Not Quite Dating (Not Quite #1)(50)
Author: Catherine Bybee

Jack placed his arm around her and rested it on her shoulder as they walked. “Sometimes good things actually come to those who deserve them.”

At the car, Danny opened the back door and jumped inside. “Look, Jack. TV.”

“It plays DVDs,” Jessie told Jack as he ran a hand over the frame of the door Danny had opened.

Jack tickled Danny as he leaned over him to look inside. “Perfect for those long drives.”

“That’s what the dealer said. I never thought I’d have a car like this.”

“Is it safe?” Jack asked.

“The crash rating had a decent score. The gas mileage is great.”

Jack rounded the car and popped the hood. “Four cylinder?”

“Again, gas mileage.”

From over the hood, Jack said, “I think it’s a great pick.”

For the first time since she’d driven it home, Jessie felt as if she could enjoy it. Without Jack, everything had seemed a little grayer.

Jack released the hood. “Wanna take me for a spin?”

Danny was already in his seat with the seat belt on.

After ice cream, they drove around looking at Christmas lights until Danny started nodding off in the back.

Jack stared at her as they rounded the street that led to her apartment.

“It’s nice to see you with new things,” he said. “You smile a little brighter.”

Damn, she didn’t want him thinking she needed him to provide them for her. Together they’d figure out how to pay the bills and make things work. “It’s just a car, Jack. I’m smiling because I’m sharing it with you.”

“Danny seemed ready to ask Santa for a garage to park this in.”

“Danny doesn’t realize what he’s asking for when he says he wants a house for Christmas. I think he watched Miracle on 34th Street.”

“Kids dream a little bigger than adults do. I think it’s part of the innocence.”

She agreed. “Adults know that making dreams come true is hard work. Kids think all they have to do is wish on a falling star.”

Jessie pulled into her parking space and turned off the engine. “Well, what do you think?” she asked, stroking the steering wheel.

“I think it’s perfect.” He leaned over then and kissed her. Sweet and short, but so very nice. “I think you need to keep wishing on falling stars,” he whispered with a grin.

Jessie watched his gray eyes sparkle and couldn’t help but think they looked like stars.

“Come on,” he said after pulling away. “Let’s tuck Danny into bed. Then I can tuck you into bed.”

She wiggled out of the driver’s seat. Now, that sounded like a perfect plan.

Jack and Jessie spent the night making love. Making up for the time they’d lost. By morning, Jack was prepared to break away for a few hours. He needed a solid plan to execute how to explain his deception to Jessie. He twisted words in his head, trying to phrase things so she wouldn’t feel lied to.

The more he pondered his approach, the more he knew she’d be angry. Hell, he would be if he were in her place.

He needed female advice.

Jack needed his kid sister.

Sliding behind Jessie as she assembled the makings for cookies, Jack placed a kiss on the side of her neck. “Sugar cookies?” he asked, holding her around the waist with one hand and dipping his finger into the sticky bowl for a stolen taste. He licked his finger and savored the flavor of the cookie dough.

“The best kind.”

“I don’t know about that. Chocolate chip cookies always sing to me.”

Jessie laughed and slapped his hand when he went in for a second taste. “Cookie cutters don’t work with chocolate chips, and you can’t frost them.”

“Yum, frosted chocolate chip cookies. I think you’re on to something.”

She giggled and picked up a spoon to stir the batter.

“I hate to say this.” Jack swiveled Jessie until they were face-to-face. “But I need to go and run some errands, check in at the hotel.”

“Do you have to work today?” She wiped her hands on a towel and set it aside.

“In a way.”

“What does that mean?” She smiled when she asked.

“I’ll explain later.” He avoided lying. Going to the hotel and working were on the agenda, just not exactly in the manner Jessie thought.

“We’ll save some of the frosting so you can make your own,” Jessie said.

Jack glanced at Danny, who was playing a board game with Monica in the living room, then leaned down to kiss Jessie.

Her lips slid over his in a soft caress. So warm. He couldn’t wait to slip a ring on her finger and claim her.

He ended their kiss and squeezed her before moving aside. “I’ll be back,” he promised.

“You better be,” she scolded lightheartedly.

He moved around the counter, waved a hand to the others. “I’ll see you later, Danny.”

“You’re leaving?” His head bounced up.

“Gotta run some errands.”

Danny scrambled to his feet and ran to hug him. There was something about a little boy tossing himself into Jack’s arms that made everything worthwhile. Jack kissed the top of his head. “Later, partner.”

“Later, Uncle Jack,” Danny mimicked.

Jack opened the door and shot a glance at Jessie. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her apron hung from her waist with copious amounts of flour on it. She was smiling, even before she looked up and caught him staring at her.

He did not want to mess this up.

Once outside, he turned on his cell phone and noticed a message waiting for him.

“Jack, dammit, where are you?” It was Katie. “Oh, never mind. Listen, Dad came home ticked that he missed you. He and Beth started talking, and between the two of them and my tight lip, they figured there is a woman involved. One you want to make permanent. I swear I didn’t say a thing. He’s on his way to you. We’re both coming. I’ll try to hold him back until you have things fixed with Jessie. You are fixing things with Jessie, right? Oh, and he said something about meeting with your contractor for the new project while he’s there. He’s been on the phone for the last hour barking orders. Anyway, consider yourself warned.”

Jack turned off his phone and jumped into his truck. With a little luck, he’d make it back to the hotel and manage to clean himself up before his father invaded.

Gaylord Morrison did everything the Texas way.