Uncontrollable Bachelor (Bachelor Tower Series), стр. 47
“I actually haven’t eaten. That’s why I was calling?”
“I’d love to have dinner with you,” he said.
I wasn’t inviting you. “I don’t want to change your plans. We can talk about this another time.” Any other time. This wasn’t like me. I’m going to chalk it up to low blood sugar from lack of food.
“I have no plans. And you’re right. We should talk. I’m actually by the harbor now, so I can be at your house in about thirty minutes.”
“Actually, I’m not home. I’m….at the harbor,” I said and looked around for his car, but didn’t see it. But there was a truck that looked awfully familiar. “Are you parked?”
“I am. Why?”
“I think I see you,” I said and waved. He stuck his hand out the window and waved back.
“Then I guess I’ll see you in about thirty-seconds instead.”
He ended the call and pulled his truck up to the curb by my seat. “Hey, beautiful, want a ride?” he said playfully with a wink.
Two can play this game. “I was told not to take rides from strangers.”
Jace put the truck in park, got out, and came over to where I stood. He extended his hand and said, “Hi. I’m Jace Goldstein, I’m a Sagittarius, and my favorite food is whatever you’re eating. However, I have become very fond of PB&J,” he said, smiling.
I took his hand and said, “Nice to meet you, Jace. I’m Shannon Hamel, can’t cook, like to clean, and I have a weakness for chocolate.”
He said, “No longer strangers.” He opened the door and said, “Hop in.”
I climbed inside and looked in the back. “You still haven’t unpacked from when we were at the cabin?” Instantly I regretted mentioning it. Those memories were special to me, but I wanted to keep them that way.
“I’ve been busy.”
Too busy to call me.
“So have I,” I said as he started down the road. “A lot has changed.”
“Want to tell me about it?” he asked.
I did, but not sure if he really wanted to listen. “I won’t be traveling as much. I’m going to open my own practice.”
As he pulled onto the highway, he said, “That is a major development. Good for you. Will it be here in Boston?”
“No. I want out of the city. Maybe even out of Massachusetts.” Exact location was still undecided. But I wasn’t looking at rushing into anything. I wanted to think it through and make this a final move.
“So nothing is in stone yet,” he said.
“Not where I’m going to live, but what I’m going to do is.” They were off track. “We aren’t supposed to be talking about me. I wanted to talk about you and Betsy. I don’t want you to punish her for what happened between us.”
“I would never do such a thing.”
I raised a brow and said, “Really. I think Betsy feels differently.”
“Did she say I’m cruel, I mean more than usual?” he asked.
“No. Just working her a lot.”
Jace nodded. “I was on vacation, and we had to catch up. Doesn’t sound like anything out of the ordinary.”
“No. I guess it doesn’t. Well, that was an easy enough conversation. Maybe you can drop me off at home so I can finally eat.”
“Would love to, but I can’t.” Jace reached behind him and pulled out a paper bag. “This should hold you.”
I opened the bag and looked inside. There was a juice box drink, an apple, and a banana. “What is this?” I asked.
“Your supper. It should hold you for now,” he said.
“What do you mean for now?” I don’t live that far from here. I looked around and realized we left Boston and were heading north. “Jace, where are we going?”
“I have a stop I have to make. Do you mind coming for the ride?” he asked.
What choice did I have? I was already in the truck. “Sure, why not.” It’s not like I had anything else to do tonight since Betsy didn’t show. I pulled out the apple and took a bite then asked, “How are you doing?”
“Good. It’s been an interesting couple of days.”
“Yes, you said, busy after vacation.” That wasn’t anything personal like what I shared. I didn’t to be trapped in the truck talking business. “Is there anything else you want to talk about?” I put it onto him. If he wasn’t willing to open up, then I’m shutting down.
“Your father called me a few days ago,” he said.
My jaw dropped. “My father? Called you? Why?” This was the first I heard about it.
“He pulled some strings for me and got me into an apartment I’ve wanted for several years.”
Yes. Way to go. I had asked my father to do this for Jace, for me. He never got back to me, and I thought he decided not to. “Well, I’m happy for you. Looks like you’ll be moving as well.” Inside, the thought was killing me. I knew where he was moving. Women threw themselves at the guys that lived there. That will help you forget all about me.
“Didn’t take it.”
I knew why. He wanted nothing to do with my father. I should’ve thought of that before asking him for help. “Just because you hate my father, doesn’t mean you should let that stand between you and getting what you want.”
“I’m not. This decision had nothing to do with Ralph.”
I waited for him to tell me more. Was this going to be like the game twenty questions, and eventually, I’d guess what was going on in that head of his?
“So you’re not moving.”
“I will. I’m also thinking about finding a place outside of Boston,” he said.
Now we were getting somewhere. “That’s a big decision because your life is in the city. Your office is there too. I thought you liked having everything at your fingertips.”
“Like yourself, I haven’t decided on a new location.”
I rolled down the window and tossed out the apple core. I couldn’t believe we were still on the