“Yes, please.”
I lean toward him. “How do you have a local driver already?”
“The team’s travel department has been helping me whenever I have to travel. Raimo and Javier also offered to drive me around if I need something.”
A dark SUV pulls up in front of us in no time. Jabari opens the door for me, and I slide across the leather seats. I turn to say something, only he’s not right behind me. He’s speaking quietly to the driver. After a minute, he gets in and buckles his seat belt.
“What did you tell him?”
He flashes me a grin so quick—ah! he’s so gorgeous—that my stomach clenches automatically. Everything within me wants to close the gap between us and take matters into my own hands.
I mentally scoff. I don’t do that.Whathappened to taking it slow?Somehow, the train ride from DC to Jersey ramped up my feelings. It’s like I finally gave myself permission to feel everything and not be ashamed of liking Jabari Hall. I sit back and let out an exhale. Something tells me letting Jabari lead is best. My heart trusts whatever plan he’s concocting will work out for the both of us.Just bepatient.
Jabari leans his head against mine.
“Are you sleepy?” I run a hand over the top of his head.
“No,” he mumbles. “I have a headache that refuses to go away, no matter what.”
I frown. “Then why aren’t you in your room resting?” I don’t want to be out and about if he’s suffering.
“I can rest later. I’m not missing out on time with you.”
While I’m happy to hear that, I hate the thought of him hurting. “Did you notify the team doc?”
“No need.” He shifts, leaning more on me. “All he’s going to tell me is my headache is a residual effect from the trauma.”
“Or it could be something else.” I bite my lip and lower my voice. “Sort of like the eyesight issue.”
He stills.
Wasthat a bad thing to point out,Lord? Is hegoing to freeze me out?
Jabari slowly lets out a breath. “You have a point.”
“I just want you to be well.”
“I know. Thank you for caring.” He pauses. “You know, a year ago I would’ve never believed anyone if they told me I’d be wrapped around Val Elliott’s dainty little finger.”
I snort. “You can’t even see my finger.”
Jabari takes my hand and sizes it up next to his, then folds the tops of his digits down on mine. “But I can touch and feel your hand. It’s obviously dainty, Val.”
Well, when he holds it like that, itfeelsthat way too.
“I’ll talk to the doc when we go back,” he reassures me.
“Promise?” I ask.
Instead of answering, Jabari intertwines his pinky finger with mine, then places a soft kiss against my knuckle.
No more words are exchanged until the driver stops at our destination. I survey my surroundings, curious about our destination. Then I see a sign. I whirl around to look at Jabari.
“You brought me to a botanical garden?”
“It is springtime.”
He’s right. DC has been in full bloom with cherry blossoms all week. The gorgeous array of pinks has brought everyone outside to enjoy the views.
