12. Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Jon
She doesn't have to ask me twice. I lean down to kiss her, but before I can press my lips to hers, a screeching metallic sound emanates from the walls, instantly breaking the spell.
I curse under my breath and reach for Sharon, expecting the worst.
"What's that?!" she asks, leaning into me, letting me pull her close.
A sudden jerking motion propels the elevator upward and signals that our ascent to the seventh floor has resumed.
She awkwardly pulls away from me and stands beside me, waiting for the elevator to stop. She walks out when the doors open, and I follow close behind. Both of us are in complete silence.
At her door, she takes her room key out of her pocket before turning to face me. When she says nothing, I start wondering if I should apologize for the kiss that never happened.
"Are we okay?" I ask.
"I'm sorry," she says, her green gaze piercing my heart. "I don't know what happened back there."
"You asked me for a kiss."
"That was a mistake."
"Why? Why was it a mistake? If that elevator hadn't moved, I would've kissed you, and you would've let me."
"You're right," she concedes. "But it would've been a mistake." With that, she opens the door and walks inside, leaving me alone in the hallway.
Twenty minutes later, there's a knock on my door. When I open it, Sharon stands there with her hair draped over her shoulders. She's wearing a purple dress that makes her eyes look greener.
"Are you ready?" she asks.
"Yeah. Just let me grab my key."
When I return to the door, I look at her beautiful face, wanting everything to be okay between us.
"Are we okay?" I ask. "I don't want things to be awkward between us?"
"We're okay," she says. "I'm just embarrassed."
"Why, because you told me what you wanted?"
She blushes, and I feel a rush of guilt sweep over me.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
"Jon, I like you. You're kind, sweet, handsome," she smiles shyly. "You love your parents and your brother. You're a good friend to Loren and to me."
"I hear a but coming."
"But we can't be more than friends."
"Sharon, I think you already know how I feel. I'm falling for you, and all I want to do at this moment is pull you into my arms and kiss you, but I respect your decision."
"Friends?" she asks, extending her hand.
"Friends," I say, taking her hand in mine.
What I don't say as I shake her hand is that the next time she asks me for a kiss, come hell or high water, I will kiss her.
***
When we meet my family for dinner, we sit down and start swapping stories about our day. Theirs didn't have any hiccups, but ours was definitely better.
"Noah had a fabulous time at the exhibit," Dad says.
"I got four toys!" Noah exclaims, putting up four fingers.
"Where are they?" Sharon asks.
"We dropped them off back at the hotel," Mom says. "We called your rooms, but there was no answer. We assumed you were still out."
"We were probably in the elevator," I say.
"In the elevator?" Dad asks.
We fill them in on what happened.
"Oh my gosh," Mom says, "They were working on the elevator when we walked by. You two were stuck inside?"
"Yeah," I say, glancing at Sharon. She's asking Noah what he wants for dinner.
"If I order chicken," she says, "can I share some with you?"
Noah nods before adding, "I want fries."
"I'm ordering a burger and fries," I say. “I'll share some with you."
Dad orders the prime rib, and Mom orders a Cobb salad.
"How long were you stuck in the elevator?" Dad asks.
"It wasn't very long," I say. "Maybe twenty minutes."
When I see concern on Mom and Dad's faces, I smile and add, "Don't worry, Sharon was able to help me stay calm. We sat on the floor and talked. I was fine."
They smile and look at Sharon with gratitude.
"Don't give me too much credit," she says. "I was the one feeling a little panicked."
"Thank goodness they got it fixed quickly," Mom says. "We'd be sitting here wondering where you both were."
"How do you all feel about staying for a couple more days?" Dad asks, changing the subject.
"I'd like to get back to Loren's," I say. "I told her we'd be back tomorrow."
"Sweetheart," Mom begins, "I don't mean to sound insensitive, but Loren is not your responsibility."
"She's no one's responsibility, Mom, but she's my friend. She's expecting to see us at church in the morning."
"That's fine, Son," Dad says. "You and Shay can take Noah back with you if you don't mind. Mom and I will take the train back home on Tuesday."
"Yeah, that's fine," I say. "Sharon, are you okay with that plan?"
"Of course," she says, smiling and tickling Noah. "I go where Noah goes."
"You go with me!" Noah laughs before becoming thoughtful. "Not today, though. Today, you went with Jon."
We all laugh, and when I glance at Sharon, I notice she's blushing a pretty pink. God, she's beautiful.
***
We meet Mom and Dad for breakfast before leaving New York.
"Have a safe trip," Dad says, handing me the keys to the van. “We'll see you on Tuesday."
