Charlie watched a boat off in the distance bob on the water and it reminded her of how she felt about her future. One minute she was optimistic about a change and then the next her enthusiasm plummeted. “Do you have any thoughts?”
When Jake didn't answer immediately, she turned to look at him and was surprised by the seriousness of his expression. His grin was gone and his eyebrows drew downward as if deep in thought.
“Unless you're sure you want to make the Navy your life, I think you should retire. This position in Williamsburg sounds like the perfect opportunity to move forward with your life without having to completely start over somewhere else. “
Charlie opened her mouth to respond but then closed it. Knowing how he felt about the military, she'd expected an entirely different answer from him. “I never thought of it that way,” she said unable to come up with anything better.
***
Jake felt the wheels of the plane touch down but ignored it; content to sit kissing Charlie who sat on his lap with her arms wrapped around his neck.
Slowly he felt her pull her mouth away from his. “We landed,” Charlie said, her voice echoing his own disappointment.
“So? We have a few more minutes.” He settled his lips on top of hers again. A few more minutes weren’t enough. What he wanted was another day with her. If he didn't have a meeting in Virginia tomorrow morning he'd ask her to stay in Boston with him for the night. Their two days together had flown by. In fact, she hadn't left yet and already he was thinking about when he'd be able to see her again.
Could he somehow reschedule his meeting for tomorrow? Jake ran through all that rescheduling would entail. The meeting was set for eight in the morning, so he knew it wouldn't give the other parties involved enough lead time.
“Next time we do this it has to be for more than two days,” Jake said as they exited the plane. “And maybe to some place more exotic. Any thoughts?”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and entered the airport. As they walked he got the sense that they were being watched. Jake let his eyes wander in search of anyone unusual. At first glance he didn't detect anyone, but when he was about to shrug off the feeling of unease, he saw the photographer. He was trying to blend in with the other tourists, but he didn't quite fit in. He had no visible luggage and the camera hung around his neck was too high-end for an everyday vacationer.
“I hope you're ready for your magazine debut.”
Charlie looked over at him, her forehead wrinkled in confusion.
“That guy in the black shirt and baseball hat is a photographer. I don't know for who, but I am positive of it.” Jake knew it was only a matter of time before the media picked up on his most recent relationship, he just hoped Charlie was as ready as she thought.
“It might be a coincidence,” Charlie offered.
Jake was glad to hear that she sounded calm about the whole thing.
“Maybe, but he saw us. He probably got a picture too.” Any other woman he knew would be hoping the photographer had snapped a picture or two, not Charlie.
Charlie continued walking and didn't stop until they were standing by the car he'd arranged to take her home.
“He'll probably think about it later and decide it couldn't be you. Even if he did take a picture he'll think it must have been a look-alike. After all, why would you show up at the airport with some unknown redhead?” Charlie's tone told him she believed every word she spoke.#p#分页标题#e#
For the first time since meeting her, Jake associated her with the word naive. If she thought the fact that she wasn't a celebrity would stop the media, she was in for a rude awakening. Perhaps if he'd shown up with an eighty-year-old man the photographer would second guess himself, but Charlie was a young beautiful woman, more beautiful than she seemed to realize.
“Don't count on it Charlie,” he warned, dropping her bag to the ground and taking a step closer.
Charlie wrapped her arms around his shoulders and he felt her fingers dig into his hair. “I'm not worried about it.”
Jake shook his head but didn't press the issue. “I'll call you tomorrow.” Jake pulled Charlie tight against him relishing the way her body felt against his.
“Sounds good. Have a safe trip back.”
He felt her fingers trailing up and down his neck. Once again Jake found himself contemplating if there was any way he could reschedule his morning meeting. “You too,” he replied before lowering his head so he could kiss her. Though it took all of his self-control he kept the kiss short. “You’d better go now.”
Jake waited until Charlie left and then went back inside to re-board the plane.