Happily Never After

Jack kept glancing at me the entire car ride back to the apartment building. “What?” I asked looking at him as we walked up the stairs towards my room. “Nothing.” He said and shrugged. “No something so tell me.” I said and he sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “I just am surprised you agreed, I mean you don’t know the guy.” He said and I looked at him. “I just am getting with him. Let him think it’s a date, and that he might get something out of it. Honestly Jack, it’s nothing. I promise.” He sighed and sat down on my bed and looked over at me. “I just worry.” I shrugged up at him. Let him worry. I was actually excited. I was feeling like I was floating. “I don’t know why I am pretty excited.” I said and he smiled. “Could because you never go on dates.” He laughed. “Listen this isn’t a date.” I said and he nodded, “Sure.”

I left the house in enough time that I knew I would be a few minutes late. Let him think that I wasn’t going to show up. I didn’t want to be on time. I didn’t want to seem like one of those people who sat at home and watched the clock for the exact second that I could leave. I defiantly wasn’t one of those people. I knew that tonight was going to be fun, I could tell just by his attitude that we would have fun. My stomach was a pit of nerves. I had no idea why though. It was excitement like seeing the first flower of spring. It was terrifying like walking through a dark tunnel. I sat at a red light and drummed my fingers on the steering wheel, thinking about how many different ways that tonight could go. It could go horribly wrong, and I would cry to Jack about it and he would quit his job, and come home and throw himself at my feet confessing his undying love for me, and we would run away and get married and live happily ever after in a house on a hill somewhere far, far away. It could go so amazing that Max and I fall in love and he took me home to meet his parents, who of coarse loved me, and we got married and became the hottest couple in the NHL. Then again, I’d have to actually care about hockey to be with him, but he could become a friend, maybe something more, maybe nothing at all. Only time would tell and as I pulled into the lot and saw his black BMW sitting there, I smiled maybe this would be fun.

“You came.” He said smiling as I approached him. For the first time I noticed that he has an accent, and it was kind of sexy. “So where to?” I asked and looked up at him. He smirked, “Depends, do you prefer dinner or straight to the point.” I couldn’t help but grin at him. “Awe that is cute, you think I’m going to sleep with you.” I said and he looked at me shocked. “I didn’t mean that, but if that’s where your mind went, then maybe that’s what we should be doing.” He grinned. I shook my head and climbed into his car and laughed. “What’s for dinner?” “I was thinking some Italian.” I nodded at him that worked. He was a perfect gentleman, pulling my chair out for me, making small talking, seeming to be interest in what I had to say. All in all, dinner was great. “So now what?” I asked as he opened the door to his car for me. “Well, would you like to come over; we could have a drink, get to know each other a little more?” He asked and looked at me. I looked at him unsure of how to answer. “I guess, let’s go get my car though.” I said and he smiled. He was so handsome when he smiled.

“So this is it.” He said when he opened the front door. I looked around and instantly you knew he lived alone, because it just screamed bachelor. “It’s nice.” I said and followed him inside. “Just nice?” He laughed and I nodded. “Yep, just nice.” He led me over into the kitchen. I set my keys down on the island and sat in one of the chairs and watched as he grabbed two glasses, and poured us some wine. “So, tell me Ms. Bear, how is it that I have worked with Jack for two years, and never met you?” He said and sat across from me; I laughed and looked at him. “Well, normally I stay away, but since Jack lost his license, I get stuck driving him from time to time.” I said and sipped my wine, noting how good it actually tasted, not too sweet, but not too dry, the perfect combination for a red wine. “So tell me Mr. Talbot, how is it that you managed to make time for me so quickly?” I asked and he smiled. “I always have time for such a beautiful lady.” He said and laughed taking a gulp of his wine. “You sure are a smooth talker, years or practice?” I asked laughing at him as I finished off my glass, and watched as he poured us each another one. “I wasn’t making fun of your name earlier.” He blurted out after a moment of comfortable silence. “Oh please, don’t lie, everyone makes fun of it.” I laugh. He was so easy to talk to, and I wasn’t sure if it was the wine or if it was good company. The more that we talked the more I find myself enjoying his company. “Don’t refill that.” I laughed as he attempted to pour my fourth glass of wine. He grinned, “Why not?” He laughed as I shook my heard. “I have to drive back home that’s why.” I said and looked at him and sighed. “Can I just get some water?” I asked and he nodded, walking over to the fridge and tossing me a bottle. “So, it’s really late.” I laughed and looked over at the clock that read 1:00AM. “Wow time sure flew.” He said and stood slowly. “You ok to drive?” He asked as I stood up. “Yes, no worries.” I followed him towards the door and he smiled. “Have a good night.” He said and I looked up at him again. “Thank you for everything I had a nice time.” He let out a slow breath. “So did I.” I looked up into his eyes, slightly hoping for something to happen, but at the same time, blaming it on the wine, wishing I wasn’t leaving. “Can I get your number?” He asked and I blinked once, twice, and then it hit me. He wanted to do this again. I could do that. I nodded, reciting my number for him, and gave him a wave as I walked down the driveway to my car.

