2 – The Meet Up

Jamie reread the last email from Saul. The subject line read "It's a date…" and even after the few additional moments she'd taken to look over the email again, she could still feel the effect on her breathing. She could only wish it was a real date… and hope he never realized how much she wished he wasn't just being his usual obnoxious self. She needed to respond before his teasing fell flat and became awkward.

From: Jamie Lorne

Sent: Thursday, November 1, 2007

To: Major Saul Stewart, Nellis AFB

Subject: This is so not a date…

I'm game. My last class ends at about 4:30pm on Friday. You could pick me up around 5:30pm. Then, how about on Saturday you pick me up at check-out time (11am)? I'll let you feed me and then you can take me to the airport. Win-win for me since I hate driving in Vegas.

I'll email you the hotel name as soon as I know what it is. See you next week.

Jamie

Jamie set her laptop aside and went to ready herself for bed. She couldn't help but be excited at the idea of seeing Saul again. Yes, they'd been emailing each other a lot in the last year, but she'd been pretty shocked to find out her brother had gotten married without telling anyone… and in Las Vegas no less. She'd tried to pry every last detail out of Saul for the first two months of emails.

Now their emails were mainly just a lot of inconsequential stuff. When she was being honest with herself she'd admit it was just an excuse to talk to Saul.

Jamie set her toothbrush back in the holder and looked at herself in the mirror. She could see the excitement in her own eyes at the idea of spending time with Saul and couldn't help the grin she saw building on her face. She quickly schooled her facial features, reminding herself that she needed to get it together so she didn't embarrass herself in front of Saul next week.

After checking her locks and turning off lights, Jamie checked her emails one more time before going to bed.

From: Major Saul Stewart, Nellis AFB

Sent: Thursday, November 1, 2007

To: Jamie Lorne

Subject: Spoil-sport

Dinner on a Friday night… sounds like a date to me, James.

Saul

Jamie felt her chest tighten involuntarily for a moment when she read his nickname for her, James. She could almost see him deliver the line in her mind, with a twinkle in his eye or maybe even a wink. The nickname had always irritated and thrilled her at the same time. With Saul hundreds of miles away she was able to let go of the irritation and revel in the thought that it was a term of endearment for a moment before dismissing it completely. Jamie shut the lid to her laptop and figured the best retort was to not take the bait or respond.

Major Stewart milled about in the lobby of Jamie's hotel, waiting for her to come down from her room. He had a bit of nervous energy to burn off and sitting to wait for her was not an option. It was also probably why he didn't see her sneak up on him, but when he felt someone tap his left shoulder he turned, only to find no one there. A quick turn to his right brought a laughing Jamie into view.

"Brat," he laughed along with her, all nervousness immediately dissipating.

"You're just sore because I got you," she laughed, turning toward the exit.

"Wasn't expecting you to act twelve is all," Saul protested with a roll of his eyes.

"Whatever."

Saul chuckled to himself as he followed Jamie out of the hotel.

"Did you drive?"

The Major pointed toward the parking structure to the left of the hotel. "Second floor."

"Where are we eating," she asked, following his directions.

"Well, I thought since you're the guest, I'd let you pick?"

"Couldn't decide on anything, could you?" she laughed again.

He'd forgotten just how snappy and sassy Lorne's little sister could be. "Well, since this isn't a date, I figured I didn't have to plan anything," he taunted.

Jamie swung around and started walking backward through the second floor of the structure, "Well then, I pick In-N-Out Burger."

"That's not very Vegas-y, James," he teased, wrinkling his nose at her.

"That will teach you to come prepared next time."

Saul was actually quite relieved she wasn't going to insist on eating at any of the "themed" restaurants in Vegas. He was also more than glad to avoid the hassle of driving down "the Strip" during dinner hour.

"Seems to have worked out just fine if you ask me. Who'd complain about a good burger and fries?" Saul pointed behind the still-walking-backwards Jamie causing her to turn around. "The blue truck on the right."

"Oh, and milkshakes," she added turning back around to face Saul. "Don't forget the milkshakes."

"Like you need any more sugar." Saul unlocked the truck while grinning to himself, waiting for her protest. This undiluted version of her was going to be a lot of fun, even if it was a short visit.

"You're going to share those, right?" Saul asked, pointing to the double order of fries Jamie was carrying back to their table.

"If I must." They'd sat and visited for almost two hours already at one of the outside tables at the fast food restaurant and Jamie'd decided more fries were in order.

She bit into one and closed her eyes, savoring the taste and heat. "I haven't eaten at an In-N-Out since my last visit to mom's house. I really wish they'd branch out into Colorado."

"Just one of the benefits of living in Las Vegas," Saul mocked with a lifted brow.

"Or California, or Utah…" Jamie trailed off, trying to knock him down a peg or two.

"How is your mom doing?" Saul opened several catsup packets and emptied them into the side of one of the fry containers.

"Good. She still won't move to Colorado. Says she couldn't do our winters."

"Tell her that Las Vegas has good winters."

