Page 38 of Sergeant O'
Chapter Nineteen
Jade
After giving me a brief list of what he wanted to bring, I headed upstairs to his bedroom. The dark wood, along with the blue décor, matched the rest of his house—masculine but warm.
Growing up, I’d always loved the houses on his street, but this house had always been my favorite. Even before he’d bought it.
I don’t know why I was surprised to find his bed made. The downstairs was immaculate, so I thought maybe his bedroom would have more of a “lived in” vibe. But it was just as tidy as the rest of the house.
I wonder if he has a housekeeper?
Brian’s voice echoed up the stairwell. “What’s taking so long? Are you going through my underwear drawer?”
“Yes!” I yelled back as I opened the top drawer of his dresser. “I’m fondling the crotch on all of your black Calvin Kleins as we speak!”
“Okay, well, make sure to grab some other colors, too!”
That made me laugh out loud while I counted out ten pairs of boxer-briefs, in various colors, before opening the second drawer.
“How many pairs of socks did you want?”
“None! We’re going to the beach!”
I put two pairs in the duffle bag, just in case. I subscribed to the “it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it” school of packing.
After reviewing the list to make sure I’d gotten everything, I shut the light off and headed down the hall.
As I descended the stairs, I noticed him sitting on the bench by the door. My heart stuttered when he looked up at me with a smile, and not for the first time since agreeing to go on thisimpromptu vacation, I wondered what the hell I was getting myself into.
****
Brian
As I watched Jade come down the stairs, I knew asking her to go to the Cape with me was either the best idea I’d ever had, or the craziest.
Maybe it was both.
I guess we were about to find out.
She must have been thinking the same thing because when she handed me my duffle bag, she took a shaky breath, cocked her head, and asked, “You sure you want to do this?”
With the bag in one hand, I reached for her hand with the other and tried to flash my most charming smile.
“Come on, it’ll be an adventure.”
I had no idea how right I was.
Starting with her getting behind the wheel of my truck. Since the day I drove my Northsky Blue Metallic Chevy Silverado brand new off the lot two years ago, I’d never—not once—let anyone drive it.
“You don’t have to mash the gas,” I told her with my hand gripping the dash as she backed out of the drive. “The pedal is very sensitive.”
Instead of starting down the street, she pulled back into my driveway, threw the truck in park, and turned in her seat to face me.
“Why don’t we take my car. That way Lainey and Adam won’t have to drop it off at my house later. Besides, it’ll get better gas mileage, I’ll be more comfortable driving it, and you won’t be twitching in the passenger seat worrying I’m going to grind the gears.”
I sheepishly touched her arm. “I’m sorry. I’ll behave. I promise.”
Besides, I was hoping I’d be able to drive back, and I didn’t want to drive her Prius.
