Page 21 of Take What You Want

“Thank you,” she says softly, full lips turning up at the corners. “For dinner, and you know, all the travel arrangements.”

“It’s the least I could do for you. Thank you for helping me out. Look it all over again and let me know if anything seems off to you. I trust you to have my back with it.”

She dips her head, turning her attention to her feet as she rocks on her heels.

“You know, if you’re so unhappy at work, I had told Arun that I was having you look over this for me. And he said that he’d be happy to introduce you to some of his other clients if that’d be something you’d be interested in. I’m happy to be a reference.” I wink, and she tries to suppress a smile at it but fails.

“Really?”

“Really. Just let me know and I’ll reach out to him for you. Or, you have his contact information already, right?”

She nods.

“Then if you’re interested, take him up on it. He’s expecting your call.”

“I’ll think about it,” she says.

Of course she will. Jane doesn’t make rash decisions. She thinks and works it through from every angle before acting upon it.

We were always a good balance in that way. I jumped without thinking, and she was always ready to catch me if I needed.

“Let me walk you out,” I say, holding out my arm toward the exit. She strides forward, and I follow closely behind, waving at our server and the owner of the restaurant as we pass by. They have my card on file and know to just automatically add a tip to the bill. It’s a perk of coming here so often.

Jane goes to push the door open, but I stop her with a hand on her back. I step around her and open the door for her myself. She gives me an incredulous look as she passes, and I flash a smile in return.

A black SUV sits on the curb, the same one that picked her up from the airport. I arranged for her to have a driver the entire weekend she’s here.

The driver goes to step out to open her door but once again, I pause him with a raised hand and do it myself.

“You can drop the gentleman act, Nikolai,” Jane teases. “Did you forget that I’ve known you since we were teens?”

I hold a hand over my heart, as if I’m wounded. “It’s no act. Are you questioning my sincerity?”

Jane scoffs, shaking her head as she climbs into the car. “Always a flair for the dramatic.”

“You love it.”

“Whatever.”

“Can I see you again before you fly out Sunday?”

She clicks her seat belt into place and pulls her hair over one of her shoulders. This time, I don’t resist the urge and grab a few locks, caressing them with my fingers. Soft as silk. Just like I remembered.

Her breath hitches as she watches me. The noises of the city quiet as I lean in the doorframe, allowing us this brief moment. Just one touch. That’s all I need right now.

“Uh—” she hesitates, then clears her throat. “I’ll let you know.”

I drop my hand to my side, stepping back. “Please do. Have a good night, Jane.”

“You, too.”

I shut the car door and losing sight of her immediately opens that void inside of me, threatening to swallow me whole.

Her car pulls away from the curb and disappears around the corner. I pull out the keys to my bike and walk over to it.

Tonight was about testing the waters, and even though I told Jane they were frigid, they haven’t frozen over with no thaw in sight.

The thought of it brings a smile to my face as I pull my helmet over my head and click my visor into place.

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