He finished off the rest of the water bottle in one long swig and crushed it in his right hand. He turned his head to look at the elevator buttons and caught me blatantly staring at him.
Oops.
He looked a little surprised to see me standing there, but after a moment his face lit up with a brilliant smile that reached the whole way to his shining blue eyes.
After a surprisingly comfortable pause, he finally spoke. “I know I haven’t seen you here before, because I would definitely remember you. Did you just move in?” As soon as the words left his mouth, he looked like he regretted them. Truth be told, it was a pretty bad pickup line, but he had spoken it so genuinely. I sympathized. I couldn’t think of anything witty to say in his presence either. He was fucking adorable.
“I’m visiting a friend,” I said, “but incidentally, I wouldn’t forget you either.” He smiled again, and I had the urge to throw myself across the elevator at him.
“I’m David,” he said, extending his hand.
“Lexy,” I placed my hand in his. He lifted it to his lips and brushed a soft kiss across my knuckles.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lexy.”
“You as well.”
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened. I shook my head to clear it and looked at the row of buttons. We were on the thirty-fourth floor. Jackson’s floor. We were so distracted that we had failed to push a button for David. He seemed to realize this a moment after I did.
“You’re visiting Jackson?” he asked. His face fell considerably.
“Oh no!” I said quickly and a bit too loudly. “Well, I mean, yes and no.” The elevator door tried to shut. I stuck my arm out quickly to keep it from closing. “I mean, I’m here to see
‘Lissa, who is here to see Jackson.”
“What?”
“Why don’t we step out of the elevator?” I offered. I hoped that Jackson wouldn’t mind us borrowing his foyer for a few minutes, but I couldn’t have this conversation while trying to keep the elevator stationary.
We stepped out, and the doors closed behind us. “What I meant to say,” I continued, “is that my best friend, Alissa, is visiting Jackson, and they very kindly asked me to come to dinner with them. So I’m here to see both of them really.”
A door opened behind me. “Lexy? Who are you talking…” Jackson stuck his head out into the foyer. “Oh, hey, Dave.”
I breathed a sigh of relief; at least they knew each other.
“Good to see you man,” David said shaking Jackson’s hand.
“Likewise,” Jackson said.
“I missed you at the gym this past week. Where have you been?” Jackson laughed. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” He looked at me, confusion crossing his face. “How do you know Lexy?”
“Oh, we just met in the elevator,” he offered rather sheepishly.
Jackson chuckled and then gave David a look that I didn’t quite understand. “Well, I was just unpacking dinner, and we have plenty. Why don’t you join us?”
Oh God. He was inviting this glorious creature to eat with us. Squee!!!
“Oh,” David started, “I, uh, really am not dressed for it. I mean I was just, you know…”
“You live two floors down,” Jackson said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Go change and then come back up.” He took the elevator key from my hand and handed it to stunned looking David. “We’ll see you in fifteen minutes.” With that Jackson pulled me through the door into his apartment, and my inner girl jumped for joy.
Jackson
Dishes. I know I have good dishes here somewhere.
I, of course, knew where the everyday stuff was, not that I even used those very often, but this was actually the first time that I could remember entertaining in my place. Was I really that anti-social? I would ponder that later. For now, I was on a mission to find the good china that my mother had hidden around here somewhere.
It actually was a shame that I didn’t feed people here more often; I had a pretty good setup for it. My dining room table sat ten to twelve, so I ruled it out for tonight. Too big and too imposing. I usually ate at the island in the kitchen, which could seat four, but that was too informal.
My final option was a really beautiful smaller dining room set that my mother had restored herself. She had considered it a rescue project when she’d found it at an estate sale. It had been long neglected, but that was Mother’s true gift. She could look at a piece of furniture or even a whole house and see the potential in it, no matter how bad the outward appearance. She was actually like that with people, too. She believed that enough love could restore anything or anyone, and she was usually right.
The table and four chairs were in the back corner of my library, behind the piano, but I could pull it out into the middle of the room for tonight. It would be a perfect setting for the three of us.
