“Yeah, been working late nights to get this project secured by the end of the year.”
I nod, remembering she told me about the thing with Townsend Industries.
“How’s that going?”
“Interesting,” she answers, but there’s something hidden in her response.
“Jackie, are you sure everything’s all right? How’s your mom doing?”
She sighs. “Honestly, she’s still the same. No better, but at least not worse. And work has been … interesting. I kind of reconnected with someone from high school.” Her voice lowers to a whisper.
“Who? A guy?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh, do tell.”
“I can’t.”
I pause in the middle of my kitchen. “Why not?”
She pushes out a breath. “It’s a long story. We’ll have to talk when there’s more time.”
I frown, but don’t push it. Jackie has often been cagey about certain aspects of her life. She lets you in when she wants to and not a minute before.
“Fine. I wanted to ask you about Neil anyway.”
“What about him?”
“What do you think of him? Is he a good man?” I hate the insecurity in my voice but have to ask. Jackie worked with him for years. She’d know and would be more objective than I am right now.
Losing my sister showed me how flawed my thinking can be when it comes to judging others. So many times, I thought Deirdre kicked her habit only to find out she’d been sneaking around behind my back. Friends and even family told me I was wrong to trust her, but I believed in her anyway.
“Neil McKenna? Yes, one of the best. Why’re you asking this all of a sudden?”
I part my lips to answer, but there’s a loud knock at my door.
My gaze shoots over to the time on the microwave. It’s precisely 5:30 on the dot. I smile.
“He’s a stickler for time,” I mumble as I stride toward the door. I pull it open, and my smile grows to find Neil standing there, taking up the entire span of my doorway. The leather coat he’s wearing hides most of his frame, but those sizzling eyes eat me up with one stare.
Before I can even say hello, his lips barrel down, covering mine, demanding that I take what he’s giving. His skin is cool to the touch, due to the chilly temperatures outside. But in no time flat, we’re both warming up thanks to the scorching kiss we share.
“Hello? Desiree? Are you still there?”
I gasp as I pull back. “Shoot,” I say, remembering I’m still on the phone with Jackie.
Neil slowly moves his gaze from my face to the phone in my left hand. With a twinkle in his eyes, he removes the phone from my hand and lifts it to his ear.
“Jackie?”
A beat of silence.
“It’s me. How’s Williamsport treating you?”
I can’t hear Jackie’s response, but Neil lets out a deep chuckle, his eyes still holding mine.
“Yeah, glad to hear it. Listen, Desiree’s going to be tied up the rest of the evening.” Again, he pauses before saying, “Will do.” He lowers the phone, pressing the End Call button before stepping fully into my apartment and shutting the door behind him.
