The clock read 6:30 and April was glad it was the end of her working day. She went into the back, grabbed her book and sat down with a nice glass of wine. She kept a bottle in the fridge at the back of the shop, so that when it had been a busy day like today was, she could have a little tipple and chill out before heading home to her empty house. Well her almost empty house; she had Jasper to go home to. Jasper was her tabby cat she had rescued from one of the local animal rescue centers 3 months ago.
April was glad she had him to have cuddles with, as Matthew had been quite distant over the past few weeks, and now he was overseas for work.
He had called her when it was time for his lunch break. The phone call had gone something like this:

''Hey Babe.'' Matthew said cheerily.
''Hey, how are you doing?''
''Not too bad thanks, gorgeous.''
''When are you home again?''
''I've another 4 days here, I just have some little things to sort out and then I will be back.. Have ya missed me?
''Of course. I always miss you when you go away. Although I should be used to it by now'' ''Have you managed to..''
''Sorry babe, I gotta go. I'll call you later!''
''Oh, OK well..''
Before she could say anything else, he had put the phone down.
Always the way, April sighed glumly.

Putting Matthew to the back of her mind, she wondered what time Jackson would be there. They hadn't arranged a time, so she had no idea.
It was now 7:15 and Jackson hadn't shown up yet. Maybe he had forgotten? Or maybe he had changed his mind?
Was it a date? They hadn't called it that, but was it one? Forgetting that minor detail, she untied her hair and let her red curls free. Looking in the mirror, she checked she looked pretty decent. It had been a long day after all.
Satisfied with her appearance she went back into the main store and sat herself down once more. She kept checking the clock every 10 minutes, and after what seemed like forever, she checked it once more and it was 8pm.
''Well I guess he isn't coming back today then'' she said to herself. She decided to get herself home. She made sure she had turned everything off, put the shop sign to closed and headed towards the door. It was a cold night and she wrapped her coat around her extra tightly. Putting the key in the door to lock it she turned around and there he was.

''I am so sorry I'm late.''

''Oh, that's, OK'' she said, not at all convincingly.

''I guess now I have something to make up to you.'' he laughed.

''I guess you do.'' she said smiling at him.

''As you have locked up, do you fancy getting something slightly stronger than coffee to drink? I imagine that's the last thing you would want to drink after serving it all day. I know a good bar not far from here..Joe's bar. Heard of it? It's pretty well known. ''

''To be honest, I haven't. I don't really do much drinking.''

''Oh, well do you want to go elsewhere then?''

''No, no, it's fine. Joe's it is.'' she said smiling.

Making sure everything was locked up properly, she turned on her heels and they headed off to the bar.

They soon got to Joe's and it was pretty quiet. There were only a few patrons there. This will be nice, she thought to herself.

''This place seems nice.'' she said to Jackson.

''Yeah, it is pretty great. Friendly staff, good drinks. Can't complain really.'' he said smiling.

''Shall we?'' he asked, pointing to a nearby table.

''Sure.'' she replied, while looking into his eyes. As she did, she felt something she hadn't felt until for a long time...a spark. A spark she hoped would never fade.

''What would you like to drink?'' he asked, curious.

''I'll have a Club Soda, thanks.''

''Coming right up.'' he said with a smile.

There it was again, that spark. Maybe she would need something stronger after all.
Watching him walk up to the bar and ordering their drinks, she couldn't help but imagine sneaking up behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist, standing on her tip toes and kissing his neck.
Snap out of it! she thought to herself.
He soon returned with their drinks, and placed them on the table.
''Here you go.'' he said as he pushed April's drink towards her.

''Thank you.'' she said before taking a sip.

At first the conversation was slow and she thought this was going to be a disaster, but soon after it started to flow much better. She really did like him, she definitely would like to do this again.
''So you grew up on a farm then?'' he asked.

''I did. It was my family's. It was always fun, you know, helping out. Even when it had to be done, I enjoyed it.''

''We have quite a big immediate family. There's myself, mom & dad and my 3 sisters.. They all still live in Ohio but I moved down here, 3 years ago.''

She took a sip of her drink and when she looked up she saw Jackson was looking at her.
''Oh, um, sorry. I was rambling a bit there, you don't need to know my life history.'' she said, feeling a little embarrassed.

''It's OK, I thought it was cute. I like it when you ramble.'' he said, noticing a red tint appear on her cheeks.

