"Hi," he answered back with a laugh.

"Jackson, you're supposed to hang up!"

"So are you."

"Okay, I'm really hanging up now. It feels too junior high to argue about who's going to hang up first."

"Okay. Sweet dreams."

"Sweet dreams to you too."

I hung up before I could be tempted to stay on the phone to see if Jackson was still on the line. It was as if we were reduced to puppy love teenagers reluctant to hang up the phone and break the connection.

I steeled myself against the giddy emotions rising in me. I really needed to be careful and not get my emotions too tangled up in this. When our fling ended, I wanted to be able to be friends with Jackson. Although I didn't know how any woman could just be friends with Jackson.

I left my bedroom to go to the bathroom to wash up for bed and saw that Claire had come home. She was sitting on the couch flipping through a magazine.

"Hey. I didn't hear you come in."

Claire looked up. "I just got in a few minutes ago. I met Nathan and Mia for a few drinks at Max's. What have you been up to?"

"Not much. I got home late and then I talked to Jackson on the phone for a while. I'm ready for bed, I'm beat."

"How's Jackson doing?"

"Good," I said as I walked into the bathroom. I left the door open so that Claire could still hear me. "How's Nathan and Mia?"

"The same. Nathan wanted me to remind you about his art show on Sunday."

"Oh yeah," I said as I started wiping off my makeup with a cotton ball. "I'd love to go."

Claire stood and leaned against the doorjamb of the bathroom, watching me. "Great. We'll all go together. It starts at six."

I smiled at Claire in the reflection of the mirror. "Sounds good."

Claire twirled a piece of her hair around her finger, looking thoughtful. "Nathan asked Jackson to come meet us out tonight, but he said that he couldn't because he was busy."

I felt a little bubble of happiness that Jackson had apparently wanted to stay home for my call, but I just shrugged. "I'm not sure what he was up to before I called him."

"Did he know that you were going to call?"

Claire questions seemed odd and I began to wonder if she had been entirely truthful about her lack of feelings for Jackson.

"He asked me to call him tonight when I got home from work."

Claire suddenly smiled widely at me. "I never thought I'd see it."

"See what?" I turned around to look at Claire.

"I think Jackson Reynard has it bad for you!"

I laughed, shaking my head. "We're just having fun together, that's all."

Claire looked thoughtful. "I've never known Jackson to wait around for a girl's call. This is something more."

"I doubt it," I said, trying not to feel excited by her words. I reminded myself that I wasn't looking for something more. At least I didn't have to worry about Claire and her feelings. She looked positively ecstatic at the possibility that Jackson saw me as more than a fling.

"Hmm," Claire said noncommittally but her eyes were dancing.

"Enough," I said with a laugh, holding up my hand. "You're going to make me all confused about what's going on between me and Jackson."

"Okay," she said in a singsong voice, clearly not convinced. She went back to the couch and her magazine.

"I'm going to bed," I said when I was finished washing up, flicking off the bathroom light switch. "Are you staying up?"

Claire nodded. "I can never go to sleep right after I come home. I'm too wired. I need time to unwind."

"Okay, goodnight."

"Goodnight. Sweet dreams." Claire winked at me and I just smiled. It seemed like everyone was wishing me sweet dreams tonight.

Friday dragged even though I had plenty to do during the workday. I couldn't help checking my watch every half hour, willing the time to go by faster as I excitedly anticipated seeing Jackson tonight.

I was checking my watch again, happy that it was almost time to leave, when my intercom buzzed.

"Hi, Janet," I said, picking up the phone.

"Can you come in here for a minute, Emma?"

"Sure." I grabbed my pad and pen, hoping that this wasn't something that would delay my leaving for my day. I opened Janet's door and she glanced up, motioning me in, and then looked back at the stack of papers on her desk.

I sat down and waited while Janet finished scanning the document before her. She finally looked up, smiling.

"How did you like your first week?"

"It was great! Everyone's been really helpful and it's been interesting to work on your accounts."

"I'm happy to hear that. I just wanted to let you know that I thought you did a terrific job this week. I'm glad that you took initiative on things, like researching Canonfield's competitors without me having to ask you."

Canonfield, a pharmaceutical company, was Janet's biggest client and I knew it was her top priority, so I had done some additional research about its competitors' current drug trials for Janet to review. I was appreciative of Janet's recognition of my work. Even though she was usually in work mode, delegating responsibilities in a no-nonsense style, she reminded me that she was human with glimpses of humor and kindness.

"Thanks, Janet. I'm really enjoying working here so far."

"Great," Janet said with a smile. "You can leave for the day. I won't be here much longer. Have a good weekend." She looked back down at the report on her desk, clearly dismissing me.

"You too!" I closed her office door behind me and saw Celeste's head peeping up above her cubicle wall.

"You leaving?"

I nodded excitedly. I had already told Celeste about my date with Jackson tonight and she had made me promise to memorize every detail so I could fill her in on Monday.

I powered down my computer and grabbed my purse from my desk drawer.

"Have a great weekend, Celeste."

"You too," she said with a sly wink. "Remember, I want all the details."

I laughed as I slung my purse over my shoulder. The subway ride home was quick which was fortunate because I was stuck in a car with no air conditioning. Even the oppressive heat of being underground in a poorly ventilated subway car couldn't dampen my spirits.

Claire wasn't home when I got to the apartment. She had been up early again this morning and I had told her I was coming to see her show tonight after having dinner with Jackson. She seemed excited and made me promise to go out for drinks with her afterwards. I didn't think Jackson would mind going out for a few drinks so I agreed.




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