Page 36 (2/2)
"Jean What a lovely name"
Still holding onto ed "My mom was a David Bowie fan"
"Can't beat Bowie"
"No, you can't"
"Guess that makes you the Jean Genie"
"Ha Yeah" She gave another of those ball-tightening chuckles I could happily listen to her do that all day long Except suddenly the happy fell fro"
Shit Damn I softened my tone "Your mom passed?"
She blinked "No"
"No?"
"Sorry" She shook her head, looking flustered "Both of my parents are alive and well I justThat's all Nothing else"
"Well, that's good"
"Hhly the speed of light the slight pressure of her grip and the warone "Crap I didn't mean to paw at you"
"Pawing is altogether encouraged"
Startled laughter burst out of her "Look at you with the long hair and that face and everything You're a hell of a flirt, Eric"
"Thank you very much You're rather easy on the eyes yourself" I smirked "And I still owe you a trick"
"Right,as she relaxed "Guess away"
"Okay" I squinted at her, searching for inspiration and trying not to get too distracted wondering what she'd look like naked and lying on my bed It wasn't easy But like I said, self-discipline "I' to say a black "
She blinked "A ?"
"A blackBlackberries, silver tequila, liar syrup," I said "I think that's what you should order"
"And why should I order that?"
"It's sweet but with a kick" I gave her rin "I think you'd like it"
"So this has nothing to do with you suspectingany husbands?"
"No, of course not" I laughed Then stopped "Oh, ht?"
Hercame out
Shit, shit, shit
"Relax, Eric" Jean tucked in her chin, looking over the le"
"Good" I exhaled, s you to dinner tonight would have been all sorts of aard"
She said nothing
No et back to that later "I've never seen you in here before Are you a local or just passing through?"
"Actually, I just moved to the area," she said "Today, in fact"
"That's great!"
Aslately about perhaps getting more serious with someone Maybe Just to try it out, at least It was entirely
The truth was that I was getting close to thirty And a lot of heavy shit had gone down last year It had been hardest on Nell nant and with the right guy this time, Pat It didn't reallywith it all
Probably as getting to irlfriend Joe, er brother Who had never even been popular with the ladies, for fuck's sake Ever since Alex had co like he'd won the jackpot
Anyhatever the cause, I'd been feeling a littleI don't know Not lost Just the thought had been hanging around in the back of my head It didn't seeo Actually, this could be perfect I drank in Jean's stunning face and gorgeous curves We could hang out together, catch some movies, do couple shit Hold hands even It would definitely show Nell I wasn't some shallow fuckbot
But I was getting ahead of myself
"Where are you fro back into the conversation
"Jacksonville, Florida"
"Yeah? You ever go to the Night Garden or Emory's?"
Delight lit her face "I love Emory's, best club in town"
"Passed through there a few years back on ured she ht be fro else"
"My friends and I used to go dancing there every Saturday night" She stared off at nothing "Those were the days"
"Hey, just 'cause you moved to Coeur d'Alene doesn't mean your life's over This town is aweso out here We have live music most weekends," I said "You'd be very welcome"
No response for a moment Then she quietly said, "I'll be around"
Taka seated soive me an amused look Typical They'd all have to wipe those smirks off their faces once they realized I was boyfriend material Taka, Nell, Lydia, the whole lot of them
"So, Jean" I bracedin a little, trying to get her attention It worked, her gaze snapping back to me "Can I make you a black ? On the house, of course"
"Is that how you make money?"
/> "No That's how I make friends"
She snorted "I'd love a blackBut can you in, please?"
"You want it without the tequila?" I asked, surprised Being anti-alcohol seeiven the topic of our conversation
She didn't get a chance to respond
"Jean" Andre wandered up to the table Givingher a friendly s bells went off insideover a decade older than ? I'm free now if you're ready?"
"Ready for what?" I asked, irritation edging into my voice
"I'ers clasped together on the table
"You are?" My brows rose
"That's right," said Andre "You two are going to be neighbors"
"Huh" I tried to keepmy first and foremost reaction Next door was a little too close I'd only just tuned in to the idea of having a girlfriend, let alone the thought of having her right there next to me
"Now there'll be me, you, Jean, Joe, and Lydia all up there" Andre rubbed his hands together, all happy like Fair enough He owned the building and turning the upstairs into apartments last year hadn't been cheap "That's all of the apartments rented"
"Great," I mumbled
Jean just nodded, going back to looking over the menu
"You said you were hungry What can I get for you?" I asked, shaking off my suddenly sour mood
"Everything here is good," said Andre "Especially the pizza I haven't had lunch yet, mind if I join you? I can show you around and help you unload your stuff after, if you like"
"That'd be good," said Jean "I definitely need food"
"I can help too" I stepped back, unhappilyroom for the man "Probably Boyd or Taka as well We're not that busy"
"Thanks," she said
Daht have been one of my oldest friends, but this was not part of the plan Cock-blocker First they'd be all chatty and shit, sharing asex This was not okay I wanted to have sex with Jean And be the one to listen to her talk and get to eat with her, etcetera (insert boring boyfriend stuff here)
"I'll have the potato, caramelized onion, and bacon pizza, please," she said