“Yes, I think I would. Let me tell the driver he can go.”
Walking back to the car, he spoke to the driver then returned to the front door where Bella was waiting. The alarm wasn't set — Jackie must have left it off knowing she was on her way back. Bella heard barking as Primrose ran to greet her at the door.
“Primmy! Have you been guarding the house? “ Bella asked the dog, who upon seeing Jack threw herself at him, with little yips of “pet me, pet me” coming from her, while her bottom wriggled a mile a minute.
“You have a Corgi?” Jack said, looking down at Primrose.
“Yes, this is Primrose, she’s three.”
“I have a Corgi. Named Daisy. She’s six.”
“That’s crazy - what are the odds? Primrose thinks she’s a ferocious guard dog, but she’s more likely to lick someone to death than attack.”
“You know what they say about Corgis?”
“Big dogs in a little dog body” they said in unison, then burst into laughter.
“Helloooo darling, is that you?” came a voice from down the hall.
“Jackie! “I didn’t know you were still here; you didn’t have to stay” said Bella.
“I was just leaving when I heard you pull up.” Jackie walked into the foyer and came to a halt when she saw Jack.
“Bella. Are you going to introduce me to your ‘friend’” she said with unmistakable emphasis.
“Oh, Jackie, this is Captain Jack Calloway, he escorted me home after everyone decided they wanted to go to some nightclub downtown.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Captain. An officer and a gentleman, I didn’t know they made those anymore.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Jackie.”
Nobody moved.
“Well, I should get going, Steve will wonder where I am. I will call you tomorrow, Bella.”
Bella held the door open. Jackie paused as she passed, leaning in close, “Captain Cutie Pants - more like Captain Hottie Pants. See if you can turn him into Captain No Pants.”
Bella practically pushed Jackie out the door, hearing her laughter as she went down the walk to her car. Bella pointed Jack to the powder room, set her purse down and headed to the bar area in the living room. Pouring a glass of prosecco from one of the small single serve bottles she kept for herself, she waited for Jack’s return so she could get him something, not sure what he’d want.
Jack looked around as he came into the living room, taking note of the decor - it was comfortable yet stylish, with pops of color coming from the artwork on the walls and decorativepottery and knick-knacks placed here and there. A large tv was hung over the fireplace, and he noted the gold records that covered one wall.Must be Jasper’s.
“So,” she said, turning to Jack, “Nightcap or coffee?”
“I’ll take a scotch if you have it, neat please.”
Bella prided herself on keeping a well-stocked bar, with a good variety for guests. She knew just which one to give him. Reaching for a crystal tumbler, she poured out two fingers’ worth, then carried both glasses over to join him on the sofa. Taking the glass from Bella, Jack brought the glass to his lips and caught the scent of the scotch - smoky and complex - and he knew immediately she’d given him his scotch of choice, Laphroaig.She remembered from the Taylor Swift concert,he thought.
He gave her a knowing look over the top of his glass as he took a drink, and she knew she’d made the right choice. Bella took a small sip of her prosecco and hiccupped -Dammit!
“I am so sorry, carbonated drinks always make me hiccup on the first sip” she said, embarrassed.
“I’ve heard so much worse - don’t forget I’m Navy, it’s nothing.”
At that moment Primrose came trotting over, with a piece of rope as thick and long as she was, her nubby tail wagging, and stared at Jack.
“Oh, she likes you - she wants to play rope toy with you.”
“Rope Toy?”