I laid in the bed the next morning. Looking at my phone, wanting so badly for it to ring, but I wasn’t sure why I wanted it to. I wasn’t stupid, I knew what kind of guy he was, and the thought of him actually calling me cracked me up. I tossed the phone down and climbed out of bed. I had a ton of things to do today, and working wasn’t something I was looking forward to. I stood up and dressed, as a sectary at a private school, I was supposed to be dressed to the nines, and a small paycheck, and I was really hoping that I would get this other job. I hurried to get ready and out of the door on time.

Kicking off my shoes as I walked into my apartment, I felt good. Max still hadn’t bothered to call me, but that didn’t really bother me, after all it wasn’t him I was truly interested in. It was another team member. I was going to have to talk to Jack and find out who he is, and a few things about him, that way I’d have a face to a name. I also talked to my parents and I had planned a trip home for dinner on Friday. I also received a call from the dance studio wanting me to come in for an interview. Things were looking good for me. Just as I was about to take off my clothes and change into something comfortable, Jack called me asking for me to pick him up. Hurrying to put my shoes back on, I jumped in the car and headed to pick him up. This was honestly going to get old fast.
Pulling up, I saw Jack standing around with the same people from yesterday, Max being one of them, and for a brief second, I thought that I would feel awkward, but then I remembered that it didn’t really matter and I wasn’t sure where these butterflies were coming from. “Hey.” I said and stepped out of the car walking over to where Jack stood. He smiled and put his arm around me and kissed the top of my head. “How was work?” He asked and I shrugged, “Work, but I talked to mom today, and we are going to go on Friday for some dinner, and then on Monday after work, I can’t come get you I have that interview.” I said and he smiled. “Oh god, I love your mom’s cooking, I can’t wait. “ He laughed and I smiled. “You ready?” I asked and he nodded. “Yeah, let’s go.” “Yeah, hello to you too beautiful.” Max smiled walking over and pulling me into him for a hug. I was a little shocked; I wasn’t going to lie about that, especially since I never heard from him. “Hey Max.” I laughed and put my arm around his middle. “So what are you doing tonight?” He asked as he walked towards my car with Jack and I. “Relaxing in the bath tub, and then trying to figure out an outfit for my interview.” I said and he smiled. “Can I join you?” He asked and before I could even answer Jack nudged him “No.” The answer was clear and I couldn’t help but laugh at him. “See yah Max.” I said climbing into the car. “So, how was your day?” Jack asked as we drove towards the apartment complex. “Good, I told you, I had a good day.” He nodded. “Just making sure.” He laughed. As I put the car into park I looked over at him. “So who are the guys you are talking to when I come get you?” I asked and he blinked “Well, Max, James, Matt, Sidney, Geno, Marc Andre, and Kris was there today.” He said and looked at me. “Why?” “No reason, just curious.” I said and smiled, kissing his cheek and walking towards my building, and listening to his fading footsteps in the distance. “Bingo.” I said aloud, grinning from ear to ear. I now had a name to a face, and I couldn’t believe how easy it was to lie to Jack, and that scared me a little bit. I laughed as I looked at text on my phone from Max, “Offer still stands, let me know if you get lonely in that tub.” Maybe getting closer of Max was exactly what I needed to do.