I'm With You

by Taylor Dean

  Last time she checked, adorable didn’t equate to a possible, potential, or promising relationship.

  It just meant plain old adorable. As in friends.

  ≈

  Chloe awoke the next morning to breakfast in bed once again. Jack was spoiling her. He hadn’t left her side since the creature had attacked. The day passed in a blur, the pain meds making her groggy. She declined taking her afternoon dose, the pain having subsided. It was one of the most restful days she’d experienced in quite awhile. In her slumber, she was always aware of Jack’s presence, whether he was on the phone, working on his laptop, or snoozing in the chair next to her bed. It was comforting. They didn’t talk much, the silence easy. He worked. She slept. He even vacuumed her house for her—an act that left her in awe of him. After dinner, he chose a movie and she fell asleep on his shoulder.

  Chloe awoke late in the night with her head on his chest, the sound of his heartbeat in her ear, his arms wrapped securely around her. He politely disentangled himself at about midnight and excused himself to go to his own home. He hadn’t left her alone for two whole days and she missed his presence.

  Something was happening between them. She knew it.

  The question was, did he?

  “Jack, you’re home early today,” Chloe said, surprised when he came wandering in at three in the afternoon. He looked dapper in black slacks, a grey button up shirt, and a pinstripe tie. After seeing him in jeans and a t-shirt for two days straight, it was like a Jekyll and Hyde transformation.

  “I’m working from home for the rest of the afternoon.”

  Yeah, right. Chloe knew he was checking up on her, worried about another confrontation between Chloe and the scorpion population. The house had been sprayed and the workers had strict instructions to keep doors and windows firmly closed from here on out. No one wanted to encounter a scorpion, hence they were all on board with the new rules. Especially after they heard about Chloe’s experience.

  Nevertheless, she was good as new. After two days of bed rest—she was ready to get back to work. Her foot still throbbed and tingled, but other than that, she was fine.

  “Everything okay?” he asked.

  That was code for, “Any more close encounters of the creepiest kind?” He’d met her at the door this morning and walked her in, knowing she was going to be slightly apprehensive.

  Little did he know, the scorpions were no longer foremost in her thoughts.

  He was.

  “I’m fine, Jack. Really. Stop worrying,” she said, even though she hoped he never stopped worrying about her.

  “It’s looking good in here,” he commented, loosening his tie. The action made her pulse race.

  “Now that I’m back to work, things will move quickly.”

  He watched her for a moment, saying nothing, his expression enigmatic. Chloe wasn’t sure why, but she had the feeling he wanted to say something. “I’ll be in my room if you need me. Just holler.”

  That was kind of abrupt. Chloe chalked it up to work pressure. Jack must have a million things to do after working from home so much. Surely, he’s swamped.

  Your country's 500th anniversary to plan, your wedding to arrange, your wife to murder and Guilder to frame for it. You are swamped.

  Chloe smiled at the memory of the first time she’d met Jack. Quoting The Princess Bride was a sure way to a girl’s heart. He’d definitely snuck his way into her heart. How had that happened so quickly? She wasn’t sure, but she was thankful for this unexpected turn in her life.

  A little thrill of anticipation washed over her.

  It was later that evening when Jack entered the room again, clothed once more in his perfect fitting jeans. Thankfully the man knew how to wear his jeans—with no saggy butt or boxers showing.

  He held up a large flashlight. “Wanna go on a hunt with me?”

  “I’m sorry, you got me with that one. I don’t know that movie.”

  “That’s because it’s not a movie. I’m serious. I want you to go hunting with me.”

  “Hunting?”

  “Yep, for public enemy number one. This, my dear, is no ordinary flashlight. It encases a black light bulb. They make scorpions light up like a neon sign. From here on out, I plan to search the house on a nightly basis for the little suckers.” He grinned boyishly and Chloe couldn’t resist him.

  “All right. Let’s go hunting.”

