Richard had never been possessive. In fact, he had once suggested I make a move on a client to make him more inclined to choose us to market his new restaurant. I'd suggested that Richard make the move instead as I was already aware that the owner had a boyfriend. I wasn't entirely sure how I felt about Jackson's possessiveness over me: the girly part was again squealing; the sensible part, less so. However, although there had been a few looks and touches, there was nothing to make anyone other than the people who knew him notice. "It's nice he's like this with his dates."
She raised her eyebrows. "He isn't," Payton said. "He's usually fairly independent of them. There have only been two women he saw long term and they were more like close acquaintances in some ways and convenient. I haven't seen him so tactile before. You won't hurt him, will you?"
I choked back my laughter. The thought that I could hurt someone like Jackson Callaghan was farfetched, to say the least. "I don't know if we'll get to the position where either of us can hurt the other. We're both busy people and I've got a lot of baggage at the moment."
Payton smiled, almost knowingly. "Jackson has mentioned your ex and asked us to make sure he doesn't find out. We don't gossip about each other so your secret's safe with us. You're wrong though; the fact that you're both busy means you understand where the other's coming from. You might find that having to make that effort to see each other makes things work."
I sipped my drink, promising myself it would be the last one as I did need that early start tomorrow. "You might be right. I guess we'll see."
Jackson strolled over, hands in pockets. "Are you monopolizing Vanessa, Payts? I hope you're telling her only good things."
She shook her head. "No, telling her about that time when Geoffrey O'Brian caught you in his daughter's room so you headed out of her window, only to twist your ankle and then get chased by the dog."
"That was Callum," Jackson said. "Pippa O'Brian was never my type."
"Oh, you're right. I do beg your pardon. I'll have to think of some mishaps that were definitely yours." She winked at me and headed over to Seph who was sitting with Amelie and Maxwell.
Jackson smiled. "You want to head back to mine? I'm happy to make us coffee and we can just relax and chill out. Or, I understand if you have things to do – I have monopolized your weekend."
I twisted the stem of the glass in my hand and tried to think. "I have to be at work early in the morning. If I come to yours, will I end up staying?"
"I'd like you to. I have a busy week – I'm going to be in Manchester for at least two nights from Tuesday – so I'd like to make the most of tonight," he was sincere and honest, two qualities that were as attractive as his biceps and coffee-colored eyes.
"Okay. Do you have Netflix?"
"Isn't it illegal not to?"
I smiled. "Shall we head off then? It's been a really good afternoon. I like your family a lot."
"But you could do with some quiet time now? They're a lot to get used to. Wait until Dad's retirement. How many does the venue cater to?"
"Four hundred. I've seen the guest list already.Hello,Magazine will probably want an invite." It was true, the guest list was the who's who of London business with a couple of titled gentry in there too.
"We'll talk in the week about it but not today. I know it's family, but that event is definitely under the work category. As is the case against Richard regarding your company and the apartment. Leave that to me and Seph. I heard you talking to Claire about it," he moved a lock of hair out of the way and I stood up, leaning into him. We'd given up all pretense of trying not to look like a couple if that's what we were. The wine had made me feel woozy and the internal debate about Jackson and couples and relationships was pushed right to the back of my mind to be overanalyzed another time.
"I'll try," I said and brought his mouth down for a kiss.
"Get a room, you two," Maxwell's voice called out. "Jackson has a real thing about exhibitionism, Van. If you've seen those windows in his house..."
"To be fair, I think he has a point," I said quietly so only Jackson could hear.
We stepped over to Max. "We're going to head off. I've paid the bill," Jackson said. "Whatever bar tab Claire has racked up is up to her to sort, but I'm not expecting her in tomorrow morning. Her diary's clear anyway."
"I'll make sure she gets home okay," Max said, drinking what looked like carrot juice. "Was taking on this case a good idea?"
"It was her decision. That's enough shop talk. Say goodbye to everyone. If we try to do it, we'll be here until closing time." Jackson tapped his brother's arm, the affection evident.
Maxwell nodded. "Sure. I'll see you in the morning. Van, if you make sure he doesn't do any work tonight that will be the first weekend in about six years he hasn't been at his desk at some point. You been to the gym, Jacks?"
"Not needed to." He gave a shit-eating grin, eyes dancing, clearly hinting at what exercise he had been having.
I dug him hard in the ribs. "You're meant to protect my virtue!" I said laughing.
Max rolled his eyes. "Get lost, the pair of you, before Payton starts talking to you again."
We slipped away, heading towards the footpath next to Thames to take us back to Jackson's house. The water was still, just a gentle lapping half muffled by the tourists and runners and we walked in silence, simply holding hands.
"What do you want to watch on Netflix?" he asked as we drew closer to his home.
