“I’m not in love with you, Mitch.” He deflated and felt devastated. Then she continued, “But I’m halfway there.”
His pulse leapt. “Same here. I can’t think of anything beyond you, Jess. You’re in my every thought.”
“If you treat me like them, I won’t survive this go-around. Too many betrayals.” Mitch bled for her, but Jess’s next words shocked him. He couldn’t have heard them right. “This time I might destroy the world.”
Mitch held Jess’s gaze. “I’ve got secrets that I am unable to share with you, too, Jess.”
“Then we’ll both keep them,” she said.
“You don’t want to know?” Mitch inquired, bemused.
“No. Why should I ask yours when I can’t tell you mine?” Jess shrugged.
“Fair enough, but will this work if we conceal things from each other?” Mitch wondered.
“Good question, and one I don’t have an answer for. We can try because this thing between us isn’t going away,” Jess admitted.
“And Leon?” Mitch asked.
“Mitch, I love Leon, but not in a sexual way. That’s just nasty.” Jess shuddered, and the expression of distaste on her face spoke volumes.
“Okay. But Ericks is an arrogant ass,” Mitch commented.
Jess laughed. “Yeah, Leon is.”
“I want to take you out tonight,” Mitch stated, and Jess smiled.
“Do I need to dress up?”
“Would you like to?”
“Not really.”
“Then, no, Jess, you don’t have to. Where can I pick you up?”
Jess smirked. “I’m staying at Diarmad’s hotel in town.”
Mitch chuckled. “I guess that’s suitable. Okay, we’ll go somewhere casual. Do you still have my number?”
Jess looked shamefaced. “No, it was too much temptation.”
“I know the feeling.” Mitch handed Jess a card. “Text me, and I’ll message back.”
Jess did as Mitch asked, and both their phones beeped.
“I’ll see you tonight,” Jess said a little shyly. Mitch smiled. He wanted to reach out and kiss her, but guessed it might be too soon. Jess left his office, and Mitch’s day suddenly looked much brighter.
Gargoyle
They were noisy this evening. It sounded like a fight between a father and son was happening, and Alexander was on the losing side.
“If Mitchum is telling the truth, he’ll blow us out of the water,” Alexander yelled at Alfred.
“Boy doesn’t have the brains for that,” Alfred scoffed.
“Mitchum created a multi-billion pound company from four paltry jewellery shops. I’d say he has the intelligence!” Alexander hissed.
Gargoyle snorted. Was he really hearing them discuss the death of their own flesh and blood? They were disgusting.