  Chloe noted Jack wore sturdy hiking boots, not his usual flip-flops. He was prepared. He held out his hand and she walked towards him until their hands clasped together tightly. “Is this your idea of a date, mister?”

  “Yep. Don’t tell my sisters, they’ll burn me at the stake. But it’s kind of exciting, don’t you think?”

  “Define exciting,” she said as Jack turned off the lights and held up the black light. They began to walk slowly through the house, eyes peeled. Chloe stayed close to Jack, her body pressed against his.

  “My heart is racing. That’s definition enough for me,” he said with a laugh.

  Hers was too. But not for the reason he thought.

  They found three scorpions in the house. One in the kitchen, one in the living room, and one on the stairs.

  “He was on his way up to visit you, Jack.”

  Jack smashed them all into smithereens.

  The house was pitch black as they made their way back down the stairs, the glow of the black light making the room eerie. Or maybe romantic, depending on your point of view. Chloe held on a little tighter to Jack’s hand.

  “Smile,” Jack said, facing her.

  “What?”

  “Smile for me.”

  She did and he chuckled. “The black light makes your teeth glow,” he said.

  “Yours too, buddy,” she said and they stood there smiling at each other for a moment too long. Chloe knew the moment something changed. The air around them literally felt as though it held a static charge. Jack’s smile slowly died and he took a step closer, their bodies almost touching. Suddenly the black light felt highly romantic. He said nothing as his eyes searched her face. The tickle of his sweet breath on her cheeks made her breathing quicken and the whiff of his aftershave made her stomach tighten. It felt like several minutes went by, when in fact it was only seconds.

  All at once, Jack’s eyes lowered to the ground and he backed away from her, unclasped their hands, and quickly turned on the lights.

  “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll skip dinner tonight. I need to catch up on some sleep,” he said rather brusquely, avoiding her eyes. “Feel free to work as late as you’d like.” With that, he went up the stairs, leaving her wondering what had just happened between them. His bedroom door closed, shutting her out.

  One thing she knew for sure. She’d just been rebuffed.

  And it hurt.

  ≈

  “Hey, I’m done for the night. Can I help paint?”

  “You bet,” Chloe answered. While she’d tossed and turned last night, wondering why Jack had pulled away from her so abruptly, he acted as though nothing was wrong today. So she went with it. Maybe he’d just been really tired. That had to be it. He’d been taking care of her and hardly thinking of himself, after all.

  The texture had been applied on all the bedroom walls. Hence, she was painting today. Jack grabbed a roller and began to paint.

  “How’s the foot?” he asked as they rolled.

  “Still a bit numb and tingly, but I think I’ll live.”

  “I’ve never been bit by a bug, or at least a venomous one, but I was bit by a dog once.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep. I went to a friend’s house. The front door was wide open. They were expecting me, so I walked on in. Their German Shepherd, however, wasn’t expecting me and he attacked. My natural reaction was to cover my face and he bit me on the arm. Hurt like heck. I still have a scar from it. See, it’s right here.” Jack held up his arm, pointing to the spot, and she moved close to study it.

  “Aw, that’s horrible.” Chloe
leaned in and kissed his scar. “All better,” she said, smiling up at him.

  He didn’t smile back. His eyes drilled into her with so much fiery intensity, she took a step back. He followed and stepped closer.

  “Jack?” she whispered, when he did nothing but look at her with…what? Was that anger in his features? She wasn’t sure. At first she thought he was going to kiss her, but then something changed and she sensed something else altogether from him. She couldn’t place the emotion, she only knew that she didn’t understand it. This wasn’t the cheerful Jack she knew and loved.

  He turned abruptly and placed the roller in its tray. “I’d better get our dinner. It’s getting late,” he said and he left. Just like that.

  When he arrived home, he placed the to-go sack in the room and, without ever once glancing her way, he said, “You’re still busy painting, I see. I’ll just leave this here for you and you can eat when you’re ready.” There was no time to respond. He turned and closed himself in his room just as he’d done the night before.

