“How’s your dinner,” Jake leans over and whispers in my ear.
“Amazing,” I smile. “Yours?”
“Can’t go wrong with steak,” he smiles. “Enjoying yourself?”
“Yes,” I take a drink of my champagne.
“Good, because after dinner we are going to dance,” he smiles. “And we have some raffle stuff to check out,” he points to about ten tables that are full of stuff.
“Is that how they raise money?”
“Some of it yes,” he looks at me. “There is usually a lot of good stuff on those tables.” I smile at him. He is so cute when he gets excited about something.
“Something that you are looking to find over there?”
“Nothing specific, but I'm sure we will find something good.” He finishes his dinner and waits for me to get done. We sit there for about another half hour before we go start looking around. He was right there is a lot of really nice stuff that is donated from area businesses. There are a couple things that catch my eye, but he seems to have found something that he really likes. I walk up next to him and look at the table. There is what looks to be a wedding package on the table. “What do you think?” He looks at me and smiles.
“Come on Jake,” I laugh. “You know this is not something we should be looking at. People will start talking and we don’t need that.”
“Let them talk,” he puts his arm around my waist and pulls me closer. “I keep telling you that I am going to marry you.”
“Yes, I know, but I think we should maybe move in together for a while first.” He shakes his head and smiles. “What?”
“Moving in with you is not going to change anything for me Jo. You could be the worst roommate ever and I would still want to marry you.”
“I know, but I would feel better us at least living together for a while before we decide to get married Jake. Not just so the rumors don’t start, but for the girls.”
“I know,” he smiles. “So see anything that you like?”
“It’s all nice, but nothing I would need.”
“Ok, I will pick a couple then.” He smiles and walks over to the counter. I'm assuming that these raffles are not cheap because most of the stuff is top of the line. I am looking at a package sitting there when Lisa walks up next to me.
“Find anything you like?”
“No, Jake found some though I think,” I nod toward him.
“I saw him eyeing up that wedding package,” she smiles.
“Oh yeah, he asked me about it. I told him I think we should be together a little longer before we think about that.”
“You know he isn’t going to change his mind on that right?” She smiles at me.
“I'm sure he isn’t. I'm not going to either; I will marry him, just not right now. I think that would just be fuel to the fire for all the rumors flying around about us right now.”
“You need to stop worrying about the rumors Jo. You know there is a reason that he pays Joan so well. She deals with that stuff and keeps it at a decent level. You don’t hear rumors about most of these guys unless they want them heard.”
“Except for when we started dating.”
“Well that was his fault, he didn’t tell Joan about you guys and if he would have she would have been able to stop that before it happened.” I just stand there looking at her. “I mean it; I don’t think anything could make you two look bad together at this point.”
“Hey, ready to do some dancing?” Mark walks up to us.
“Sure am,” Lisa smiles. I look toward Jake and he is talking to the lady at the raffle desk about something. She is smiling at him and handing him some paper. I'm guessing they are the bids that he just put in for the stuff he wants. Lisa and Mark walk away as he walks back toward me.
“Put your bids in?”
“Yes I did, hopefully I get something good,” he smiles and grabs my hand after he puts the piece of paper in his pocket. “The band should be starting soon want to go get a good spot?”
“Sure.” I follow him across the room and we walk toward Mark and Lisa and two other couples that were sitting at our table. “I am going to run to the bathroom quick,” I say to him.
“Ok,” he smiles. I go toward the bathroom and grab my phone out of my clutch. I have a text from Annie.
How’s it going??
Going good, dinner was amazing, now waiting for the band to start.
I so wish I was you right now! I'm totally jealous! Have fun call me tomorrow when you get up
I smile. I love that girl. I don’t know what I would do without her. About ten minutes later I am walking back up to where Jake is standing. The band has started and there are a bunch of people out on the dance floor.
“How late you want to stay?” Jake puts his arm around my waist.
“Not sure. What were you thinking?”
“I told you at Mark’s that this was going to be a long night of me wanting to get you home,” he smiles and looks down at me. “I think we should wait until the raffles are done though. They usually wrap up about 9:00.”
“I'm fine with that. It is about 8:20 now.”
“Works for me,” he kisses my cheek. We talk to a few more people than the four of us take some pictures then Mark and Lisa do some and Jake and I do some as well. He is all excited to get one to hang up in the new house. We are just standing there talking when a slow song comes on and a bunch of people go to the dance floor. Jake looks at me, “dance with me?”
“Of course,” I smile at him. We walk out to the dance floor and I put my arms around his neck.
“You look amazing tonight,” he smiles at me.
“So do you,” I smile back. “I especially like this new tie,” I smile.
“Some pretty girl got it for me.” I can see how relaxed and happy he is right now. He pulls me close and we dance for two songs. The band takes a break and then the ladies that were running the raffle take the stage. They start to announce the winners of them. I watch as people go up to claim their prizes. I don’t pay much attention to what they are until I hear Jake’s name announced.
