“Are you sure it will be okay?”
“Yes, it’s more than okay. Please. I want you here.”
Bella’s eyes sparkled. “There’s no place else I’d rather be right now. Happy New Year, Jack. I think 2027 is going to be a good one.”
Chapter 19
January and February passed by in a rhythm that felt both new and completely natural to Jack and Bella. Jack’s schedule was really ramping up now, and with the girls' school schedule, it was easier for Bella to spend weekends at his place, so every other weekend she and Primrose made the drive from Dallas to Houston, leaving early on Friday mornings so she didn’t get stuck in traffic.
They had a lovely dinner at The Capitol Grille in Houston on Valentine’s Day, and shortly thereafter Sloane declared it was‘dumb’for Bella and Primrose to pay for a hotel room when she spent most of her time at their house, and with that settled, Bella started staying at their house, although always in the guest room. Jack had managed to get away for a few nights here and there, and it was at that those times he would come to Dallas, the girls staying the night with friends, so Bella and Jack still had their alone time, something they both eagerly looked forward to.
One night, as they FaceTimed before bed, Jack mentioned that it was interesting that they hadn’t had any arguments or real disagreements. He put that down to Bella’s easygoing nature, which caused Bella to break into peals of laughter.
“What’s so funny?”
“You saying I’m easygoing. If you had known me when I was younger you wouldnotbe saying that.”
“Really, did you have a bit of a temper Ms. Genovese?”
“Jasper used to call me ‘Volcano.’ What does that tell you?”
“Remind me to never do anything to make you erupt, well, at least not in that way if you get my drift.” Jack hesitated, then asked, “Do you miss Jasper?”
Bella thought carefully for a moment before replying, “Of course I do. Just as I’m sure you miss Susan. We both planned to spend our lives with them, and those lives were taken from us. It’s only natural to miss them, but that doesn’t take away from what we have.”
“What do we have?,” he asked.
“What do you think? I assume we are dating exclusively. I've never asked, but I know I'm not interested in seeing anyone else." Bella waited for his reply.
"Bella, I'm fifty years old. I don't want to date around, swipe right, or whatever people do on those dating apps. I want to be with someone kind, smart and funny — someone with a good heart who knows the value of family and hard work, someone who understands the importance of what I do and doesn't resent the time it requires. I think I've found that person in you." He paused. "It helps that you're sexy as hell too."
He paused again, a slow smile crossing his face. "And I'm not going to do anything to mess that up. So yes — we are exclusive."
“That makes me really happy.”
“Good, and now that we’re feet dry and confirmed exclusive, my rules of engagement have changed. You’re my HVT now. If I see some guy trying to orbit your position or paint you for alock, he’s not just a nuisance — he’s a Leaker who’s breached my defensive perimeter.
“What?”
“The thought of some other guy around you brings out the pilot in me. I can’t help it”
“I have no idea what any of that means, but it’s extremely hot. You’re pretty sexy for a nerdy astronaut.”
“Never forget I was a fighter pilot first - with multiple combat missions.”
“I could never.”
Finishing up their call with plans of seeing each other as soon as schedules allowed, Bella finally turned the lights off and snuggled up to Primrose.
Ha! I have a boyfriend. Who would’ve thought?and drifted off to sleep, smiling into the dark.
The next morning Bella went into the office, with a smile still on her face, from last night’s call with Jack.It felt so right, on all levels.I deserve this, she thought to herself.
“Good morning Bella - you’re not going to believe this!”
“Hey, Jerome, you're early. What am I not going to believe? Did you finally get a moon rock? - because no, I really won’t believe it!”
“No, we’ve had an interview request from Scientific American!”
