not mad at you or anything," she assured moving forward to tentatively place her hand gently on his arm in the hopes it would cause the worry inside him to dwindle. The gesture albeit small caused the ice glaciers to melt away and he immediately relaxed at her touch. When she made a move to retract it, he quickly lifted his hand and clasped hers gently stopping her from taking away what was slowly becoming his addiction.

"How are you?" he asked pulling her in slowly closing the gap between them. It hadn't been his intention to make any advances towards her but having her so close to him with her sweet, alluring perfume that acted more as an aphrodisiac made him behave differently. It was the same perfume that had been smeared across his pillows and sheets. Such that he couldn't help but bend his head down to take a whiff of her neck.

She shuddered at the contact; the alarm bells rang in her brain telling her to prohibit him from treading any further along her landscapes as his nose drew an invisible line across her skin. But the calls from her brain to her hands proved futile as her hands meant to push him away gripped his shirt gently, memorising the bumps of his panorama. "I've b-been okay."

"Hmmm," he hummed quietly wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Jack?"

"Yes."

"I thought we were in agreement that we'd stay out of each other's lives," she breathed shifting her head away from him. And for the first time in his adult life, he actually pouted at the loss of contact.

"I never agreed to anything, Erica."

"Fine. This," she paused gesturing between the both of them, "can't happen again. The last thing I'd want to do is jeopardize my job by fraternizing with my boss's nephew." Though every part of her body sung a different song she didn't want to deal with the aftermath of blindly following her desires and knew that it wouldn't be fair to use him again like that.

Jack eyed her carefully realizing the look on her face was serious. He sobered up quickly and he shifted back rubbing his neck gently in embarrassment for his behaviour.

"Well..." he cleared his throat staring at the ground, "can we at least talk. We never did get around to it anyway."

Her eyes widened slightly before she chuckled lightly at the memory of their last conversation at the restaurant before that night happened between them. "I don't know..."

"Please," he urged, "and besides I never did get to thank you for taking care of me that night."

The logical side of her was already spewing reasons as to why giving him anymore of her time wouldn't work out but something about the look in his eye seemed sincere. Before she could think twice and slink away in fear behind the security of the word no, she said, "Sure."

***

"So, wait," she raised her hand fighting the sudden urge to laugh, "she invited you to her wedding?"

Jack looked away briefly glancing at the other apartment building just across from hers taking note of how a few days ago he had been ready to pass out on those very steps after having too many drinks. "You're taking far too much pleasure in this," he shook his head choosing instead to act hurt at the smile on her face when he wanted to laugh himself.

"Well can you blame me? Seems like your personal life is absolute shit at this point," she snickered placing her hot chocolate on the step beside her to tighten the straps of her coat once a cold breeze whisked past them. "And I'll be honest hearing about your issues is a nice break from thinking about mine."

Before he could stop himself, he snorted in disbelief, "What problems could you possibly have. Besides what?" he paused pondering the possibilities for what could be affecting her, "Having far too many men throwing themselves at your feet."

"My problems go far beyond that, you know."

Leaning back against the steps he analysed her features a bit more closely wondering what issues could be plaguing her. "So, tell me."

Chuckling at the absurd suggestion she faltered once she took note of how he was watching her with a pensive expression on his face, "Wait you're actually serious?"

"I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to know. Besides I did share my problems, so you need to level the playing field," he joked lightly.

"I never forced you to tell me. So, thanks for the warm beverage and walking me home," she muttered picking up the cup getting ready to stand, "but I think it's time for me to head inside."

He followed her movements and stood up as well irked by the fact she refused to reveal a bit more about herself. Between them Erica was vaguer about what went on in her life and he was beginning to suspect that was just who she was or that at least he hadn't yet gained enough of her trust to receive that kind of information.

"Fine, you don't have to tell me anything. But know your refusal to open up only pulls me in to want to know you."

"Why? You're clearly not over your ex."

'You make it seem as if the attraction here is a one-sided thing. If I remember correctly, you were an active participant."

"Only because I needed-"

"Someone to help you get over whatever crap you were going through that night. Look," he sighed running a hand through his hair, "I'm not trying to get on your nerves. I'd actually like you to see that I can also be a friend even and that there will never be any judgement when it comes to us."

And Jack had meant every word because in as much as he tried to forget her, he felt drawn to her despite his inability to get rid of his old wedding band. Taking one last look at her, he turned on his heels prepared to leave only to stop in his tracks at the sound of her voice.

"A few days ago, my dad called me and told me that they are facing some financial issues pertaining to my mother's medical bills and treatment so..." she mumbled crossing her arms to shield herself from the pain and worry as the uncomfortable weight of the words slipped past her lips. She couldn't even look him in the eye when she said that out of fear that he'd see her as some wounded puppy.

Jack's face softened at the look on her face. A part of him didn't relish in seeing her look so worried such that he felt compelled to say anything to try ease her fears, "It may not feel like it now, but everything is going to be alright," he concluded. She gazed up at him taking comfort in his words and quietly turned away from him to enter her building.

Unbeknownst to her, his eyes were following her profile.