“Like who?” she asked in confusion.#p#分页标题#e#
“A date, perhaps?”
“I don’t have a date. I already told you that I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“That’s right. I forgot.” I lied.
I hadn’t forgotten. I just wanted to make sure someone didn’t walk into her life while I was away in Paris. I thought about her every moment I was there. She would have loved it and I would have enjoyed spending time with her. That just meant that we would have to spend time together here in New York, starting with Coco’s birthday party.
Looking at my watch, I got up from my desk. “I have a meeting, so I’ll see you later.”
“Okay.” She gently smiled as I followed her out of my office.
****
The week went by pretty smoothly. Every time Lorelei went to lunch, she always carried an 11x14 leather-bound book of some sort in her arms. It was Friday and I decided to follow her to lunch. I saw her walk into a deli and take a seat by the window. She didn’t know I was following her, so I had to make it look like I was going to the same deli for lunch. Walking in the door, I pretended not to notice her and I placed my order for a carry out. Grabbing the bag from the counter, I turned around and tried to play it casually.
“Lorelei?” I spoke as I walked up to her table.
She quickly closed her book as she looked up at me in shock.
“Jack. What are you doing here?”
“Getting lunch.” I looked at my watch. “I have some time. Would you mind if I joined you?”
She shook her head and placed her black leather-bound book in her tote.
“Since when do you get your own lunch?” she asked with a raised brow.
“I was starving and I knew you were at lunch and I didn’t want to wait. You know I don’t like waiting for things.” I smirked. “I didn’t know you came here for lunch. I thought you always ate in Central Park.”
“It’s getting cooler now and I didn’t pack a lunch today.”
“I see. Well, this is nice, the two of us having lunch together.” I smiled.
“What are you up to, Jack?” Her face twisted.
“Nothing. Why would you ask that?”
“Because since I’ve started working for you, you have never ordered your own lunch, let alone picked it up.”
“There’s a first time for everything, isn’t there?” I grinned.
Shit. She wasn’t buying it. I could tell by the expression on her beautiful face.
“Anyway, I was thinking that I could pick you up tonight for the party.”
“Thanks, Jack, but I’ll just take a cab.”
“But, Lorelei, I insist,” I persisted.
“I’m going to my mom’s house before heading to the party. So I’ll just grab a cab.”
I sighed. She was one tough girl and I didn’t understand why. Women didn’t turn me down. EVER. I sat there and intently stared at her, trying to figure her out.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” She frowned.
“Because you’re beautiful, Lorelei, and I’m trying to figure you out.”
“There’s nothing to figure out, Jack, and thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I looked at my watch. “Lunch is over in a few minutes. Shall we head back to the office?”
“Yes. Would you like me to stop at Starbucks for your afternoon fix?” She smiled brightly.
“Nah. I don’t need it today.”
She picked up her tote and we both walked out of the deli.
#p#分页标题#e#
“Are you going tell me what’s in that black book you’re always carrying around?”
“No.”
I chuckled. “I didn’t think so.”
****
Lorelei
“How do I look?” I asked Hope as I did a twirl in my crème-colored sheer triple-tier baby doll dress with spaghetti straps and an under-bust corsage in light pink.
“Pretty.” She smiled. “Can you make me a dress like that? We can match.”
“I sure will.” I tapped her on the nose. “Do you have your bag packed to spend the night at Grandma and Grandpa’s?”
“Yep. It’s already waiting by the front door.”
I ran my fingers through the curled ends of my blonde hair one last time before dabbing on my Joe Malone perfume and slipping into my crème-colored heels. I grabbed Hope’s bag and we walked out the door.
Before leaving my mom’s house, I bent down and gave Hope a tight hug.
“I want you to be good for Grandma and Grandpa. They’ll bring you back home tomorrow afternoon.”
“I will, Mommy. Have fun at your party.”
“Thanks, baby.”