One Deep Breath

Chapter Seventeen

After flying around her dorm room for an hour getting herself showered and ready, packing an overnight bag and unsuccessfully evading Rachel's persistent questioning, Jolie was just about set to go.

Her mind was flooded with possibilities, wondering what exactly Jesse meant by "we won't be back until tomorrow." Were they going somewhere? That seemed fast to her, but she guessed he had the money and the access to do what he pleased.

Maybe he just plans on having me stay over again. I didn't sleep with him but I certainly wasn't shy about wanting him. Does he assume I really am a slut?  She mulled over her thoughts.

"So what the hell Jolie. You're just gonna go with him not having any idea where he's taking you? A week ago you didn't even know he existed." Rachel broke into thoughts.

Jolie thought to herself how that wasn't exactly true, justifying in her mind that she'd known he existed for almost two weeks considering their first run in at Starbucks.  Still, she had to admit that it was a little more adventurous than what her typical life was like. A lot more, actually. 

"I know that it's kinda crazy, but I also know it's okay. He's okay. I swear," she begged to her overprotective friend. "Besides maybe we aren't even going anywhere. I mean I already stayed with him last night. It's not that weird of him to assume I'm okay with it."

Rachel's face teetered between concern and excitement for her friend.

"Alright, alright. You're right," she conceded. "I guess I should be more excited for you. You've basically just landed a hot new millionaire boyfriend. I support that," her face breaking into a major grin followed by giggles.

Jolie just shook her head, but quickly followed suit so that both her girls were sharing in the laughter over Jolie's ridiculous and unexpected situation.

Shortly after Jolie's phone buzzed, Jesse letting her know that he was downstairs.

With a nervous smile and a shrug, she grabbed her bag and her purse and she went down to meet him.

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Jesse's car wasn't out front when she met him downstairs, but a black SUV was and when she breezed out the front doors Jesse hopped out of the back of it to greet her.

Before she could overthink the new car situation Jolie was distracted once again by Jesse. She swore she had never seen anyone so attractive, even bundled up in his black wool coat.

His eyes lit up at the sight of her too, making her hopeful that he was as into this as she was. Both of their smiles reached their ears, and Jolie thought about how strange it felt to be so excited to see someone like this, especially when it had only been a matter of hours since he had dropped her off in that very spot.

"Hi," he greeted her, reaching for her bag and handing it to their driver, who had at some point made his way around to where they were standing.

Jolie did a double take at the new man joining them, taking her bags and putting them into the back of the SUV, unfamiliar with the scene before her. She wondered if it was a limo service or a private car that he hired for the night, maybe even someone that drove him around regularly.

Jesse's face looked amused for a moment at Jolie's reaction to the driver taking her bags, but a different emotion she couldn't read crossed his features quickly after.

"Here," he helped her into the back of the SUV, which was already nice and warm, welcomed by her from even just a few minutes outside.

Looking around she saw how spacious it was inside, with two oversized black leather seats in the back instead two rows of seats like she had expected to see. There was a mini fridge below a table with built in drink holders and assorted glassware along the side and there was even a good-sized television situated behind the passenger seat.

She bit her lip in amusement before looking back, finding Jesse's eyes on her.  Raising her eyebrows to show him that she was impressed the trepidation showing on his face dissolved into a small laugh.

He climbed in after her, pulling the door shut behind him. Following his lead she took her coat off and he hung them up on a hook behind his chair. She noted how he was wearing dark jeans and a blue v-neck sweater and decided that blue was definitely a good color on him. His outfit was pretty casual so she felt better about the black skinny jeans and red tunic she had decided on, but it didn't help her figure out where they were going.

When he turned back around she was looking at him, wondering if he was going to fill her in at all yet. The driver had climbed up front and began to pull out of the loop, clearly more aware of their destination than Jolie.

Pulling her blonde locks over her shoulder and twisting the ends around her finger, a nervous habit she picked up over the years, she pulled her lips in between her teeth to stop herself from laughing nervously; all of a sudden Rachel's words of how preposterous this all seemed felt incredibly accurate.

"What's the matter?" he inquired, his mouth turning up at the corners as he watched her.

"Nothing! I've never seen anything like this," she replied, gesturing to interior of their ride.

"Company car?" Jesse countered, answering her with what sounded like another question.

She wondered if this was actually what he used to get to and from his business meetings or if he used it all the time. He obviously had his own car, she'd been in it three times now, but she gathered that if he were in the city having a driver would be easier. Though this specific car seemed like it was meant for longer trips or social events, what with the television and barware on display.

"Are we going to a work function?" she toyed back with him, causing him to shake his head with his big Cheshire cat grin that she was beginning to adore.

"Not right at the moment, no. But I do have something I need to handle tonight, workwise. Won't take long though."

"Okay," she nodded. "Are we going to your hotel?"

"Erhm. Not exactly."

She tilted her head, confused.

"Well do I get to know where we're going then?" she pleaded, pouting her lip out for effect.

He glanced down for a moment before answering her.

"The city."

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