I felt like that might’ve been TMI and, from the look on Jackson’s face, he agreed.
“And your rooms are back downstairs. I have the King suite and the Crown Jewel ready for you. You know, those are the same suites that Austin and Sara stayed in when they met and look how that turned out.” Karen’s eyes bounced between Jackson and me.
With each step I took as we descended, the winged butterflies in my stomach fluttered faster. I had no idea what would happen tonight with me and Jackson. Would we go to our separate rooms and sleep? Would he show up at my door? Would I show up at his?
I wished I had more experience with these things. What was the protocol to turn a one-night-stand into a two-night-stand? I’m sure my grandmother would have a lot to say on the subject. But unlike the fans of her show, I did not look to her for advice on my personal life.
“You’re just down this hall.” Karen announced as we reached the bottom of the staircase.
We rounded the corner and ran straight into a mountain of a man.
“Sly!” Karen jumped and grasped her chest. “I will never understand how someone so large can be so quiet.” Karen turned back to us. “This behemoth ninja is my husband Sly.”
He didn’t appear to be the type of man that would appreciate his business being broadcast to strangers, but since he’d been married to Karen Carpenter, not the singer, for over fifty years, I supposed he was okay with it.
“And this is Austin’s cousin Jackson and his lady friend Josie. Who does she look like to you?”
As sweet as Karen was, I had to admit I didn’t love being called Jackson’s lady friend, and also the “who does she look like” game, was one of my least favorites. Mainly, because it always consisted of people staring at me as they tried to figure out the answer. Sometimes it would go on for a long time.
Sly looked at me and I could see that there was zero recognition in his eyes.
“It’s nice to meet you, Sly,” Jackson interjected as he stepped up next to me and placed his hand on my lower back.
It was the second time he’d done that today. The first time was at his cousin’s house. Both times the weight of his touch and heat from his palm spread through me like a shot of whiskey. I felt it from my head to my toes.
“Her granny is Josephine Grace Clarke!” Karen clapped her hands together with excitement, as if she just couldn’t hold it in any longer. “They’re practically twins!”
“Nice to meet you both.” Sly dipped his head in a nod before walking around us and out the front.
“He doesn’t say much,” Karen explained. “Thankfully, I say enough for both of us.”
She showed us to our rooms, which were joined by a Jack and Jill bathroom. I was staying in the Crown Jewel and Jackson was in the King Suite. Before she left, she reminded us that there were fresh brownies in the kitchen and that breakfast would be ready at seven sharp.
When my door closed, I lifted my suitcase onto the large four-poster bed and pulled out my pajamas, which consisted of cut-off sweats and an old, V-neck T-shirt. I wished that I’d packed something sexier, but since I didn’t own any lingerie, that would’ve been impossible.
My grandmother had a running commentary on my “schlubby” nightwear. She maintained that women should always wear a matching bra and underwear, a coat of lipstick and mascara, and sleep in silk or lace. For the first time in my life, I wished I would’ve heeded her advice. If I had, then moving this night in the direction that I wanted it to go would be a no brainer. All I’d have to do is put on a slinky number, cover it with a robe, walk across the hall, and when Jackson opened the door, I would open my robe.
I wouldn’t have to say anything. It would be more of a show-not-tell moment.
But as things stood now, I knew that I’d have to come up with another plan. Or I could do nothing except cross my fingers and toes that he made the first move. I was weighing my options as I grabbed my toiletries bag and opened the door to the bathroom. When I did my jaw dropped.