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Jack nodded, and steepled his fingers Head tilted, he said, "I’m serious Hoould you sell it, Ab?"

Gus watched the exchange, sed with emotion from theHis posture said he didn’t care, not any entirely different That blue gaze was dark, the tiny specs of light extinguished by God-knehat Gus leaned back in his chair, his pointer fingers resting against his chin He tapped it periodically as his eyes shifted between us

I stared at Jack for afor an answer to cohts spilled into s I could have tried to make into a reasonable atte about, but I didn’t know My stomach sank Whatever was between us at one point was now one-sided because Jack sat there cooly gazing at me Once upon a ti inside and putmy hands, I confessed, "I’m not sure" My voice was quiet as I looked past Jack to the sea The steady sound of waves crashing on the beach was nostalgic

Jack saw my eyes look past him at the water on the other side of theHe kne much I loved the beach "When was the last tiaze drifted back to his face, avoiding his eyes Pushing a stray hair out of my face, I said, "Haven’t been I left and didn’t plan on coht Today I’ for a job that I need, and want, but can’t possibly get" What was I saying? I cringed inside There was this bravado inelse I couldn’t identify I had blurted out what I honestly thought with no expectations from Jack

His voice was deep, surprised, "A job you want? You really want to do sales?" Risking another glance at his deep blue eyes I noticed the trail of dark stubble on his cheeks He was beautiful My stomach twisted as he looked atThe expression on Jack’s face ledaway, he said, "The right answer is that you sell an expensive painting the same way you would sell any other work" His hands rubbed his face, "How can I give you this position when there are others that are way more qualified? I’m sorry Abby, but this won’t work out"

My teeth had taken hold ofJack for a job was bad enough He had a way of s that I wouldn’t have normally done That was the way he was back then--and it only seee

Humiliated, I stood, "Thank you for your consideration I’ll showmy purse over my shoulder, I walked to the door I was so screwed My hto die, eaten by the walrus The noise of a chair ured it was just Jack leaving I didn’t expect hihis body in front of h the door His silky dark hair fell in his eyes The s ht of it It took me a minute to realize he wanted me to stop I’n for stop went right over my head, so he threw himself in front of me "Abby, I said you couldn’t have that job You’d suck at it" I froithout ht and wistful, "I have so better, and it suits you perfectly Follow me"

Taken aback, I blinked What did he say? He had another job? Turning, I quickly followed hiht I could do, and wondered exactly how irritated he ith ht word, but I half expected him to hand me a toilet brush It wasn’t until Gus yelled after hiht have another real job

Gus called out, running his fingers through his perfect hair, "Jack, we need to discuss this"

"Later, Gus It’s my call this ti he was out the door I practically ran to keep up We walked around the exterior of the building The wind blew gently, takingit into my eyes

CHAPTER FIVE