Page 30 of Finding Jacob
He laughed as he put his coffee cup down and clapped Jacob on the shoulder. “See ya, buddy. I’ll be out front, Anna.”
We waited until he’d left.
“I don’t know where my clothes ended up,” I said, feeling my cheeks redden.
He chuckled and took a step towards me. “I like you in mine, Anna,” he replied. He nuzzled into the side of my neck.
“If you carry on doing that, I might not leave,” I said with a sigh. He did it some more, and it was my turn to chuckle.
I pulled away reluctantly. “I don’t suppose you know what happened to my shoes?”
“By the front door, I believe. No idea about the clothes, though.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, starting to walk towards the door.
“I imagine my cleaner has picked them up.”
I came to an abrupt stop. “What? Oh God, tell me you’re joking, please?”
“I’m joking. They’re in the bedroom. You can collect them another time.”
“There’ll be another time?” I asked quietly.
“I hope so,” he replied, his voice a little unsure.
I laughed. “Listen to us, like a pair of teenagers.”
He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forehead. “Come back soon.”
“As soon as you invite me. But I think it should be my turn.”
He smiled at me. “Ring me, let me know how you get on with yourincident?”
“I will.”
I hesitated, I didn’t want to leave, not even when he opened the door and Nathan pushed himself off the bonnet of the car.
“Don’t leave it too long,” Jacob whispered.
I smiled all the way to the car, then all the way back to my house. I avoided Nathan’s constant stare in the rear-view mirror, concentrating on the landscape outside.
Nathan parked the car and had opened the rear door before I realised we were home.
“I’ll have a quick shower and change, be about ten minutes,” I said, opening the front door.
“I’ll make coffee.”
I knew he was busting to ask about my evening, and all I would tell him was that it was pleasant. I most certainly wouldn’t divulge what most of the evening consisted of.
I was showered and dressed in the ten minutes I’d promised. I wore very little makeup during the day, preferring to leave my skin to breathe. I was fortunate to have good skin that I looked after. It was just a swipe of mascara and lipstick.
When I entered the kitchen, Nathan had a mug of coffee for me. “How was your evening?” he asked.
I took a sip before I answered, wincing as the hot liquid burnt my tongue. “It was good,” I replied. Nathan raised his eyebrows at me. “It wasverygood.” I laughed.
“Did you tell him?”
“No, the opportunity didn’t arise.” I saw him frown. “I will, don’t worry about that, but...well, the opportunity didn’t arise,” I repeated. “I do know his full name, though.”
