Page 47 of Dance for Me

That night Vanessa tossed and turned. Sleeping didn’t seem to be happening for her anytime soon. Checking her phone, it was midnight. They left the club early because she didn’t want to stay, so Jack insisted he left with her.

She threw her head back and laid there, staring up at the very tall ceiling. So, it wasn’t Hector according to him and Jack. So, who the fuck was it?

She heard a soft, but deep voice coming from outside her door. Sounded like Jack, but it sounded like he was singing. She walked over and tilted her head up toward the door, as if that was going to help her hear better. In her sleep shorts and tank, she slowly pushed her door open. Just enough to see him.

Jack was sitting on the floor, ankles crossed, and his back leaned against the sofa. He was wearing grey sweats and a white shirt, bare feet. He was holding his guitar in his lap as he softly sang. Her cat was lying in a ball, curled up on the couch above his head. Her mouth opened a bit in surprise and she accidently leaned forward making a noise when she almost fell. Busted.

“Hey sorry, did I wake you up?”

She walked further out of her bedroom and Jack set his guitar on the floor next to him.

“No. I couldn’t sleep.” He had a bottle of whiskey sitting on the glass coffee table. “Can I get a swig of that?” She asked with a smile.

“Help yourself.”

She scooted down on the opposite sofa facing him. Her back was leaning against it and she mimicked his same position, all while holding the whiskey bottle in her lap. With only a small amount of light from the city lights and a lamp that he had on, it made his eyes shine.

“I didn’t know you played,” she nodded to his guitar.

“Eh, I play here and there. I don’t think I’ll be the next Jimmy Hendrix but, I’m decent,” he smiled and she laughed. God, did she love when he smiled.

She handed over the bottle and he took a drink.

“Jack… you sure it’s not Hector?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

She nodded and they took turns passing the whiskey bottle back and forth until it was gone. When it was gone, he got another one out and before she knew it an hour passed.

“Okay… so favorite food, go!”

“Pizza.” Jack answered.

“Pizza? You eat carbs!?” Vanessa asked in shock as she hiccupped. She passed the bottle to him as he laughed. “You sure could have fooled me, but it is nice to know that you are human, Jack Angelos.”

“So… your favorite food and go!” He asked. She looked up and moved her lips to the side like she was thinking. “Hey,” Jack nudged her thigh with his bare foot. “You have to be faster, no thinking. That’s the point of the game.”

“Okay, okay, okay,” she giggled. “Brussel sprouts.”

“Brussel sprouts!?” He gave her a disgusted look. “And you had any doubts that I wasn’t human?” He handed her the bottle back. “Here, I think you need this more than me.”

She threw a pillow that she had in her lap at him but dodged it laughing. His smile was out of this damn world. “Okay, what about… favorite movie. Go!”

“The Matrix… go!”

“Good one,” she pointed then replied. “The Notebook.”

He shook his head, “Typical woman.”

“Excuse me? I would have you know that many males like to watch The Notebook.”

“Oh yeah? Like who, Doug?” He smirked.

“Dammit,” she took another drink. “Okay… deepest and darkest secret. Go!”

He shook his head. “No way, nice try.”

“Oh, c’mon Jack. I told you about my messed-up childhood and fucked up parents. Give me something.”

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