Chapter 6

Two weeks had gone by since Jack and Janet went to the movies. Two weeks since that kiss that keeps coming back to hunt both. Janet had not talked to Jack since, he would come by the flower shop but she would try to avoid him and would go to the back or upstairs to help out. She love being around him but she needed to be away from. He was a married man and even though he had not said anything to hint a romantic relationship between them Janet didn't want to take a chance at her heart breaking one more time. He may not be feeling anything but deep down Janet could feel those old emotions coming to life again.

It was hard to concentrate knowing he was downstairs or in Jason's office sometimes. She so badly wanted to go in and talk to him, laugh at his silly jokes, smile at her reflection on Jack's azure eyes. And most of all feel the sense of excitement building up as he approached her with a hug or kiss.

Before leaving the flower shop that afternoon, Jack looked up, wondering why Janet had not said anything but a simple hello and goodbye when he came into the shop. Afraid she was upset at him for the kiss he so bravely build up the courage to give her he made his way up the steps. Neither of them had mentioned the kiss or their different attitudes after they pulled away. Jack simply smiled and said goodnight.

As Jack made his way upstairs, Janet could feel him coming up and instantly her mind went blank, she lost track of what she was doing but tried to play it cool. She had not changed a bit, always trying to be strong. She quickly picked up the roses she was working on and placed them on the table across from her. "Isn't it about time you go home?" Jack asked Janet as he gave her an affectionate smile.

"Almost, I just have to get this-"

"You've been here since early this morning Janet. Jason told me you even arrived before he did." Jack said taking the flowers and helping her place them on top of the other silver table.

"I know…I just want to make sure everything is running swell." Janet said finally turning to face him.

Jack smiled once again as he placed his hands on her shoulders, "All this will still be here tomorrow, Janet. Please I don't want you to stress out about work. If you need more help let Jason know we can hire someone else."

Janet returned the smile as she slowly walked away from him. It was so hard to focus having him this close to her. "I am almost leaving." Janet said turning to get her keys.

He saw her walk down the stairs with a disappointed look on his face. 'Why was she running away from him', he kept asking himself. "I called you last night."

Janet stopped and turned to look up at Jack, "I even left a message on your machine," he continued as he leaned on the rail.

"Oh," she tried to think of something fast. "My machine has been broken for weeks. I'm sorry I had no idea you had called." She lied trying to continue her progress.

He quickly rushed down the steps trying to catch up, "All this time I though you just didn't want to talk to me." Jack said as he chucked.

"Why wouldn't I want to talk to you?"

"Well, after that kiss ….I don't know. I just though you were upset." He said scratching his neck.

"You've done worst things and I've always spoken to you afterwards."

"You're right." He recalled previous times when he would get in trouble or cross the line with Janet. But they always somehow ended laughing about the situation.

"Well, Jack I think its time for me to go. I have to get things ready for Philip's visit this weekend."

"Philip's visit?"

"Yes, each month he comes to pick up Jack and take him to his place. He should be here tomorrow and I still haven't packed anything for Jack's stay at his dad's."

"Well, I am done here; if you want I can take you home." Jack offered.

"No."

His smile faded at Janet's sharp answer.

"I mean, no that is okay. I bet Vicky is expecting you home after a long day like today. Besides it's not that far. Plus I …."

"Its okay, Janet if you rather I not drive you just says it." Jack felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

"I'm sorry honey; I just don't want you to go out of your way. But if you insist, I'll love for you to take me home." Janet said caressing his handsome face.

"Let me go get my coat," He said leaning in to kiss her cheek.

Janet smiled as she saw Jack eagerly walking into the office; it has been so hard staying away from him the last couple of weeks. She missed his smile, his azure gaze, his wonderful touch and his soft lips. Janet took in a deep breath as she turned around to find Vicky walking towards the front entrance.

She closed her eyes for a split second, took in a deep breath and opened the door. "Hi Vicky," she greeted Jack's wife.

"Hello Janet, is my husband here?" She asked knowing the answer to her own question.

"No. Actually Jack was here earlier but he's not anymore." Jack heard his best friend tell his wife.

"Don't play stupid with me I know he is here. His car is packed out front." She responded upset.

"Well, that is because he and Jason went out for dinner to discuss plans for the coming month."

"Then what were you doing standing there as if you were waiting for someone. Why are you here so late?"

"I was just checking looking around making sure I hadn't miss anything before I closed."

"You better not be lying to Janet."

"Why would I lie? And now if you excuse me, I have to go set the alarm and call it a night. My son is waiting for me."

Vicky looked around the flower shop, turned on her heels and left the flower shop.