Mom gives Noah and me hugs and kisses and smiles at Sharon.
"Have fun, you two," I say as I take Noah's hand, and we go our separate ways.
The drive home is uneventful. The lively chatter between Sharon and Noah convinces me that bringing her into the family as his nanny and teacher was one of my parents' best decisions. Her teaching style incorporates games and activities that keep Noah engaged and entertained while he learns.
Walking into the church building, I notice the sign directing teens to the youth class and pause before entering the auditorium. "Are you attending youth group?" I ask, glancing at Sharon.
"No," she says.
We take Noah to his Sunday school class and sign him in.
We're a bit early, so I don't expect to see Loren when we find our seats in the back of the auditorium.
"I sometimes forget how young you are," I say. “You're not like most girls your age."
"Is that a compliment or a complaint?" Sharon asks, smiling.
"Definitely not a complaint," I say. "I love that about you."
"What?" she asks. "My age, my maturity, or my quick wit?"
"Everything," I say, "I love everything about you."
"Good morning!" Loren's voice rings out behind us.
Sharon and I stand up to hug her before she sits beside Sharon.
"I'm so glad you made it back," she says. "Where are your parents?"
"They decided to stay a couple of more days," I say, "sans the three kids tagging along."
"That's wonderful!" exclaims Loren. "What about the little guy?"
"He's in Sunday school," Sharon says. "Probably talking everyone's ears off. He had so much fun."
"Not as much fun as we did," I laugh.
"Why? Did something happen?"
"We got stuck in an elevator at our hotel," Sharon says.
"Oh no!" Loren exclaims immediately, looking at me.
"I was fine," I say. "I made it out of there alive."
"Oh goodness," she continues. "Was it just the two of you?"
"Yes," I say.
"Well, good thing you were together to keep each other company."
Sharon looks at me and smiles shyly. I'm sure we're both thinking of the kiss that never was.
Loren notices Sharon and me exchanging glances, but being the prudent lady she is, she says nothing.
"I would love it if you two came over for lunch after service," Loren says.
"I have a better idea," I say. "Why don't you let us take you out for lunch?"
"Oh, that sounds lovely," she says, glancing up, "I look forward to it. Don't look now, Sweetheart, but here comes Patrick."
I look up just in time to see the bank guy heading this way.
"Hi. Good morning," he says, taking the seat next to Loren.
"Good morning," we all say in unison.
"Hi, Sharon. How are you doing?"
"I'm doing fine, thank you."
"I haven't seen you come by the bank. Is everything going okay with your accounts?"
"Yes. Everything's great. I just haven't needed to stop by."
"Well, if you have any questions, make sure to ask for me when you call."
"I will. Thank you."
"Okay," Patrick says, standing up, "I just started playing bass on the praise and worship team, so I’ve got to get up there to set up, but maybe we can talk after service."
Does this guy not see that I'm sitting right here? I'm waiting for Sharon to give him an answer. Is she considering it?
"I came with Jon and his little brother, so I can't stay long."
"Oh, that's okay," he says, "I can take you home."
"Actually, Pat..." I begin.
"It's Patrick," he corrects me.
"Patrick," I say through gritted teeth, "Sharon and I are taking Loren to lunch after service."
"Maybe another time," Sharon says.
"Oh, sure," Patrick smiles. "That would be great. Okay, well, it was nice seeing you."
"Likewise," Sharon says.
"See you later," he says before heading to the front of the church.
As soon as Patrick walks away, Sharon turns to me.
"Did you have to be so rude?"
"I wasn't rude," I say in my defense. "Maybe a little assertive, but not rude."
"I'll be right back," Sharon says. "I'm going to the ladies' room."
"Was I rude?" I ask Loren when Sharon walks away.
"You're jealous."
"I am," I admit.
"Does she know how you feel?"
"I told her yesterday, but she told me she just wants to be friends."
"Have you told her about Jimmy?"
"She doesn't want to know, and I won't force the issue."
Loren gives me a look of disapproval but doesn't say anything.
When Sharon returns, she sits next to me and shoots me a disapproving look, too.
Thankfully, today's message is about forgiveness, so hopefully, everything will soon be forgiven.
"Wasn't that an amazing message?" I ask when we get out of our seats after service.
"Don't think you're off the hook, Mr. Linder." Sharon's voice at least sounds playful.
"You think I should apologize to Pat?"
"Patrick," Loren says.
"Pat, Patrick, Patty. Whatever!"
"You see," Sharon says, "that's rude."
"The message was about forgiveness."
