3 Easy
By the time we had worked our way through dinner, the contract was only partially gone through. It was hard not to fall into old habits with Jacks, his easy going personality and our past rapport coming back to us easily. It was actually relaxing and I found I was enjoying myself without having to force it.
However, I had to remember what was at stake here. I needed to have him on board with our contract and have him sign it.
"I feel like I should go back.." I start but Jacks cuts me off.
"I'm sorry. I've probably kept you from your boyfriend." He says motioning to the waiter for the check.
I blush but shake my head, "Um, no I am not seeing anyone currently."
Jackson's eyes perk up and he grins, "Well that's good to know. I would hate to take you home and have an angry boyfriend greeting me."
I scoff, "Yeah, that would not be fun for anyone, if that were the case."
His grin has butterflies appear in my stomach and I forget what I was going to say.
"What about you, Jackson? Any jealous girlfriends I should know about?" I chuckle, not that I care what he sticks his dick in.
With a straight face he turns his full attention on me and says, "Oh yeah, tons. A couple of wives too."
I chuckle and seeing he's still serious, I drop my smile, "You are pulling my leg." I deadpan.
He erupts into loud laughter disturbing some of the surrounding tables to have them look our way. I awkwardly smile in apology as Jackson brings his laughter under control.
"Oh, you should have seen your face, Lita. It was priceless." Jackson says, accepting his card back from the waiter. He stands and offers me help out of the booth. I pick up the contract and my purse before we walk to the front to retrieve our coats. He helps me into my coat before we step out into the chilly evening air as the valet arrives with the car.
He once again opens the car door for me and closes it before hopping in. I can at least say he has manners.
"You know, I haven't finished going over the contract with you. Did you want to set up a time to finish going over it?" I ask as we leave the restaurant.
"Oh, yeah, I guess we did not finish it." He chuckles, rubbing his thumb on the steering wheel as he checks the rear view mirror. "Are you free Friday night?" He spares me a lingering glance, seeming... hopeful.
I pull out my phone and check my calendar, once again seeming like I might have to work something out.
"I understand if you're a busy woman now, Lita. I can have my lawyers go over it themselves and have them tell me the highlights if need be."
Shit, I might be pushing the busy factor.
"No, I'm free. I was just making sure that my secretary didn't put anything down for any time after six. Does that work for you?" I hurry to say.
"Oh, I'm sorry I just presumed... never mind." He shakes his head and smiles, "Friday after six works great for me. I do have a small request though."
Oh great, lets see what this request is.
"What might that be?" I ask, turning my body in the seat and cross my legs, knowing my garter is showing again but act like I don't know, as I feign interest in what he is thinking of requesting.
His gaze runs over my garter and he quickly averts his eyes and clears his throat, "Never mind." He says keeping his eyes on the road and avoiding my gaze.
"What? It's just a request." I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
"Um. Well, after we finish going over the contract, I'd like to hang out and catch back up on life more. You know have a few drinks or something." He clears his throat again and adds, "Sorry, I'm normally not so awkward sounding." He gives a strained smile, but only flashes a glance my way.
IS he being serious? He wants to catch up... I internally roll my eyes while keeping a soft smile on my face.
"That sounds great. I would actually really like that and you haven't sounded awkward at all tonight. Well, to me at least. You forget, I knew you when you were actually awkward." I pat his arm, grinning, noticing the little jab I just gave him made him blush but in a good way. I can tell by the way he swallows hard that he is shy.
Shy? Was he this shy when we were younger? I think hard and don't remember him around other girls, just me. We were always close, so he had no reason to be shy around me, except when his voice was starting to change.
I shift in my seat again, and cover my legs again, not sure how this is working on him. He may be one of those that's not swayed by a woman showing some skin. They do exist and from what I remember of him, he probably would be one of those types of guys.
The car turns silent, so I quickly ask to be rid of it, "Where would you like to go Friday? I want to make sure I'm dressed appropriately."
Jackson glances over my body and meets my eyes, "Dress... similar to this. I don't know if I told you, but you've become a stunning woman Lita." He's not looking at me like that compliment is fueled by lust, but by a friend who cares.
The compliment still makes my stomach skip and me squirm in my seat, blushing as I mutter, "Thank you. You're not too bad yourself." I say, gently pushing on his shoulder with my hand.
Wait, what the fuck am I doing? AGAIN? I'm flirting for real and what he's saying is affecting me! Shit! He lied, he broke his promise. I have the scars to prove it.
He pulls up in front of my home and hops out to open my door for me. He walks me to the door as I pull my keys out.
"Thank you for dinner, Mr. Morgan." I say, opening my door.
Jackson rumbles my name, "Lita... The evening was over too soon for me. I look forward to Friday." He takes my hand and kisses the back of it, "I'll talk to you soon, good night, Lita." He winks as he walks away, leaving me waving bye as I can't find words.
When I'm inside with the door locked, I stand against the door, catching my breath from the explosion of nerves that blew up in my stomach and the tingles that shot to my lady parts. I'm fanning my hot face, trying to calm down when a knock comes at the door again.
I turn around and open the door, wondering who's knocking and am blinded by Jacksons smile, "You left the contract in the car. Was that on purpose?"
I stumble on my words, "Um.. well. If you want to keep that copy?" I squeak, knowing I'm only turning more flustered.
He hands it back to me, "I'd rather you explain it to me. Gives me a reason to see you again."
"You don't need a reason, Jacks." The words slip from my mouth and I know my eyes are probably the size of saucers at the moment. God, did I really just say that? Oh, I'm mortified.
Jackson's smile only brightens as he nods, "Good to know. Goodnight, again, Lita."
"Goodnight, Jacks." I respond watching him walk back to his car and climb in with one final wave before he disappears.
I shut and lock the door, rubbing my face with one hand, I try to tune down the flustered state I'm in.
"Shit." I mutter, walking into my home and remove my shoes. I make my way upstairs and take a shower and get ready for bed. My mind a jumbled mess of memories, hurt, excitement, and uncertainty.
"I can't believe I said all that!" I groan, punching the pillow under my head and stare at the time. It's midnight and I have to get up for work in six hours. I roll over and shove my head under my satin pillows but all I can think about is how his lips felt on the back of my hand, the way he was smiling at me...
"This is Jacks, Melita! Gangly, Jacks who bandaged your wounds! Who knows that dad is an abusive drunk! Who was always there for me, until he promised he would be... He wasn't there when I needed him the most..."
Gosh, he really is making me lose it. I started talking about myself in the third person again. I did that when I was younger after Jackson was gone. I didn't have any friends who could understand or handle a friend who's father was abusive, so I would go to our clubhouse and talk to myself. At first, I pretended Jackson was still around and act like I was talking to him. After a few months though, I just started talking to myself. I had hoped he would come back one day, that he would send me a letter or something... When I turned eighteen, I burned the clubhouse down and took off, my back pack loaded with everything I needed. I had earned scholarships to college, applying for every single one that I could, as long as it was far away from my father.
I worked my but off to survive in the dorms and study to keep my grade average high to keep my scholarships. Saving every penny I could so I when I finished my degree I'd be able to afford an apartment and find a job. I did it. All by myself.
I can do this. I'll get him to sign our contract and find a way to be busy but polite after everything is set in stone. He'll give up after a little while.
Easy.