Chapter 10
Known for their steaks, Al Biernat's also had an excellent seafood menu—and if anyone were vegetarian, the sides alone could constitute a meal. Entering the restaurant, the ma?tre d' escorted Bella back to the private room, where everyone else had already arrived, and she could see there was only one open seat at the table. Next to Jack. Damn, I should have rethought wearing white. Good thing I don’t drink red wine; no doubt I’d spill it all over me, ha ha.
Jack stood and pulled the chair out for Bella to sit, and as she slid in next to him, she could smell his cologne - warm, spicy, and intoxicating. “Captain, are you wearing Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille?”
“I am, it’s one of my favorites.”
“Mine too - I’m wearing it tonight as well.”
Jack leaned in and caught it immediately. Tobacco Vanille. His cologne. On her. “So you are.” He quickly glanced around the table and hoped no one had noticed — especially Mike. He’d never live it down.
“Would you like a drink? We’ve already ordered but I can call the waiter back over if you like?”
“Yes please - I’d like the Spiced Lychee. “
Her drink arrived, and Bella took a sip, then licked her lips. “Delicious.”
I should have sat next to Mike, Jack thought.
The group made short work of the appetizers, and while they waited for their main courses, Bella looked around the table. Everyone seemed to be having a fun time, and the conversation flowed freely.
“Margie, tell us how it feels to be the first woman who will walk on the moon?” Carrie asked.
“It’s a pretty mind-blowing, scary thought all at the same time, to be honest,” Margie replied.
“How does NASA decide who gets to walk on the surface?”
“Well, I’m a geologist - I study rocks. And since the moon is essentially a big rock it was logical they’d pick me.”
“Geologist? Rocks?” piped up Jerome. “Tell me more.” Margie eagerly dived into the subject, with Jerome looking on in rapture as she spoke. Bella caught Carrie's eye across the table, and they shared an amused smile.
“Is that an Omega Speedmaster you’re wearing?” Jack asked, gesturing to the watch on Bella’s wrist. He'd clocked it the moment they met.
“It is - it’s my favorite watch. There's something about the weight and look of a man's watch I've always loved. I noticed you wear the Breitling Cosmonaute — beautiful watch.”
“So — we wear the same cologne, and we both appreciate a good watch. I wonder what else we have in common.” She said nothing but took a sip of her drink. Maybe I’d like to find out.
Bella noticed throughout dinner that none of the astronauts had more than a drink each, she supposed that they were very disciplined, even when off duty.
After finishing dinner and offers of dessert declined, someone asked about any nightclubs they could go to, not wanting to end the night just yet.
“Let me make a call,” said Carrie, stepping outside.
“Is this something that’s allowed?” Bella asked Jack.
“Yes, we don’t do it often but every once in a while, is okay. No one is going to get blotto drunk, but it’s nice to unwind. They are working hard; a little fun won’t hurt.”
“That’s good to hear, I wasn’t sure. I guess I pictured you all tucked in bed early every night.”
“You think about us in bed? I’m sure nothing but pure and innocent thoughts.” Jack said, raising an eyebrow.
Bella’s cheeks flamed and she replied with a laugh “You know what I mean!”
“I do; I was only teasing.”
Carrie stepped back into the room, “I’ve got us two tables in the VIP section at Candleroom. The shuttle is waiting outside for us, who’s going? There is room for all.”
Everyone cried out "I'm in!", and they turned to Jack and Bella, imploring them both to go.
A crowded nightclub isn’t my thing but if Bella is going, I’m going, Jack said to himself.
If he’s going, I’m going, Bella thought.
“Okay, let’s go - who’s ready for a good time?”
Bella fired off a quick text to Jackie, telling her that her night was running longer than expected, and would she be able to run by the house and let Primrose out for a bathroom break.
Jackie quickly texted back a “thumbs up” emoji.
Arriving at Candleroom a few minutes later, Bella eyed the line to get in and sighed.
It had been forever since she had been to a club.
She looked at Jack, who was eyeballing the line too, and they gave each other a look that said, “This better be worth it!”
Carrie gathered everyone up and marched straight past the line to the door. Greeting the doorman, she said, "Hey, Rico — long time no see."
Grinning at Carrie, Rico said, "Hey, Ms. Shaw — it's been too long." He unhooked the rope and waved the group through to the audible grousing of those who'd been waiting for hours.
Escorted to the roped-off VIP area, Carrie took drink orders and gave them to their dedicated waitress, promising a very big tip if she brought them back quickly.
