Maybe Later(37)

“Of course, I always kept my grades up and never missed a lesson. They never caught me, unless my sister tattled on me. My system worked most of the time,” I explain with pride.

“You’re a hero,” he concludes. “My parents would’ve caught us”

“Did I mention they were old?” I remind him. “When we were teenagers, they were in their sixties. Too tired to stay up and check on us. Not that they cared what we did, just that we’d take care of them when they got too old to take care of themselves.”

But look how that turned out, I think to myself.

“…How do we always end up working our way to serious subjects?” I ask.

Instead of waiting for his response, I say, “Let’s make a deal.”

“A deal?” he asks curiously. “Are we negotiating? What’s next? Sign some crazy NDA?”

I laugh, thinking of the infamous Jackson Spearman and his stupid contracts.

“Let’s keep things light for the next few dates,” I ignore the comment because I’ve been doing great not thinking about Spearman today. “We’ve already shared too much.”

“There’s something about you that makes me want to talk more. I’m so comfortable around you it feels like I already knew you,” he explains. “Some might say, we met in another life.”

He laughs. “I don’t believe in things like mystical connections or people knowing each other even before they met, but with you…I just trust you.”

“Is it funny that I feel exactly the same?” I ask. “It’s like we’re on the same wave length.”

“Should we buy something?”

“Nothing is calling to me,” I say. “How about you?”

“Maybe on another trip we’ll find something meaningful. Today isn’t the right day.”

“I think I like you, Jack.”

“Is that right?” He arches an eyebrow. “That’s good because I like you back.”

He gives me a gorgeous smirk and brushes his lips against mine.





Chapter Eighteen





Emmeline


Sunday, May 1st, 7:38 a.m.



AWalk90: Good morning, Mr. Spearman, what was the emergency?

JSpear84: I don’t know if I’m annoyed by your automated message or impressed.

AWalk90: It’s efficient. I’d call it impressive. What was the emergency?

JSpear84: I needed a few ideas, but I tapped into my inner Amy and was able to handle it myself. You would’ve been proud of me.

AWalk90: Do you need a gold star, Mr. Spearman?

AWalk90: I had no idea you have an innerAmy. I’m worried about you, not many can handle an Amy inside their heads.

JSpear84: Don’t worry about me. I’m doing fine. Have I ever told you how much I appreciate what you do for me?

AWalk90: What’s wrong? I’m calling your doctor.

JSpear84: I’m perfectly fine, Amy Walker. I just want you to know that I appreciate what you do. I don’t know where I’d be without you and your hard work. Last week you saved my life, and I had a good time working with you.





*



I glare at my phone suspiciously. Is he drunk? And why is my heart skipping beats?

“We talked about this crush, Emmeline. He’s just a client. A mean, assholy client who is out of reach.”

There’s just something about him that I like.

“You don’t even know him!”

“Meow!” Ramen glares at me.

She is insufferable. I swear, this cat thinks she owns the place.

“Sorry, did I disturb your morning with my rant?”

Ramen jumps off the couch and goes to my bedroom.

“Just a reminder, the sheets are being washed. Don’t expect me to make the bed before tonight.”

What is wrong with me? I’m fighting with the cat. It’s Jackson Spearman’s fault. He started it. The last thing I expect from him is to act human and show understanding. Or prove to me he’s more than what his stupid application and his initial behavior showed.

“You fucking asshole!” I point at my phone. “This isn’t the time to tell me you like to work with me or that you appreciate me.”

Think about Jack, Emmeline. Sexy, patient, swoony Jack. My heart melts as I think about our kisses, and how well we fit together. I’ve never fit with anyone before … except for Jackson Spearman. He gets me and indulges my conversations at two in the freaking morning. Finish the discussion and focus on Jack. Tomorrow, I’ll look into transferring him to another assistant. He’s no longer a harm to himself or others.



AWalk90: As you know it’s my day off unless you need anything, I’m turning this phone off.

JSpear84: Thank you for the offer, but I’m about to go out.

AWalk90: You’re going out, I’m impressed. Do you have a hot date or just some kind of work meeting on a Sunday morning?



Please have a date. Just rip my heart out, and I’ll move on. I have Jack.



JSpear84: You know my calendar as well as I do. There’s no work meeting or hot date. What are you up to?

AWalk90: Yoga, errands, house cleaning, laundry and I’m walking my cats.