The Freelancer – Chapter 11, part 2

Part 2

Jenna was grateful for the silence that followed.  She was so angry with Trista she could hardly contain herself.  She agreed to come over and meet her new neighbor, but she somehow let herself get saddled into a double date.  If that hadn’t been the case she would almost be enjoying herself.

She had to admit that Jackson was handsome, but not in that pretty-boy way.  At the moment, his black hair was carefully gelled into place, but when she first met him it was wavy and tousled from the move.  His eyes were a clear blue that appeared both serious and boyish at the same time.  His smile was easy and disarming, revealing the hint of a dimple.  Trista hadn’t been kidding earlier when she’d told Jenna she was missing a hottie moving in across the hall.  She didn’t remember the last time she’d met a man with a desk job that looked as good as he did.

Of course, she couldn’t remember the last time that she’d noticed a man.  Why had Trista insisted on dragging her out with this one?  It wasn’t a good idea at all.  Especially since Jenna estimated his height to be just over six foot.

Jenna had always found herself attracted to tall men with rugged good looks.

“Trista, what is it you do?” Jackson asked halfway through the meal.

“I work for a law firm.”

“You’re a lawyer?”

“Hardly,” Trista laughed.  “I’m not smart enough for Law School.  I’m just an assistant.  Jenna’s the brain at this table.”

Jenna could feel her face grow warm.  “Trista’s being nice.  I’m nothing special.”

“Stop being modest.  Jenna was the Salutatorian of our high school.”

“Trista,” Jenna hissed.

“What?  You should be proud of what you accomplished.  She went to Harvard.”

Jenna kicked her under the table, but it was too late.

“You went to Harvard?”

Jenna hated that Jackson sounded impressed.  “It’s no big deal, really.”  She tried to make her voice sound nonchalant, but knew she failed.

“How can you say that?  Harvard is an excellent school.  What were you there to study?”  Now Jackson seemed too interested; too impressed by her.

Jenna gave Trista a look to keep silent before responding, “Law.  I was going to be a lawyer, but it didn’t work out.  So, Jackson, what does a management consultant do?”

“Are you familiar with LifeTek, Inc.?”

“They make some kind of medical equipment, don’t they?” Blaine ventured.

“That’s right,” Jackson continued.  “They make heart monitors and pacemakers, mainly.  They’ve taken over McConnell Systems, a major competitor, and they need someone to go through their books and make recommendations about their staffing situation.”

“How do you do all of that?” Trista asked.

“It’s not interesting.  I go over the books and procedures from home before I stop by the business unannounced.  I observe what they’re like before they know who I am and I make my recommendations about staffing and finances.  The goal is to make the transition as smooth as possible for both companies and their employees.”

“How did you end up with a job like that?  That sounds damn higher level to me.” Blaine asked, signaling for the check.

“I have my Master’s in Accounting.  When you think about it, all I’m doing is playing with numbers all day.  Hey, how much was my part of the bill?”

“Don’t worry about it.  You can get it next time we’re all out together.”  Jenna picked up on the note of finality in Blaine’s voice.  She hoped that Jackson wouldn’t press the issue.  She hated when men got into testosterone-fueled fights.

“That sounds fair enough,” Jackson conceded.

“So is everyone up for some fun at the club?” Trista asked with a gleam of mischief in her eyes.

“Um, Trist, I’m a little tired.  Would you mind dropping me off on the way?”

“I can take you home, Jenna.  I’m beat from all of the moving and, well, let’s face it, you’re on my way home,” Jackson offered.

Jenna tossed a dirty look at Trista.  She hated the position her friend put her in.  She didn’t want to seem ungrateful to Jackson, but she didn’t like the idea of being alone with him.  He seemed like a nice enough man, one that she might have wanted to pursue a relationship with under other circumstances, but this was how it was now.  Besides, she’d just met him.

“Thank you, Jackson.  That would be great.”

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