"I have to-go cups we can use. Now how do you take your coffee?"
"Milk and one sugar, please."
I watched Jackson pour coffee into two paper cups with plastic tops, just like the ones you would get at a coffee shop.
"Where are you going?"
Jackson looked up at me, grinning. "I can't let you walk home by yourself. My mother didn't raise a heathen."
Jackson was continually surprising me with his thoughtfulness. I could get used to this. I grabbed my bag and we made our way downstairs in the elevator.
"Hi, Sam," Jackson greeted the doorman.
"Good morning, Mr. Reynard." The doorman smiled and tipped his head at me in greeting as we walked past and I smiled back weakly, flushing since it was so obvious that I was now making the walk of shame. The fact that the object of my shame was walking next to me didn't lessen the embarrassment.
It was a beautiful morning when we stepped outside. It was early enough that the air was still crisp and the city seemed to be just waking up.
"Do you want to take a cab or walk?"
"Let's walk," I said, unable to stop smiling foolishly at Jackson. He looked ridiculously handsome this morning and it was hard to stop beaming. "I don't live very far away."
Jackson took hold of my hand and we walked to my apartment, sipping coffee and talking about nothing important, commenting on the stores we passed.
"What are you doing tonight?" Jackson asked when we were a couple of streets away from my apartment. I was thrilled that he seemed to want to spend more time with me, but I didn't want to overcommit myself and be distracted from work.
"Probably working late," I replied. "There's a lot of stuff that my boss wants to finish up before the weekend."
Jackson frowned but nodded. "Do you think you'll be working late tomorrow too?"
"Probably not if I'm working late tonight." As much as I didn't want to be distracted from work, I definitely still wanted to make time for Jackson. "Why?"
"So I can take you out to a proper dinner," Jackson said, grinning. "Afterwards, you can come see the play."
"I was more than happy with last night's dinner, but it's a date," I said wryly. We stopped in front of the doors of my apartment building.
"Have a good day at work," Jackson said, looking reluctant to leave.
"Thanks. Do you work today?"
Jackson nodded. "I have a day shift."
"Then have fun whipping your clients into shape."
Jackson smiled and leaned down, kissing me softly. When we broke apart, we were both breathing heavily, even from a light kiss.
"I better leave before I follow you up the stairs and really make you late for work."
I laughed as I walked into my building. "Bye, Jackson."
He smiled at me with such sweetness that I felt a sudden ache in my chest.
"Bye, Emma."
I practically flew up the three flights of stairs as if I were floating. Only five days into my new life in New York and I was already experiencing the dizzying heights of happiness. I wanted to laugh out loud in glee.
Claire was sitting in the living room watching TV when I walked in, which surprised me. She had always still been in bed the past few days when I had left for work.
She looked up from the TV and smiled. "Looks like someone had a good night."
I blushed, feeling as if Claire could see right through me and all the illicit things I had done last night.
"Jackson's nice."
Claire raised an eyebrow. "I think it takes more than nice to keep you out all night."
I flopped down on the couch next to her with a deep sigh. "Okay, it was amazing. Exhilarating. Life-altering. Jackson Reynard definitely knows how to make a woman feel special."
Claire laughed at my dramatics. "You don't have to tell me. I've been friends with Jackson long enough to know his routine."
I sat up, feeling deflated by her words. "What do you mean?"
Claire shook her head, looking apologetic. "I didn't mean it like that. Jackson's not some man-whore or anything. I just know the effect that he can have on women. I'd be blind not to notice it."
"Does he date a lot?"
"Well..." Claire responded, drawing out the word. "Like I said before, he doesn't really do serious relationships. But while he's with you, life is golden." She shrugged. "Not that I would know. We only went out on a couple of dates a million years ago. That's just what it seems like from what I've observed."
I ignored the spurt of disappointment. What Jackson was offering was exactly what I was looking for.
"That's fine with me. I'm just looking for some fun, nothing serious. The last thing I want to do is get into a relationship."
Claire looked relieved. "I'm happy to hear that. I'd hate for you to be hurt once he loses interest." She bit her lip, seeming to realize how that sounded. "I mean, not that he'll lose interest. Who knows, maybe you could be the one."
I laughed as I rose from the couch. "The only one I want to be right now is the one that's not going to be late for work."
I took a shower and got ready for work, keeping an eye on the time. As I was emptying my purse, I noticed that I was missing my black skirt. I made a mental note to ask Jackson later if I had left it at his apartment.
Claire was in her bedroom when I stepped out of my room, so I left without saying goodbye, not wanting to disturb her in case she had fallen back asleep.
Work was busy as Janet gave me plenty to do. I hadn't been lying when I told Jackson that there were a lot of things that my boss wanted finished before the weekend.
Janet left for a business lunch and I settled in my desk with a sandwich I had picked up so that I could catch up on some emails. Celeste, who wheeled over to my cubicle in her chair, interrupted me. I swore she had that chair surgically attached to her rear.
"So how was the big date?" Celeste asked slyly. "I was disappointed that you didn't show up in the same clothes you were wearing yesterday."
"Celeste!" I protested, but I couldn't help laughing. "You have a one track mind."
"Well? Are you going to make me ask again?"
I groaned but complied. I had only known Celeste for a few days, but I knew she could be doggedly persistent.
"It was good. Actually, it was really good." I leaned back in my chair as I thought about how Jackson had made me feel. "His name is Jackson and he's actually a friend of my roommate's. It doesn't hurt that he's gorgeous and sweet and a great cook."