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Shaking my head, I leaned against the window as we drifted back across the river to Jersey City. Trying to dispel any thoughts of a possibility with a man like Jonas, but I found it difficult, as I doubted I would ever forget my encounter with him.
We reached my loft apartment on Grove Street in Jersey City and the driver, David, insisted on seeing me to my door. Once we made our way to the fifth floor and over to 508, I thanked him for the escort, and unlocked the door to my apartment, sighing in relief. Something I did every day when I walked in. One of the best parts of living in Jersey City, I found, were the spacious apartments.
The loft had the typical vaulted ceilings and track lighting standard to a lot of apartments in the area. I had added two large black and white framed architectural prints, a blue modular couch, and two modern yellow chairs. I liked the two steel floor lamps Natasha brought with her, and the flat screen TV. Even with the few Sci-Fi and Art photos on our white walls, our space presented more like a “renter’s showroom” instead of a cozy home.
I walked a few feet to the kitchen and took out a bottled water, placing it on the gray granite counter. I had worried when I first moved in the white finish in the integrated kitchen would be hard to maintain, but the gloss finish had made it easy.
I headed straight down the short hall to the bathroom to wash off my makeup. I was brushing my hair when my phone went off. My brows rose as I stared at the screen, Gregor? At 11:39 p.m.? He never called me this late. I shook my head and laughed a little. I touched the screen and answered the call. “You can’t wait to see how your protégé did tonight?”
“Yes. So tell me what happened. Did you meet Jonas Crane?” Gregor asked.
I twirled the ends of my hair. “Thanks for that, I appreciate it. Yes. I did and he suspected right away I was a stalker of some sort. So I told him about Arch.”
“Did he mention me?” Gregor asked.
I bit my lip and sat down on the floor. He didn’t mention Gregor, but his facial expression wasn’t exactly kind. I didn’t want to upset this man I respected though. “I mentioned you, but he didn’t comment.”
Gregor didn’t say anything for a few moments. “Then he remembers me well. So, you’re home now. How did he leave it?”
I sighed. I hated disappointing him, but the task he gave me wasn’t something accomplished easily. “He gave me his card and said I could pursue him again for Arch.”
He snorted derisively. “I just bet,” he quipped.
I licked my lips. “He was a gentleman. He even had his private car take me home. Nothing happened.”Except he kissed me.
“My thoughts are directed at Crane, not you. I’m stressed. Arch is doing better, but small houses get crushed every year. Without a rainmaker like Crane, we may close. What do you think of our chances with him?”
I ran my hand through my hair. If I lost this job, what would I do? Not too many companies were recruiting an Anthropology major with just shy of two years’ experience. I could be starting over at twenty-five. “I don’t know, but I have his card to try him again,” I promised.
“That’s the spirit. Just play it slow, let him lead you. Men like Crane like to take charge. Give me an update when you have it.”
My mind replayed Jonas holding my arm while he contacted his driver to take me home. Yes. He does. “Will do. Thank you,” I said and hung up.
I stared at my phone.Was I ready to do whatever it took to seal the deal?
I didn’t like the idea of compromising myself to get business, but after meeting Jonas, I had to admit having sex with him wouldn’t be a hardship.Not that he’s even interested in sex with me. And even if I did, who was to say he would go ahead and sign with Arch? How would I feel about myself if he did?
I let go of my thoughts and finished brushing my teeth. Opening up the cabinet, I considered taking sleeping pills. Too much had happened tonight that I knew I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep right away. But then an antidote from my father came to mind and had me closing the door. ‘Salomé’s don’t depend on easy fixes. Drugs are easy fixes. Not solutions, Lily.’I’ll try on my own.
Crossing the hall, I walked inside my bedroom. Opening the mirrored, double doors of my closet. I placed my dress in my dry-cleaning bag, putting the rest of the garments in my hamper. My phone chimed. Declan.No thank you.
Seeing Declan engaged only six months after our three years together made my stomach flip. All my traveling back and forth from Quincy down to New York to see him. Time I should have spent with my parents, had I known they would be gone. As for Jonas, he lived out of a suitcase and was based in Texas. Statistically, long distance relationships fail.
With that in mind, I put my phone back down and went to my closet, taking out my black tank top and Boston University black and red shorts. I changed into them and climbed into bed and waited for sleep to come.
Truly, I didn’t want to waste time on what-ifs. And I surely didn’t want to allow my mind to wonder about a potential client and the possibility of long distance heartache. Still, when I settled down under the covers, I couldn’t stop my mind from replaying my encounter with Jonas Crane.
His touch, and his kiss.
CHAPTER FIVE
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Knocking. Incessant knockingat my door. I peeked through my long lashes at the large window along my wall. The sky was still mostly dark with streaks of light in the distance. Natasha.
“Come on, Lily,” Natasha called out. I turned over and spotted my roommate standing in the doorway. Her body, built like an athlete, all tone with no curves or hips to speak of, mocked me as she said, “Time for our run.”
“It’s too early. I’ll go to the gym later,” I grumbled.
