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All day Friday and Saturday, I clomped around the cafe in my new hiking boots with heavy socks. I suspected that still wouldn't be enough to break them in completely, but I only had so much time before the trip.
As I dressed for dinner with Jim, I was a little nervous. I really like him. Everything with him so far has been easy. Almost too easy. I worried that I wasn't ready to move our relationship forward as quickly as he wanted. Jim had nothing in common with my ex except for his profession, but that was enough to make me want to pull back. Then there was also the fact that Tom Beckett showed up at the cafe on Friday night. He invited me to keep him company while he ate his dinner and, I have to admit, he was pretty interesting too.
"The only man I should be thinking about tonight is Jim," I told my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I offered to drive to his place, but he insisted on picking me up.
I had just slipped on my heels when there was a knock on the door. "Be right there," I called from the bedroom. I was shocked when I opened the door to find myself face-to-face with Chance Munroe. He was clearly as surprised as I was based on the assessing trip his eyes took over my body.
"Oh, hi, Chance. Is there a change in plans?"
His eyes lingered on my chest. "Up here, Chance," I said. At least he had the decency to look ashamed.
"No. No change. I just wanted to make sure you still plan to go."
"I do. I'll see you downstairs at four."
I was standing in the doorway, still holding the door. I heard footsteps start up the stairs. When I looked around Chance's broad shoulders I saw Jim on his way up.
"I'll be ready, Chance. "See you in the morning."
Chance turned around and stuck his hand out to Jim when they were both on the small landing outside my door.
"Evening, Jim."
"Nice to see you, Chance. Take good care of her out there," Jim said.
"I'll bring her back. Don’t keep her out too late," Chance said, heading down the stairs.
"Are you ready to go?" Jim asked.
"Sure, just let me grab a jacket." I got my jacket and purse from the sofa and locked the door behind me.
"What was Chance doing here?"
"Same as you I guess," I said without thinking. Jim leveled a look at me that said he'd like an explanation.
"I'm sure Chance thinks I'm his most demanding client, too."
"I suspect you're right."
As we drove to Jim's, he put his hand on my knee. He didn't say much, and neither did I. He parked the car in the garage and rushed around the car to open my door.
Inside, he took my jacket and turned me to face him. "Seeing you with Chance threw me off, but you look amazing tonight. And just in case I wasn't clear earlier, I'd be OK not seeing that again. I know you have to do this thing with him, but I'll be glad when it's done."
"You and I both," I said, though I suspected our reasons were vastly different. I was not looking forward to sleeping on the ground, having no indoor plumbing, and having to spend every waking moment with a man who could irritate me with a look.