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Luke woke up to an empty bed. Trying not to be frustrated, he used the bathroom, brushed his teeth, and yanked on a pair of shorts before walking downstairs. He was surprised at his level of disappointment. He couldn’t keep sleeping with Jane and planned on telling her that this morning, so why did he wish she hadn’t left?
He wandered into the kitchen and made an embarrassingly girlish scream when he saw Jane. She was sitting at the island, and she immediately jumped up and gave him a look of chagrin.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“You didn’t.” He placed his hand over his thudding heart.
She stared disbelievingly at him, and he couldn’t help but grin. “Was it the screaming that gave it away?”
She smiled and sank back into her chair but knotted her hands together nervously. “It might have been. I made coffee. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” He poured himself a cup and brought it to the island. Jane stared at the countertop and didn’t look up when he slid onto the stool beside her.
“How did you sleep?” he asked.
“Good,” she said, “really good.”
“Did you? You look tired,” he replied.
She grimaced, and he could have kicked himself. “Sorry, I didn’t mean – that is, you look fine.”
“Thanks,” she said.
There were a few minutes of excruciating awkwardness. It was time to tell Jane that as much as he enjoyed their night together, they obviously couldn’t do it again. So, why couldn’t he seem to get the words out?
“Luke,” Jane said, “we can’t do this again.”
Disappointment coursed through him, and he shook it off. This was a good thing. They were on the same page, and that made everything much easier.
“Luke?” Jane said timidly. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry about,” he said. “I was going to say the same thing.”
Relief crossed Jane’s face, and he bit back his hurt feelings. Did he want her to be disappointed? Christ, what the hell was wrong with him? He wanted to sleep with Jane, and he had. End of story.
“Okay, good.” She slid off the stool and grabbed her purse. “I should get going. I’ll see you at work tomorrow, okay?”
“Are you not going to family dinner tonight?” he asked.
“No, I can’t make it.”
“Why not?”
Luke, let it go! The less time you spend with her, the better.
“I have other plans,” she said. “Anyway, thank you again. Bye, Luke.”
“Let me get dressed, and I’ll give you a ride home,” he said.
“I’m going to see Mama J,” she said.
“I’ll drive you there.”
“No, that’s okay. I don’t mind taking the bus.”
“Jane,” he said in exasperation, “it’s cold outside, and I would feel much better about how we’re leaving things if you let me give you a ride.”
