Chapter 11
– On the cheek? He kissed you on the cheek? –Ilana asked again, not believing her ears.
– Yep. And I'm not thrilled either, believe me.
– Maybe he's gay…
– Of course he's not gay! I don't know… maybe I'm just not his type… or maybe I'm misunderstanding the whole thing and he just wants to be friends with me…
– Friends my ass! Maybe he didn't want to kiss you because he had sushi breath…
Brooke laughed at that idea. – No, I mean, seriously, maybe he's just a gentleman. –Ilana corrected.
– He is, I assure you…
The rest of the call Brooke described Ilana how perfect Jack was, every move he made, every smile, every look, every word. Ilana could see her friend was delighted with him.
– So, when you're seeing him again?
– He said he'll call me tomorrow…
– That's my girl! So, when you're telling him about writing down his bio for me?
– Okay, conversation's over… Night-y sweetie…
– But wait… –Ilana was cut off by Brooke hanging up the phone.
Jack called her the next day and they had lunch. Then he called her the day after, and they shared a pizza. When Brooke had no time to meet him, they talked on the phone for hours. He called or sent messages to her all the time, and Brooke's eyes went brighter every time she heard his voice.
Jack was fascinated with her. During all their dates and phone calls, he learnt Brooke's favorite color was blue, and red came second place. He knew her favorite treat was chocolate, though she never bought chocolates herself because she would eat them non-stop till there was none left. He learnt tulips were her favorite flower and that she hated to be rushed. Every time he called her because he couldn't meet her, he asked her what she was wearing, because he wanted to picture her and imagine every single detail of her. Brooke thought that him asking her to describe her outfit was hell sexy.
Every time they talked or went out during that week, Brooke came back to her room and called Ilana to tell her the whole story with exact details.
– You've slept with him already?
– God no! We've just dated for a week.
– Well, it's not like you have forever, do you? You're coming back in another week. –Ilana warned her.
– Yeah, I know… but I don't want to rush things, you know? Neither does him, trust me… –Brooke told her, a little sorrow in her voice.
– Why? –Ilana asked.
– Well… will you kill me if I tell you he hasn't even kissed me yet?
– Get out!
– It's true… and I hate it. I mean… I think he doesn't like me in that way, I just don't understand…
– Yeah right! You kiss him. –Ilana demanded.
– I so want to…
– Then do it, what's to lose?
– Nothing…
– So, what we know so far about him?
– Well, he's Chief of Surgery at St. Sebastian Hospital, he plays piano and golf, he likes music… he loves this sushi restaurant he took me to on our first date… oh, and he's a Red Sox fan…
– How sweet! –Ilana said, taunting. – But besides his hi5 profile, what you know about his life?
Brooke ran out of words… It was true, so far, she didn't know anything else about Jack. – Wow… I'm so stupid!
– Why you say that? –Ilana asked.
– I talk so much I haven't given him the chance to tell me about him! –Brooke affirmed, worried.
– Then shut the fuck up and let him do the talking!
– I will…
– It's about time, don't you think sweetie?
– Okay, what's that? –Brooke shot back, curious.
– What?
– You're worried…
– I'm not, why should I be? –Ilana snapped, nervous.
– You're using pet names. You only do that when you're worried.
– Right… The thing is Brookie… you're so excited about this guy and… well, you might want to know what his intentions are and also what it is you want.
– Intentions?
– Yeah, I mean, where's all these going? You're just like high school sweeties. And I don't think neither of you is looking for a fuck-buddy, do you? Since he's so slow at the physical thing and stuff…
Brooke went silent. – No, of course not. I don't think so… –she said, feebly.
– So, if you're planning to get serious with him, you should talk about it, don't you think? Unless you only want to fuck him, which you don't, 'cause it's been forever and you haven't even kissed the man… –Ilana said sternly.
– Yeah… you've got a point there.
– Then stop dwelling on it, be a big girl and just ask him. –Ilana advised.
– I will… promise…
– And don't forget to ask him about the plane crash and…
– There you go again! Night Ilana… –Brooke hung up on her again. Ilana was right, what was this all about? She lived on the other coast and knew long distance relationships were challenging and most of the times doomed, but she definitely didn't see in Jack just a friend or a man to sleep with once in a while.
