15. The World Is Moving Fast

15

THE WORLD IS MOVING FAST

J amie didn’t need to knock on the door to Laken’s Manhattan condo the next night. She was opening it before he got there and standing in the hallway with a massive grin on her face.

“You were told I was on the way up?” he asked.

“I was,” she said. “I told them I was expecting company, but it’s a pretty secure building. Private too.”

He’d only given his first name and had a hat on his head and a winter jacket covering most of his neck and some of his chin.

Not that he was trying to disguise himself as much as it was colder than a bitch out tonight.

“It doesn’t bother me as much as I think it does you,” he said. He pulled his hat off and unzipped his jacket and hung them up. “Despite the fact I look like an Eskimo.”

“It is cold today,” she said.

She was in leggings and a cotton shirt. He’d never seen her this casual before and wasn’t sure what to make of it though he had to admit he liked she felt she could let her guard down around him.

He walked over to stand in front of her fireplace that was on. Her condo was fairly big. He’d passed what he assumed was a half bath on his way down a hall to an open area. There were three barstools at an island, a small table just past it and then he could see into the living room and a gorgeous view of high-rises beyond that and a balcony.

There were doors off of each side of the living room that he was guessing were bedrooms.

“This is a nice space,” he said.

“Small,” she said. “At least by your standards and what you live in.”

He laughed. “As you know, I didn’t come from much. I wasn’t out to get the best in the neighborhood or the biggest.”

“There were a lot of bigger houses on the way there,” she admitted.

“I bought the cheapest house in terms of value in that neighborhood. It needed to be all but gutted when I got it. I did some of the work myself and hired others.”

“You worked on your own house?” she asked. “Do you want a drink or not? I’ve got champagne for later, but if you want a beer, I’ve got that too.”

“I’ll just take water for now,” he said.“And yes, I did some work. I’m handy and it gave me something to do. Mainly demo. That was fun.”

She moved to the kitchen and grabbed two bottles and handed one over.

“No problem parking?” she asked.

“No. I found the visitor spots and managed to secure one,” he said.

He knew she paid for a parking spot in the building but hardly ever drove her car, rather getting shuttled around by West’s drivers or taking taxis. She wasn’t close enough to her office to walk. At least he didn’t think she would in the heels she wore. It was probably a mile away.

“Good,” she said. “I’m glad you didn’t have New Year’s Eve plans and could come here. Tonight would be crazy on the town.”

“It wasn’t fun getting through traffic,” he said. It’d taken him twice as long as he’d thought it would and he’d factored in the travel time. “Did you work today?”

“Of course,” she said. “But I only went in for a few hours this morning and then came home and finished up here. Like you, I knew there’d be a lot of traffic. I’ve got some snacks if you’re hungry.”

He put his water down and moved closer to her. “Why do you seem nervous for some reason?”

Jamie wasn’t sure what was going through her head. He felt they both had a good time at lunch yesterday and had to admit he was surprised she suggested he come to her house for dinner tonight but also understood that going out in public was going to draw eyes to them.

Even when he left yesterday, he was stopped a few times for pictures and autographs. He was used to it and most times would stay and make sure everyone got what they wanted.

But once Penelope was born, if he had to get home to his daughter, he’d cut things short.

“I haven’t had someone in my place in a long time.”

“Define a long time,” he said, grinning, then yanking her into his arms. He had to get his mouth on her and make sure the heat was still where he’d thought it was.

“Oh, I don’t keep track,” she said.

His mouth was hovering over hers, his lips gently touching and pulling back. “A month. A year. More than a year?” he asked.

“More than a year,” she said. “Much longer than you.”

He laughed and kissed her again, deeper this time, their tongues dueling and her body pressing against his.

When he leaned back, he smiled. “You’re the first woman in my house other than Janelle.”

Her head went back and forth. “I forgot. You don’t want anyone to know about Penelope.”

Which was true and it was odd that he offered for Laken to come to his house in the first place even if it was work related.

“I don’t,” he said. “Not yet. Though I could have still brought them in and kept them in certain parts of the house without them seeing any signs of Penelope.”

He would have hidden it all because there were pictures of Penelope in his room, his family room and his office.

“I find it hard to believe you haven’t had sex in almost two years,” she said. “So you must go to hotels or their place.”

He squinted one eye at her. “I haven’t had as much as you might think, but I’ve dated a few women here or there for a short period. My days of one-night stands are over.”

Even when he dated it was laid back. Not enough to have them at his house and maybe that was why they didn’t last.

Most times the woman wanted to go to his place and he’d find excuses to not have it happen.

The fact he was dating them was usually enough for them to give in because they had hoped for something long term when it’d never been on his radar.

Yet it was now.

“I haven’t dated in a while,” Laken said. She moved out of his arms. He liked holding her but guessed if they were going to talk she’d rather sit on the couch.

But she walked into the kitchen and pulled out a board with cheese, crackers, fruits, dips and some meats. Something he’d put together at home himself.

“This looks nice,” he said. He reached for a strawberry.

“I figured it was something you’d like. Easy enough too. I guess it’s a good thing, as this is much better than chips and dip or wings.”

He laughed. “Do you like wings?”

“I love wings. But I know you are of the opinion your body is a temple.”

