The Freelancer – Chapter 21

Trista was inconsolable during the short ride to the club. Jenna knew as soon as she read the statement that the date in question was Trista and Blaine’s anniversary. Maureen remained quiet as she drove, which was out of character for her. Normally, Jenna would welcome a silent Maureen, but right now she could use a steady stream of chatter.

Once the car came to a stop, Trista jumped out and stormed passed the bouncer without so much as a nod. Jenna and Maureen sat in the car for a moment, looking after her before either of them spoke.

“I hope to God that he’s innocent,” Maureen said quietly.

“Me too. Maybe he has a good reason why he made so many calls to the club that night.”

Jenna was referring to his cell phone bill for that night. Once a specific date was mentioned, Jenna began to highlight the calls to and from the club on his cell phone bill. There were over a dozen.

“It won’t matter, Jenna. She won’t believe him without proof.”

“She might. Trista puts on this tough girl act, but that’s all it is. She has a real soft spot for him. I think we could find the most damning evidence and she would try not to believe it. Should we head in? I don’t want to leave her in there by herself if she can’t find him.”

Maureen nodded in agreement. Jenna got out of the car with reluctance. She didn’t really enjoy the whole club scene and came with Trista often enough to appease her. That was it. Something about the way people interacted at clubs was unsettling to her. While she didn’t know exactly why that was, Jenna could imagine it had something to do with the women who frequented these kinds of places. Everyone expected men to cruise bars looking for one-nighters, but she couldn’t understand women who did the same.

Trista was nowhere to be found, so Jenna followed Maureen to the bar. Once Maureen had her martini in hand, she turned her attention on to the crowded dance floor. Maureen was one of those women Jenna didn’t understand; always on the prowl.

“Hey, lady, you’ve got to turn around and check out the two guys heading our way. I’d do ‘em both, but this one guy has the most amazing bedroom eyes I’ve ever seen. Too bad those sexy things are staring at your back instead of my front. Act natural, here they come.”

Jenna let out an exaggerated sigh. They hadn’t even been there for ten minutes and she was already going to have to give some loser the brush off. She turned around ready to attack, but her scathing remark died before it even reached her lips.

“What’s a pretty girl like you doing in a place like this?”

“Please tell me that you didn’t just say that,” Jenna snapped, keeping a playful lilt to her tone.

“I thought it seemed fitting,” Jackson replied.

“So, y’all know each other?”

Jenna could tell Maureen was fishing for an introduction.

“Maureen, this is my new neighbor, Jackson Caldwell. Jackson, this is Trista’s boss, Maureen Jenkins.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Maureen.”

“No, trust me, the pleasure is entirely mine,” Maureen purred. “Who’s your shadow?”

“This is my friend Collin McShae. He’s…”

Maureen interrupted. “McShae? That’s Irish, is it not?”

“It is.”

Jenna watched as Maureen switched into attack mode. “I absolutely love everything Irish. Do you dance, Collin?”

Without waiting for a response, Maureen pulled Collin onto the dance floor. Jenna didn’t know if she should feel sorry for Collin or not. However, she did know it bothered her she ran into Jackson here. The fact that it bothered her bothered her even more. She’d known the guy for a whopping two days. She hardly had cause to be jealous.

Hardly? This was bad. She had zero cause to be jealous.

“Your friend seems nice.”

Jenna smiled. It was obvious Jackson was only being nice. “That’s one way to put it.”

“I was being tactful. So anyway, you never answered my question.”

“I didn’t know you actually wanted an answer. I thought it was just a line.”

He grinned. “Did it work?”

Jenna smiled slyly. “No.”

“Then it was a real question.”

“We found out some stuff that really bothered Trist when we were going through the depositions. She needed to talk to him face to face, so we’re kind of here by default.”

“I think you mean you’re here by default.” He nodded towards the dance floor. “Maureen seems like she’s in her element.”

“So does your friend, what was his name, Cole?”

“Collin. He does seem at home out there.”

Jenna motioned to the bartender that she needed another club soda. She took a sip before she spoke again. She hated to admit it to herself, but her mouth had gone dry the instant she saw him. She was twenty-seven years old and she felt like she was in high school all over again.

“So, Jackson, what were you starting to say about him before Maureen drug him off?”

“I was just going to say that I had known him since I was in college. I think he could tell I needed a change of scenery and got me the assignment out here. He’s the reason I relocated.”

Jenna made a mental note to thank Collin for that. Aloud she said, “Friends have a way of deciding what’s best for you without letting you in on it first.”

“Yeah, but sometimes they’re right,” Jackson replied.

“I suppose.”

“In this case, they were definitely not right.” Jackson made a sweeping motion with his hand as he spoke before he expanded on his statement. “When I told you the other night I wasn’t a fan of the club scene, I wasn’t just saying that. Collin thought I needed to get out and stop going through my files. Apparently, he’s one of those people who think work stops on Friday at five.” He paused and flashed Jenna a warm smile. Annoying, isn’t it?”

Jenna nodded her agreement. “He clearly works in an office, not at home.”

“That he does.”

Jenna noticed a distinct change in his tone from the joking one of a moment before.

“Is something wrong, Jackson?”

“No offense to Blaine, but I can’t concentrate on a conversation in here. I can’t hear myself think, much less you talking. I know it’s starting to get late and I haven’t eaten yet. Do you want to get out of here?”

Jenna was torn. Yes, she did want to leave – especially with Jackson. She hadn’t eaten either, but that wasn’t the reason. However, her better judgment wouldn’t let her leave a friend.

“I’d like to, but Trista was so upset when we got here. From the looks of those two,” Jenna nodded to a darkened corner of the dance floor where Collin and Maureen seemed to be hitting it off famously, “I don’t think Maureen will be here much longer. I don’t want to leave Trista here by herself if she’s upset and she doesn’t get the answers she wants.”

“I don’t think that’s something you have to worry about.”

“Why do you say that?” Jenna asked, turning her head to follow Jackson’s gaze. Blaine and Trista were on the other side of the horseshoe-shaped bar gazing into one another’s eyes, love etched on their faces. “Okay, Jackson, crisis averted. Let’s go.”

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