Page 65 of ClickBack

“In a minute.”

I stay awake while he dresses. The duffel opens, closes, and becomes something he is leaving with. I knew about the flight when I let him through the door. That does not make the room feel any less different once he has his shoes on.

“You all right to drive?” I ask.

“I’ll get there early enough to sleep while Cam tells me everything twice.”

“You might try listening the first time.”

“He gets concerned when I do.”

I smile, then get up to walk him down. At the bedroom door, he looks back toward the dresser.

“What?”

“Leave that playlist where it is.”

“For next time?”

“Yeah.”

I like having supplied the words. I like that he does not make me regret it by teasing.

At the front door, he kisses me and says he will let me know when he lands.

“I’d like that.”

He looks at me for a moment, then kisses me again.

I lock up after him and go back to bed. His side is still warm. I draw the pillow under my cheek and try to get another hour of sleep.

Jarrett: Landed.

His message is waiting when I wake again. I read it downstairs while the coffee brews. There are things I need to do before opening my laptop, and I have managed none of them except putting on a robe.

Me: How much of Cam’s briefing did you sleep through?

Jarrett: Enough to need the second one.

I laugh and take my mug into the laundry room. The shorts I wore last night are on top of the hamper. I put them in the wash, then read the next message.

Jarrett: Thinking about me?

Me: Don’t you have a meeting?

Jarrett: Answer the question, Giselle.

I lean against the dryer. I could be clever. He has given me every opportunity to pretend I am less pleased than I am.

Me: Maybe.

Jarrett: Wear the shorts next time.

I look at the washing machine and start it.

Chapter 11

Jarrett