The fact her eyes roamed over him and heated up gave him some encouragement for the night, but he wouldn’t pressure her either.

“The better you take care of your body, the better it will take care of you,” he said.

“True. I thought dinner would be more along the lines of snacking. I’m not very good when it comes to cooking if I’m distracted. I haven’t set anything on fire in a long time and don’t want to do it with you here.”

He laughed. “Seriously?”

“I was a kid. But yes. I tend to multi-task. Though I think I’m a champion at it in my job, not so much in the household. I’ve burned clothing trying to iron and answer emails at the same time. Now I use a steamer.”

“Instead of taking a step back from doing so much at once, you just found other ways to make sure you didn’t have errors?” he asked.

He wasn’t sure he’d ever seen someone work as much as her. Even in his prime playing and proving himself, he still took breaks.

“We all have to do what we need to do,” she said. “But I get it. I think watching my brothers having relationships now is letting me see it’s possible. Not that I’m rushing anything here,” she said quickly, her hand moving back and forth between them.

“I understood what you were saying. Maybe I feel the same way. We’ve got some obstacles in the way, but I don’t think as many as you are putting up.”

“Possibly,” she said. “And back to food. I picked up a bunch of finger foods that I only have to heat. Not frozen things but nice healthy prepared items from a restaurant.”

“I’m not concerned with the food. I splurge enough because that is what life is about. I was just happy to get this time with you.”

“No rush to get home?” she asked. “I’m assuming Janelle is staying with Penelope all night?”

“She is,” he said. “I told her not to wait up.”

He wasn’t going to add he’d also said he might not be home at all. The only thing he didn’t say was where he was going.

“Good,” she said. “We’ve got all night to relax.”

“Is that what we are going to do?” he asked.

“Some of the night,” she said, smirking at him. “Maybe talk another part of it. It’s not like we have a lot of time together alone.”

He felt bad for that. He wanted to say it was all on his shoulders. He was the one working the past several Sundays and would be again for several weeks until the football season was over.

But Laken had been traveling her fair share too and then working nights and weekends, even if she was doing it at home.

“We don’t,” he said. “Things will slow down for me mid-February.”

“I don’t feel as if anything slows down for me,” she said. “But I won’t be traveling as much because I’ll be focused on working with you. West’s wedding will be sooner than most realize.”

The announcement hadn’t happened yet, but he was told any day now. He’d kept quiet on it. Not that he had anyone to even tell.

“Are you going to be planning that?” he asked, frowning.

“No. Abby will do it on her own or ask for help if she wants it. It’s going to be somewhat small, which is funny to say considering the size of our family.”

“You’d keep it right for family,” he said. “I understand that.”

“West was considering renting a private island and flying people there on his jet. He could do it easily in a few days back and forth, but Abby said no way. They met in Aruba and I think he just wanted to bring some of that back for her.”

“It sounds to me like she doesn’t care about those things,” he said.

“No,” she said. “She doesn’t at all. The wedding will be at West’s home in the Hamptons and it’s primarily going to be immediate family, which is huge. My uncle on my father’s side has four kids, my uncle on my mother’s side has nine kids.”

“Nine!” he said, shaking his head. “I can barely handle the one I’ve got.”

She laughed. “Tell me about it. West will secure a hotel for family only for everyone too.”

“Sounds like it’s going to work out,” he said.

“It always does,” she said.

He grabbed another strawberry, then walked back into her living room to look out at the view.

“I don’t miss this,” he said.

“No?” she asked. He hadn’t heard her come up behind him but felt her hands go around his waist.

“I lived it enough. It’s quiet in here other than you know the world is moving fast out there.”

She popped her head around the side of him. “I’m used to fast but understand. We traveled a lot with my father in the service. My younger siblings never experienced that. Not Talia. She’s only ever lived in two houses. The little ranch that we had when we moved to Fort Bragg, which is Fort Liberty now. And then the house West had built years ago. Other than college, that is.”

“I lived in one house my whole life too, before college,” he said. “Sometimes coming from a small town where everyone knows you isn’t a good thing.”

“I didn’t have that,” she said. “We blended in more than anything. Military families come and go. I never really developed any close relationships with people either. Just my mother and brothers.”

He never thought of it that way.

“I guess I could say the same.”

“Not even Penelope’s mother?” she asked.

“I don’t want to ruin our lighthearted conversation with that tonight,” he said.

“Which means mind my own business?” she asked.

“No. Not at all. Very few know about Penelope’s mother. Actually only three people. Me. My agent, and my attorney. Well, of course Janelle too.”

“Your parents don’t know?” she asked wide eyed.

“Not everything,” he admitted. He couldn’t bring himself to tell them. They were disappointed and embarrassed enough, why say it all?

“Then I’m sorry you felt like you couldn’t be honest with them.”

“Nothing for you to feel sorry about,” he said.

He pulled her in front of him, his mouth to hers again.

When she lifted her head, she said, “I do want to talk and get to know you more, but I’m thinking I might need to know you more another way first.”

It was the smirk on her face. “Oh really?”

“Yes. I don’t make a habit of this, but there is something there I just need. I told myself I’m not going to fight it if you’re not.”

“It doesn’t feel as if I’m fighting a damn thing when it comes to you,” he said.