It was loud in the club, so loud Bella couldn’t hear a word anyone was saying; she sent Carrie a quick text, knowing she’d have it on vibrate.
No one pays for anything, use the Amex Black, she texted.
Getting a quick already on it in return, Bella looked around.
Most definitely not her scene. She could see Jack was talking to her, but she couldn’t hear a word.
The crowded dance floor was heaving, and the bass from the music was thumping so hard her teeth were rattling.
Jack leaned in closer, practically shouting in Bella’s ear, “It’s louder in here than the flight deck of an aircraft carrier launching an F14!”
“What?”
“I said it’s louder in here than the flight deck of an aircraft carrier launching an F14!”, Jack shouted back.
“Yes, this place is fantastic,” Bella replied.
Deciding that she’d had enough already - it was too much for her - she quickly finished her drink and texted Carrie that she was leaving. Carrie waved with the “okay” sign. Right at that moment there was a break in the music, and Bella leaned over to tell Jack she was calling it a night.
“I’m done too. Would you like to share an Uber?” he asked. After Bella nodded yes, he said he’d meet her at the door, he was going to speak to Mike.
“Mike, I’m out of here, this isn’t my thing. You and the others stay, but not too much longer, and keep it light on the booze.”
“Yes sir.”
“Behave,” Jack said.
Mike gave Jack a “Who me?” look and turned back to trying to get Carrie’s attention.
The driver made his way to Bella’s house first and would continue on to Jack’s hotel.
They made small talk, laughing about the club and how out of place they’d both felt.
The driver arrived faster than Bella liked to her house, as it meant the night was ending.
Jack stepped out to open Bella’s car door and walked her to the door, telling the driver he’d be right back.
“I hope you all had a good time tonight. I’m happy we were able to give you a break from training.”
“Did you have a good time tonight, Bella?” Jack asked.
“Dinner yes, club no, I was feeling my age back there” Bella laughed.
“Same. Well, good night, Bella, it was nice to see you again.”
Bella hesitated, then said softly, “Would you like to come in for a nightcap or coffee?”
“Yes, I think I would. Let me tell the driver he can go.”
Walking back to the car, he spoke to the driver then returned to the front door where Bella was waiting. The alarm wasn't set — Jackie must have left it off knowing she was on her way back. Bella heard barking as Primrose ran to greet her at the door.
“Primmy! Have you been guarding the house? “ Bella asked the dog, who upon seeing Jack threw herself at him, with little yips of “pet me, pet me” coming from her, while her bottom wriggled a mile a minute.
“You have a Corgi?” Jack said, looking down at Primrose.
“Yes, this is Primrose, she’s three.”
“I have a Corgi. Named Daisy. She’s six.”
“That’s crazy - what are the odds? Primrose thinks she’s a ferocious guard dog, but she’s more likely to lick someone to death than attack.”
“You know what they say about Corgis?”
“Big dogs in a little dog body” they said in unison, then burst into laughter.
“Helloooo darling, is that you?” came a voice from down the hall.
“Jackie! “I didn’t know you were still here; you didn’t have to stay” said Bella.
“I was just leaving when I heard you pull up.” Jackie walked into the foyer and came to a halt when she saw Jack.
“Bella. Are you going to introduce me to your ‘friend’” she said with unmistakable emphasis.
“Oh, Jackie, this is Captain Jack Calloway, he escorted me home after everyone decided they wanted to go to some nightclub downtown.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Captain. An officer and a gentleman, I didn’t know they made those anymore.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Jackie.”
Nobody moved.
“Well, I should get going, Steve will wonder where I am. I will call you tomorrow, Bella.”
Bella held the door open. Jackie paused as she passed, leaning in close, “Captain Cutie Pants - more like Captain Hottie Pants. See if you can turn him into Captain No Pants.”
Bella practically pushed Jackie out the door, hearing her laughter as she went down the walk to her car.
Bella pointed Jack to the powder room, set her purse down and headed to the bar area in the living room.
Pouring a glass of prosecco from one of the small single serve bottles she kept for herself, she waited for Jack’s return so she could get him something, not sure what he’d want.
Jack looked around as he came into the living room, taking note of the decor - it was comfortable yet stylish, with pops of color coming from the artwork on the walls and decorative pottery and knick-knacks placed here and there.
A large tv was hung over the fireplace, and he noted the gold records that covered one wall. Must be Jasper’s.
“So,” she said, turning to Jack, “Nightcap or coffee?”
“I’ll take a scotch if you have it, neat please.”