Chapter 10 #2
Jett is leaning against the front desk. His arms are folded across his wide chest and one ankle rests over the other.
He’s in another pair of jeans, but unlike the long-sleeved T-shirt I’m used to seeing him in, today it’s a crewneck sweater.
His hair isn’t quite as messy as yesterday, but that one curl that always distracts me still kisses his forehead in a way that makes me want to wind my finger around it and give it a tug for being too sexy and perfect.
He’s the exact opposite of me—the picture of the relaxed and casual. I haven’t been relaxed since yesterday before I got that text.
“What are you doing here?” My question comes out snippier than I intended, but I slept on my office floor last night, and every time I turn around, I feel like my past will hit me in the face.
Sleeping here tonight isn’t an option. I had one change of clothes in my desk, but that’s it.
The thought of going back to the library after it closes tonight puts me on edge.
“It’s good to see you too.” He seems different than he did last night. If curiosity could be increased to the power of a billion, that would be him. “It’s dinnertime.”
I glance at my watch. “Is it? I’ve been too busy to keep track of time. In fact, I’m nowhere near done. The repairman is here working on two of the washers. I can’t leave until they are up and running.”
As if on cue, Felicity turns the corner.
“Ope, just the ones I was looking for! I’m officially declaring Sunday dinner as newcomers’ night.
I usually make meatloaf, but Harold has a hankering for chicken fried steak.
Come as early as you want, but no later than five.
That’ll give us plenty of time to chitchat, eat, and clean up before NatGeo. ”
For such a big tough guy who did who knows what back in the Army, Jett doesn’t look amused or annoyed by Felicity’s invitation. He gives her a tip of his wavy-haired head with a small smile. “Sounds great.”
I don’t plan on being here until Sunday, so I’m not sure why I’m interjecting myself into dinner plans, but I’m territorial when it comes to Felicity. I’ve become attached. I’ve never had anyone like her in my life.
She’s mine.
I turn to her. “Jett will have to pass. He’s on a low cholesterol diet because of his kidney.”
Jett frowns. “One dinner won’t kill me.”
“That’s what they all say.” My words sputter as fast as my heart, but I can’t stop.
I wave my hand in the air. “Then poof! One chicken fried steak will take you down harder than I did that day in the atrium. You’ll die from high cholesterol.
Then what? Harlow won’t have a brother anymore, and her fresh, pink, perky kidney will all be for nothing.
Are you willing to do that to your new-found sister? ”
Felicity’s eyes widen in horror. “Oh dear, I had no idea.”
Jett doesn’t give in. “I’ll bypass the gravy, but I’m going to dinner.”
“We’ll grill—” Felicity starts, but I interrupt.
“No! Harold always complains when you make him grill.”
Felicity waves me off. “Heavens to Betsy, Harold will grill, and he’ll be happy about it.”
“No one’s grilling,” Jett bites in a tone I’ve never heard from him.
He pierces me with a glare before turning back to Felicity with an expression that one would use on newborns or puppies.
“I’ll be there. And since Lennon won’t have a car for the foreseeable future, I’ll make sure she’s there too. ”
“Um, if you’re sure,” Felicity squeaks. She doesn’t know how to handle the situation and looks like she’s creating low-cholesterol menus in her head.
She turns for her office to escape but stutters to a stop and turns back.
“Oh, Lennon, dear. The repairman just finished. Everything in the laundry is up and running. I signed off and will give the papers to accounting.”
All of a sudden, Jett’s mood turns sunny. He crosses his arms and turns to me. “Looks like you’re done just in time for dinner.”
“I have to make one quick call before I head home. You kids have fun,” Felicity calls as she disappears into her office and shuts the door. She rarely shuts her door, so it’s a testament to how much she wants to escape us.
Once we’re by ourselves again, Jett loses the smile. “I’ll wait here. Don’t take too long getting your things. I’m hungry.”
“Are you always hungry?”
He hikes a brow. “Not until recently. I’ll wait here to make sure you don’t have another disaster or emergency that drags you away.”
If I’m going to eat another meal with Jett, I’m going to use it to my advantage. “Okay, but I need a favor first.”
I guess it doesn’t matter how annoyed he is with me, because his answer comes fast. “Name it.”
“I need to go back to my room at the library and get some things. I’ve decided to stay here since I don’t have a car.”
“Are you shitting me?”
“Not one shit,” I say before cringing at my own words. “I mean, no. And you can’t change my mind. If you want me to have dinner with you again, you need to take me back to my place so I can pack.”
He lets out an exhausted exhale. “Fine. Blake told me you lived there. I can’t wait to see your dungeon room at the library. Maybe when you’re done with it, I’ll move in.”
For the first time all day, a tiny bit of tension loosens within me. “Perfect. I’ll get my things and be right back.”
“Perfect,” he echoes, though nothing about his tone resonates perfection.
I hurry to get my things. I can put up with Jett annoyed with me if it means having a bodyguard to make a trip to the library.
If they located my cell number, that means they located me. I’m not about to walk into the dark library by myself.