Thanks for the reviews. Hope you like chapter 3!

thought and a notion

CHAPTER THREE

The smell of eggs and bacon didn't even please Valerie eight o'clock the next morning. She was running on four hours of sleep.

"I made breakfast." Jack said as she stepped into the kitchen. He looked way too happy for her liking. He was only dressed in his boxers and Valerie hated that he was attractive enough that she didn't mind. She wanted to mind.

"I can see that," she grumbled. "Go put some clothes on."

"And not give you the privilege of seeing this view? I couldn't."

If Valerie was in a good mood she would have laughed. But she wasn't.

She ignored the beautifully fried eggs and bacon and just grabbed a piece of toast he had buttered to spite him then headed back to her room. She had to pick up Stef for work, he had called her a couple minutes ago. That was the only reason she was up at this time. Gina had used his car to go to the doctor. Then she had to head off to the diner, her boss had offered her an extra shift because Marcella had called in sick. She probably wouldn't be getting anymore extra shifts after, Valerie with only four hours of sleep was a monster.

"Where are you going?" Jack asked as she slipped on her shoes.

"Bringing Stef to the warehouse then to work."

Valerie slammed the door behind her.

Stef looked just as miserable as she did, if the bags under his eyes said anything. Valerie highly doubted he had much or any sleep.

"You look like shit." She greeted him.

"You too." He said.

Stef worked at the warehouse for some generic department store. The job was almost completely lifting boxes. It was crap but it paid better than her waitressing.

"Why'd Gina have to go to the doctors so bad?"

Stef grunted.

"What was that, baby brother?"

"Stop calling me that we have a two month difference," he snipped at her. "And she's been having migraines."

"She couldn't drive you to work?"

"It was really bad."

Valerie sighed. "Stef, why do you even like this girl? She doesn't even respect you have to get to work at a certain time."

"Just leave it."

"Stef, please. She's just no good."

They rolled into the warehouse parking lot.

"Oh, good. We're here." Stef got out of the car abruptly and almost took the door with him the way he flung it.

Valerie watched him walk into the warehouse and cursed herself for making him mad at her. She was just trying to be a good sister and look out for him.

The shift at the diner was only short: four hours. But when the amount you worked was the same you slept, it wasn't enjoyable.

Jack wasn't home when she got back. She didn't expect him to be. But his mess was. He didn't clean a single dish and all the irritation she felt for him that morning came flooding back.

She started on the dishes and even tidied up the rest of the apartment. She didn't have anything better to do.

The phone rang around three. It was Cole. He actually called. Often guys just said they would. He wanted to go for a late supper, around seven. He'd pick her up. Valerie hung up and started to get ready.

She threw her works clothes to the floor and jumped in the shower. Valerie didn't have an endless supply of 'date clothes', ninety percent of her closet was jeans, probably. But she managed to pull something together. A black suede dress, her blue leather jacket, and heeled leather boots.

She was brushing her teeth when Jack got home.

"Val?"

She spit. "Yeah?"

He appeared in the doorway and looked her up and down. "Where are you going?"

"Out with Cole."

Jack nodded. "Just finished talking to Stef. He's pissed at you. Super pissed."

Valerie shrugged. "Let him be pissed. I don't trust Gina."

"Me neither. We're on the same side because now Stef's pissed I agreed with you."

Valerie chuckled and pushed past him. "He'll get over it."

The buzzer for their apartment went off and Cole's voice came through. "I know I'm early but I'm here to get you."

Valerie let him in.

"I'm sure he will," Jack said, continuing where they left off. "You look pretty, by the way."

Valerie tried not to look taken aback by the comment and grabbed her purse. "Thanks, Jack."

"No problem."

Cole brought them to one of those fancy steakhouses. It didn't remind her of Willie's Roadhouse 'Steak Tuesdays' that she would go to every Tuesday in high school. Not in the slightest. First difference: they had fancy white tablecloths on every table and not a piece of brown paper you can draw on. It also had a big fish tank with exotic fish inside. Classy.

But she couldn't afford it and she felt guilty making Cole pay for a place like this.

"Maybe we should go somewhere else." Valerie suggested before the host sat them.

Cole glanced down at her. "Why, is there a problem? Do you hate this place –"

"No," said Valerie quietly. "I just can't pay for something like this. I can hardly afford a litre of milk."

That caused Cole to laugh. "Don't worry, it's on me."

"No-" but Cole ignored her and started talking to the hostess who began leading them to their seats.

A man named Michael dressed in a button up shirt and nice black slacks took their order. She ordered a small steak and salad. The menu didn't even have prices; that's how you knew it was expensive and that's why she ordered the smallest combo on the menu.

"Michael, before you go," the waiter turned on his heel when Cole called out to him. "Can you get us a bottle of chardonnay? That Bonneau du Martray one?"

Chardonnay. Bonneau du Martray. Sometimes Valerie drank boxed wine that she got her older university friends to buy her.

"He didn't even ask for you I.D." Valerie said, surprised. Jamie let her have drinks at ElectriK but everywhere else Valerie had to get someone else to purchase from them for her.

"It's all in the confidence. If you feel you're twenty-one, so do they."

"Amazing. If I wanted booze I'd probably have to take that four hour drive to Toronto."

Michael came back with their wine and laid a basket of breadsticks in front of them. Valerie was impressed but way out of her element.

She took a sip of her wine and attempted not to screw up her face. It was a little too strong and not enough fruity for her tastes.

The rest of the date was typical: they ate, they asked each other about their majors and hobbies, where they worked, all first date material was covered. He even ordered dessert despite her protests. Caramel cheesecake. It was absolutely delicious.

They stood in front of her apartment. Now it was Cole who looked out of his element.

"You're not in the suburbs anymore." She joked.

"Yeah," he said. "I can definitely see that."

"It looks scarier than it is. Sorta," Valerie switched topics. "I had a really good time tonight, Cole."

He stepped closer, smiling. "Me too."

It was a small kiss and it left more to the imagination than she was used to. Every other guy she had been with was a little too forward straight from the start. Cole kissing her was sweet and quick and soft. His lips were smooth and when he pulled away the taste of Chapstick was left on her lips.

"I'll call you again," Cole said, stepping away. Valerie knew he wanted to get out of this neighborhood. "I can't wait until I see you next."

"Goodnight, Cole."

He got into his car and sped off.

"Is that Jack Mercer laying on the couch ten o'clock on a Saturday night? Never thought I'd see the day."

Jack jumped at the sound of her voice. He must have been asleep; sleep sounded good to her right about now.

"You came home?" Jack said, his voice held a grogginess to it.

"Of course, I did. Where else would I go?"

Jack glanced out the window. "I just thought you'd be out."

Which was code for he thought she would be out all night screwing Cole.

"Nah," she said. "Not everybody's a little sleaze like you."

"I'm not a sleaze."

She raised a brow. "Really? Then why do you got that tongue ring?"

Jack threw a cushion at her. "Shut up. You're so mean."

"I'm kidding," Valerie laughed and tossed the pillow back. "I think as long as you're safe you can bang whoever you want. Wrap it up. That's my advice for you and for a healthy sex life."

"Please stop talking."

Valerie sat down on the couch next to him and grabbed the remote, flicking the TV from an episode of Scrubs to a CSI marathon. Jack lid back down and kicked his feet up in her lap.

He propped his head up a couple minutes into the episode of CSI. "Do you wanna go somewhere with me?"

Valerie thought about it. "I'm kinda tired."

Jack sat up fully. "C'mon, please. You're dressed for it already. We have a couple drinks, maybe shoot some pool."

"Fine. Let's go out."