On the other hand, the problem was not that Brooke talked too much and didn't give Jack a chance to share about his life. The truth was he didn't want to talk about him at all. When he met with Brooke, he stuffed her with questions, so that all the time they spent together she wouldn't stop talking. Then he would just listen and love every single word that came out of her lips.
The next day Brooke had lunch with Jack and they had a great time as always. When he was driving her back to the hotel, his cell phone rang…
– Hey… No, I'm in the car, what's up? –Brooke pretended she wasn't paying attention to what he was saying, but in fact she could vaguely hear on the other side of the line the voice of a woman. He continued talking.
– I'll take care of it, don't worry. Okay… I'll come over after work… See you…
When he hung up, Brooke tensed a little and gave him a questioning look. He noticed it and sighed. – It was Claire…
– Claire, huh? And who's Claire?
– My sister…
Brooke's eyes lightened up. – You have a sister?
– Yeah, and a nephew and a niece.
– That's sweet, how old are they?
– Um, let me see… Aaron is 10 and Charlene's 6.
– They must be gorgeous…
– They are, they both look like Claire… she has amazingly beautiful blue eyes…
– You get along with her?
– Absolutely, with her and her husband too.
– She's married?
– Yeah, she married Charlie Pace, you ever heard of him?
– Charlie Pace? The one of Drive Shaft? Oh-my-God! My brother is a huge fan of Charlie since he went solo! He's never going to believe it! –Brooke said, totally excited.
Jack realized he had given away too much and just smiled at her. For his relieve, before she could ask anything else, they arrived to the hotel.
– Here we are, Miss. –he told Brooke, smiling shortly.
– Oh, we got here so fast… so, I see you tomorrow? –she asked him, moistening her lips.
– Sure. –he replied, looking deeply at her.
Brooke couldn't stifle the urge to kiss him anymore. She unfastened her seatbelt and leaned on him. She placed one hand on one of his cheeks and kissed him sweetly on the lips. Jack wasn't expecting that and shivered. Her lips were so soft and wet, he felt immediately aroused. He placed his hand on the back of her neck and deepened the kiss. When he felt her tongue inside his mouth, he moaned. They got cut off by the horn of the car behind them.
– See you tomorrow Jack, have a nice evening… –she said, seductively, then she got off the car and walked to the lobby without looking back at him.
Jack felt his heartbeat speed up as he watched her walking away. A mix of sensations crossed him again. He really liked Brooke, a lot, and he still felt surprised about it. Kissing her had been beyond his expectations and he wanted to just get off the car and go jump her right there. But he didn't. He still had a past she had no idea about and that he wasn't ready to share yet.
Meanwhile, Brooke walked to her room. She was smiling widely, happy because he responded to her kiss. Jack was a terrific kisser, she thought, and while the elevator went up, she was dreaming about how it would be when she finally made love with him. Then she realized it and felt overwhelmed and scared: she had already fallen in love with Jack.
The next day was Thursday, exactly a week after Brooke ran into Jack at the airport. She couldn't wait to see him for lunch. All she could think about was how they kissed the day before, and she definitely wanted to repeat it. Then something occurred to her. She went to St. Sebastian to look for Jack and surprise him before going lunch.
When she got to the front desk, she asked the nurse. – Hello, I'm looking for Dr. Jack Shephard please?
– Sure, his office is down the hallway. His assistant is in a break right now, but you can wait outside and I'll page him. Who's asking?
– Brooke Julian. Thank you very much.
Brooke went right to his office and waited outside for a minute. Then she thought of getting inside to surprise him even more. When she sneaked in, she got surprised when she saw a beautiful little girl sitting in Jack's armchair. She had dark brown wavy hair, up in a pony tail. She had big green eyes, white skin and some freckles on her nose. She stared at Brooke with curiosity, whilst playing with the photo frames on Jack's desk.
– Hi… I'm sorry, I didn't know somebody was here. –Brooke told the little girl, sweetly.
– You're looking for the doctor? –the girl asked.
– Yes…
– Are you his patient?
Brooke nodded, seeing no point in explaining her relationship with Jack to some little girl. – Yes… are you his patient too?
– No… he's my daddy…