Page 13 of Finding Jacob
I looked up to, thankfully, see laugh lines fanning out from his eyes. “Nathan told me about you many times. I think he hoped we’d get together at some point. He told me about your predicament, and I thought it might be nice to offer myself up for that. So, I suppose, in one way, without the payment because I don’t need your money, I’m playing the role. Now, let me shower and make you coffee.”
He stepped away and I actually missed the heat of his body and his obvious erection. I knew he was still offended, I mean, wouldn’t he have taken advantage of that hard-on and my obvious desire for him?
I sighed as I dressed, discarding the panties in his bedside bin. I had half a mind to leave before he returned from his shower. I was embarrassed that I’d gotten it wrong, then further embarrassed that I’d cried into his chest. Before I could, he returned.
“I don’t need coffee, I can’t drink it first thing and I have an early appointment,” I blurted. He stood with a towel around his waist and nodded. “I best be off,” I added.
“Okay, I’m sorry you’re running off so quickly. Please message me all the details, I’d still like to be your plus one.”
His smile caused my heart to constrict, but I was mortified. I returned his smile, albeit forced, and left. I wanted to sob all the way back to my floor and my hotel bedroom, more so when I entered and saw Dory standing in her pyjamas.
“What on earth happened?” she asked.
I slumped into a chair and told her of my evening.
“Oh my God, and you just ran out? What the fuck is wrong with you? Get back up there now, knickerless and salivating for him.”
“I can’t. I’ve made such an idiot of myself.”
“Yet he forgave you for that, didn’t he?”
“Yes, but…”
“There are no buts. You’re an idiot of epic proportions.”
She stomped off to the kitchenette and came back with a cup of tea she thrust towards me.
“I know,” I whispered.
“The least you are going to do is text him, right?”
“Yes, I will.”
“Now!”
“No, I can’t.”
We went back and forth for ten minutes before she stomped some more towards her bedroom to shower and dress. We were leaving New York later that evening, and I knew I only had a matter of hours to make it right with Jacob.
While we sat in a restaurant and ate breakfast, I found the number I’d called him on and texted.
I am so sorry for running out like that. I could have stayed but then it would have been harder to leave. I’m such an idiot sometimes, so unused to feeling the way you made me. I’d still love for you to be my plus one, if you feel you could, and not because I want to lie to anyone, simply because I’d enjoy your company. Perhaps I could text you the details nearer the time?
I showed it to Dory who gave a nod of approval and then I sent it.
He didn’t reply.
CHAPTERFOUR
Despite both Nathan and Dory nagging me constantly, I didn’t send another message to Jacob. I itched to but couldn’t bring myself to do so. I didn’t do rejection very well. I also forbade Nathan giving him a ‘telling off’ as he called it. We had a great time together, a one-night stand, and I guessed I’d offended him too much for it to be anything more. Six weeks had passed without a word from him.
“Morning, Boss,” Nathan said as I slid into the back of the car.
I’d been feeling rough the past couple of weeks and kept my sunglasses on to hide my bloodshot eyes. London was in the grip of a heat wave and my hay fever was out of control.
“You look like shit,” he also said.
“Why, thank you. That’s exactly what I needed to hear this morning.”
