A Perfect Distraction(39)
“Yes.”
That explained her abrupt departure. One minute her kiss had almost blown his socks off, the next she’d gone. No explanation, no excuse, just gone.
At first, he’d worried something had happened to her sister or Emily. Why else would she have cut out so suddenly?
But as the evening had worn on and she hadn’t returned his calls, he’d begun to suspect an altogether different reason for her disappearing act. Now that he knew for sure, he had to figure out how to get things between them back on track.
He decided to cut to the chase. “I’d have introduced Jenny to you if you’d stuck around. She’s pretty cool. Got an amazing memory for hockey stats.”
“How interesting.”
It hurt that she didn’t trust him. Did she really think he’d go from kissing her to sleeping with Jenny? He’d never cheated, even at the height of his wildness. For however long he was with a woman, he was monogamous. Some just had shorter shifts than others.
If all Maggie knew about his past was the stuff she’d read, how would she know that? “Jenny and I are just good friends.”
“You don’t owe me an explanation.”
“Maybe not, but I’m telling you anyway. There’s nothing between me and Jenny.”
“I appreciate the gesture, but it’s not necessary. Our relationship is purely professional and now that your move is complete, it’s at an end.”
Even as her words made his chest tighten, her stiff little speech gave him hope. Maggie was jealous. If she cared enough to be angry, he still had a chance.
He really wanted that chance.
Continuing to insist on his innocence wouldn’t cut it. He’d have to try another approach.
“I hope you don’t give that kind of goodbye kiss to all your clients.”
Her sharp intake of breath was audible. “That was an aberration.”
At least she wasn’t denying the attraction between them. “What if I’d like to make it more than an aberration?”
“Won’t your ‘friend’ mind?”
“Why would she? I’ve known Jenny since first grade. We faced off over the last ice cream at lunch.” He grinned at the memory. “She won.”
Maggie said nothing for a few moments.
“We never slept together,” he added softly. “Kissing her is like kissing a sister.”
“You really are just friends.” Her words were a statement, not a question.
Yes! Jake wanted to pump his fist but restrained himself. “Nothing more, I promise.”
“You don’t mind her doing that... Being a groupie?”
“I don’t understand why she does it.” He shrugged, then realized Maggie couldn’t see him. “But it’s her choice, her life. It doesn’t affect our friendship.”
His heart pounded heavily as he waited for her to speak.
“I apologize for jumping to the wrong conclusion. In the past...”
“No need to explain.” He cut her short, gently.
“Thank you.” She cleared her throat. “Well, I’d better let you go. I’m sure you have a lot to do in your new house.”
Jake didn’t want the conversation to end without an agreement to see her again, but he sensed her skittishness. If he asked her on a date, would he scare her off? Tru’s words about patience and taking it slow echoed in his head. Okay, not a date. Not yet. But what?
“That reminds me, I need your help on another project.” His mind whirred as he searched for something, anything, that would fit the bill.
“What can I do for you?” she asked cautiously.
“Um...it’s an important project that needs your expertise.” His gaze scanned his room, seeking inspiration. Boxes. Shelves. TV. Nothing helped.
“Doing what?” Now she sounded suspicious.
Suitcases. More boxes. Sports bag. Weights. Hockey gear. Wait...sports bag. Weights.
“I need a new gym,” he blurted out. “And my house doesn’t have one.”
“What’s wrong with the one you’re using?”
What was wrong with it? He pictured the pastel walls and ladies in Lycra. “I want a proper gym. A place to work out, not one where they make me feel guilty for sweating.”
Maggie laughed. “All right. I’ll pull together a list of suitably sweat-friendly gyms and email them to you.”
No way. She wasn’t handing him off that easily. “If I switch to another gym, I’m sure a bunch of my teammates will, too. You should come with me to check them out so you can look into negotiating a team rate.”
He held his breath, hoping she’d go along with his ridiculously weak plan.
“I’ll see what Tracy says and get back to you.”