Not Quite Dating (Not Quite #1)(15)
Author: Catherine Bybee

Brad lifted his chin. “I’ll bet he’s adorable, just like his mother.”

Hookay, time to go. “Thanks, he’s the best.” She scooted away, but only a couple of steps. She peeked over her shoulder, sure someone was watching her.

“Would you mind if I called you, Jessie? Maybe grab a cup of coffee or something?”

Jessie had to stop herself from saying no. Why? she asked herself.

Jack.

Dammit.

“That might be nice,” she found herself saying. “I like coffee.”

He pulled out a pen from the inside of his suit pocket and a card. “I’m going out of town this week, but I’ll be back the beginning of next.”

Jessie rambled off her number, which Brad happily wrote down.

“I really should go.”

He lifted his eyebrows and said, “I’ll see you later, then.”

“OK, bye.”

Jessie pulled her wrap close and fought a chill as she stepped back into the busy ballroom. She walked about three yards before she noticed Jack’s eyes on her. He glanced behind her, to the open patio doors, then back her way. Jessie had to force herself not to look behind her to see if Brad had walked in the room. She felt guilty as it was, which was stupid. She shouldn’t feel bad at all.

She made her way to Jack’s side, forcing a calm smile on her face.

“There you are,” he said when she was within earshot.

“I needed to escape the cougar-lady after you left.”

Jack was still watching the doorway.

Jessie shifted on her feet. “Um, Jack, I think I should work my way home.” It was nearly midnight, and some of the guests had started to leave.

Something shifted in Jack’s gaze.

Jessie turned toward the patio doors and noticed Brad watching the two of them. He nodded his head to her before turning to talk to one of the guests.

“Who’s that?” Jack asked.

“Some guy.”

“Some guy?”

“Yeah, we met outside. He said his name was Brad. Do you know him?”

Jack shook his head; all the while, he followed Brad’s movements. “No, can’t say as I do.”

“He seemed nice enough.” Because not telling him was eating her up inside, she blurted out, “He asked me for my number.”

When Jack’s head spun to her, she swallowed hard. Jack pissed wasn’t a happy look. The sparkle she liked to see in his eyes when he smiled took on a whole new level when he was ticked. “Come on, Jack, you know I’m here to meet someone.”

“Someone I know that will do good by you. That guy—”

“Brad.”

“Brad, what kind of name is Brad? He looks like a lawyer.”

Jessie was sure Jack meant that as an insult, but a lawyer spelled stability to her. “Brad is a perfectly normal name and I don’t know what he does for a living.”

“What do you know about him?”

“Nothing, really.”

“And you just gave him your number? He could be some wacko. Why don’t you let me do the matchmaking?”

Jessie laughed. “Stop it. I doubt he’s a wacko.”

Jack finally stopped staring at Brad and gazed down at her.

“Thank you for your concern, but I’m a big girl. My judgment in people isn’t usually very far off.” As long as you weren’t counting Rory or Mathew.

“I don’t know.” He glanced back at Brad.

Jessie stood in front of him. “Don’t go doing anything stupid when I leave. Harassing the guests will get you fired.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Yes, didn’t you hear me?” No, of course he didn’t. Testosterone truly poisoned men’s brains.

“Is something wrong at home?”

“No, Danny is sleeping by now, I’m sure.”

Jack set the tray he held down on a nearby table. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

“That isn’t necessary.”

“I insist.” He placed his hand on the small of her back and pushed her to the door.

“What about work? Won’t you get in trouble?”

Jack smiled. Some of it actually overtook his frown, and his eyes started to sparkle again. “I’m off at midnight anyway.”

“It’s not midnight yet.”

He ignored her words and fell in step beside her. They dodged several people before making their way to the quiet lobby, then out into the entryway. “Did you valet park?”

“What do you think?” she asked as she turned toward the sidewalk, where self-parking was encouraged.

Jack nodded to the porter before catching up to her again. “You really don’t need to walk me to my car.”

“You can’t accuse me of not being a gentleman.”

No, she couldn’t say that about him. Jessie weaved her way through the cars until she saw her old Toyota Celica. It looked lost among so many fancy, newer vehicles. It ran, and that’s what counted.

“This is me,” she announced as she fished her keys from her bag. She opened the door and tossed her purse in the passenger seat before turning to Jack. “Thanks again, Jack. For everything.”

Jack shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “It’s nothing. I’m glad you came.”

“I had fun. Be careful with the cougar-lady if you go back in there,” she warned.

“Cougar-lady?”

“Yeah, the flashy woman with the shrimp. She looks like she eats waiters for breakfast, and she had you in her sights.” Friends warn friends about bad choices for the bedroom, didn’t they?

“You be careful with Braaad.”

Jessie had to smirk at how Jack drew out Brad’s name. “He said something about calling me next week. I’m not even sure I’ll go out with him.” Now why did she tell him that? Maybe because when he said the other man’s name, he did so with a frown. Unease about the entire evening started to seep into her bones.

Jack stepped back. “Well, good night.”

“Night, Jack.”

Closing the door, Jessie was grateful for the easy exit. No drama, no fuss.

Famous last words.

When she twisted the key in the ignition, the car groaned, then moaned, then gave up trying to start altogether. She twisted it again, but the car made only a clicking noise in response.

Oh boy. Just what she needed. Jack watched her through the windshield. Jessie threw her hands in the air and tried to start it again.

Nothing.

Frustrated, she opened the door and swung her feet out.