Page 9 of Jaime's Story

“Sometimes you can’t win for losing,” I agree, hating when she shivers as the wind blows hard around us. “Since it’s getting late and I’m sure you haven’t had dinner?” I pause and she shakes her head no in confirmation, “I was on my way to a diner just down the street…”

“Gilbert’s?” she asks interrupting me, but I don’t mind at all when another smile slips onto her lips.

“Yeah, you know the place?”

“My family loves it. It’s somewhere that we could easily go to, especially when our older brothers and sisters moved out and Mom didn’t feel like cooking, or we had a million activities going on and it was just too busy. Mom and Dad hated to miss a single thing we were doing so it was a bit chaotic around our place at times. Mom liked that Gilbert’s had a variety of things to choose from and they used fresh produce in pretty much everything. She was adamant that we all needed to have a healthy relationship with food because her mom always nagged whenever she had one of those tiny little snack size Hershey bars,” Jaime answers and god, I love listening to her talk. Her childhood was the complete opposite of mine clearly, especially her mom.

“Most of the time dinner at home was Hamburger Helper or some frozen meat that came in a tray you just baked. Summers it was pasta from a can or hot dogs while my mom was at work,” I admit making her eyes widen. “Now, I can’t imagine what most families are having. One of the guys at the station mentioned that they can barely afford the hamburger to go with one box of the stuff and they have to get the generic brand because the name stuff costs too much.”

“It can be expensive. It’s why we have a food pantry at the apartment complex,” Jaime says, and it sends my brow up in confusion. “The family’s Safe Home Foundation owns the old Merrick Apartments. They were transitioned to lower-income housing, and a new building was added to be a pregnant women and mothers’ home. There’s an onsite daycare and kitchen as well as the pantry that stocks dry goods and nonperishable items for whoever needs them. There’s a separate pantry for the moms that might need extra formula or diapers, wipes, and clothes. You should see Jillian and Jasmine talk companies and stores into donating stuff. It’s wild. I seriously could never do it. I’m far happier to just help make up flyers and run the website. I’m better behind the scenes than out front.”

“I knew about the foundation, but I thought it was mostly to help kids,” I admit as another breeze flows around us. “I think I should get you out of this cold air before you catch a chill. Would you like to have dinner with me?” I add holding my breath until she says yes.

I lead her to my car, settling her in while putting my computer in the backseat, thankful for the cold air that knocked down my arousal. Being enclosed in the warm car with her brings it right back though, but I won’t ever argue about her being with me.

“So, you don’t like public speaking?” I ask once we’re on our way to the diner.

“Hate it. Most of the family are extroverts. Jackie, I’d say Jamison somewhat, Joe, Jordan, and I are more introverted. When Jasmine first started dating Adam, his babysitter had to cancel last minute, and I offered to sit for them so they could still go out. It was amusing because Adam just gave me this strange look like he couldn’t believe I’d rather babysit for them on a Saturday night since I was a college freshman. I’m much happier at home than on the go, especially with people I don’t know. Jillian drags me out with her and her friends because she’s worried I wouldn’t do anything but go to work then go home if she doesn’t.

“Says that at least Jackie had the excuse that she was helping with us younger kids when she in high school and then she got married at nineteen. They have ten kids now,” Jaime adds and my brow lifts in shock hearing that. “Their oldest is twenty, she’ll be twenty-one in May, and their youngest will be three later this month.”

“Wow, all of your siblings have a lot of kids, don’t they?” I ask and she nods. “Must be something when the holidays roll around, to get everyone together must take a lot of work.”

“Actually it doesn’t really,” she says drawing my attention back to her gorgeous face as I park the car. “We have a family dinner at Mom and Dad’s every Sunday and whoever can make it comes. Then we have one week every month that’s basically mandatory. Jordan is the exception since he’s not in town most of the year, but unless someone’s really sick, in the hospital after having a new baby, or has to be out of town, you’d better be there or beware of Mom.”

“I don’t think I’ve seen my parents in…over a year,” I guess knowing it was before Christmas last year and they’re right here in town.

“I know our family might seem strange, but we really are close, and it’s what I want for the one I have one day,” she adds, and it takes everything inside me to not grab and tell her I’ll gladly give her that family. Shit, most of the reasons I’ve been holding off she’s already squashed.

The introverted part is making more sense now that I think back over the times I’ve seen her. The only time she was alone was at the grocery store, and she seemed completely relaxed unlike some of the others when I saw her. The courthouse I put down simply because why we were there, but the movies and when they were out to dinner a few times…she was there but not really connected, and I get that. It also makes sense why she was so at ease when she was just with Jillian or her other sisters and Maia.

The closest I can get to that other than with Cal, a buddy I went through the academy with, is probably with the chief and a few other guys on the force. I definitely don’t have anyone that makes me feel so at ease that I can freely express myself unlike Jaime.

If I’m lucky though, maybe she can be that person for me. I certainly would enjoy that.

Chapter 3

Jaime

My phone buzzes on my desk and I can’t keep the smile off my lips seeing the text from Bryan.

Hi princess. I’m free tomorrow night now. Fred is back and no one needs me on short notice. I know it’s last minute, but would you like to get dinner with me?

‘I would love to,’ I respond, waiting anxiously as three dots pop up immediately. Last Friday was like a dream. The fact that I didn’t really know him disappeared as soon as we started talking, and deep inside, it felt like I’d known him forever.

We spent over three hours at Gilbert’s and I’m glad they’re a twenty-four hour diner because I’d have been so embarrassed if we’d made them stay open late just for us. I didn’t want to leave but it started sleeting and Bryan insisted on taking me home before it got too bad out.

That alone made me like him more, but then he compounded it by asking if I needed anything from my car before I went home. I was a bit confused about that but when he said he’d drive me home, my heart swooned. It didn’t even matter that I had to admit everything to Jillian in order for her to take me to get my car Saturday afternoon once it warmed enough that any possible ice had melted.

Being with Bryan was amazing, and every time he called me princess…the parts of me that were only mildly buzzing woke swiftly and were completely gaga over him as well. He pulled up as close as possible to the door and before I could unbuckle, he did it for me, then stopped me from trying to open the door.

His quiet ‘I’ll get it’ had my heart pattering and when we were at the front door, I wanted him to kiss me more than anything. It was a bit of a let-down when he didn’t, but I perked up a bit when he mentioned us doing dinner again.

I’ve been waiting all week for him to mention it again. We’ve been texting off and on, and every time he calls me princess in them…oh yeah, it gets to me even more.

What time works best for you? Since I’m off this weekend as well unless an emergency pops up, it can be as late as you need.

‘I should be done on time tomorrow. Nothing’s popped up this week that’s urgent (knock on wood),’ I add because let’s be honest, I don’t want to jinx myself. ‘Do you want to meet somewhere?’

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