“What did he win?” I look at Lisa as Jake walks up to get a piece of paper.
She smiles, “I'm pretty sure he won the wedding package,” she laughs. I look at him with my mouth open as he walks back toward me. I see guys smiling and shaking his hand. He hands me an envelope when he gets back by me.
“Here, do with it whatever you want to,” he looks at me and smiles. I don’t say anything but open it and look what is inside. I can read it right now it is too dark.
“What is it?”
“The one you didn’t want me to get.”
“I thought we agreed it was too soon to think about that Jake.”
“It’s good for two years Jo. It doesn’t have to be soon.” I just look at him in shock. What did he want me to do with this? I don’t even know what it consists of. I didn’t really pay that close of attention to what it was. He turns and watches the rest of the guys get stuff. Mark won a trip to Colorado Springs for four. He seems extremely excited for that.
“Hope you two want to get away for a few days,” he smiles and says to me when he gets back. I don’t say anything just smile. Jake puts his arm around me and pulls me close as they announce the last one.
“Are you ready to get out of here?” He whispers to me.
“How are Mark and Lisa getting home if we leave now?”
“The limo will come back and get them, or a different one will take them home.”
“Ok,” I say. I turn to Lisa, “I guess we are going to go,” I give her and Mark both a hug. Jake says his goodbyes as I follow along. We are standing waiting for the limo and he pulls me close to him.
“I'm sorry,” he looks down at me.
“For what?”
“Getting that,” he points to the envelope in my hand. “I just got excited when I saw it.” I shake my head and smile at him.
“Your limo is ready,” he guy standing in front of us says
before he opens the door. I look out and see that there are still a lot of people there to take pictures. I follow close to Jake. I can hear people yelling things this time but we don’t stop. The limo door is being held open for us and he gets out of the way so I can get in first. He turns and waves to everyone then crawls in behind me. I move over a little bit so he can get in, but he grabs me as soon as the door is shut and pulls me up to him.
“I have wanted to kiss you all night,” he pulls my face to him and kisses me a deep passionate kiss. He doesn’t stop and I feel his hand coming up my side and all of my senses are awake.
“Jake,” I pull away from him. “We are in the back of a limo,” I laugh.
“So what? The driver can’t see us,” he smiles and kisses my neck. “I told you this was going to be a long night. I have wanted to kiss you and hold you close all night and I haven’t been able to.”
“I'm pretty sure you can control yourself until we get back to your house,” I smile.
“Fine,” he pulls me close to him and stops kissing me but doesn’t let go. I just sit there with his arms around me and my head on his chest until we get back to his place.
Chapter Twenty-Five
I walk into the house and turn on the light in the living room. I notice that there are no lights on so I assume that Molly isn’t here. I look out at Jake and he is paying the limo driver a tip I assume. I set my purse down on the table next to the door and look at the envelope. I walk over to the chair that is by the fireplace and sit down. I pull the paper out of the envelope and read it. The stuff that he won is amazing. There is a certificate for a bridal gown up to $8000, plus bridesmaid’s dresses up to a total of $10000 for however many we would need. There a few different options for where to get married and what kind of package for a reception. I just sit there staring at it. I hear him shut the door. “I assume you are little upset with me about that?” He says as he locks the door
“Jake how much did you spend on this?”
“Not that much. Not nearly as much as it is worth.”
“Why did you get it?”
“Because I told you, I plan on marrying you, and since this is good for two years, we have some time.”
I just watch him as he walks toward me. I don’t know what to think. I know he wants to get married eventually but I feel like this puts a little pressure on me to make a choice. “What if that is still too soon for me?”
“Two years doesn’t give you enough time?” He sits down on the couch.
“I don’t know Jake, I mean we haven’t even been together a month and you are already telling me that you want to marry me.”
“Because like I told you I have not felt like this about anyone. I love this feeling that I have when I am with you so why would I want to let that go?” He stands up and comes over and kneels in front of me and grabs my hands. “Jo, I know you are hesitant about this but I'm not at all. I love you and that will never change. I want this to last forever; I want to be with you and the girls forever.” I just sit there looking at him. “Its fine if we don’t use it, the money went to charity anyways,” he stands back up and walks to the kitchen. I just sit there looking at the things I took out of the envelope. I set them on the table next to me and go upstairs to his room. I am in the bathroom taking out the pins in my hair when I hear him walk into the bedroom. I already took my dress of and put my pajamas on and washed my face. I am finishing getting the last pins out when I hear his phone ring.
