James was at the front desk when we walked in, hands together and close. He smiled quietly.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't be angry once he came to me."
"It's okay." I hugged him. "You're too sensitive to be angry."
"I really am. So all is good?"
I stepped back. "It is. We had a talk and he knows."
"You don't have to worry. I won't ever do anything to hurt her. My mother would kill me." Jared had been raised by a strong woman.
"Still, if you do..."
"Pam beat you to it. I'll see you after?" I stopped his rant.
"You know where I am."
I kissed his cheek. "Love you."
"Me too."
Jared and I continued to the elevator. In the room, I made hi sit and eat while I called Pam, to assure her everything was fine and that I'd be in the next day. She told me to behave but have fun. We ate our food and then I sent Jared to the shower to clean up.
"I'm so glad that you trust me with what happened. I couldn't imagine not seeing you before I had to go." Jared said when he came from the bathroom.
"Honestly. I'd thought about that too. I do like being around you. You're an interesting man." I watched as he dried his hair and threw the towel back into the bathroom.
"Good. What would you like to do?"
"I'm thinking that you having had much sleep, so, for now, maybe watch a movie and rest. Tonight we could find something fun."
His eyes flickered.
"Jared!" I tried not to shy away.
"Sorry. It just popped in there. Let's see what we can find."
As he found the TV remote, I sat on the sofa and grabbed a pillow for my arms. I always held a pillow when I watched movies at home.
"Can I ask you something?" He watches the TV turn on.
"Sure."
"Do you ever see them?"
"My family? No. My parents dies in a drunk driving accident. They were the only ones, thank god. My brother....there's a long standing order against him. The judge thought it best. I can stop it if I ever want to." I sighed.
"Would you?" He came back to sit next to me.
"I don't know. Sometimes I wonder what he's been doing. Thing is, I still love him."
Jared reached for my hand. "Sure you do. He protected you for so long. It would be good to have family around."
"I have family. James and Pam are my family. And I'm always busy with work, so I meet lots of people."
"They seem great but I meant related family."
"I have all I need." I looked into his eyes.
He leaned over and kissed me softly. Just a simple touch. The perfect response to what I felt. Jared found an early 90s comedy and we got comfortable. It's wasn't a movie that mad you laugh out loud but it was good. Halfway through, I noticed that he was getting tired. I told him to lay down and stretch out to get comfortable. He placed his head on the pillow I'd grabbed and his legs out the length of the sofa. As I continued watching, my hand found his hair and I began moving my fingers through it. It was so soft, even after it had been lightened. I was sure that he fell asleep soon after I started. His breathing was quiet and his chest raised and lowered in a steady rhythm. I began to wonder why he was still single. Couldn't be just because of his schedule. There were lots of women he knew and surely he had friends and colleagues that were female.
The movie ended and a phone rang. It wasn't mine or the room phone. It had to be Jared's. Almost like he'd been shocked, Jared jumped up, fully awake and looked around the room. Seeing me, he took a deep breath and rubbed his face.
"It's just your phone." I told him.
"Yeah. I didn't expect to fall asleep. I should get it." He reached for the device on the table.
"No worries."
"Hello....Oh hey Shannon....No, I was asleep....It's no big deal....Sorry. I didn't know who to call.....I'm okay now.....Can I tell you later.....It's nothing bad.....I know, I know. You worried......I'll tell you when I see you...How's Mom....Tell her that I said hi and I love her....I will...See you soon....Bye." He hung up. "My brother."
"I figured." I sat back as he relaxed.
"I called him when I couldn't get hold of you. But the time change, and he's got a new project going. Guess I sounded a bit frantic with the message."
"You have a nice family Jared. Very tight."
He smiled. "I really do. Maybe you could come meet them?"
"Let's get through these few days first. Feel like going out? There's a cultural festival downtown. Music, dancing and art?"
"Is it cold?"
"You'll need to dress, yes!" I chuckled.
"Alright. I'll find the biggest sweater I can."
"We'll dress you up so all we see are your eyes."
"Might have to." He smiled and went to look for some clothes so he could go outside again.
