Chapter 237 - Meet JoAnna (6)

JoAnna placed three croissants in a plate in front of Jeff. "I hope you accept this. It's my apology… or part of it…", she sheepishly said. JoAnna started with 'sacrifices' which are part of her apology.

"What?" Jeff does not understand. Why would JoAnna want to apologize? She is the victim.

JoAnna is embarrassed, but seeing that Jeff does not understand, she needs to clarify her actions. "For the other time... in hotel... when I ate your breakfast."

"An apology?" Whenever he thought about that morning, he found JoAnna to be adorable... His brain already removed all his irritation from memory of that evening and morning. The only thing left was his longing for her and regret that his lack of decisiveness allowed her to leave. Why would she apologize for?

JoAnna took a deep breath and started rambling, "I know... it's not enough... I made a fool out of myself. I hope you can forget about that... I usually don't drink, and I don't know how I ended up in such a sorry state... and I know I owe you a burger also. I can buy you a dinner tonight... if you don't have anything else planned." JoAnna wanted to say that she owes him clothes as well, but she didn't want to bring up the topic about her barfing over him.

"Dinner?" Jeff was not sure he heard her right. Everything else went over his head. His brain only registered that she wants to have dinner with him. Did he hear her right?

JoAnna mistook his confusion as a rejection and felt that she is pushing it too much. She bit her lower lip, feeling dejected that she was too bold and assumed that he is not interested in having further contact with her. After all, he must be busy, and has other things to do. He just helped her out, why would he commit more time to her? "If you have other plans, we can do it some other time... if you want..."

He shook his head. "No need. Tonight, is fine." Edges of his lips raised into a smile.

'She actually wants to have a dinner with me!' Jeff thought that he should pinch himself few times just to make sure that he is not dreaming.

"Umm..." Another unpleasant topic, but JoAnna can't avoid it. "I really don't know how to thank you for what you did this morning."

"Don't think about it." He does not want her thanks. He did what he wanted, and it felt right. Just having her in his arms was a great reward, he does not want anything else. 'Maybe another hug?' But he does not dare say that aloud.

JoAnna was still thinking of the morning. "No... if you didn't show up, I can't even think how it would end up..." Her right hand was on the table and clenched into a fist.

Jeff put his right hand over hers and felt that she relaxed her grip. His left hand went under her now relaxed fist. "I'm glad that I could help."

JoAnna looked at her hand, completely covered by his, and relaxed her fist more, allowing her fingers to stretch. She felt his warm palms surrounding her hand and her heart raced. She lifted her gaze and their eyes met.

Jeff was in a daze. 'Beautiful... how I wish to taste those lips.'

Jeff looked JoAnna in the eyes and observed her body language. Jeff is very good at reading people, that is a necessary skill for a good CEO. Looking at JoAnna, first word that comes to his mind to describe how she is looking at him is: Trust. She trusts him. He closed his eyes and sighed. He does not deserve this trust... to be worthy of her trust he needs to be clear with his parents and Isabella. Why does he feel like a cheater? He is not in a relationship with Isabella, but this... his feelings... makes him feel like a cheater. Going against his desire to hold onto her, Jeff slowly pulled his hands back and kept them under the table.

Jeff cleared his throat. "What I did will only get him out of FMC. He is still a danger to you."

Seeing that he let go of her hand, JoAnna felt disappointment. 'What right I have to be disappointed? Did I actually think that something will happen? He probably has a woman in his life, and I'm sure there are many who throw themselves at him, how can I compete with that?' JoAnna scolded herself for thinking that anything more than this can happen between them.

She heard him say that Dr. Light is still a danger for her. JoAnna shook her head. "We got it covered. I'm using devices that Felix designed to secretly record Dr. Light for some time. Sarah and Aiden found evidence that he is taking money under the table to push patients on top of the organ donor list. Sophia is preparing legal action against him... with what happened today, we should have a solid case."

"I didn't know that. It seems you have a good team... Count me in." He wanted to help, and to be part of her life.

She was surprised by Jeff's words. Isn't he very busy? "You want to help?"

"Of course. If nothing else, I can be a witness." He convinced her.

JoAnna smiled. "OK. We will meet online tonight to discuss our next steps. If you stick around, you can join."

"Stick around you..." He smiled at the idea. "Yes, I can do that."

"Aren't you busy? With work... and stuff?" She missed the meaning behind his words.

Jeff decided that it's time to turn on his 'almost true' mode to answer her question.

Jeff's answer: "Not today." Full truth: 'I gave myself first full day off since I took on the position of a CEO, just to be with you.'

JoAnna was happy that he has no work today. "Oh... How long will you stay in the area?" She knows he will stay until tonight, at least. But wants to know how much more time he will be around.

Jeff's answer: "I don't know." Full truth: 'When you get sick of me and kick me out, I will leave.'

"You got a small suitcase... Uhm... do you need to get more clothes?" JoAnna hopes to use this as an opportunity to get him a replacement for clothes she ruined.

Jeff's answer: "What do you have on your mind?" Full truth: 'I have three more sets, so I have plenty.'

"We can go shopping later... If you want...", JoAnna suggested.

Jeff's answer: "OK" Full truth: 'I would do anything, just to spend more time with you.'