Page 37 of Forever Fascinating

“Yeah, I just didn’t sleep well yesterday, and it’s been exhausting today. I just want to take a long hot bath and fall into bed.”

“Do you work tomorrow?”

“I need to get back in the swing of things, so in a way? I need to see what houses came on the market while I was gone and see if it fits any requests…”

“Why don’t you take tomorrow to relax?”

“Because my bills won’t let me,” Jana smiled. “I love you, Ma, but we both know that I love being on my own – and to do that? I need to have money coming in… or do without heat.”

“That’s not happening in Holland.”

“Exactly.”

“Just try to relax a bit, take it easy, and… who was that young man you kept dancing with at the wedding? Do we need to have a talk about the birds and the bees, young lady?”

“Ma…noooo!Just no. Okay? I’m twenty-six and my bath is ready. I need to go, okay?”

Her bath wasnotready.

She hadn’t even started the water yet – but didnotwant to have this conversation with her mother, now or ever.

“I love you, baby. Why don’t you come for supper when we get back in town?”

“Will do. Have fun, go shopping, and don’t get rabies… okay?”

“Love you, Jana.”

“Love you, too – tell Daddy I said hello.”

“He’s right here listening,” her mother informed her, causing Jana to laugh. “Goodnight, Daddy.”

“Sweet dreams, baby girl.”

Hanging up the phone, she took a chance and texted Matthew before composing an email. Padding down the small hallway of her two-bedroom home, she made a blind right turn, staring at her cell phone, walking into the bathroom. Reaching down, she slowly sat perched on the side of the tub, turning on the water.

She looked at the photos that she had saved from the wedding and their date, reliving each moment. Emily had texted her a few of them dancing… and one of them was her lockscreen on her phone.

Getting to her feet, she adjusted the thermostat slightly, heading back to her bedroom to fetch her nightgown where it lay wadded up on her bed. Moments later, she was slipping into the bathtub, blissfully sinking into the hot water with Epsom salt, and sighing with relief.

Checking her phone again, she saw that the text message was still unread and realized he might be in flight, sleeping, or simply out of range. Clicking the side button on her phone, she started to set it down on the floor of the bathroom… but saw their photo again.

Matthew was looking down at her, so serious-like, and she was gazing up at him. He had been holding her hand out to the side, the other hand on the small of her back, dancing superbly, like he’d done it all his life. He had been pivoting on one of his dress shoes, on the ball of his foot, and her dress flowed easily…. Looking almost like a princess gown in that singular moment caught in time.

She had no idea this is what they looked like together… and was touched. He was so coolly formal, so sedate, like he didn’t want the rest of the world to see the real person – and that made her stop for a moment.

What if the guy that everyone warned her about, wasn’t the same person he was around her? What if that was just an act, a facade, around the guys, because the man she hung out with seemed so playful and carefree. It made her wonder even more about the mysterious man called Vapor.

Opening her email, she sorted through a lot of junk emails, spam, and nonsense ads, before leaving the few emails she needed to address.

Clicking on new, she started writing Matthew, kind of unsure what to say or how to begin.

* * *

Hey Bunt-boy,

I’m finally home and regretfully admit that I have a blister on my hand from the batting cages. Did I mention that it’s been years since I played? So feel free to be in awe of the massive amount of skills I must have had as a senior in high school, if time fades all things.

I was so happy and stunned to see you at the airport!

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