Page 47 of Miss Fortune

It was after ten p.m., but we sat at an outdoor table, sharing an order of animal fries while downing cheeseburgers and milkshakes. It turned out Jonathan was fresh out of the military and new to LA. He was in love with his high school girlfriend who was planning to relocate here in the next few months in order to live with him.

“She’s not crazy about me working at the club, but I told her I don’t look at the girls there. I mean I look—it’s my job to observe—but it’s not the same, you know.”

“I do know. And once she moves out here, I’m sure she’ll feel better and see it’s only a job. But the long-distance thing is hard.”

“Yes, it is. Thanks for dinner.”

“It’s my pleasure. Thanks for introducing me to animal fries.” I could cross off from my list an item I hadn’t realized existed.

“You’re welcome.”

Jonathan pulled up curbside in front of my apartment building and waited while I walked to the entrance. But as I was entering the building code, I heard my name.

Turning, I was shocked to see Caleb walking toward me.

“Daisy, are you okay?” Jonathan’s voice came from the open window of the SUV.

“Yes, I know him. Thanks again, Jonathan.”

My driver didn’t appear convinced, but I waved to him and opened the door to usher Caleb into the foyer of my building.

“What are you doing here?”

His jaw clenched. “He’s a bit on the young side.”

“Who?”

He pinned his gaze out the window where my driver was pulling out.

“Jonathan?”

“You meet a random guy at a club and allow him to drive you home?”

Whoa. What? Not at all liking his judgy tone, I fired back, “First he took me to In-N-Out for burgers, animal fries, and milkshakes. Something I’m quite sure you didn’t do with your date.” It was a petty thing to say, based on her comment about no processed carbs, but I blamed the jealousy. “Where is she, by the way?”

“I dropped her off at home. You and Jonathan going out again?”

I let out a sigh, refusing to participate any longer in this childish behavior. “We didn’t go out. He works for Chance and was recruited to drive me home.”

“I thought you went for food.”

“We did, but that’s because I’m a terrible fast-food influence, and he’s a growing boy who wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to eat. But he did introduce me to some off-menu items at In-N-Out Burger, which makes him more special than my last six dates combined.”

Silence. Not even a cracked smile. Had he been jealous? Was that why he’d come over? I repeated my earlier question. “Why are you here?”

“I needed to say I was sorry. What I said about limiting your alcohol was completely uncalled for.”

My lips parted in surprise at the unexpected apology. “You’re right. It was. It put me in an awkward position with my best friend, who then asked why you would say that to me. It made me regret confiding in you.”

A shadow clouded his expression. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

His apology rang true, causing me to sigh. I never could stay mad at anyone. “Apology accepted. I guess have a good night.” What else could I say? He’d done what he’d come for.

I was about to go, but he stopped me with his next words.

“We didn’t make plans for next Saturday.”

He stood there looking so vulnerable I had to wonder if we weren’t forging a bond, after all. “It bothers you that we didn’t?”