Page 33 of Forever Fickle

Her mother was going to do the same thing again… and encourage Jace with whatever fiasco he was starting. Getting the two of them together would be like setting off a nuclear detonation that would wipe her out.

“He’s a friend.Just a friend. Please don’t make a big deal about this. I promise it’s nothing and you are going to blow this up wayyy too much and make a thing out of it – and there’s nothing. I would tell you and dad if I was dating someone, and it was serious. It’s not. I swear it.”

“Bring him,” her mother said flatly. “Bring him Saturday so he can meet everyone, and we can see what kind of ‘friends’ you are hanging out with, young lady…”

“Mommmmmnoooo,” Karen whined, almost in a near panic. “See? This is why I don’t say anything! Because you flip out, assume the worst, and then start making demands about meeting my friends to judge if they are worthy of being a boyfriend or not. There’s nothing there – I swear it.”

“Then your friend gets a free meal and I’ll leave you alone.”

“Momma, no… please don’t make me…”

“Karen, discussion is over. Be here at three Saturday with your friend and we’ll eat around five or six.”

“Mom, please… listen to me,” Karen pleaded. “This is nothing.”

“Then this shouldn’t be a problem, sweetheart. I’ll see you Saturday, baby.”

Today was Thursday, which meant she needed to get a birthday card, some sort of gift, and something sweet to bring. They would obviously have birthday cake for her nephew… which meant it would probably be safest to bring pie. Her daddy had an incredible sweet tooth – just like Karen…

She needed to go to the store after work, which meant skipping out on Jace tonight… and Saturday.

Gathering up her things, cracking open an umbrella, Karen quickly hurried into the building before setting her umbrella near the doorway to dry.

“It’s pouring out there, isn’t it?” Jace said easily from the other room.

“You have no idea… I feel practically waterlogged just coming in from the car,” she admitted before she had a chance to think – and realized just how easy it was to talk to him.

She could certainly get used to this, their mornings together, just having coffee and talking to get the day started… and would actually miss this next week when he was gone.

Dropping her purse in the office, she stepped into the kitchenette to see Jace standing there, his back to the counter opposite of the coffee pot, his hands resting on either side of him, smiling at her.

“Morning…” he smiled easily, doing crazy things to her stomach. Nobody should ever look this handsome in the mornings, nor be so awake.

“Someone is awfully perky this morning,” she grumbled in pretend, reaching for two coffee mugs from the cabinet just so she could turn away from that enchanting smile that was affecting her.

“I slept like a baby last night,” he admitted. “Instead of worrying about everything, I went to bed happier than I’ve been in forever.”

“Flying does that for ya, huh?”

“I think it was the company,” he replied softly, and she could sense him stepping closer to her. Just the idea that he was behind her, was making her shiver in anticipation… and that couldn’t happen.

“I was trying to think of something to do this evening after work,” Jace said quietly, his voice hesitant. “And drawing a blank because of the weather. I thought maybe mini-golf, batting cages, go karts, or some other ‘friendly’ and ‘safe’ things to do…”

“I can’t,” Karen said quietly, tensing. “I need to pick up a birthday card for my nephew, get a pie or cake for my parents, and run a few errands. Just normal humdrum stuff and really don’t have any free time tonight.”

“I’ll come with you,” Jace offered… and she felt his hand touch her shoulder ever so slightly, causing her to tense even further. “I’m great at carrying bags, unpacking groceries, or just being an overall pest.”

“Jace… I…” Karen turned, intending to step away from his touch, and hesitated as she looked into his eyes, seeing the hesitation and yearning in those depths.

“Shopping is a safe yet friendly thing and then we can grab dinner… or you could trust me enough to cook dinner for you?” he said softly, his eyes searching hers. “I love cooking and never have a chance to do it, unless I’m at my parents visiting – and my mother usually shoos me off. Have you ever had a man make you dinner?”

“No…” she breathed, not trusting herself to say more. “You can cook?”

“And I will clean up after myself. Not just a decent cook, but I do the dishes, too,” he smiled tenderly. “Just spend time with me and we can do all the normal humdrum stuff together – as friends.”

“Seriously?”

“Do you like pasta carbonara and fresh garlic bread?”

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