"Are you sorry?" she asks, "Because you don't sound sorry."
"Let me make it up to you," I say.
"How about if you make it up to me by picking up Noah from class and meeting me outside?"
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to talk to Patrick for a second."
"Are you trying to make me jealous?
"I don't think I have to try very hard."
"I'm going to the ladies' room," Loren says. "Meet me in the lobby when you're done bickering."
"We're not bickering!" we both exclaim.
Loren laughs and picks up her purse, shaking her head. "You two sound like an old married couple."
"Well?" Sharon asks when I don't move.
"I'm going!" I laugh. "I don't know if you know this, but you're even more beautiful when you're mad. Your eyes turn a different shade of green."
"Where's Shay-Shay?" Noah asks when I walk into his classroom.
"She's still in the sanctuary."
"I'm hungry!" he says. "I want some mac and cheese."
"All right, Buddy. Let's go find Sharon."
"Shay. Her name is Shay."
"You call her Shay, but her name is Sharon."
"I like Shay better."
When we walk back into the sanctuary, Sharon and Loren are in deep conversation with Patrick, who is showing them his bass guitar and his bright smile.
"Holy hell," I whisper under my breath.
"Ooh, you said a bad word," Noah says under his breath.
"Don't tell on me, Buddy, okay?"
We reach the group just as Patrick is saying his goodbyes.
"See you Saturday," he says as he turns to walk away.
"What's happening Saturday?" I ask.
"Patrick is taking Sharon to the farmers’ market in Cold Spring."
I feel the floor crumbling underneath my feet.
"You agreed to go out with him?" I ask, sounding jealous and incredulous.
"Can we talk about this later?" Sharon asks, glancing at Noah.
"I wanna go to the farmers’ market," Noah says.
"Well, maybe I can take you, Noah," I say, looking directly at Sharon.
"Are you two going to take Noah and me out to lunch, or are you going to stand here arguing all day?"
"We're not arguing!" we both exclaim at once.
She shakes her head and giggles.
"Did you drive to church this morning?" I ask Loren.
"No, I came with friends. I already told them you'd take me home."
For lunch, we drive to Cold Spring and go to Round Up, where they serve barbecue ribs, smoked brisket, and Noah's favorite, mac and cheese.
Loren keeps the conversation going by telling us all about her grandkids and great grandkids, but the tension between Sharon and me is palpable.
"My son has been begging me for years to sell the house and move to California so I can be close to them. Now that I'm getting older, the prospect doesn't seem like such a bad idea."
"Would you move in with them?" Sharon asks.
"Oh no, Honey. I would get my own place down there."
***
After lunch, we go for a walk on Main Street. With all the unique stores and charming antique shops, there's plenty to see to keep us entertained for the rest of the afternoon.
On the way home after dropping off Loren, Sharon is quiet.
"Are you mad at me?" I finally ask, parking the van in the driveway.
Her silence answers my question. I open the back door and pull a sleeping Noah out of his seat.
"I'll get the bags," she says.
"Don't worry about that," I say. "I'll get them later."
We walk inside the quiet house, and I head for the stairs to take Noah up to his room. Sharon goes into the kitchen.
When I return, I find her pouring some lemonade into a glass.
"You didn't answer my question," I say.
"I'm not mad," she answers. "Do you want some lemonade?"
"No, thank you."
"I just want to know why you dislike poor Patrick so much. He's been nothing but nice to both of us."
"Because I'm jealous." There, I said it.
"I thought you understood."
"Understood what? I told you how I felt just last night, and today you waste no time agreeing to go out with another man."
"It's only a walk."
"It's a date," I say.
"Neither of us called it a date. You're the only one putting a definition to an innocent walk through a farmers’ market."
"I'm not stupid, Sharon. Maybe you're just that young and naive not to know that what you agreed to is a date."
"Are you calling me stupid or too young to know what I'm doing? Or both?"
"Neither!" I exclaim, walking toward her until she's less than a foot from my reach.
"Remember when I said you were kind and sweet?” she asks, "I take it back!"
"Well, at least you still think I'm handsome."
She doesn't smile.
"I thought I made myself clear. You are my boss's son. If my going out with a male friend is going to create an issue for you, maybe we can't be friends and need to keep things strictly professional."
"Is that what you want?" I ask, inching my way towards her.
"You're leaving me no choice."
"You have a choice."
"Oh yeah, what's that?" Her green gaze bores into me like a dagger, and her chin is defiantly tilted up.
I get closer, our faces only inches apart.
"Cancel your date with Patty and go out with me."