Chapter 11 #2
That was true. Another point in his favor. “You didn’t have to do this for me.”
“My car needed a wash.” He paid for the service.
“I’ll pay you back.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
The green light came on and he slowly moved the car into position.
They didn’t say anything, and for a few moments she was in her happy place.
Then she remembered the last time they’d been in a car wash together, making out in this very same car as thick bubbly soap cascaded over the outside.
Her cheeks heated. She glanced at him, wondering if he was thinking about that time.
From the way he was staring straight ahead, his expression blank, she couldn’t tell.
They remained quiet through the rest of the rinse and wax cycles, and for a little while, Jade was able to set her troubles aside. But soon the dryers kicked on and she was back to reality. When the drying cycle finished and they were leaving the car wash, she said, “Sebastian, about Harrington—”
“I’ll make you a deal.”
She perked up. “Really?”
Turning onto the road, he nodded. “We’ll talk about it—”
Yes?
“On Tuesday.”
“Tuesday?” That was almost four days away. “Why not now?”
“Because that’s when I’m free.”
She sat back in her seat. What was she supposed to do for four days? Then she remembered the ledger. Hopefully she would find it right away. All right, that would take up some of the time. But the whole weekend, plus Memorial Day? “Sebastian—”
“Nope.”
“Seb—”
“Uh-uh.”
“Please—”
“Nada.”
“Oh, come one.” She grimaced. “Are you trying to get me back for—” She clenched her teeth. That had slipped out.
“For dumping me?”
She noticed the muscle in his jaw jerking. “Yes.”
“No,” he said quickly. “Obviously it was the right decision. For both of us.”
Ouch. Although his words shouldn’t have hurt. Not after ten years. Not when he was a successful newspaper owner, despite the downturn in the publication business. Dips and highs were common in all businesses. Mabel thought the world of him. Jade wouldn’t be surprised if everyone else did too.
“Right,” she said. “I’m happy in Atlanta.”
“And I’m happy right here.”
That ended the conversation until they were back at The Times office, parked in his spot.
The one thing she wasn’t happy about was his insistence that he talk to her about the Harrington deal on Tuesday.
Then again, at least he was willing to talk.
“I guess I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth,” she mumbled as he turned off his car.
“Nice cliché,” he said. “Not one of my favorites, though.”
She hadn’t meant to say that out loud, but when she saw the slight smile on his face, she couldn’t help but return it. “Thanks,” she said. “For the car wash, and for agreeing to hear me out.”
“Sure thing.” He glanced at his watch.
Time to go. She opened the door. “See you Tuesday then.”
“See ya.”
She hesitated. Why couldn’t she be as unaffected as he was? Because he was happy. And I’m... not.
* * *
Seb watched Jade hurry to her rental, convincing himself that he was just making sure she made it safely to her car, even though it was parked only two spots away. He certainly wasn’t staring at her because he thoroughly enjoyed looking at every single inch of her. No, sir, and no way.
He finally shifted his eyes when she pulled out of the parking space, and once he knew she was out of sight, he slumped in his seat.
What did he just do? And not just agreeing to discuss Harrington.
His mind wouldn’t be changed by Tuesday.
He told her that to hold her off for a little while, because even though she seemed better after the car wash than when she came to his office earlier, there was still something wrong, and he suspected it had to do with Logan.
He thrust his hand through his hair. Once again he was getting involved, at least mentally.
Possibly somewhat more, since his sudden idea to take her to the Cherry Hill Car Wash had been helpful.
For her anyway. Not him. All he could think about was their make-out session the last time they were in a car wash together, in his same Altima.
Almost every detail, despite it happening ten years ago, filled his mind, affecting him in ways he did not need with her inches away from him.
It had been near torture fighting to keep the past back where it belonged.
But he did it and had even managed to coolly send her on her way when they got back to The Times office.
Which was good. That can of worms, to use one of his favorite clichés, had to stay sealed shut.
Their relationship was over, and they both admitted it was for the best. He now had the closure he didn’t realize he needed—or he would once they talked on Tuesday.
By then, hopefully whatever was going on with her brother would be resolved and she would return to Atlanta to give Miles Harrington Seb’s final verdict. Then they would both leave him alone.
He should be glad. Happy. Ecstatic.
Why wasn’t he?