Soon after Mrs. Tripper left Jack and Janet followed. They walked out of the flower shop hand in hand as they made their way to his vehicle. Jack was happy Janet had lie to his wife and told her he wasn't there. He wanted to spend some time with her even if it was only twenty minutes. And he was hoping Janet wanted the same. Why else would she have lie?

"So you see Philip every month huh?" Jack couldn't help but asking. But even more obvious was his tone of voice, it bother him to know that on top of everything Janet and Philip maintain such a good relationship.

"Yes. He comes and takes little Jack to his place the last weekend of the month."

There was a long and uncomfortable moment between the two passengers.

"Can I ask you something?"

Uncertain if this was the right choice or not she welcomed Jack's question, "Why did you tell Vicky I wasn't there?"

Janet's eyes widen as she scramble for a good enough reason. "Well…I just didn't feel like walking to the bus stop and waiting an extra 15 minutes to get home."

"Oh." Jack nodded his head.

"Plus I just wanted to spend some time with you." Janet added with a timid voice.

Score! Jack drew a big smile on his face as she spoke her last words.

Even though Jack was trying his hardest to make the trip last as long as possible, they arrived at Janet house within the normal fifteen twenty minute time period. He was hoping she would ask him in and she was dying to. It took all her strength to wish him a good night before she made her way towards her front door.

"Janet." Jack called out making his way up the steps. He placed his palms on Janet's shoulders as his body was just inches from hers. "I was wondering if maybe you and I can do something together. Just you and me, while junior stays with his dad?" Jack asked with a nervous pledging smile.

Janet's expression changed in a second. "Well I had made some plans with someone else." She lied once again.

"I understand." Jack tried to compose himself as he cleared his throat. "I totally understand. Maybe some other night. Good night Janet." Jack said leaning into her rosy lips.

"Jack." She called out after he teased her lips with just one single peck.

"I'm sorry I didn't know you would have wanted us to do something."

"Don't worry about it honey. You take care. I'll see you tomorrow. Tell Jr. I say hello."

Jack watched as Janet entered her house. With a disappointed attitude he made his way towards his Mercedes and just watched the shadows in the window as he wonder if she and Philip were doing something tomorrow night before he took their son back to his place.

From the inside Janet could still see his car parked on the street threw the small opening of the blinds. "Come on Jack lets go get things ready for when you daddy comes to pick you up tomorrow." Janet said as she turned off the lights to the living room and made her way into her son's room.

The next day seem to go by pretty fast. It was almost noon when after a long day of going over their relationship and how it once again was beginning to evolve into a deeper feeling Janet decided to take Jack up on his invitation. So during her lunch hour she called his office. She lost him once because of her insecurities and was not going to make the same mistake again.

Deep down she knew that old flame was still burning. It always had, she just hasn't realized it. She was tired of playing stupid teen games she's an older woman now and if she had made the mistake of loosing him before to her pre-teen crush insecurities she wasn't about to play that same game once again. She loved Jack and wanted nothing more then to be around him and with him. It was time she started worry about herself first.

"Thank you for calling Jack's Bistro, the best restaurant in town how may I help you." She heard Jack's voice on the other side of the phone.

"Great introduction, Jack." She giggled.

"Janet." He recognized her soft voice and sweet laughter. "Is there something wrong at the flower shop? Is there something wrong with Jr.?" He asked when he heard the answer to his first question. "Then how many I help you." He said relief.

"Well," Janet bite her lower lip as she worked up all her courage to ask him about to night. "I was wondering if you invitation was still standing for tonight?" She took in a deep breath and then let it out.

"Well Mrs. Dawson," he said fixing his tie. "I am terribly sorry but I a date with a beautiful lady tonight." He simile width.

He heart fell so low she could almost feel it hit the floor, "Uh, oh, well I ….hope you have a wonderful time." Janet said in a sorrow voice as she was about to hang up the phone. All that time she had spend thinking of what to say to him, thinking of him and wondering even almost betting her life on it that he may have other feelings for her all for nothing. How easily he changes his mind and plans.

"Janet hold on don't hang up." Jack called out as he stood up almost as if she was standing in front of him. "Are you still there?"

"Yes."

"I was just kidding," he tried to assure her. "I was talking about you. I was still going to go over and see you before you left with your friend. Or at least I was hoping to." Jack said taking a sit again.

She smiled her stomach doing back flips with joy.

"Well, do you still want to come over tonight? All night." She added.

"So does that mean we will get to sleep together?" Jack joked.

She shook her head and rolled her eyes. She loved his humor even if she always pretended not to. "Come on Jack, you know what I mean. If you still want us to do something I would love for us too."

"What happened to your plans?"

