Page 50 of OneTime Lovers
Again, as I walk toward her, she spins on her heels and heads back toward the living room.
“Hey, Jas, will you join me for my first dinner in my new apartment, as a thank you for everything you’ve done, setting it up,” I ask almost desperately. I don’t want her rushing off now she’s finished showing me around the apartment.
“It’s been fun doing it. You know ––all part of the service,” she jokes, not confirming one way or the other on my dinner invitation.
Walking toward her my arms outstretched, I ask, “Can I give you a hug?”
She smiles accepting my hug but it’s brief. “Dinner sounds great. I know a great burger place that delivers.”
I’m happy she’s staying for dinner, but I can’t help thinking her walls are back up, again.
Chapter 25
Jasmine
Don’tfallforhislines, I tell myself as I try to remain detached from Scott’s considerable charm as we share a takeout meal of gourmet burgers, fries, and beers.
Scott spins around on his stool at the new kitchen counter, and after a few minutes of looking around the living room, he admits, “There’s so much to take in. Is that print on the wall a Florida beach? It looks familiar.”
I’m so pleased he’s noticed the large print on the living room wall as I specially selected it so he would have a little bit of Florida here in the city.
“Well spotted, you know your beaches,” I tell him. “And the set of prints in the hallway are famous Sydney beaches, Bondi, Manly, and Cronulla. Is that how you say it?”
“Yep, Cronulla. It’s a bit further south of Bondi and I spent a lot of time surfing with my mates there as a teenager. Do you surf, Jas?”
“No. Never tried. Growing up with older brothers, I spent a lot of time in the ocean on summer vacations and tried lots of sports, but never surfing. “
“I’ll have to teach you sometime,” he offers casually, like we hang out together all the time, then swiveling on his stool to face me, he adds, “I knew you would know what I like.”
His comment sounds harmless enough but there is something in his tone, which makes me think we’re no longer talking about the surfing prints on the walls.
When he looks at me that way, I know I’m heading for trouble. But not this time, I tell myself. I’ve decided over the last seven weeks, there will be no more impromptu sex with Scott as it’s bad for my emotional health. Not to mention the sleepless nights which follow.
He always leaves me wanting him more. And more sex could lead to more serious things, like a relationship, and I’m still not ready to take that leap. Even for Scott.
Too much of a good thing can turn into a bad thing.
I’m probably jumping way ahead of the situation anyway as Scott gives off the impression, he’s not ready for commitment either. Why would someone who flies around the world on a regular basis want to be tied down to one woman? He can’t even be tied down to one city.
I jump up from my stool with the excuse of cleaning up from our takeout and Scott says, “Leave that, I can do it later. How about instead we have another beer over on the sofa?”
I know I should leave but I’m enjoying learning more about Scott and his business plans for a Manhattan office which he’s been telling me about over dinner.
“Sure, but it will only take me a minute to clean up while you get the beers.” By the time I’ve rinsed and stacked our dishes in the dishwasher, Scott has our beers opened and is back in the living area. He has noticed the photos on the shelf near the fireplace.
Cassie gave me copies of a couple of photos from the wedding, one of all of us and one of Scott with the guys. She also gave me a copy of one of Luke’s photos, which was taken years ago in Afghanistan. It’s a black and white photo of Blake, Luke, Scott, and another guy I don’t recognize, posed in front of a chinook.
Blake and Luke in their military uniforms looking so different compared to the suited businessmen I know these days. Scott too in his camouflage flight suit, his helmet tucked under his right arm grinning broadly, familiar but again so different to now.
As I move to stand beside him, I ask, “Do you like the photos? Cassie had them printed and framed.”
When Scott doesn’t respond, I look up to see he is staring at the black and white picture with a look of such sadness.
Oh my god, what have I done? I wanted the military photo to be a cool reminder of the camaraderie between the guys.
“Scott, what’s wrong. I’m so sorry if the photo upsets you. I didn’t mean for it to make you sad.” I pick up the offending photo, and Scott’s hand darts out to stop me.
“No, leave it,” he demands. “I want you to leave it there. It’s time.”