I had just finished with the place settings when the elevator bell rang. Dinner was right on time. I had ordered a ton of food, way too much for three people, but I wanted to make sure that there was a variety to choose from. I had ordered several wines as well.
I led the caterer in and had him set everything in the kitchen. After he left, I set to work. I knew it wasn’t going to be as good as Alissa’s hospitality. Nothing could beat her French toast and cozy kitchen. But I wanted to show that I had put forth an effort. I wanted her to know how much I cared.
I uncorked a bottle of the red wine and let it breathe on the counter. I turned the oven on warm and slid the hot food into it. I put the salad plates in the refrigerator to chill. Was I forgetting anything?
A moment later the elevator rang again, and I heard voices in the annex.
That’s odd
. Lexy hadn’t mentioned a guest, although now that I think of it, it was rude to assume that she would not want to bring a date. Did Lexy have a steady boyfriend? I was missing so much information.
Surely, she would have said something.
I opened the door and was very surprised to see David, fresh from the gym by look of it, talking to Lexy. How on earth did they know each other? I watched them interact for a few minutes and could see the obvious attraction that they had to one another. I knew Dave was single, and from Lexy’s body language, I thought that she probably was too. It was unexpected, but they actually looked really great together. I didn’t consider myself much of a matchmaker, but they had arrived on my doorstep already paired together, so I decided to run with it. I had too much food anyway, and this would hopefully make things more comfortable for Alissa as well.
I told Dave to go change and then pulled Lexy inside. I needed her help.
She looked around the apartment for a moment and then squealed and started clapping her hands excitedly. I wasn’t quite sure what to do with that reaction, but she saved me by chattering on about how perfect everything was and how Alissa was going to love it. I was very glad that she approved. I was hoping that meant that Alissa would have a similar reaction.
Lexy helped me to set another place at the table for David, and she lit the candles while I finished getting the food ready to serve. From the sound of the water, I guessed that Alissa had been in the shower just before the food arrived. I expected her to come down any minute.
Alissa
I showered and tried not to get my bandages wet. The hot water felt exquisite after the traumatic experiences of the last two days.
Truthfully, I was a little disappointed when Jackson mentioned that Lexy was coming for dinner. The idea of cuddling on the couch and eating freezer pizza with Jackson had kind of appealed to me. I knew he was right though, Lexy would be worried until she got to see me in person. I guess I could share Jackson with her for a while. I was holding him to a one-on-one date soon though. I was really getting desperate to spend some time alone with him.
After Jackson had embarrassed the shit out of me, I had closed the door to finish going through the suitcase. I would never forgive Lexy for my choice of outfits for the night. I had finally settled on a knee-length cotton skirt and a simple white collared shirt. The neckline of the shirt showed way too much cleavage, and I would never be comfortable in a skirt, but it did look nice on me. As much as I hated to admit it, Lexy had good taste.
After what felt like an extremely exorbitant amount of time, I thought I looked presentable enough for dinner. I refused to put on shoes though. Those open steps were treacherous enough going up, I wasn’t going to attempt coming down in heels. Lexy, of course, had not packed my Sketchers.
When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I heard voices. Lexy and Jackson. Sounded like they were waiting for me.
A bell rang. I had heard it several times while I was upstairs as well. I wondered what it was. Jackson answered my question in his next sentence.
“That will be David. Would you get the door for me please, Lexy?” Lexy blushed. Blushed. Lexy. I was the one who blushed. I had never seen Lexy behave like that. And why was Jackson asking her to get his door? And who the hell is David? I swear, I take a shower for five minutes and I am totally lost.
Something smelled wonderful. Definitely not pizza.
“Jackson?” I questioned.
“I just wanted to make a good first impression,” he replied. “How did I do?” He had turned the lights down and lit the room with soft warm candlelight. The sky was growing dark outside the huge windows, and the city lights perfectly accented the feel in the room. The small table was set beautifully with elegant china. It wasn’t overdone, but clean and stunning.
