Chapter 13 #3
“I’m sorry Bella, that kind of ruined the vibe, didn’t it?” he said.
“No, it’s fine really. And I have to say it - the shoes are dramatically improved now!”
“What’s wrong with my shoes?”
“Oh Jack, those are total Dad shoes. I can’t believe you even own a pair of them. Those are almost as bad as Crocs!”
“Oh, ha ha. Okay Miss Shoe Lady, what should I be wearing instead?” he asked.
“Oh, Puma’s if you’re going to wear trainers - like the ones you wore at the Taylor concert. Those were sexy.”
That got his attention. “Okay, I will see what I can do for our next date. Maybe we can go shoe shopping?” he joked.
“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Captain Calloway.”
Dinner was over, Jack called for an Uber, and they waited out front for it to arrive.
“I guess our night is over - I was planning on drinks at a place I saw online that looked interesting, but I can’t go out like this,” Jack said while they waited.
“I’m fairly sure I have a shirt that would fit you - if you'd like to come back to mine. It’s a fairly nice night. I’ve got an outdoor fire pit by the pool; we can sit out there with a nightcap.”
Jack would have agreed to walking across red hot coals if she suggested it, so he said yes immediately, and when their Uber arrived, they headed back to Bella’s.
Bella turned off the alarm system while Jack greeted Primrose, who acted like she’d been left alone for months instead of a few hours.
“I’ll be right back - let me get you a shirt. Will a large work for you?”
“A large is perfect, thanks. I can get the fire out back going and get us started on drinks if you want. What would you like to drink?”
“Surprise me - but nothing too strong please.”
Jack went out to the backyard, found the fire pit, and got that going, pulling a few chairs near it, then went back inside. He went to the bar area and poured himself a small Laphroaig and poured prosecco from one of the small bottles Bella kept stocked.
Returning to the living room, Bella tossed a black shirt to Jack, “Here you go”, she said.
“Rush? A Rush shirt?”
“I LOVE Rush,” she replied.
“I would never have taken you for a Prog girl, Bella.”
“I’m full of surprises, Captain.”
Bella watched as he unbuttoned his shirt.
Wow. He may wear Dad shoes but that is definitely not a Dad bod, she thought.
Pulling the t-shirt over his head, he reached for their glasses on the bar, handed Bella her glass, and said “Shall we?,” gesturing towards the back yard.
They moved to the fire pit, sitting in their chairs, listening to the crackling wood, and looked up - the sky was clear and crisp with thousands of stars visible.
“Do you know the constellations, Captain? I would guess you do. I love Greek mythology - one of my favorite reads growing up.”
Jack started to name the constellations in the sky, pointing them out, while Bella recounted the myths around them. “Is it true the stars don’t twinkle in space? I think I read that somewhere?” she asked.
“It’s true - there is no atmosphere to distort them. But they're extraordinary — so bright it's almost like you could reach out and touch them. Space is hauntingly beautiful.”
“It sounds amazing. I can’t believe you are going to the moon - something I’m sure the ancient Greeks could never even fathom.”
After a little while, and having finished their drinks, Jack glanced at the time and knew he should go.
He set his glass down, the last amber remnants of the scotch catching the glow of the dying embers.
Before the chill of the night could creep back in, he stood and reached for her hand, pulling her firmly into his arms. He cupped her jaw, his fingers warm against her skin.
When he leaned down to kiss her it was slow and completely deliberate.
His lips were soft and firm, tasting faintly of smoky scotch, and the heady scent of his cologne mingling with the woodsmoke in the air, lifting the kiss into something neither of them had quite expected.
She leaned into him completely, returning it with everything she had.
Neither of them wanted to stop — but Jack knew it was too soon to take things to the next level - he knew exactly where this could go - and he wanted to take things slowly, and he wanted her to know he wasn't expecting anything — not tonight.
Going inside, he called for a ride to his hotel, and while he waited Bella let Primrose out for her last potty break of the night, then locked the back door and waited in the entryway for Jack’s car.
“I had a lovely time tonight, Jack, truly. Thank you so much for driving up.”
“It cost me a pair of shoes, but it was totally worth it Bella, really. I'm sorry it'll be a while before we can do this again in person. If you are okay with it, I’d love to FaceTime with you though.”
“I’d like that too.”
“Good. Well, my ride is here. I’ll speak to you tomorrow Ms. Genovese,” he said leaning in for one more kiss.
“Sleep tight, Captain,” she said. After he left, she set the alarm system, called for Primrose, and headed into bed. I better get my Rush shirt back, she thought as she drifted off to sleep.