''So, um, How about you. Where did you grow up?'' she asked, interested.

''Oh, I'm Boston born and bread. Our family isn't as big as yours. There is just myself and my father. My,. um, mother left when I was pretty young so it was just me and my
old man.''

''Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.'' she said genuinely.

''Yeah, me too.''

''So what brings you to Seattle?''

''Oh just work. Nothing more exciting, I'm afraid.''

''What is it you do?'' she asked, before taking another sip of her drink.

''I work for the family business, we're one of the leading pharmaceutical companies. Avery Pharmaceuticals.''

''Oh, so is that here in Seattle or in Boston?'' she said curiously.

''Well the factory is in Boston, but the main offices are here in Seattle. I'm the CEO of the company since my father retired last year. It's been in our family for generations.'' he said, smiling.

Listening to him telling her about himself and his job, she felt so proud of him. They hadn't even known each other long but she was, she was proud of found it hard to not look at his lips, she made sure to look from eyes to lips, so it wouldn't be obvious that she couldn't stop staring at them. She wanted to feel them on her so badly. They were having such a lovely evening that she almost forgot she had to be up for work tomorrow. Looking at her watch, she saw it said 10:30pm.

''Oh darn, I better get home. It'll be another busy day in the store tomorrow.'' she said to him, watching for his reaction.
Did she see a hint of sadness in his eyes?

''Oh OK, yeah sure.'' he said with a saddened smile.

''But this was nice. I had fun.''

''Yes, yes it was. And me too.''

Jackson & April finished their drinks, and left the bar quietly. It was a nice clear starry night, her favorite kind.
''Can I walk you home?'' Jackson asked her hopefully.

''Um, sure'' she said with a smile, slightly unsure. It couldn't hurt, right?

Soon enough they were at April's house. She walked up the steps and Jackson followed her. She put the key in the door and opened it, before turning saying goodbye to him.
''Thanks again for a nice evening and thanks for walking me home. You didn't need to.'' she said with a smile.

''It wasn't a problem at all.''

There was silence for what seemed like an age, finally she spoke.
''Well, I best get inside.''

''Yeah, I guess you should.'' he said looking at her.

As she turned around to enter her house, he grabbed her arm lightly and spun her around.
''I hope you don't mind, but I'd really like to kiss you. May I?'' he asked, eyes darkening with desire.

Before she could give him an answer he leaned forward, lifted her head up and gently kissed her lips. He pulled away, searching her eyes for an answer of whether or not it was OK or not.
''I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that. I didn't even give you a chance to answer me.'' he said, feeling guilty.

''No, you shouldn't be sorry. I am the one who should be sorry. It's just..well, I have boyfriend, he's called Matthew and..''

She didn't need to say anything else, he understood.

''It doesn't surprise me that you are taken. You are a beautiful woman.''

''I do..I do like you, but I can't..not while I am with Matthew.''

''I understand.'' he said as he backed away.

''Would..would it be OK if I asked for a hug though?'' she asked, hoping he said it was fine.

Jackson nodded. ''Hug away.''

April closed the distance between them, and wrapped her arms around his waist. Jackson put his arms around her shoulders and hugged her tightly.. She was sure she felt him smelling her hair.
After what seemed like hours, Jackson pulled back.
''I guess I will see you tomorrow?'' she asked.

''Oh not tomorrow no. It's Tuesday and I go over to the Boston factory on Tuesday's. That's why I never come to get coffee on that day.'' he said smiling.

''Ah, well that makes sense.''

''I will be in on Wednesday though, so maybe you can make me that coffee you owe me. I promise I will turn up earlier this time.'' he said, smiling.

''Well I'm very glad to hear it.''

''Good night then. Sleep well.'' he said before turning around and walking away.

April turned around to her door and walked inside, shutting it behind her, she slid down to the ground.
Did that really just happen?!
She didn't know what to think or feel but that kiss..that kiss was so tender and sweet and she had wanted more. She kicked herself for not kissing him back once he had pulled away but she was with Matthew. She wasn't a cheater, she never would do that to him, no matter how much she disliked him at times.
Checking the clock, she saw it said 11:15 so she took herself up to bed, got under the covers and fell fast asleep thinking about Jackson and that kiss.
She had wanted him.
So badly.

April didn't know that Matthew had been sat in his car across the road and had seen everything.
He was not happy, and boy was there going to be hell to pay.