Jamie called him out, "You're just hoping for some home cooked meals."

"Exactly."

She shook her head at the grin on his face that held no shame. She'd have to admit though that her mom would surely be inviting Saul over to eat every chance she could if she lived near him. Ever since Evan brought him home for Thanksgiving almost seven years ago, her mom had made sure he was at her dinner table for the holiday, no matter where she was. Since Jamie lived in Colorado Springs and her brother was based out of Colorado Springs, her house was where her mom cooked most of the Thanksgiving dinners of late.

"Has she forgiven Lorne yet for getting married without telling her?"

"For now," Jamie confirmed, "but he will definitely still have some groveling to do when he's back for a visit, I'm sure." She couldn't help but smile at the thought. Too many times she was the one in hot water with her mom. Evan was usually "the good" child. She had to acknowledge that she found this reversal entertaining and much more enjoyable.

"Speaking of visits, are you coming to Colorado Springs for Thanksgiving?" Jamie hated how important his answer was to her.

"Of course," he confirmed. "Until your mom un-invites me, you'll need to be setting a place for me at your table for every Thanksgiving. Or hers, depending on where you all are having Thanksgiving any particular year."

"Well, this year it's at my house again, but only because mom is hoping Evan and Jennifer might make it home for the holiday."

"Have they said they will?"

"In her last email, Jennifer said they were going to try, but no promises. Maybe if they miss Thanksgiving they could find a way to be here for Christmas."

Jamie didn't miss the slight frown that crossed his face, even though he quickly suppressed it.

"You know, you're always welcome for Christmas too." Jamie peaked at him sideways while making a fuss over a particular French fry to downplay the invitation. She knew he didn't have any family and always wondered what he did for Christmas, but never felt comfortable asking.

"Thanks, James." He gave her a soft smile before continuing, "I don't want to intrude on your family at Christmas though."

"Don't be silly. Besides," she waited until she was sure he was listening, "we all consider you family. Anyone who washes that many dishes and pans after Thanksgiving dinner earns their way into family status."

Saul gave her a small smile and she figured that was the best she could do at the moment. Jamie stifled a yawn, "Sorry," she mumbled as she pulled her cell phone out of her pocket to see what time it was.

"I'm sure you had a busy week," he assured her as he gathered up their trays and deposited them a few feet away at the trash cans.

"I know, but still, I hate being tired on a Friday night."

"Happens to the best of us," Saul laughed as he held out his hand to help her stand.

Jamie reluctantly took his hand and ignored the wonderful feel of his larger hand around hers; reluctantly pulling her hand free once she was standing.

Saul pulled into the parking structure at Jamie's hotel and searched for a place to park, patently ignoring her protests.

"You could have just let me off out front."

He ignored the growing exasperation in her voice and took a breath for patience sake. "Your brother would kill me if I dumped you out at the front of a casino… in Vegas… on a Friday night. Besides, a gentleman should always walk his date to her door."

"This is not a date and I'm a big girl. Nothing is going to happen to me between the front door and my room. That's what all the security cameras are for."

Saul suppressed the grin of pleasure he felt knowing he'd pushed a few of her buttons. "There's no way I'm letting you walk to your room alone." He turned off the truck and extracted his keys. "Now, stop your complaining and pretend you enjoy my company for a few more minutes, James."

Saul laughed at her eye roll and hopped from the truck. It didn't take long to transverse the casino lobby and navigate the elevators. Too soon in the Major's opinion they were standing outside Jamie's room.

"So tomorrow by eleven?"

"Yes," Jamie agreed pulling her room key from her back pocket. "I should be packed and ready to go by then, especially since it's the check-out time."

Saul laughed when he saw her cover her next yawn.

"Stop it," she growled at him. "I'm tired. It seems that my body knows how close I am to my bed."

"Then I'll leave you to it." Saul stepped forward and pulled Jamie into a hug, not knowing how else to end the 'not-a-date' night, while standing at her door. He felt her hug him back and it made him all the more reluctant to let her go. "I'm glad you came."

"I'm glad I came too."

She tightened her arms around his middle slightly and Saul knew it signaled the end of the hug. He released her, but didn't step back. Instead he looked down at her one more time, "Sleep well, James."

He watched her smile and felt a familiar tightening in his chest, his head swaying toward hers. It took a moment to realize what he was unconsciously doing. A bit rattled, he gave her shoulders a quick pat as he released her and stepped back.

"Good night." He turned on his heel and slowly walked back toward the elevators.

"Good night, Saul."

The Major could hear a small bit of confusion in her voice, but he didn't dare turn around. He gave a short wave of his hand without turning around and kept moving. He didn't relax until he heard her door click closed down the hall behind him.

He'd almost kissed her. Every guy knew you didn't date your friend's ex, but more importantly, your friend's sisters were definitely off limits. Saul knew the proximity and that soft smile of Jamie's was the culprit, but even those excuses didn't ease his mind.

Maybe he was the one who needed some sleep.