Page 45 of The Hometown Dilemma
“Maybe a bite to eat, then a walk? I can show you some of the sights.”
“We could always stay in, and I could see your sights.”
Jaime giggled and whirled around. “I didn’t bring you to New York to stay indoors the whole time. I’ve got so much I want to show you tomorrow.”
“I’ve got something to show you right now…” My hand went to the belt on my jeans.
“There isn’t any time for that.” She tossed something in my direction, which turned out to be one of her lacy bras.
“And you think throwing your bra at me is going to sway my mind elsewhere. Seriously, Jaime, do you not know me at all?” I grinned, running my fingers over the delicate pink lace and trying to ignore the stirring in my pants.
“I need to eat something first.”
Biting the inside of my cheek to stop me from laughing out loud, I said, “Again, not helping, babe.”
“Shit, that’s not what I meant.”
“More’s the pity.” If we didn’t get out of here soon, I was going to rip her clothes off, pin her to the bed, and fuck her. Reluctantly, I hauled myself up off the bed. “Where are we going for dinner?”
Jaime carried on unpacking. I didn’t see the point in doing so, we’d be here such a short time. I’d brought a shirt I’d run an iron over the next evening, but apart from that grabbing clothes out of my bag would be much easier.
“There’s a cute burger place not far from here. It’s decorated with cassette tape covers, really quirky.”
I’d never heard a burger place described as cute. But given I was starving, I didn’t care what the place looked like, only that I could get a decent meal there.
We spent more time than I’d thought at the restaurant, chatting and drinking. Being out of Abbott Ridge and away from Dempsey’s and everything familiar felt like a real break. For once, there were no pressures of staff rosters, worries over my parents, and no ghosts of Austen or Cami.
Perhaps that’s what it would be likeifNew York became an option.
The following day, Jaime dragged me all over town. We visited Central Park Zoo, then she took me to Brooklyn to see her old apartment building. My jaw dropped when I saw where it was located. With the backdrop of the iconic view of the Manhattan Bridge that had featured on many a movie poster, she pointed out the plethora of tourists wanting to take the money shot. I don’t know what I’d imagined about Jaime’s life prior to coming back to Abbott Ridge, but I hadn’t guessed it was like this.
While people took pictures, she pulled me into the nearby apartment building where a concierge sat behind a desk.
“Jaime Harlow!” He grinned. “What are you doing back here so soon? I thought you were going home?”
She smiled back at the guy I figured to be in his early sixties. “Oh, George, I missed you. And it’s possible I might be coming back. Do you know if there are any vacant apartments right now?”
Her words hit me in the chest. Even without meeting this consultancy guy, she’d already seemed to have made a decision about coming back.
He tapped away on the computer at his desk. “There’s a distinct possibility. I’m sure I saw an email about one coming up at the end of the month…”
I placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m going to get a shot of the bridge for my mom. She’d never forgive me if I didn’t,Manhattanis one of her favorite films.” That much was true, but I needed to get out of there.
“Sure,” she said, not turning to look at me. “I’ll be out in a minute.”
Stepping outside into the fresh air and sunshine, I took a deep breath, battling my own feelings. I’d never expected to fall for Jaime so hard. We’d been friends for such a long time before blurring the lines.
Maybe it had been a mistake to step over them.
Maybe I should have stuck to my love ‘em and leave ‘em ways.
But just maybe I shouldn’t.
Fuck emotions, I didn’t usually let them get to me and perhaps it was time to shut them down.
If I was going to lose Jaime anyway, what did it matter?
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