My Spy 5: A Southern Girl in Paris

Never Grow Up

I walk out of the leasing office feeling defeated. I was unaware I needed a certain credit score and make 2.5 times the rent to be eligible to apply. It didn't matter that I had savings and will soon have access to a fat trust fund- they said I would need a cosigner if I wanted the apartment.

So as I sit in my momma's car I wonder how I can get around that. I know she wouldn't help me out because she is completely against the idea. My father bought me the winery so I know he won't be eager to sign on to anything else and since Austin just bought a house with Margot, he won't want to either. I could see Gus helping me out but that could rub Annabeth the wrong way so I immediately move on from that option. 

I drop my head against the seat and as I look out the window, I catch a young man with a head full of dark hair walking into the leasing office. An idea comes to me and I immediately reach for my phone. I am excited when the call connects.

 "Thinkin' about me?" Jackson Hemming smugly says when he answers and I roll my eyes as I reply, "Somethin' like that. You busy?"

 "Not particularly why?" 

"Wanna meet me at the club? I can buy you some lunch?" I offer.

 "Lunch is credited to our parent's tab," he says flatly. 

"Okay well, do you want the Sweeney's to buy you some lunch or not?" I snap. 

"You just want me to come to lunch with you? At the club?" He asks suspiciously. 

"Yes, I have a question to ask you. And it wasn't all that long ago that you invited me to lunch to gossip about Austin." I answer vaguely and that's all he's getting out of me until I see him in person.

"True. I'm curious so I suppose I can make lunch happen. What time?" He asks. 

I glance at the clock, "I am about twenty minutes away from the club so shall we do 12:30?" 

"See you then," he says and then hangs up. I knew I would be able to get him to meet me but now can I get him to do me a huge favor?

∞∞∞

I have a table and ice waters for us when Jackson finally makes it to the club. As much as he frustrates me, I can still appreciate how handsome he looks in a sports coat and jeans. I wave him over and the restaurant is fairly quiet for a Wednesday.

"No wine?" Jackson asks when his big blue eyes scan the table and I shrug, "Wasn't sure if you were drinking."

 "Well I think that depends on why you asked me here," he asks suspiciously and I simply shrug. The waitress comes over and I decide to order two Merlots.

 "So is this business or pleasure?" He asks when the waitress walks away and I know he is dying to know why I asked him here. I hadn't realized how it might look if Jackson and I were spotted having lunch at the club, but I figure I can play it off like we bumped into each other here as opposed to having this planned if we see anyone. "Business," I tell him and he narrows his eyes at me. 

"Should you have ordered somethin' stronger for me then?" He asks with a laugh. 

"Perhaps, but I think what I need to discuss with you isn't too stressful," I say with a smile. His eyes dart to the flimsy menu and then he asks, "Are you getting straight to the point, or are you going to leave me on pins and needles while we eat?"

The waitress drops off the wine and we quickly order some sandwiches. Once she leaves again, I take a large drink of liquid courage before exhaling out my nerves loudly. I look to Jackson and say, "I need your help."