“It’s perfect, Jackson,” I whispered. I wanted to cry. He didn’t need to go to so much effort. Didn’t he know that I was already head over heels for him?
Lexy entered a moment later with a tall blond man behind her. Totally Lexy’s type. Holy hell, was Jackson playing matchmaker? That didn’t seem like him, but the man was dressed in khaki slacks and a blue button down shirt that looked fabulous on him. His hair was still wet. It was pretty clear that he had just showered and come up for dinner.
“Alissa,” Jackson said, “I’d like for you to meet David, my neighbor.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alissa.” David said shaking my hand. Lexy looked smug.
“You too.” I wanted to say something else, but I honestly couldn’t come up with anything so I shut my mouth and focused on crossing the room to the table.
Jackson pulled out my chair. “Can I get you a glass of wine?” he asked.
“Sure,” I said smiling. “It smells like Italian, so red if you have it?”
“Of course. Lexy?”
“Red for me too, please,” Lexy replied.
“I’ll give you a hand,” David said. The two men disappeared into the kitchen.
As soon as they were out of eyesight, I turned full force on Lexy. “What the hell?” I said quietly. “First, you pack me nothing but dress clothes, lingerie and high heels! And then you’re all gaga over Jackson’s neighbor. How do you even know him? And...”
“You look fabulous,” she interrupted my rant with a wave of her hand. “And, you will look amazing in everything that I packed for you. Believe me. I know these things. You will be very glad that you have all of that stuff.”
I tried to give her a disapproving look, but she held up one small manicured finger to stop me. “And I met Dave in the elevator on the way up here. Jackson was kind enough to invite him to join us for dinner.”
I gaped at her like a fish out of water, but didn’t have time to respond before Jackson and David returned carrying four glasses of wine and a breadbasket. Jackson set the wine down and returned to the kitchen, saying something about salad. Dave seated himself beside Lexy.
I sipped the wine. It was fabulous. I tried not to let myself wonder how much it had cost.
“So Alissa,” David said turning his attention to me, “how do you know Jackson?” I took a deep breath. “Well,” I said, “that’s a very long story.”
“But a very interesting one,” Jackson said, returning to the table with chilled salad plates and a large bowl of a mixed greens salad. His smile was devastating. I was a bit surprised that I continued to remain conscious in his presence.
He sat down beside me and handed the salad across the table to Lexy to have her start.
David was still waiting for an answer.
“Um, I own a restaurant,” I volunteered, “and I was having a bit of trouble with some live crabs, and well Jackson kind of went superhero on me and saved my lunch special.” Dave quirked an eyebrow at me, and Jackson burst out laughing. After that, the conversation flowed freely. Jackson and I shared the telling of the whole story of the last week, pausing only to serve an incredible dinner, and as we finished I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. It was freeing to have it all out in the open. We had given them the short version, including the basic outline, but editing it to a manageable length.
“Well,” said Lexy “that will be quite a story to tell the grandkids.” I shot her a dirty look. “Well what about you two?” I threw back at her. “That must have been some elevator ride.”
David looked mortified, but Jackson was almost in tears he was laughing so hard. When he managed to get his laughter under control, he changed the subject by asking if we were ready for dessert. After the incredible amount I had eaten, I just wasn’t sure it would fit. Jackson had gone all out ordering Lasagna, stuffed chicken breasts, wonderfully spiced green beans, salad, bread, and now dessert. Everything had been fabulous, and he had played the perfect host.
Someone had taught him very well.
“I thought maybe we would move into the living room,” Jackson suggested.
We all agreed, and I moved to the couch. Jackson brushed by me on his way back to the kitchen, and I didn’t think that it was an accident. I hoped that he wanted to be as close to me as I wanted to be to him. The wine and good company had warmed me, and I felt elated.
Jackson brought coffee in an elegant French press and served it with the dessert, a rich chocolate mousse cake. What a way to get to a woman’s heart. He settled beside me on the couch after a few minutes. Lexy and David were sitting no more than six inches apart on the loveseat across from us.