After pulling her hair into a sleek ponytail, applying tinted sunscreen, brow gel, and mascara, she fastened the necklace she'd bought to celebrate the NASA contract: a white-gold medallion of Selene, the mission mascot, dotted with tiny diamonds representing stars.
She grabbed her Gucci messenger bag and headed out.
It was a rare late morning at home for Jack.
Normally he was at NASA by 0500, but today his first briefing wasn't until 0900.
The Bella Pelle products had been a huge hit with Sloane and Piper.
They'd practically tackled each other to claim the creams, lotions, and lip products. Sloane had immediately grabbed one of the unreleased Carrie's Color Crayons.
Apparently, her friends would be "way jelly."
Jack smiled at the memory.
Maybe he'd done something right.
He made a mental note to thank Isabella Genovese.
She'd been a pleasant surprise.
And if he was being honest with himself, he was looking forward to seeing her again.
A few hours later, Bella pulled into the NASA parking lot.
Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" came on the radio.
Naturally, she turned it up.
Singing at full volume and dancing in her seat, she completely failed to notice the man watching from the car parked beside her.
When the song ended, she stepped out.
"Good morning."
Bella jumped.
Jack Calloway leaned casually against a graphite-gray Porsche 911, aviator sunglasses reflecting the morning sun.
And there it was again.
That flutter.
"Please tell me you didn't see that."
"Busted."
Bella laughed.
"I'm sorry you had to witness that. Count yourself lucky you didn't have to hear it."
"No judgment here. I've been known to belt out a song or two myself. Are you a good singer?"
"Oh God, no. I'm terrible, but I love it."
Laughing together, they headed toward the building.
Jack held the door open for her.
