She seemed furious when she answered, “Obviously, it was better that way, since you seem to have been keeping yourself busy.”
And then she spun around, stomping out from the restaurant.
“Ah, uhm.” Jack looked around helplessly, noticing that the waitress was approaching with their food.
“Could you help my, uh, date?” he asked. “She spilled her drink. I’ll be back in just a minute.”
Jack nearly ran through the restaurant, trying to find Janelle.
Where in the hell had she gone?
But finally, he saw her rushing outside from the lobby.
Quickly stepping up to the front desk, he pulled some bills from his wallet, handing them over to the receptionist. “This should more than cover my restaurant and bar bill. I don’t want anyone thinking I’m skipping out. I saw an old friend and I really need to catch up with her before she leaves the parking lot.”
The woman laughed. “That’s fine. I’ll let them know…?”
“Jack Wellman,” he answered, running through the lobby and outside through the mechanical doors as they swept open.
Janelle was already stepping into a vehicle when Jack finally caught up with her in the parking lot.
“Janelle, stop,” he called out.
She turned around, staring at him with obvious dismay.
But she must have seen something in his face that made her listen because she stood with the door wide open.
“This ought to tell you that you’re the one and only person I’ve ever wanted to be with.”
He closed the distance between them in two strides, and Jack pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply, passionately, like he was never going to let her go. They kissed like a dance and a duel, advancing and retreating, anger and pent up frustrations suddenly forgotten.
His mouth moved from her cheeks to her throat, and his touch suddenly became tender when he realized he had her pinned against her truck.
Chapter Twenty
When he pulled her away from her vehicle, Janelle moved back toward Jack, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist when their lips met once again.
She wanted him, wanted that long, hard body stretched on top of her, wanted him inside her.
But suddenly, she realized it was much more than that. For the first time in her life, she’d been willing to take a risk, and had already given him her heart.
She’d been jealous seeing Jack with another woman, sure, but most of all, she’d been hurt.
Jack groaned, slowly pulling away.
“It was just a blind date,” he said, sounding urgent. “I never had any intention of going further, no matter who I’d been set up with. But I knew right away that the entire thing was a big mistake. All I’ve been doing is thinking of you, Janelle, nearly every waking minute, and now that I think about it, you were in a lot of my dreams too.”
She blinked. “A blind date? The woman was all over you.”
“It’s funny, but from the minute I met her, in my head, I was calling it a blind date debacle.”
Janelle had to laugh. “That’s one of the silliest things I’ve ever heard.”
“Why haven’t you emailed me? I’ve been feeling so lost.”
“I…was hurt.” She heaved a sigh. “In Iraq.”
Jack looked instantly stricken. “Damn it, Janelle. That’s even more of a reason you should have contacted me.” He looked her over. “Are you alright? We shouldn’t be standing out here in the cold. Let’s go back inside. I need to figure out what to do about Heather anyway. The date was officially at end, even before you dumped the drink into her lap, which, incidentally, I thought about doing myself.”
“Alright.” She grinned, grabbing her purse from inside her truck and closing and locking the door.
When they walked inside together, the receptionist smiled, obviously recognizing Jack.
“I’ve got some bad news for you, Sir. Your date decided to get a ride home with some friends because she couldn’t salvage her dress enough to feel comfortable. She said she’d get back with you tomorrow, so you two can plan your next date.”
“Like hell she will,” Janelle muttered grimly, causing both the receptionist and Jack to look at her, startled.
But when Jack started laughing, the receptionist grinned, winking at Jack. “Confidentially, I grew up with Heather, and I’d say it’s better to quit while you’re ahead.”
Janelle felt sheepish but started laughing when Jack did.
The receptionist continued, “They’re replacing your meal for you, free of charge. Our chef doesn’t like to send anything out from the kitchen that isn’t properly prepared.”
“Thank you,” Jack answered, glancing at her name tag. “I appreciate your help, Jody.”
When he attempted to pull out his wallet, probably intending to tip her, she held out a staying hand, looking at Janelle. “No need. I’ve been waiting for entertainment like this for a while now.”
Janelle blinked, giving her a slow smile. “Thanks, Jody.”
“How about it?” Jack asked, turning to Janelle. “I am kind of hungry.”
“I’ll sit and have a cup of coffee since I’ve already eaten.”
He wrapped an arm over her shoulder. “It seems like I’ve been waiting forever to put my arms around you again.”
“We need to talk,” she murmured.
“Yes, we do,” Jack said, escorting her to the table they were led to, where Jack’s beer and coat had been transferred. “First of all, what are you doing here in Crystal Rock?”
She hesitated, as Jack pulled out a chair.
“Sit,” he murmured, appearing to study her as she did. “If it’s something confidential, answer me with a cough.”
She coughed.
“Alright,” he murmured, taking a seat as the waitress reappeared and smiled.
“I guess I’ll have more coffee,” Janelle murmured, feeling sheepish.
“I’ll have another beer,” Jack said.
“I’ll have your steak back out here shortly,” the waitress murmured.
“Thank you,” Jack and Janelle
