My Better Half

Chapter 3- Innuendo

Jack Third Person POV

Jack walked back to the van, quickly checking his phone. Josh had texted him, saying his date was going well and asking him to come to the club after work. As he glanced up at Maria near the van, he decided that maybe he deserved a drink or two after what he has been dealing with. He texted Josh back, saying yes.

Josh didn't usually nag him to come, so he must be pretty fond of the Rachel girl to have his friend meet her on their first date... Would Rachel even want to meet his friends that fast though? Poor Josh, he wasn't always the sharpest tool in the shed, but Jack thought he should at least let him crash on his sofa, as Jack's house was closer to the bar than Josh's was. Three deliveries wouldn't take too much time or hassle anyway. At least if this Maria girl didn't mess anything up. If he were being honest, never had he wanted to get away from such a cute chick so fast in his life. She seemed interesting to him though, like there was something hidden beneath the surface. And despite himself, Jack had the inexplicable urge to find out what it was.

Jack walked over to her, "Okay, miss Nakamura, you take the next few deliveries, alright? It shouldn't take too long and then we'll both be out of each other's hair for the night."

Maria nodded at him. They both got back in the van, and Jack started to drive.

Maria Third Person POV

As they drove away from their first delivery spot, Maria found herself rethinking her friend's request. 10 at night wasn't a safe time for calling an Uber or a taxi. And even though Maria knew how to drive, she didn't have a way to get to the club. She debated with herself for quite a while.

In her mind: Well, he doesn't look like the kind of guy to try something reckless on a girl he just met.... Besides the manager seems to trust him... I guess there's no harm in asking. But still, should I ask a favour from him on the very first day of work, or not?

After 20 minutes of dead silence in the van and the dilemma in her mind, Maria finally spoke up.

"So... Mr Matthews, are you busy after work tonight?"

She tried to ask it as casually as possible, but her voice was husky from her tiredness, and she didn't realise how suggestive this made her words sound until it was too late.

Jack Third Person POV

Jack almost choked on air. Never had a girl asking him out surprised him this much. What?! how was this even possible? She seemed like she hated him from the moment they met? Not to mention they'd only known each other for barely an evening, and now... this? Okay, truthfully, that hadn't always stopped Jack in the past, but this girl seemed like she'd rather be anywhere but with him.

Of course, he didn't really want to date, which he had discussed with himself before, as pretty as the girl was, especially a co-worker... that would be extra risky in case they didn't work out... And she didn't seem like the type to take being asked for a one-night stand very well...

And all this was discounting the fact she had been standoffish to him the whole night. She wouldn't even call him by his first name or let him call her by hers. Why should he even consider it? Jack collected himself, preparing to reject her. Even so, he couldn't seem to definitively say no, for whatever reason. It didn't seem like a bridge he wanted to completely burn.

"Ah... Miss Nakamura... I'm flattered, I really am, but we barely know each other, and I'm not really looking for a relationship... Besides, I'm busy tonight, I have to meet my friend at the local bar anyway, you know, the one near the pizza parlour... So, umm... I'm sorry... Honestly, I didn't think I was your type?" Jack laughed awkwardly, trying to defuse the tension a little, but to no avail.