Not Quite Dating (Not Quite #1)(19)
Author: Catherine Bybee

“I’ve been saving.” Which was true.

“What will you name your hotel?” She was smiling, and not in a mocking, Yeah, sure you’ll do that…one day kind of way, but in a sincere, Here’s hoping you do make it kind of way.

“More for Less.”

Jessie held back a laugh.

“What? You don’t like it?”

“Well, ‘More’ is a rip from Morrison, isn’t it?”

“My friends do call me Jack Moore.”

She really didn’t like the name. “Still, ‘More for Less.’ It sounds…I don’t know, cheap. Like Pick ’n Save.”

“It will be priced cheap, compared to The Morrison anyway.”

She sat taller. “The name needs to be something people will brag about. Think of Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack. Both sell Nordstrom clothing, but one is the cast-off store. If you had an in with The Morrison, I’d suggest you call your place ‘Morrison West’ or something like that. Or name it something completely ambiguous like ‘Jack’s Place.’”

Jack scratched his head and purposely didn’t say anything about her comment concerning an in with The Morrison. “Jack’s Place sounds like a bar to me.”

Jessie waved her free hand at him while she spoke. “Or a friend’s place. Think about it: We’re going to Disneyland and we’re staying at Jack’s Place. Then again, We’re going to Sea World and we’re staying at More for Less. Do you see what I mean? The one sounds like a great time, the other sounds like a budget vacation with hard beds and leaky roofs.”

Jack scratched his jaw. “I never thought of it like that.” He wondered if anyone on his planning team thought the same thing but didn’t want to reveal their concerns because More for Less was his brainchild. He definitely needed to talk to the marketing department on Monday.

Jack watched her lips as she spoke. “You have time to think about the name. It will take years and lots of connections before anyone like us can open up such a place.”

Guilt sucker punched him hard in the gut. Jessie really had no earthly idea who he was or his net worth. If she did know who he really was, would she have been so open and honest with him? Probably not.

Jessie hid a yawn behind her hand and smiled when he caught her eyes. She glanced at their hands, both of which were rolling tiny circles with the other. Her hand skidded away when she realized it was engaged in a little mindless flirting.

Jack missed her touch instantly, but didn’t say a word about it. “I better get you home.”

Nodding, Jessie said, “Yeah. It’s late.”

Only he didn’t want to take her home. He wanted to keep her up late, talking, and then a little kissing, then maybe some more touching. Her pink lips would melt against his, he thought. Head out of the gutter, Jack. You’ll blow it if you come on too strong.

Ignoring his urges, he opened the door and stepped out.

“I’ll ride in front with you, if that’s OK,” she said after slipping her shoes back on and following him through the door.

“Are you sure? It’s much nicer back here.”

“It’s not as much fun when you’re by yourself.”

Conceding, Jack helped her into the passenger’s seat and walked around the car to take the driver’s.

Jessie pointed out which road to take to her apartment.

“When do you work again?” Jack asked.

“I’m off tomorrow, then on for three. If my car needs something big, my sister can take me back and forth. Do you have any idea what’s wrong with it?”

“Might be your starter. I’ll check it out in the morning.” Jack glanced over at her as she opened her purse and took out a pen and a piece of paper.

“Here’s my number. Call me and let me know what it’s going to cost me.”

“Friends don’t charge friends for favors,” he told her.

“You’ve done enough already.”

She hadn’t seen anything…yet.

Jessie placed the paper with her phone number in the cubby that divided the seats. “I’ll have the dress dry cleaned and have it ready to go back to the store.”

“You can keep it.” He switched lanes as he spoke.

“Right, that would be stealing, not borrowing.”

Jessie was too good for that. Jack had no choice but to hide the fact that he’d paid for the dress.

“I don’t think anyone would notice.”

“I would.”

Pushing her to keep the dress was out of the question. He glanced her way and noticed the sparkle dangling from her ears. “I bought the earrings. So don’t put those back in the box. Those you can keep.”

Her slender fingers touched the elegant diamonds, and a smile touched her lips. “You bought them?”

“I thought they would look great on you.” He thought of the knockoff pair in his room at the hotel. Nordstrom versus Nordstrom Rack. There simply wasn’t a substitution.

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“I wanted to. Consider it an early Christmas gift.” One of many, he hoped.

“I trust it didn’t cost you a lot.”

He shot her a frown. “It’s impolite to ask what someone spent on a gift.”

Jessie laid her hand on his arm. “Thanks, Jack. You shouldn’t have, but thanks.”

They drove the rest of the way in comfortable silence. It was nearly two in the morning when they pulled up to her apartment building.

“I can make it from here,” she told him.

Jack ignored her and opened his door. “In Texas, a man never lets a lady walk to her door alone. Especially at night.” Besides, how would he kiss her if he didn’t walk her home?

She laughed, a warm, inviting sound that pulled on Jack’s heartstrings.

“I don’t want to tick off all the men in Texas.”

“Good.”

After opening her door and helping her out of the car, Jack let her lead the way to her apartment door. The floral scent of her perfume followed her down the hall. He noted the number on her door for future use.

Tresses of her hair draped over her slender neck as she glanced at her door.

“This is me,” she said as she turned toward him.

Jack stood close, close enough to see surprise in her eyes at his being there. She didn’t back away. When she caught her lip between her teeth, Jack’s pulse shot high. Jessie’s gaze slid from his eyes to his lips, inadvertently inviting his kiss.