Jackson smiled wryly. "If I remember correctly, he said your interpretation of a goat gave him chills."
Claire bit her lip, her eyes dancing. "I drew the line when he brought in some hay he wanted me to graze on."
I kept silent as I walked in between them, feeling a little left our by their shared remembrances. I tried to not let it bother me. Claire and Jackson had been friends for a long time and it was only natural that they had a lot of memories together. Besides, I owed Claire a lot. Not only had she given me a place to live, but she had also taken me into her circle. Most importantly, she had introduced me to Jackson.
Jackson grinned and looked down at me. "I'll give you a private showing later. I don't do my chicken imitation for just anyone. I wouldn't want to give away all my tricks."
I smiled in return. "I'll remember that promise."
Claire stopped in front of an entrance. "Here it is."
We stepped into the lounge and the dark coolness was welcoming. Even though it was nighttime, it had been a little muggy outside. We were just a few days away from June and the humidity was steadily increasing.
We snagged a table next to a couch and settled in, sinking into the depths of the leather cushions.
A waitress came over to take our order.
"Vodka tonic?" Jackson asked, looking at me. I nodded and he ordered my drink for me. I was quickly getting used to his chivalrous ways. He glanced at Claire, indicating that she should order. After Claire asked for a dirty martini, Jackson ordered a beer.
I raised my eyebrows after the waitress had walked away. "What, no scotch?"
"I like savoring a scotch," Jackson replied in a low voice so that I could only hear him. "I can down a beer quicker and then we can go back to my place."
"One track mind," I muttered, although I was pleased at his eagerness to get me alone. I cleared my throat, turning back to Claire. I didn't want to be obnoxious with our infatuation with each other.
"How much longer will Choosing Matthew be running?" I asked her.
"I'm not sure," Claire answered. "I would love it if we could get into a larger theater so that we can get a bigger crowd in. We're normally sold out every show so I don't think it would be a problem filling a larger venue."
"I kind of like having it in a small theater," Jackson countered. "It gives it an intimacy that I think we'd lose in a larger space."
Claire frowned. "I don't agree. Besides, even if that were true, it's worth the tradeoff of having a bigger audience and more ticket sales. I don't want to spend my career in some dinky theater."
The waitress returned with our drinks and I used the opportunity to change the subject. Claire seemed a little on edge tonight and I didn't want to aggravate the situation.
"I'm excited for Nathan's art show on Sunday," I said brightly. "Where's the gallery?"
"It's in the West Village," Claire replied. She leaned forward so that she could look at Jackson since I was sitting in the middle. "You're going, right?"
Jackson nodded and looked at me. "I was actually going to see if you wanted to go together."
"I thought we could all go together," Claire said, taking a sip of her martini.
"It'll be fun if we all go together," I agreed, giving Jackson a smile.
"Sure," he replied, nodding agreeably. He looked at Claire. "We can swing by and pick you up on our way there."
"What do you mean?" I asked confused. "Wouldn't you be picking the both of us up at our apartment?"
Jackson had a sly glint in his eye. "We'll discuss sleeping arrangements later."
I flushed at Jackson's provocative statement, a little embarrassed that he was being so obvious in front of Claire. I turned to Claire with a strained smile, but she just raised an amused eyebrow.
"So what's the story on Nathan and Mia?" I asked, clearing my throat. "Are they just friends or something more?"
"Strictly friends," Claire responded. "Nathan answered Mia's ad looking for a roommate when he first moved to the city five years ago and they've been like brother and sister ever since."
"According to Nathan, he made a pass at her when he first moved in and Mia kicked him in the balls. Ever since then, he's had a healthy platonic respect for her."
I laughed at Jackson's assessment of their relationship. "I'm glad to hear they were able to work it out."
Jackson took a healthy gulp of his beer and then looked meaningfully at my glass. I rolled my eyes but dutifully took a sip.
"I'll be right back," Claire said as she stood. "I see a friend over there."
I watched Claire walk over to the bar and tap a tall dark-haired man on the shoulder. He turned around and smiled widely in recognition and they started talking animatedly to each other.
"Do you have to be so obvious?" I admonished. "It's a little rude to be so eager to leave."
Jackson picked up his beer and drained it in response. He set the empty glass on the table with a grin. "It's just Claire. She doesn't mind."
"I mind," I said exasperatedly. "I owe Claire a lot and the last thing I want to do is hurt her feelings."
Jackson frowned. "Why do you owe her?"
"Well, she gave me a place to stay."
"She needed a roommate. She found one in you. How exactly does that make you obligated? Unless she's letting you live there rent-free."
"Of course not. But I was grateful for the offer. It made moving here a lot less scary. Plus she kind of took me under her wing. She could have treated me like someone she just shared an apartment with, not a friend."
"I'm not so sure about the 'taking you under her wing' part. Claire's a good friend but you've got your stuff together way more than she does. I don't think you should be looking to her for guidance."
"Well, she did introduce me to you," I said with a placating smile, not wanting to argue about Claire.
"That's true," Jackson replied, his eyes darkening. He lowered his voice, bringing his head closer to mine, his lips brushing my ear. "That's one thing I'm grateful for. I'd be even more grateful if we got out of here so that I can bury my head in between your thighs."
I felt a flood of wetness and I squirmed against the leather couch, knowing that my panties would be soaked through.
"Jackson," I hissed, my breath hitching unsteadily. "You can't say things like that to me in public!"
Jackson smiled wickedly. "So let's go somewhere private."