  Chloe continued to paint, ignoring the food, her thoughts in turmoil. Several things became clear in her mind. She and Jack had become friends and consoled each other during a tough time in their lives. Jack had a compassionate side and had no problem listening to her grief. He employed her to work on his home, probably somewhat impulsively, knowing it would take her mind off her woes. He appreciated her style in decorating a house, but he also knew she needed something to do. Was it a mercy hire?

  He liked her, she knew he did.

  Perhaps that’s where it ended though, and he was quickly realizing that he didn’t feel anything more for her. Not enough to kiss her anyway. He was tempted, but then changed his mind both times, as if he was fighting a raging war inside his mind.

  If he wasn’t feeling it, then he wasn’t feeling it. There wasn’t much she could do about it.

  Feeling rejected, Chloe quit painting for the night. All she felt like doing was going home and licking her wounds. Her feelings for Jack had grown, much more than she’d realized. He held a place of prominence in her heart and without him, she felt a little lost.

  The more she thought about it, the more she realized nothing had really happened between them. But she knew that they’d had a…moment—two of them, in fact—and she knew that he knew it too. How could he not?

  By morning, Chloe knew what she had to do. It was time to separate herself from Jack. He had purposely sought her out, intent on helping her through a hard time. She appreciated it. He’d changed her in ways no one else had been able to do. However, her emotions had gotten the best of her, and she’d begun to fall for him. It was obvious he only wanted friendship and Chloe didn’t feel she could comply. It was time to back off. She didn’t need any more heartbreak in her life. It was just too much. The problem she now faced was that she was working for Jack, and seeing him every day because of it. What to do?

  She had to follow through with the job. Quitting was out of the question and highly unprofessional.

  As a compromise, Chloe decided to go in late and return home early. That way, she’d never run into Jack. Better to avoid and evade than to ruin their friendship because of unrequited love. It wasn’t as if she was so invested in their relationship that she couldn’t recover. The early sensations of falling in love had just begun to quiver through her senses. It was time to put a stop to it before it grew to monumental proportions and she made a fool of herself.

  Bam. Decision made.

  Chloe showed up at the house the next day long after Jack left for work. She sent him a text.

  Sorry late today. I carried a watermelon.

  A little humor couldn’t hurt, right? She wondered if he would understand her message or think she’d lost it. He responded right away.

  Dirty Dancing. See you tonight.

  Chloe laughed out loud, her smile fading when a pang of yearning hit her in the chest. Jack always got movie quotes. Every time.

  She left before Jack arrived home from work. This time her text said:

  Have to go. Something suddenly came up.

  His response came a minute later.

  Brady Bunch. Will miss you.

  She couldn’t stump him when it came to movie or TV quotes. She didn’t think he’d get that one. Chloe felt restless that evening. Then realization hit that she’d seen Jack every single day since he’d taken her out for breakfast on that very first day they’d officially met. He’d never once left her alone to wallow in misery. Now she could see that his efforts had most definitely been intentional. He’d obviously sensed her inner turmoil and had been concerned about her. Maybe he hired her just so he could watch out for her and cheer her up. His plan had certainly worked. While she was far from healed, Jack had indeed brought happiness into her life. He’d given her the strength she needed to press forward. It was comforting to know he was beside her, supporting her, listening to her, and understanding her. It had been just what she needed.

  So simple, yet so profound.

  Chloe didn’t text Jack the next day. It was time to wean herself from him. Painful, but necessary for her emotional health. When it was clear she wasn’t going to be there before he left for work, he called and she ignored it. Then she received a text that said:

  Miss you and I mean it. Would you like a peanut?

  She responded, only because if she didn’t, she wasn’t sure what he’d do. Hunt her down? He was a persistent little guy, no doubt about that.

  Too easy. Princess Bride.

  When she arrived at his house, there was a bag of peanuts next to her supplies. The sight made her laugh out loud.

