Page 3 of Loving Jake

“South America, how exciting,” Catherine interjected, jarring Kimberly’s wandering thoughts back to their conversation.

“What brings you back to California, Jake? Do you live here? Or are you here for an assignment and, if so, please share the sordid details with us. Hopefully, there are some!” Catherine teased.

“No sordid details, sorry.” He grinned, and it emphasized the strong lines of his cheek bones and chin. “I live in New York, or should say, that is where I pay to keep my belongings stored, considering the amount of time I spend on the road,” he answered with a brief smile and then continued in a more serious tone. “While I was in South America on a job assignment, Zane tracked me down. Our grandfather recently transferred to a rehab center to recuperate from a broken hip. I’vetaken a temporary leave of absence to be with him since Zane committed himself to an assignment in Asia for the next ten weeks. Until he’s better, it looks as if I’m a resident of northern California again.”

Jake shrugged and a grin curled the corner of his lips. “Once he finally agreed to move into a rehab center, Gramps insisted on returning to the San Francisco area. He claims that although his heart is in Texas, he wanted to be closer to at least one of his grandsons when he finally passes. We told him he’d be a long way off from dying if he would just do the physical therapy that the doctors prescribed. Unfortunately, he’s more stubborn now at eighty-five than he was at sixty-five.”

“I had no idea. I hope his recovery goes well. I always loved Grandpa Zack,” Carly replied sincerely.

Kimberly returned her attention to the pasta on her plate. Despite the disheartening news about Jake’s grandfather, she didn’t miss the sparkle in her sister’s eyes when Jake announced his plans to stay in California. Carly wanted to see she and Jake together, and that meant there would be no end to her sister’s matchmaking schemes. If only she could figure out what went on in Carly’s conniving mind, Kimberly might be able to prevent her heart and ego from any further damage.

She’d bet money, even now, that the longing she felt for him was written all over her face. More than anything, she wanted to curl up in a tight ball and cry when she thought about Jake’s knowledge of her feelings for him. Why had she not realized it before now? Kimberly stared down at her plate and wondered how long it would be before Jake got bored and left them alone. “Thanks, Carly,” he answered with a swift grin.

Kimberly glanced up and found that Jake’s gaze had drifted back to her. She smiled politely at him despite the tremble that ricocheted over her skin in record time. He held her gaze and Kimberly squirmed under his intense scrutiny. He couldn’tpossibly know how one look from him caused her hands to tremble and her brain to turn to near mush.

“Jake?”

Kimberly breathed a sigh of relief when Jake released her gaze and turned his head toward Carly. “I’m sorry. What was that?”

“No problem, Jake,” Carly replied slyly. “I asked where you’re staying while in town? With Zane? Is he still living in Sausalito?”

“He is, but I’m in a hotel,” he answered with a grimace. “Zane’s out of the country until sometime in October, and he committed his place to some friends who are having their house remodeled, before he knew Gramps was coming back and that I would be taking a leave of absence to be with him. Zane’s friends are staying at his place for the entire time he’s gone. I dread the idea of living in an extended stay hotel for two or three months, so I’m going to check out Airbnb. Although, truthfully, I haven’t gotten that far in my plans yet.”

“What a coincidence, Jake!” Carly exclaimed and pushed herself to the edge of her chair. “Kimberly just told us about her plans to sublet a room in her house, maybe even on Airbnb!” she quickly added. “Kimberly has the cutest bungalow; she remodeled it herself. Wouldn’t that be great, Jake? You could sort of be Kimberly’s Airbnb-guinea-pig. You know, see if she really likes renting out a room or not?”

Kimberly popped her head up so quickly she was afraid she might have strained her neck muscles. “Carly, I don’t think Jake would be interested in staying with me.” Kimberly’s gaze darted back and forth between Carly and Catherine, before finally landing on Jake. “I mean, I live in Sunnyvale. Your grandfather’s rehabilitation center is probably in San Francisco or Sausalito, isn’t it?”

“Actually, his rehab center is in Los Altos Hills,” Jake replied.

“Oh,” Kimberly replied, and she shot Carly a distinctive glare that she doubted Jake missed. He cracked a grin and Kimberly wasn’t sure if she wanted to crawl under the table or run screaming into the house.

Jake leaned back in his chair, folded his arms in front of him, and his grin was still in place. “Thanks for the offer; this is great Kimberly. I’d like to move in tomorrow, if that works for you?”

She should have ran screaming into the house when she had the chance. “What?” Her head darted back and forth between Jake and Carly. “You, ah, my, a?—”

“Really?” interrupted Carly. “Thisisgreat!” She turned toward Kimberly, her eyes wide, and her eyebrows arched to their highest heights. “You should go home right now and get the place ready. I’ll come with you.”

“Oh, boy.” Catherine’s gaze darted to Kimberly before she turned and glanced at Jake. To Kimberly’s horror, Jake smiled back at Catherine, and she watched him return her friend’s worried expression with a wink.

Jake unfolded his arms and rested his hands on his thighs. “Kimberly, I’m joking. I really do plan to check out some Airbnbs next week. Besides, I wouldn’t impose myself on one of George’s little sisters. I do have some redeeming qualities.”

“Oh.” Kimberly sucked in a deep breath and then quickly exhaled it. She looked away from Jake and Catherine right before she realized that she had dumped half a bottle of ketchup over her salad, instead of the burger on her plate. Why hadn’t she ducked out of the party when she had the chance?

“Hey Jake! We’re getting a game of football together, and we need another player. Still able to run old man?” George yelled from over the heads of a huddled group of guys gathered across the yard from them.

“I can, but can you?” Jake called in return. “Excuse me ladies, but I think I need to show a few guys how soft married life has made them.”

Jake trotted away from their table without a backwards glance, and Kimberly was grateful because she was about to have one of the fiercest arguments that she’d ever had with her meddling sister.

TWO

Jake circled the block for the third time before parking his car. The neighborhood was filled with people enjoying the day, many gardening or riding bikes on the warm summer afternoon. He glanced at the address contained within a text message, and a sigh escaped from his lips. He compared the address once again to the one on the mailbox, 642 Cobblestone Lane. He had the right address.

Once out of the car, he quickly scanned the area for any sign of the home’s owner. He ran a swift hand through his hair and walked toward a set of wooden porch stairs. He’d lost his mind. He must have, or why else would he be doing something so reckless when he was well aware of the complications that would result because of it? He took several more steps, ignored the inner battle going on inside of him, and rapidly approached the screened door.

He surveyed his surroundings with hooded eyes. Flowerpots filled with California poppies sat on the porch, while bougainvillea hung from the roof’s overhang. A pair of white wrought iron rocking chairs, adorned with brightly colored cushions, sat invitingly on the porch. The home was well takencare of by its owner. The two-story bungalow, with its peach and white stucco facade, promised peace and serenity. It was everything he was looking for and hadn’t been able to find over the past week.

It had been only a few hours, although he had continued to look at places for several days, when he had grown tired of visiting the ultra-modern apartments he had found in his search on Airbnb. Many of the apartments, though tastefully decorated, gave off a sterile vibe. He would never be comfortable enough to relax, as he hoped to do during his time off. Worrying over something that spilled on the marble floor was not his idea of relaxation.

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