"Believe it or not, you have caught my eye since the first time I met you and I've always wanted to take you out for a drink" he puts his hands up "as friends, as friends" he repeats. I squint at him, I find that hard to believe.
The first time I met Jack, I got a call on my line, someone asked for Jack Preston. I went around the office asking if anyone knew him. At that point I hadn't met him yet. Eventually when I found him in his office I stood there like an idiot staring at him and mumbled out 'for you, phone'. He took it from me, smiled and said "I'm Jack, nice to meet you" he held out his hand and I took it. He shook my hand firmly. I quickly got out of his office embarrassed and red.
"Really ? You want to be friends?" I ask
"Didn't think guys like you had girl- friends" I laugh dryly
"What's that suppose to mean?"he asks curious
"Well, just that some guys have girl-friends, whom they have normal friend relationship with and some guys have girl friends they regularly, how do I put this regularly have intimate relationship with" I explain taking another big gulp of my beer.
His face doesn't show any emotions. Oh shit is he mad? I can't tell. He is looking at me so intensely. He leans over and brushes one of my curls away from my face. His touch made me feel hot and bothered. He leans further until his mouth is next to my ear and whispers
"is that what you want, an intimate relationship?" His voice low. I could feel his warm breath caressing my ear. My throat dried up and my eyes grew wide. This man has no shame.
He pulls back and my face is flushed.
"Erm that's not what I meant! You know that" I reply quickly.
"I'm only messing with you don't worry! I get it"(J)
"Sorry I just don't want you to think this is going anywhere when it isn't" I apologise
"No don't be sorry! I like a challenge" he chuckles
"Great, wait what?" What challenge, I just said it's not going to happen between us.
He quickly changes the subject.
"So as friends, since you don't have plans tomorrow and I've only been in town for three months maybe you could show me around? Take me to your favourite spots?" He asks nicely. I look at him, thinking whether or not I should hang out with him.
"Please ? I don't know that many people" (J) Great, bring on the guilt trip tactic
"Sure, why not" I reply with a polite smile.
I finish my drink and he does the same.
"Great, Here put your number in. I'll text you tomorrow and we'll go from there" I take his phone and start typing my number
"where are you parked? I'll walk you to your car. It's already dark out"(J) I finish typing the number and hand him back his phone.
"Erm I didn't drive to work today, some days I just take the bus it's cheaper" he looks at me, staring into my eyes again.
"Okay well, I'm not letting you go home alone I'll drop you" his face serious
"oh no really! You don't have to do that- I…" he cuts me off
"Grab your stuff" he orders. He pays for our drinks while I put my jacket back on. I doubt he'll take no for an answer and I don't want to argue. I'd actually appreciate a lift, evenings are usually slightly chillier and I would rather not wait for the bus in the cold.
I follow him out of the bar waving at Ben on the way out. The cold air hits me like a brick. Fuck it's colder than I thought it would be. I instantly cross my arms and pull them tight against my body. Seeing this Jack starts taking off his coat
"oh no Jack, please don't" I protest
"Shush, chivalry isn't dead. You really think I'd let you walk in such a thin jacket seeing how cold you clearly are!" He says.
He holds his coat out for me to put my arms through. I watch him as his eyes descends from my face and slowly down to my breast. Only then do I realise my jacket is open. I'm wearing a mayoral voting t-shirt and my nipples are poking through, hard from the cold. He licks his lips and inhales deeply. My face turns red from embarassment, His eyes slowly meets mine again.
"Thank you" I whisper. He smiles at me. His coat smells of cologne. Not the overbearing type that screams 'I am man' but more of fresh laundry and mint. I push my nose in the coat to inhale the perfume pretending to be looking down. Without hesitation he wraps his arm around me. Again, I look up at him shocked by his comfortable behaviour. He didn't care he looks straight ahead. We walk back to the town hall in silence. He was on his phone texting most of the time. I didn't think anything of it. Should this have been a date I would be livid but we aren't on a date and it's none of my business.
"Wait here" I watch him disappear in the private parking area next to the Town Hall. I can't help but sniff his coat again. The cologne made me feel some type of way. I put my hands in the pockets to keep them warm, the left pocket has something in it. I pull it out. It's a sticky note
-last night was amazing and this morning. I am looking forward to next time. Xoxo Jess-