"They can wait. There is nothing else I'll rather be doing then spending a Friday night with you." She smiled at the phone, "Just like old times."

"Yup, just like old times." He spoke taking in a deep breath as he remembered many times they would stay at home just the two of them and watch old TV movies.

"Great, so I will see you tonight about 7:30?"

"Well would you rather me pick you up from work?" Janet was hoping he wouldn't be there for when Philip came to pick up little Jack, but anytime with him was a blessing to her. "That sounds perfect." She informed him, after all Philip wanted her to find Jack and be happy. That is why they split up I the first place.

"Ready." Janet said as she turned off the lights to the building.

"I am so glad you changed your mind." Jack said as he took her hand in his. "We are going to have fun tonight."

"I know I can't wait." Janet said grabbing her purse.

"Well," Jack had her trapped between his body and the wall, his strong arms around her, "There are so many other ways to have fun." They both laughed at Jack's double meaning words.

She pushed him away from her as they made their way home.

When Philip rang the door bell Jack was putting a large pizza into the oven. "I'll get it." Janet informed her two men.

Philip stood in the door way with a big smile on his face. His hair now showing some signs of him ageing as some whites stood out. Janet smiled back as she welcomed her ex-husband into her home. "Come on in," She said leaning over to kiss his right cheek, "Our son is waiting for you."

"Thank you honey." He said admiring her beautiful smile and the way her eyes sparkled in a different way tonight.

"Jack baby look who's here." Janet called out as they walked into the living room.

To her surprise both Jacks came out of different rooms and into the living room. Jack smiled at Philip as he just stood there staring blankly at Jack. After a few seconds he forced a smile on his face, and shook his hand.

Janet more scared then ever stood between the two most important men in her life. "Philip you remember Jack don't you." She tried to play it off.

"Of course," he looked at Janet and smile sadly, "I will never forget Jack."

"Daddy."

"Hey there cowboy. Are you ready to have some fun with your old man this weekend?" Philip asked lifting up his son.

The little boy nodded his head as he hugged his father. "His things are in my room. Jack honey you want to help mommy take your things out to your dad's car?"

Philip placed his son down so that he could go help Janet bring his things out. Leaving Jack and Mr. Dawson all alone.

After the two men asked each other how they been, there was a long and deadly silent. "You take care of her, Jack." Philip said looking him straight in the eye. "I know she still loves you and even thought it kills me to know that, I want nothing more then happiness in her life, because she and my son are the most amazing thing in my life. And although she isn't mine anymore I will fight for her like the day we said 'I do'. Love her and care for her, she deserves it."

"Okay daddy, we are ready." Janet said coming out of her room before Jack had a chance to reply to Philip's advice.

"Say bye to mommy and her friend."

The little boy kissed Janet goodbye and shook Jack's hand. "We should be back Sunday night, just like always. You two have a good time."

Janet turned to Jack and then back to Philip. "You two, be careful."

She walked them to the door as Jack headed back to the kitchen to check on the pizza. "I'm glad you took my advice." Philip said to Janet as she opened the door.

"It's not what you think."

"What I think doesn't matter anymore Janet. It's your life and I want only what makes you happy, after all isn't that what love is all about?"

Janet felt her heartbreak at her ex-husbands sweet words, "Thank you Philip, thank you for everything. You will always hold a deep and big part in my heart. But I don't want you to get the wrong idea of him and me. There is nothing going on between us. Things are just like they were almost 8 years ago."

"Don't let him get away this time Janet. I let you free because I know how you truly feel about him, Janet. Don't make me regret my decision. Just remember if anything I will always be here for you, always."

"Thanks Philip." Janet kissed his lips with a small peek before kissing her little cowboy goodbye. "Take care, love you both."

From the inside Jack watched as his friend waved goodbye to the black SUV. "So have you decided what to watch?" Jack said after he cute the delicious looking pizza.

"I think we should both pick, after all we are both watching the movie not just me." Janet said.

"Well let me finish this and I'll be there."

"In that case let me go change into something more comfortable and I'll be back."

Jack swallowed hard as he could only imagine what tonight may lead to.

Even though he had imagined more then what that night lead to, Jack didn't regret a single second. For after Janet had come back both friends picked out a move and sat on the oversized leather couch watching TV; both of them covered under a white fleece blanket. Jack had his arm wrapped around Janet as she snuggled into his warm and muscular body. Her head rested against his shoulder and from time to time he would rest his on top of her. The smell of her hair made him pull her closer if possible as she simply adjusted to the new position without any hesitation. Their hands locked like they never wanted to let go of each other. Silently they watched the movie as Jack would sometimes catch Janet staring up at him, he would wink at her as he smiled and kiss her hair.