  He certainly wasn’t going to make this separation easy. Chloe was already longing for a simple glimpse of him. She missed his handsome face. How would that be for a text? I MISS YOUR FACE. That ought to scare him away for good.

  Mostly she missed the elusive comfort he bestowed upon her grieving spirit. Jack had been the only person to assuage her grief. Without him, she felt herself begin to plummet. She finished painting Jack’s master bedroom, his en suite bathroom, and the upstairs hallway that day. The work provided the distraction she needed. Once home, she took a nosedive and headed straight for The Room. Memories of her precious Christopher surrounded her and comforted her. The sweetness she felt there wrapped her in its cocoon and she finally let the tears fall.

  Only this time her tears were for Jack.

  The doorbell rang and she ignored it. When it rang twice more, she silently padded downstairs without turning on any lights, knowing it would be Jack. She’d parked her car in the garage, hence he had no way of knowing if she was really home or not. Chloe watched him through the peephole. He rang the doorbell once more and stood very still as he awaited an answer. He was still in his business attire, looking stiff and formal. He sat in his jeep, parked in front of her house for half an hour, awaiting her return home. Chloe peeked through a crack of the blinds and watched him as silent tears rolled down her face.

  Friendship with Jack wasn’t enough for her. It was all or nothing. But the nothing was killing her.

  He’d give up soon. Slowly, she’d disappear from his thoughts—and he’d probably feel relieved. Surely he must be tired of carrying her on his back. He was probably worried about letting her down easy. Chloe wasn’t sure how to reassure him and let him know she was fine without him.

  Because she wasn’t.

  Her phone came to life, letting her know she had a text.

  Sent you letters every day for a year. No response. Where R U?

  In her reply, she blatantly lied.

  Sorry. Out with friend. The Notebook.

  Short, sweet, and to the point. Jack sure knew his chick flicks. Poor guy. Growing up with four sisters had to be tough. Instead of making him effeminate, it had made him all that much more masculine, as if he’d drawn an imaginary line between himself and his sisters and said, “You are woman, I am man. Do not cross this line.”

  His experience made him darn close to
the perfect man, however. He understood women—a feat of unparalleled proportions.

  Chloe cried herself to sleep that night. Separating herself from Jack was much harder than she’d ever imagined. Good thing she’d decided to get out now. It would’ve only become harder as time went on.

  Day three of the enforced division didn’t go well. Jack called her five times during the morning hours. It took great restraint to not pick up the phone. At lunch, she listened to her messages. They went from casual and light to serious and upset.

  The first one said, “Hey, Chloe. Missed you at breakfast this morning. Give me a call when you get a chance.”

  The last one said, “Chloe, it’s Jack. Please call me right away. It’s important.”

  She didn’t call him back. Instead she sent him a hope-this-satisfies-you text.

  So much time and so little to do. Wait, strike that, reverse it.

  His reply was simple.

  Willy Wonka.

  But he didn’t call again.

  At least until that evening. Chloe had eleven missed calls by ten at night and she was beginning to feel guilty. Jack didn’t deserve this treatment. He’d been nothing but kind to her. Why did he insist on pursuing her when he clearly wasn’t interested in more? Did their friendship mean that much to him? Perhaps she’d underestimated him. He left only one message. In it, he sounded tired and hesitant, most unlike cheerful Jack.

  “Hi Chloe, it’s Jack. I hope everything is…okay. I…uh…am worried about you. Would you please call me? I need to talk to you.” There was a long pause. “Please.” The sound of his breath as he breathed into the phone resonated over the airwaves before he hung up. Chloe closed her eyes and imagined his breath on her face.

  Her doorbell rang at eleven at night. She didn’t get out of bed or even check to see who it was. Although she knew. Of course she knew. Instead she curled into a ball and cried her heart out. She missed him.

  Chloe approached Jack’s house the next morning slowly and cautiously. When she confirmed that Jack’s jeep was nowhere in sight, then and only then did she relax.