Page 75 of Touch in the Dark

“Okay,” Jenna passes me back my phone, takes a sip of her coffee, then leans forward with both elbows on the table. “I told Elsa the same thing I’m about to tell you. I’m friends with you both and I’m here for you both and it is my goal to get you guys back together. I also told her nothing said between either party and myself is confidential.”

“What?” I laugh in surprise.

“I’m presuming you brought me here for a reason? Well, I met her yesterday and she told me all about the other night, Nick.”

“How did she say it was?” I grin, brushing aside her complete lack of respect for her friend’s privacy.

“That part may be confidential,” she narrows her eyes. “But she was impressed,” she tries to say it grudgingly, like I’ve forced it out of her but there is a glint of mischief in her eyes.

My grin widens further. Jenna waves her hand at me.

“How was it for you? I don’t want details on that. I mean as in, what are your intentions now that a few days have passed? I’m presuming by what you said, you want to make this work?”

“I don’t think I need to participate in this conversation, you seem to be asking and answering well enough yourself.”

“I want to know if you are going to take this seriously, Nick. I don’t want you to play with her heart. You need to be ready for a relationship if you want my help. And before you say it, I know you’re here because you’re going to ask for my help.”

“You got me,” I deadpan. “But yes,” I say with a more serious expression. “I’d like to try and see how things go.”

“See, this is where you’re being a man about it. You don’t try it and see. You put the work in, you make her happy and then you’re happy.”

“Is that how it works with you and Adam?”

“You saw how he chased after me,” she sniffs, taking a sip of her iced latte through the straw. “He figured out what he wanted and had his shit together before he actively pursued a relationship.”

“And you think I don’t have my shit together?”

“We both know you don’t. But that is why I am here. So, our game plan,” she rubs her hands together. “We work on your issues but, we need to go on the offensive right away. I’m going to arrange a dinner party at our place.”

“My issues? And hang on a second there Martha Stewart,” I set my mug down. “I’m going to L.A. tomorrow.”

Her face falls. “Well, that’s dumb. You can’t drop a bomb on Elsa like the one you did then just leave town. I want you guys to work out as much as the next romantic, but she’s already hit the irritation stage after dealing with your departure from Remi’s place.”

“She really told you everything?” I ask, a little perturbed to hear she’s irritated. But in a way that goes in my favour too. She’ll be spending all her time thinking about me.

“Women talk, you know this. We need to do damage control, or at least get you in the same room together again, not have you leave the time zone we’re in. L.A., really?” She tuts. “I don’t think you’re taking this seriously Nick.”

I decide I can trust her with a little more information and fill her in on why I’m going to L.A. Her eyes soften the more I talk, and she reaches over and takes my hand before I finally finish.

“Oh Nick. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be talking about this stuff when something so serious is going on for you.”

“At this point, we’re just investigating things. Finding out more before I decide if I want to approach him. I don’t want to put myself through anything if I know he’s flat out going to refuse to see me.”

“Do you really believe that? I mean, would you be going through all of this if the end goal weren’t to approach him?” she asks, still holding my hand. “Sounds to me like if you’re starting this journey, you intend to see it through.”

“I guess,” I nod. She is right, it will be pointless to start all this then just stop at the first obstacle. If there is one. For all I know Atwater might have been waiting my whole life to hear from me. I know mom moved shortly after I was born, then moved around a bit before we settled in White Plains. But that is stupid thinking. A guy like Atwater would have the resources to find her. Speculating is only going to drive me crazy.

“Whatever you need from Adam and I to help, you only have to ask. We fully support you on this and I’m here if you ever need to talk,” she squeezes my hand then sits back.

“Thanks. Arch is coming with me, and I have Janie doing all the legwork, so no one figures out it’s me,” I explain and Jenna nods. She stares at me for a bit until I stick my tongue out and she laughs.

“Okay, you’ve got that handled. Keep me posted. So, on to my mission. Elsa lives in L.A.”

I laugh at the serious expression. “I’m aware,” I tell her.

And that is another thing that could be a sticking point between any relationship Elsa and I might have. Before, I lived there too. Given the way things worked out for Adam and Jenna though, Adam moved out here to be with her. Could Elsa do that? Maybe if she got more work here, I start thinking about how I can make that happen.

“So, she is currently out of work. I’ve invited her to mom’s Christmas eve party so I could keep her around a little longer, but now we need to change plans. She could head back to L.A. for a quick trip.”

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