Just Another Job

Making Sure

I am amazing even myself with these lightning fast updates. I know this is a short chapter, but the stopping place just felt so perfect. Please let me know if you liked this chapter, of if it was boring. 

That's Cobalt on the sidebar, yummmmm (though not as yummy as Jasper, in my opinion)

I woke up early the next morning, wrapped in Jo. Somehow, the pillow barrier had been discarded in our sleep. In my arms, I held her closely against my chest, her head cradled on my bicep, her arms around me. Oh brother. It was a good thing that she didn't wake up first and see this. I didn't want any ideas going through her head. 

I gently untangled myself from her, being as quiet as possible. Ian was sprawled across the bed next to me, his face buried in a pillow. I didn't even want to think about what he thought when he came in last night and saw me and Jo sharing a bed. 

The night's rest had done me good. It had cleared my mind. Though it had felt strangely good, waking up in Jo's arms, I knew what I had to do. For my own best interests, I had to leave her behind. I glanced over at her as I pulled on a pair of jeans. Her lithe body was sprawled across the bed, arms empty, face peaceful and beautiful in sleep, even without makeup. Her blonde wavy hair was spread out behind her, like a halo. Most guys would consider me crazy for leaving her. But I couldn't stay. I just couldn't do it. It was too risky. She was too risky, and for more than one reason. 

I quietly opened the door, making sure they were both asleep before I silently shut it. My bag was over my shoulder and everything I owned was on my person. This was it. It hurt me to leave Ian, but that was understandable. What was weird was that I couldn't stop thinking about Jo. In the short time that I had known her, she made made such a lasting impression on me. I felt like I was losing not one, but two of the most important people in my life. I would reunite with Ian later, after he had ditched Jo. I knew that my partner had no love for Jo, and wouldn't have a problem leaving her. It was me that I couldn't trust with saying goodbye. 

The car was Ian's, and I would send him a text message with my location in an hour or two. A walk would do me good anyway. Ian would be able to handle what I couldn't. Jo would believe me long gone, when in reality, I would be just down the road, waiting for Ian to pick me up. Shake it off, man, I berated myself. After all, she was just a girl. A girl that would soon be forgotten, just like the rest. At least, I hoped. 

I ambled down the sidewalk, the sun just starting to rise in front of me. My destination was a small fruit stand we had passed on the way here. I would have gotten there a lot faster had I been in panther form, but that might have been a bit conspicuous. With a start, I realized that I had no idea what town I was in. God, I must have really been zoned out last night. 

After twenty minutes of walking, I reached the stand. The old lady behind the little cart was setting out the baskets of produce. Her face was wizened from the sun and wind, and a broad-brimmed straw hat sat on top of her head, shielding her from the rising sun's rays. 

"Here, let me help," I offered. She gave me a full smile that made her eyes almost disappear. 

"Thank you, young man. I think the only trouble I will have will be that bushel of tomatos." She pointed to the back of her truck, and I easily hefted the basket out, setting it gently on the ground next to her cart. 

"Would you like to buy something?" she asked pleasantly, small hands arranging the corn in neat rows. 

"Actually, I would love to buy one of these." I held up a pear. 

"Just one?" 

"Awww, what the hell, make it two," I shrugged. 

"Young man, you should not use such language," she scolded, wagging her finger at me. A grin spread across my face as I realized that profanity in my last sentence. Was that actually considered swearing anymore? This poor old woman would be shocked then to hear how I usually spoke.