Chapter 12

Hal

Hal’s head was hazy from the amount of alcohol he had consumed. He just wanted to take a walk and take some time to sober up. He was also, though, on a bit of a mischievous streak already so figured he should milk his condition for all it was worth.

For now, though, he had to convince Adam to go and leave them alone. He wanted to spend some time by himself with this Jesse Clarke, and he knew that would be impossible if his bodyguard were hanging around.

“Adam,” Hal sighed. “A word.”

With that, Hal walked over to another car in the parking lot, and Adam followed him.

“Just let me spend the rest of the day with her,” Hal pleaded his case.

“I really don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone,” Adam protested, crossing his arms.

“Come on,” Hal pleaded a little more. “I just want to spend one day with her, okay?”

“You’re drunk.” Adam pointed out with a raised eyebrow.

“So?” Hal waved him off. “I get drunk all the time, and I’m always fine at the end of the day.”

“Yes,” Adam said with a shrug. “Because I’m there.”

Hal scoffed, and Adam scowled at him.

“Laugh all you want,” Adam said darkly. “I’m personally in charge of your well-being. And my answer is no.”

“What?” Hal laughed. “You don’t trust Jesse?”

“No,” Adam answered shortly, and Hal gave a long sigh.

“Look,” Hal said. “I didn’t want to take things to this level, and I know we’re friends, but at the end of the day, I’m your boss. And I’m telling you to take the rest of the day off.”

Adam scowled and shook his head.

“I feel like you aren’t in the right mind to give me the day off,” Adam said frankly.

“I feel like that’s not up to your discretion,” Hal rebutted, his mood darkening by the second. “Look, I just want to spend some time with this girl.”

Adam sneered and glanced over his shoulder before moving closer to Hal. “Well consider this,” he said softly, “what if I’m concerned for her safety as well? Do you think that you could properly protect her in your current state?”

Hal felt as though he had sobered considerably in an instant.

“I feel as though I could properly protect her in any state,” Hal all but growled, and Adam raised his eyebrows.

“Well, you’re not half as drunk as you were letting on,” Adam smirked.

“Maybe not.” Hal shrugged, feeling his temper subside.

“Well, why the pretense?” Adam pressed, and Hal felt his irritation mount a little again.

“It’s just a tactic,” he said. “If she feels obligated to stay, she really can’t leave. Especially if you’re not here either.”

“That’s a little deceptive too, isn’t it?” Adam frowned and raised an eyebrow.

“Look,” Hal huffed. “I’ve never had a problem with women before, and I certainly am not having one now.”

Adam chuckled and held up his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright,” he said, backing away. “I’ll leave you two alone to get acquainted. But if you get into any trouble, just be sure to call me the second you’re in trouble.”

“Okay, okay.” Hal nodded. “Now can you please just go already?”

Adam laughed and nodded.

“Okay, I’m leaving,” he said as he walked away. “Here are your keys. Don’t drive drunk.”

Adam tossed the keys over to him, and he easily snatched them out of the air.

Hal huffed to himself and shook his head. He couldn’t fight the surge of excitement that had risen inside of him. Feeling more positive, he moved back over to where Jesse was still waiting for him by the Range Rover.

“Well, finally got rid of my mom,” he chuckled as he approached Jesse.

“Are you sure that’s the best idea?” Jesse said, and Hal could hear the nervousness in her voice. “I mean, if something happens, I really won’t be able to do much to …”

“Stop right there.” Hal held up a hand. “Nothing is going to happen. And if it does, I am more than capable of getting us both out of the situation. Is that perfectly clear?”

Jesse nodded, though he could still see the concern on her face. He let out a sigh and shook his head.

“Look,” he said slowly. “I go out without my security detail all the time, okay? I promise we’ll be alright.”

“Okay,” Jesse nodded and gave him a small smile.

“Good.” He smiled down at her. “Now show me this park.”

Jesse nodded and Hal followed as she led him onto a small gravel trail that led deeper into the park from the parking lot. Hal listened as Jesse described various plants around them, and he took in the various sights and smells of the natural life around them.

Hal didn’t take much of his time to dwell in parks, getting most of his exercise from indoor gyms. Now, though, he was beginning to rethink that decision. He enjoyed the scent of the fresh air as it filled his nostrils and his lungs.

He also enjoyed listening to Jesse talk. For now, she seemed to be intent on narrating their path, and it certainly served to amuse him. It was little wonder she was a writer if she could so easily conjure up words the way she was doing now.

At length, though, she became quiet, and it gave Hal enough of a break to really take in her appearance. Hal couldn’t help being attracted to her. She was petite, with dark hair that fell into her face in spite of the time she had obviously spent putting it up. Her skin was pale and a little freckled, as she probably had no choice but to go out into the sun without the proper protection. What stood out most to him though were her bright blue eyes that always seemed to hold some level of genuineness and curiosity. It was a wonder anyone ever resisted her in an interview.

Hal finally noticed once again that she had become quiet, and he couldn’t help being slightly concerned.

“Are you alright?” he asked her, frowning slightly.

“Oh, I’m fine,” she assured him with a short laugh. “It’s just not very comfortable to be walking around a park in heels, you know?”

Hal suddenly felt very foolish. He took in her state of dress once again and had to remind himself that though she looked incredible, she was surely not dressed for an outing in the park. She wore a pair of heels that were certainly not at all comfortable to walk in. She also wore a beautiful dark blue dress that was absolutely stunning on her but was also not the best thing to wear for an outing in the park.

“I’m so sorry.” Hal shook his head and laughed.

“Oh, it’s fine.” Jesse shook her head. “Really, I mean I’m getting used to it.”

“How ridiculous.” Hal laughed. “Look, there’s a bench right here. Let’s sit down.”

Jesse did not protest as Hal led her toward the small bench, and they both took a seat on it.

“I’m really sorry,” Jesse apologized, her words coming out in a rush. “If I had known we’d be spending time here at the park, I would have worn more practical shoes, at least.”

“Please, don’t apologize,” Hal said. “Besides, I like your shoes. But I can definitely see that they’re not much good on a little gravel walkway.”

Jesse laughed lightly, and Hal could hear some strain there.

“You’re not nervous, are you?” Hal asked her, a wry smile forming on his face.

“Well,” Jesse cleared her throat. “I guess I am.”

“Relax,” Hal said, trying to reassure her. “I’m just a person like anyone else around here. Nobody has even said anything to us.”

“Well, no offense.” Jesse shrugged. “But it’s not just you.”

“Oh?” Hal blinked, somewhat taken aback by her admission. “Well, what is it, then?”

“I don’t know ...” Jesse let out a long sigh. “I guess it just takes me a lot of time to really get entirely comfortable being around just one specific person.”

“Oh.” Hal nodded in understanding. “So it just takes you a while to warm up to people.”

“Definitely,” Jesse affirmed and looked over at him out of the corner of her eye. “Although it certainly doesn’t help that you’re probably the most famous person in the entire world.”

Hal let out a loud laugh, and he felt yet another tingle of attraction toward her down in his stomach.

“Well, no, I’m sure that certainly doesn’t help.” He laughed lightly and looked down at her with a smile. Jesse glanced back up at him with a small smile of her own, and Hal felt his stomach clench a little as he looked down at her.