Leo(A Sign of Love Novel)(38)

"That mangy mutt thought it was a game and just ran faster. Not that it was probably very hard to dodge her. She's gained about 200 pounds since you moved out, and she had about that much to lose when you lived here."

I can't help it, I'm laughing so hard I have to clutch my stomach even though I know it's mean. "What was under there?" I finally ask, eyes wide.

"Oh, Evie, darlin', wouldn't burden you with the description. I'm still rinsing my eyes out with acid nightly to try to burn the image from my retinas." Now we're both laughing.

We visit for a while longer and when it's time for me to go, Mr. Cooper takes my hand and kisses it. "Lady Evelyn," he says, smiling. "Until next time. You be safe."

I give him another big hug and walk down his steps, smiling as I walk away.





**********





When I get home, I take a shower and change into a pair of polka dot shorts and a white t-shirt with a sparkly owl on it. I brush my teeth and then I climb into bed, pulling my phone out and dialing Jake's number. I smile slightly as I anticipate his voice picking up. Instead, I'm surprised when a woman answers his phone, so surprised that I'm silent for a second as she repeats, "Hello?"

"Um, hi," I stammer. "Is Jake there?" I furrow my brow, a lump forming in my throat.

"He's in the shower," she clips out, clearly irritated. "Who is this?"

"Uh, no message. I'll call him back later." I hang up quickly.

What the hell?

I sink back onto my pillows, a feeling of emptiness washing over me. There's a woman in his hotel room while he's showering? I don't know what to think or what to do. Should I call back in half an hour? Or should I just leave it?

Finally, I turn off the light and attempt to fall asleep. I toss and turn for hours but Jake never calls.





**********





In the morning, I'm woken by the ringing of my cell phone. I open my eyes slowly, groggy and disoriented. I didn't fall asleep until well after one a.m. and it's only six a.m. now.

"Hello," I mumble into my phone.

"Evie." It's Jake.

I pause. "Hey," I say, coming more awake.

"Hey, you never called me last night. I Would have called you myself but I fell asleep waiting for you. I just woke up. I was worried."

"Jake, I did call you. A woman answered your phone. She said you were in the shower." There is accusation and hurt in my tone.

There's silence on the phone and I think I hear him swear, but it sounds as if he's covered the mouthpiece with his hand. "Christ. Evie. I'm sorry. I had a couple friends from the office back here for after dinner drinks and I think my co-worker's wife must have answered my phone. I got in the shower because I had an early meeting this morning and I was trying to give them the hint to leave. Why she would answer my cell, I'm not sure. I'll talk to her. Are you upset?"

I'm silent for a second. "If that's the truth, Jake, then no, I'm not upset. I just don't see why she would pick up your cell phone and then not leave you the message."

"I don't know either, but they were drinking so that's my only guess. I'm sorry, baby. You must have been hurt."

I don't answer him for a second but then I say, "I was confused, Jake. It's okay. If that's what happened then it's not your fault."

He lets out a shaky breath. "I miss you. I can't wait to see you. Am I still picking you up after work tonight?" He sounds worried.

"Yes," I say, "I'll see you then, okay?"

"Okay. Evie, I've… I've really missed you. I know it's just been a couple days, but I, I'm just really looking forward to seeing you."

I melt a little. "Me too, Jake. See you tonight."

I hang up and roll over. I'm not sure what to feel. I wish I was more experienced at this. I take a deep breath. I either have to decide to trust him or not. I sit up, swinging my legs over the bed and standing up. Might as well start the day. I'm sure as hell not falling back to sleep now.





**********





When I walk out of work later that night, Jake is waiting for me, leaning against his car, wearing a dark gray suit and a pair of aviator sunglasses. He grins when he sees me, flashing those perfect, white teeth. Good God he's sexy.

"Hi," I say, smiling as I approach him.

"Hi." he says back, still grinning.

We stand there smiling at each other goofily for a couple seconds and then we both burst out laughing and he swoops me up in his arms saying, "God, I missed you. I missed your smile and," he sticks his nose in my neck and inhales, "your smell, your body against mine at night."

"I missed you too," I say quietly.

"You hungry?" he asks.

"Yeah, starving."

"Do you like sushi? There's this great place a couple blocks from my place."

"I do like sushi, but I can't go out dressed in my uniform."

"How about if we pick it up to go and bring it home?"

"Sounds great."

He lets me into his car and then walks around and slides into the drivers seat. We drive to a little hole in the wall looking restaurant and he pulls up in front. "I know it looks questionable, but it really does have the best sushi in town," he grins.