“What do you know about him?”
“Nothing, really.”
“And you just gave him your number? He could be some wacko. Why don’t you let me do the matchmaking?”
Jessie laughed. “Stop it. I doubt he’s a wacko.”
Jack finally stopped staring at Brad and gazed down at her.
“Thank you for your concern, but I’m a big girl. My judgment in people isn’t usually very far off.” As long as you weren’t counting Rory or Mathew.
“I don’t know.” He glanced back at Brad.
Jessie stood in front of him. “Don’t go doing anything stupid when I leave. Harassing the guests will get you fired.”
“You’re leaving?”
“Yes, didn’t you hear me?” No, of course he didn’t. Testosterone truly poisoned men’s brains.
“Is something wrong at home?”
“No, Danny is sleeping by now, I’m sure.”
Jack set the tray he held down on a nearby table. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
“That isn’t necessary.”
“I insist.” He placed his hand on the small of her back and pushed her to the door.
“What about work? Won’t you get in trouble?”
Jack smiled. Some of it actually overtook his frown, and his eyes started to sparkle again. “I’m off at midnight anyway.”
“It’s not midnight yet.”
He ignored her words and fell in step beside her. They dodged several people before making their way to the quiet lobby, then out into the entryway. “Did you valet park?”
“What do you think?” she asked as she turned toward the sidewalk, where self-parking was encouraged.
Jack nodded to the porter before catching up to her again. “You really don’t need to walk me to my car.”
“You can’t accuse me of not being a gentleman.”
No, she couldn’t say that about him. Jessie weaved her way through the cars until she saw her old Toyota Celica. It looked lost among so many fancy, newer vehicles. It ran, and that’s what counted.
“This is me,” she announced as she fished her keys from her bag. She opened the door and tossed her purse in the passenger seat before turning to Jack. “Thanks again, Jack. For everything.”
Jack shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “It’s nothing. I’m glad you came.”
“I had fun. Be careful with the cougar-lady if you go back in there,” she warned.
“Cougar-lady?”
“Yeah, the flashy woman with the shrimp. She looks like she eats waiters for breakfast, and she had you in her sights.” Friends warn friends about bad choices for the bedroom, didn’t they?
“You be careful with Braaad.”
Jessie had to smirk at how Jack drew out Brad’s name. “He said something about calling me next week. I’m not even sure I’ll go out with him.” Now why did she tell him that? Maybe because when he said the other man’s name, he did so with a frown. Unease about the entire evening started to seep into her bones.
Jack stepped back. “Well, good night.”
“Night, Jack.”
Closing the door, Jessie was grateful for the easy exit. No drama, no fuss.
Famous last words.
When she twisted the key in the ignition, the car groaned, then moaned, then gave up trying to start altogether. She twisted it again, but the car made only a clicking noise in response.
Oh boy. Just what she needed. Jack watched her through the windshield. Jessie threw her hands in the air and tried to start it again.
Nothing.
Frustrated, she opened the door and swung her feet out.
“I don’t get it; darn car wasn’t acting up on the way over here.”
“Pop the hood.”
“You know about cars?” Jessie leaned in and pulled the lever.
Jack opened the hood, but the dimly lit parking lot made viewing the engine minimally possible at best. Jack fiddled with a couple of things anyway. “Try again.”
Jessie did, but nothing changed. She pushed out of the car a second time and stood with Jack over the worn-out engine. “I hate this car. If it isn’t one thing, it’s another.”
“How many miles are on it?” Jack asked as he stood and lowered the hood.
“Two hundred and some change.”
“Thousand?”
“It’s an old car, Jack.”
He shook his head. “Here, give me the keys.”
“Why?”
“I’ll look at it in the morning, when I can see what’s going on.”
“You don’t have to do that. I can have it towed. Have a mechanic check it out.”
Jack kept his hand out, palm up. “Save your money, let me see if I can fix it.”
Jessie vacillated over what she should do. “You’ve already done enough.”
“Jessie, darlin’, give me the keys.”
She handed them over. “If it isn’t simple, or it costs you money, I wanna pay for it.”
Jack surveyed his greasy hands.
Jessie opened the back door and pulled out a package of wipes she kept there for her son. “Here,” she said, pulling a couple wipes free and handing them to him.
Cleaning his hands, Jack thanked her. “Let’s get you home.”
“I can call my sister.”
“And wake up your son? Come on.” He grabbed her elbow and led her toward the front of the hotel. “A friend of mine borrowed my truck, so we’re going to have to use a different car to take you home.”