“Hello?” He says. “Hey mom.” I see him sit on the bed facing the window. “No, as far as I know Joan has the lid on anything that she says.” He stands back up and walks to the window. “Of course she is. She likes trying to make my life miserable.” He just stands there looking out the window. I walk out and get into bed. “Yeah, well Joan will let me know if anything gets past her, but she is damn good and stopping shit like that.” He turns and looks at me. “Yeah, I will let you know, but like I said I don’t think it will,” he walks out of the room. Once again I have pissed him off. I roll over and close my eyes and hope that he can understand where I am coming from in this situation.
~~~~~
I wake up and see that Jake is not in bed. He has either gotten up early and gone for a run, or he never came to bed last night. I grab my phone and see that my mom sent me a text asking when I was coming to get the girls. I don’t have a car here. I dial her number.
“Good morning sweetheart,” she answers.
“Hey mom,” I sit up in bed. “Could you drop the girls off here? I don’t have a car here.”
“Can’t Jake come get them?”
“I'm not sure where he is right now. He had some stuff to take care of this morning.”
“Sure, I can bring them over. Just let me get them ready and I will head that way.”
“Ok, thanks mom,” I hang up. I get out of bed and look out the window. I see that Ryan’s car is parked outside and assume that he and Molly got back this morning sometime. I grab some clothes out of my bag and go into the bathroom. I take a quick shower and get dressed then head downstairs. I see Ryan and Molly headed for the door. “Where are you sneaking off to?” I say.
“No place special,” Ryan smiles. “I have to help your brother for a little bit this morning then Molly and I are going to take a ride up to my parent’s place.”
“Meeting the parents?” I smile at her.
“Yes, I'm a little nervous,” she laughs.
“Oh you don’t need to be nervous, his parents are awesome,” I smile. “Have you seen Jake?”
“Last I saw him he was running down the driveway for his daily jog.” Molly smiles at me. “How was the ball last night?”
“It was good, a lot of fun.”
“Did he like your dress?”
“Yeah, he did,” I smile. I don’t dare tell her that I have no idea if he slept in the same bed as me last night. “Well you guys have fun, I'm going to get some breakfast.”
“Ok, see you later,” Molly smiles as they head out the door. I walk into the kitchen and turn on the TV and grab a bagel and drop it in the toaster.
“Well it seems that the Jackson Adams has himself another new girlfriend. He has been lighting up the airways with Detective Jodene Lewis, but this new picture that we have gotten does not appear to be her. He was seen with this new girl in Denver last Sunday. We are not sure who she is, but they seem to be deep in conversation in the pictures that we have gotten.”
I look at the TV and see Jake with his hand on this mystery girls arm and they are having a very intense conversation. I can’t believe what I am seeing. I hear the front door open and push the pause button.
“Hey,” he says as he walks over to the bar and grabs a bottle of water. I don’t say anything. I just stand there looking at him. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know why don’t you take a look at this news report and tell me what you think?” I put the remote on the counter and walk out of the kitchen. I don’t stop I head for the door and walk outside and down the driveway. My mom should be here soon and if I get out of the gate he won’t even know she was here to pick me up. I assume that he knew about the report since he has not followed me. I am just about to the gate when I hear him yell my name. I don’t turn around I just push the button for the gate to open and walk out. I can see my mom’s van coming down the road. She slows down and I get in.
“What’s going on?” She asks when I close the door.
“Please take me home,” is all I can say. I see Jake make it to the gate as my mom drives past. We ride to my house in silence. She pulls into the driveway and I get out and open the garage and the girls go in the house.
“Jo, what’s wrong?” My mom asks when we are alone.
“He lied to me,” is all that I can say.
“About what?”
“He apparently was with some girl out in Denver; it was on the news this morning. There was even a picture on the news.” I lean up against my car in the garage. My phone starts ringing and I look
at it and it is Jake.
“Are you going to answer that?”
“No,” I set it down on the back of my car. “Why would he lie to me?”
“Maybe it is a misunderstanding Jo.”
“No, I don’t think so, he seemed like he knew her.”
“Maybe she is just a friend.”
“One that meets him in Denver mom? It’s a little fishy.”
“I think you should listen to his side of the story Jo,” my mom rubs my arm.
“I don’t think I can. He lied to me about it and you know how I am when it comes to trusting people.”
“Jo, I think you might be overreacting,” she says to me.
“Or I just don’t want to go through being lied to mom. I told him that is one thing I can’t handle, and he just did it to me,” my phone starts ringing again, and again it is Jake. I again don’t answer it.
“Do you want me to take the girls again today?”
“No mom, I need to spend some time with them. I think we are going to go up to the zoo and get out of the house for a while.”
“Running from it isn’t going to get you anywhere Jo.”
“I'm not running from it mom, I just found out that he is lying to me about another girl. I think I am entitled to have some time alone.”
“Ok, but I think you should hear his side before you overreact too much,” she turns and walks back to her van. “Call me if you need anything,” she gets into her van and backs out of the driveway. I walk into the house and find the girls.
Unexpected Love (Jo's Story) Page 47