Page 34 of Priceless
I laughed. “He speaks, and he can smile too?”
His hand never moved.
I rolled my eyes, shook my head, and took the step as I set my hand on his. An old man sitting alone at a table started laughing—high-pitched, more of a tee-hee than a laugh, but he was grinning at his drink, not at me. I forgot all about him, though, when Jacob pulled me close enough to tuck my hand around his elbow.
He paused long enough to smile down at me before escorting me back to my table, pulling out my chair, and scooting me in. Then he sat down across from me, like he was going to join me for lunch.
Was that the commitment? Had he been asking for permission?
“Dinnae be nervous, woman. I’ll not stay long. I only mean to apologize for before. That cat got my tongue and wouldnae give it back is all. I cannot say why.”
“Please don’t worry about it. I shouldn’t have said anything. I was rude?—”
“Nonsense.”
“Fine. Let’s just say we’re even. We’ll just start over.”
“Fine.” He pushed his chair back and stood, then reached over the table. “I’m Jacob. Jocko’s is my establishment.”
“Laira.” I reached up to shake his hand, but he turned mine over and kissed the back of it, then repeated my name. “Welcome to Jocko’s. Can I get ye something stronger than Coke? My treat, of course.”
I shook my head and kept on smiling. “I’m silly enough today. I think I’d better stick with pop.”
“Very well. I’ll just check on yer meal, then.” He tucked in his chair, winked, and walked away.
I picked up a cucumber slice and took a bite. It was sour, really sour, and made my mouth water more than I expected. The crunch was satisfying though, and after the initial surprise of the vinegar, I could taste the actual vegetable underneath.Not bad, I thought, and reached for another. At least it gave me something to do with my hands.
Unable to stand it anymore, I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text.
Calm and stoic,Jacob ignored Vonnie’s gasping and sputtering and added a few more items to Laira’s order. When his phone buzzed, he pulled it out and read the message.
Jocko! Holy crap! I think I just met YOU!
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Jacob had no choice but to respond. It wasn’t as if she would believe ol’ Jocko would go offline. But he had to be careful.
Obviously, he was tempted to reveal himself then and there. She seemed pleased with the human version of him, or at least she wasn’tdispleased,or surely she would have complained to Jocko. Wouldn’t she?
So, should he confess and have done with it?
He filled his lungs and shook off the idea. She’d already tried to flee out of embarrassment. And him coming clean would truly mortify her. He wasn’t about to risk that. She might even flee the country! If she’d spent even half as much as he assumed it cost her to get to Scotland, he would be a right monster to ruin her trip at the onset.
The second that thought truly registered, his heart sank. Deep down, he’d planned to tell her, gently, that he was Jocko. He’d imagined a dozen different scenarios where they ended up laughing over it, together in the end—or at least having a grand time before she went home again.
But he’d been dreaming. A confession at any point would likely taint her experience and ensure she never trusted himagain. All he could do was help her have the time of her life, and hopefully,hecould be a part of the good memories she took back. That was all.
Jocko had to play his role carefully. He wanted to ask if the man was handsome, if she liked him, but he didn’t dare.
He typed quickly.
“Ye’ve met me? Auch, but tell me I’m not a piper!”
Consideringhow long the three little dots danced, Laira expected quite a lecture to pop up in her messages, but Jocko’s response was short. And funny. Maybe it took him a long time to generate a joke.
“Ye’ve met me? Auch, but tell me I’m not a piper!”
No, not a piper. The owner of Jocko’s. How ironic is that?
