Page 57 of Work with Me

He led me outside, through the dangling spiders, to a cooler. He named off the beers, I chose a local IPA, and he dug it out of the ice for me and popped the top.

He pulled a bottle of water from the other cooler and leaned against the post that supported the balcony above. He tilted his head, watching me.

“What?” I checked my costume. All the buttons were still fastened, everything in order.

“I’ve seen you in the office. And at your house. But this is the first time I’m seeing you here, at my place.” One corner of his mouth kicked up.

He hadn’t mentioned Linda’s Taquería. “And?”

The other corner rose. “I like it. We could try going other places together.”

“Jackson, I—”

“Hear me out. We’re friends. I could go to one of Noah’s soccer games. See some of that Tuesday-Thursday magic.”

“No, Jackson, I—I want to keep Noah out of it. I understand you’re going back to San Francisco”—I held up a hand—“eventually. But he won’t.”

His smile drooped. “Okay, then, you’ll have to show me some of Austin’s landmarks. Like the Capitol. And the Alamo.”

I almost spat out my beer. “The Alamo is in San Antonio.”

He scrunched his nose. “It is?”

“A ninety-minute drive in light traffic. And you’ll be disappointed. People who aren’t Texans or history buffs always are.”

“I like driving. And if I were with you, I couldn’t be disappointed.”

He was a good six feet away, much farther than when we worked elbow-to-elbow in the office. Still, a warmth started in my belly and dipped lower, tingling at the juncture of my thighs in my high-waisted jeans. I clenched my center.None of that.

“I shouldn’t keep you from your guests.”

He shot me a glance like he could see right through me. “Let’s go inside. I’ll introduce you to some people.”

“Who’s here, anyway?” Besides Kevin, I recognized a few other faces from Synergy. No Cooper Fallon yet, thank the Halloween spirits. But there were many people I didn’t recognize. How did Jackson have so many friends in Austin?

“People from work. People I’ve met around here. Come on.”

He introduced me to his upstairs neighbors, the guy who managed the condo complex, and a couple of folks who worked at the Formula One track south of town. We were still talking to his neighbors, who hadn’t realized they lived above a world-famous programmer until I told them, when a heavy arm landed on my shoulders.

“Hey, guys.” Tyler’s breath in my ear was liquor-scented. “Wha’s up?”

“Hey, man.” Jackson, who was now also holding Tyler upright, patted his shoulder. “Having fun?”

“Oh, yeah. I was playing Fuzzy Duck with your neighbors over there.” He waved at a group of young men, all dressed as Tom Cruise inRisky Business,with white button-downs, boxers, and shades. One lay half-on the sofa, another swayed where he stood, and two more sat on the floor, talking earnestly.

“You invited the college boys?” Jackson’s neighbor June asked.

“No. I think they’re naturally attuned to the frequency of party music. Couldn’t keep them out if I wanted to.”

“They’re grrreat,” Tyler said.

“Unlike you, they’re able to walk home. Let’s get you some water,” Jackson said.

“I’ve got it.” I ducked out from under Tyler’s arm. He swayed but remained upright, leaning on Jackson. Out on the patio, I plunged my hand into the half-melted ice and drew out two bottles of water. I wished I could plunge my head into it to dispel the haze I felt around Jackson Jones. Since I couldn’t do that, I’d drink the water and then go home, where I’d be safe from the tingling I’d started to feel whenever he was near.

But when I stepped back through the spider garland into the apartment, I saw something that made me wish I’d chosen a beer or something stronger.

“Alicia!” Jackson had been standing between the couch and the sliding glass door. He took one of the waters and handed it to Tyler, who now slumped on the couch next to Tom Cruise number one. He grasped my icy hand and pulled me to his side. “Let me introduce you to my workout buddy.

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