The Freelancer – Chapter 39
At six-thirty that night, Jenna walked across the hall and knocked on Jackson’s door. She heard him come home about a half hour earlier, but she hadn’t wanted to bombard him the minute he walked through the door. Spending time with him the previous night had been nice, even if she had lost her nerve and flaked out at the last second. Though she wasn’t certain that she was any braver, she did know that she was ready to see him again, without the presence of four nosy chaperones.
“Hello, Jenna, this is a surprise. Do you want to come in?”
She shook her head. “No. I had a really nice time at dinner Monday and I wanted you to come over so I could return the favor.”
“I was just there for dinner last night,” he replied with a look on his face that made it clear he didn’t think she was only talking about food.
“That was pizza, not dinner. Come on, it’s just spaghetti with meatballs and a salad.”
Jackson shrugged. “I can tell you aren’t going to take no for an answer. Okay, I need to finish up something first. I’ll be over in a minute.”
Jenna accepted that answer and went to get the plates ready so they could eat once he got there. It was unnerving that he was acting so casual about last night, even though she would have been mortified if he’d commented on it. True to his word, Jackson walked in five minutes later. She was momentarily sorry she had used the dining room for her office instead of an actual dining room, but he didn’t seem to mind eating in the living room.
“Where’s the legal team?” Jackson asked after they’d eaten and made uncomfortable small talk about the weather, both of them avoiding the fact that they’d come very close to sleeping together the last time they’d been alone.
“Maureen thought we deserved a night off, or at least that’s what she said. I think she had dinner plans with your friend.”
“Probably, knowing Collin. How’s the case going, anyway?” he asked.
Jenna shrugged. It goes before the grand jury on Friday. I can’t imagine why it won’t go to trial. There’s a lot of evidence that points to the owner of the club.”
“What do you think?” Jackson asked.
“I think he’s being framed, but there’s no evidence to support it.”
“Well,” Jackson began, “Is there anyone that would gain if Blaine went to prison? Maybe a relative or a business associate.”
Jenna shook her head, but stopped short. Blaine did have a partner, but she didn’t know if he had anything to gain. She remembered the partnership agreement in the stack of paperwork. Maybe there would be something in there.
“Jackson, I don’t mean to cut the evening short, but you gave me an idea. There’s something I think I should look into.”
Jackson stood. “Don’t apologize. Dinner was wonderful, but I need to be getting back to work myself.”
He hesitated at the door and Jenna wasn’t sure why until he walked back over to her. Jackson put his arm around her to hug her, but Jenna pulled away enough to give him a soft kiss. A look of uncertainty passed through his eyes before he pulled away.
“Goodnight, Jenna,” he said softly before leaving.
Jenna wanted to run after him, but she kept her feet planted where they were. That look in his eyes made her wonder if maybe he hadn’t wanted to say goodnight so soon and Jenna knew she hadn’t wanted the night to end with a quick kiss. She almost managed to talk herself into showing up at his door and throwing herself at him when she caught sight of her office from the corner of her eye. It was going to take her quite a while to find anything in that mess, especially given that her kitten had chosen to spread the contents of one of the files across the room while playing.
“I’d better get started,” Jenna said with a sigh. “It’s just as well.”
Or at least, that’s what she told herself.
