“You okay?” he asks, probably wondering why I’m still holding on to him.
“Yeah.” I nod and take a step back. “That was just really sweet of you.” Our eyes connect. “Really sweet.”
He awkwardly smiles. “Glad you like it.” He thumbs toward his room. “I’m going to go to bed now. Thanks for a great night, babe.”
Don’t leave yet.
Sit with me on the couch.
Talk to me some more.
Come back to my room, where you can sift your fingers through my hair and let me feel the rumble of your deep voice against your chest . . .
“Have a good night.” I wave.
“Later, Kelse.”
And then he takes off to his bedroom, leaving me absolutely breathless.
Speechless.
And completely confused.
Chapter Eighteen
JP
JP: Dude, I think I did it. I think I “wooed” her.
Breaker: I’ll be the judge of that. Lay it on me.
JP: We’ve spent the last few nights together as friends hanging out, talking, sharing meals. We went out to a movie marathon and then did a night tour at Alcatraz. And last night we made dinner together and shared it out on the balcony.
Breaker: Okay, so you’ve spent some time together. Not sure that’s enough.
JP: I saved the best for last. I got her a magnet.
Breaker: That’s your best? A magnet? Dude . . .
JP: No, it was a good thing. She likes to get a magnet from every city she goes to. I remembered her saying that, so I got her a magnet. She was so grateful and she fucking hugged me for a long time.
Breaker: How long?
JP: Like . . . a minute?
Breaker: Was her cheek on your chest?
JP: It was.
Breaker: Did she cry?
JP: No tears, but I think I was close to getting them.
Breaker: Uh-huh. Any other details you need to divulge so I can make a decision?
JP: She called me Jonah a few times.
Breaker: Wait, you told her your real name?
JP: Yeah. She said the man she’s been hanging out with is more of a Jonah, not the playboy JP.
Breaker: I think my heart just skipped a beat.
JP: Yeah? Think she’s wooed?
Breaker: I think there’s a ninety-nine percent chance that she is.
JP: That’s a solid percentage.
Breaker: She really called you Jonah?
JP: Yeah . . . and I really fucking liked it. Hell, I really like her. If anything, these last few days have shown me how much I care for this woman. Not sure what will happen, but I need to take a chance.
Breaker: I think you have a solid chance. What are you going to do?
JP: Well, it’s our last full night here. We leave tomorrow around six, I think. So, I think I’m going to take her to Parkside. I told her about it a while back, how they have the best Dim Sum, and then I’m going to take her to the rooftop for dessert.
Breaker: Smooth. I like it. After dessert, are you going to tell her how you feel?
JP: Yeah. Call me crazy, but I truly think she has the same feelings for me.
Breaker: I think you’re ready.
JP: I know I’m ready. Fuck, I’m excited. I’ve never felt this way about a woman before.
Breaker: You haven’t, at least you’ve never told me. I can tell . . . you really like her.
JP: I do. And I don’t want to fuck this up. I’d never forgive myself.
Breaker: Well, you’d know if she’s ready for you. Do you think she is?
JP: I do. After the hug last night, I think she’s ready for me.
Breaker: Then you need to use your words, JP.
JP: What do you mean? We’ve been talking about lots of things.
Breaker: You need to use words and tell her how you feel. So far, you’ve tried to show her what you feel. Now it’s time to speak, man. Give her your truths.
JP: I will. Fuck . . . okay.
I walk down the hallway toward the penthouse, feeling nauseated and excited all at the same time. Today dragged on, every minute feeling like an hour. My meetings were mind-numbingly boring. My inbox never stopped dinging with new emails. And when lunch came around, I was hyped up, yet exhausted from my mind constantly wondering about what was going to happen tonight.
But, fuck, I can’t wait to see her.
I can’t wait to surprise her with plans for tonight.
I open the door to the penthouse, set my wallet and keys on the entryway table, and then call out to her, “Kelsey, are you home?”
“Yes,” she says from her room. “Be right out.”
There’s a mirror in the entryway that I turn to quickly and check myself out.
Hair is in order.
Suit looks good.