Page 40 of Forever Fickle

No, she wanted to know more about him.

Karen was in the car before she realized it – and headed out to Flyboys to pick up Jace. Part of her thought about calling the building and then she realized that maybe she should try to get his phone number. Did he even have a cell phone?

What if he wasn’t a morning person? Could she work through the entire day if he had a hissy-fit at being woken up early?

Entering the building, she immediately moved to turn on the entryway lights only to have the bulb pop. She’d told Alpo that you got what you paid for when he bought the cheapest bulbs at the store for her instead of the long-life halogens she’d sent him for.

Her boss was infuriating sometimes because Alpo could be so hard-headed… just like her. It shocked her to see just how soft and pliable he was when his wife was in the vicinity.

Glory had the pilot wrapped around her finger, and had no clue about it either. It was sweet to watch the two of them together…

… And her brain quit thinking the moment she spotted Jace.

He was standing there in the doorway, in a pair of running shorts slung low on his hips revealing wayyy too many muscles on his abdomen. Her hand shot up to her face immediately to cover her eyes as she muttered something incoherent about the lightbulbs, trying not to ogle the man.

My goodness… was it normal for a guy to be so –buff?

He was practically tanned all over and in that split-second she saw a six-pack along with this faint dusting of chest hair that was more like a faint line down his stomach, disappearing into those running shorts.

Mercy!

“What are you doing here? It’s barely six in the morning. We don’t open for another two hours.”

“Let’s not analyze this, okay?” she snapped, embarrassed at him questioning her being here so early. “I couldn’t sleep and there is a breakfast place about ten minutes from here that makes incredible pancakes… so if you could please throw some clothes on? I’m seriously starving and need caffeine.”

“You want to go for… breakfast… with me?”

“You’re analyzing, Sorensen…” she hissed and peeked around her hand for a split second, before hiding her eyes again the moment their eyes met, and he laughed.

Curse him!

It wasn’t a six pack.

Good gravy… it waseight– and he had a distinct ‘V’ on his abdomen that looked like something out of a body sculpting magazine.

Jace’s laugh was full of joy and made her instantly grateful she’d done this.

“Give me two minutes to throw on something.”

“I’m timing you,” she warned, feeling slightly irritated that he’d caught her peeking at him… and her own reaction to him. “We’ve got to be back by seven-forty-five, or we’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Yep…”

Gosh, he was extremely good-looking and obviously just as excited about this as she was at this unexpected, impromptu date. He had raced out of the room in no time flat, leaving her standing there before running out the door ahead of her.

Karen couldn’t help the smile that touched her lips as she locked the door behind them.

Fifteen minutes later, they were sitting in a small booth in the old diner with two cups of coffee.

He was looking happier than ever and kept smiling at her, without saying a word… while she looked everywhere, trying to keep from gazing at him like some lovesick puppy.

She couldn’t be falling for this guy – they were barely friends!

Before either of them could say something, a woman walked up to the table, smiling at them.

“Hey Miss Marks… just you two today? Is this handsome fella, Mr. Marks?”

“What?” Karen balked, glancing at Jace who was looking just as taken aback as she felt. “No, this is just a friend. Yeah, my family is at home, and I thought I’d bring my friend while he’s in town so he could try the place. We’re just friends - really.”

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