Nicholas was nice, handsome and incredibly charming. If things didn't work out with Alex, she wasn't quite so sure that another date wouldn't be in order.
Chapter 12
Her alarm woke her the next day, which was a bit of a downer seeing that it was the weekend. With only two days to sleep in, she was annoyed she had lost one. Good thing she liked Alex’s brother, Mark. The e-mail from Alex late last night had been quick and informal: Pick Mark up for me? I'm tied up in the morning.
He better have meant tied up due to business and not something sexual with Annette. The thought caused her stomach to turn. She had to have resolution soon on things with him or she might go bat-shit crazy. It was starting to feel more and more probable. She had hoped it was all a bad dream and she’d wake in morning and have a laugh over it. Guess that wasn’t going to happen.
The drive to the airport went quick, and she found Mark standing with his bag just outside the departures pickup for his airline. She waved, and he smiled, getting in and slipping his bag between his legs in the front seat.
"I wasn't sure if you or Alex were coming, but if I was a betting man..."
"Right? It's far too early to get up on a weekend though. Next time I won’t pick you up unless you get a mid-day flight." She grinned, trying to sound grumpy but it wasn’t working very well.
"And miss lunch in New York? You crazy?" He chuckled and leaned back. "I love this place. It's so full of life."
"Then move here after the divorce is over. I'm sure there are plenty of job opportunities here." She glanced over at him and gave him a smile. He was a handsome guy with welcoming features and a great smile. Where he was cute, Alex was gorgeous. Some of the jealousy in their younger years had to come from that if nothing else.
"I might actually." He glanced out the window. "When is Alex going to be free?"
"Later this afternoon, I believe." She honked as someone pulled out in front of her, but stopped herself from yelling something highly inappropriate.
"No worries. If you're busy, then I can just hang out in the city and get a cab back to Alex's place. I really want a slice of pizza at the little Deli on Fifth Avenue."
"Oh, I love that place." She turned the radio down, trying to think through the agenda for the day. Realistically she didn’t have anything mandatory. "Do you want to walk around the shopping district and then grab lunch?"
"That works for me, but please don't let me take your day away from you. I know you’ve very little time off, or so I assume. My brother works himself into coma. I hope he doesn't expect that of you." Mark turned his attention onto her.
"Not really. I love my job. Your brother’s a good boss, very encouraging and has no trouble covering overtime." She grinned. Her version of overtime was probably different than Gina’s or Paul’s.
"Too bad he sucks ass as a boyfriend." He lifted his hand to point out to the left. "Right over there. I see a parking spot. I've got a bunch of quarters we can use."
"Excellent." Jamie pulled into the spot, and failed to comment on Alex's effectiveness as a boyfriend. He was an incredible lover, but sharing that with Mark felt a little too private. Hell, she wouldn't share that with Gina, or anyone else for that matter.
They got out and met up on the front side of the car as Mark pulled his light jacket off.
"Late spring, early summer is so fantastic here! Chilly enough to stay cool and yet warm enough to not have to bundle up." He breathed in deeply as a large smile lifted his lips. "Paula hates New York. She says it's too busy."
"She's right, but I love the craziness. You can get lost in the busy and eventually find yourself somewhere along the way. It's the right place for me." She pointed to a small coffee shop. "Let's stop there for a minute. I haven't had my caffeine fix for the day yet."
"That's a travesty. Let's get you a cup." Mark held the door as she walked in beside him.
Jamie breathed in deeply as memories of enjoying cups of overly creamed cups of coffee with her dad swept past her mind.
"My family never really got into coffee. I enjoy a good cup ever-so-often, but I'm glad I don't have an addiction to the stuff like some people do. Alex probably loves it." Mark moved up to the counter and tilted his head as if studying the menu.
"I adore it. I'm definitely one of the addicts." They chuckled and then Jamie ordered and moved to find a small two-seater table.
Mark brought the drinks over and sat across from her. "I should apologize."
The earnest look on his face gave her pause. "For what?"
"My brother was always really possessive over his girlfriends in high school. In the past, I tried hard not to be seen with them, or really interact too much at all. It just saved us a handful of fights and with a million other things to fight about, girls didn't need to be added to the list."