“We closed a big account today. One of my new guys, Marcel, crushed it.”
“That sounds great,” Jess said. “I’m sure he’s going to get a big raise, huh?”
“Probably.” His contribution the business was well deserving of a pay increase. And it would put a fire under the others on the sales team to catch up.
“I thought about going to Playland tomorrow to celebrate,” I said to Gina.
She sucked in a big breath. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” I said.
“Can Jess come?” she asked.
“Oh, um,” Jess stammered.
“Jess might have plans, honey,” I said then turned to Jess. “Though you’re invited if you don’t have anything to do.”
“She doesn’t have plans,” Gina said. “She told me.”
Jess chewed on her lower lip. “She’s right. But I don’t want to intrude.”
“You won’t be,” I said, touching her arm.
The feel of her soft skin under my fingers stirred something inside of me. I quickly moved it away and looked at Gina. She hadn’t noticed whatever spark had occurred between Jess and me.
“Then I’d love to come,” Jess said, still staring at her arm where my hand had been. She was clearly as affected by me as I was her.
That was a good thing. Knowing her feelings made my plan much easier to fulfill.
“Well, I should get going,” Jess said, gathering the swatches of fabric and layering them on top of each other.
“I’d offer to help, but I don’t want to mess anything up,” I said.
“That’s okay,” Jess said. “Gina and I dedicated this room to quilting, so we’re leaving it all here.”
“We don’t use this room anyway,” Gina said.
She was right. Whenever I had time to watch television with Gina, it was always on the big screen in the living room.
The doorbell rang, and Gina bolted out of the room shouting, “Pizza!”
I followed her out of the room before she could open the door.
After I had tipped the delivery guy, Gina took the pizza into the kitchen.
“Bye, Jess!” she said, scurrying away.
“See you tomorrow,” Jess said. “At least now I know that I come second to pizza.” She shook her head and laughed softly.
And then we were alone again. Over the past few days, our alone time had improved. The awkwardness left that first day, though I sensed Jess was still a little off about everything.
“Let me walk you to your car,” I said.
“That’s okay,” Jess said.
I leaned in. “I insist.”
She licked her lips and nodded, turning away from me.