Chapter 3

When it hit time for me to leave which was usually five o clock I was surprised to see Jon still sitting at the table drinking coffee. I had served him at least four that I could remember not that I was counting. He didn't say much just asked me once again if I was alright. He seemed surprised when I said was fine. A few hot coffee burns were normal working in a coffee house. I grabbed by my coat from the back when it was time for me to head out. “I'll see you tomorrow Jake..” I called. I noticed Jon got up at about the same time as I had got ready to leave. I didn't give it much thought as I strode out into the cold blistery spring weather. I couldn't wait to get home to my apartment get a cup of cocoa and relax. I was just walking down the street when I heard someone call out to me. I had half turned to see who it was when my boot caught the ice. Once again two strong arms caught me.

“I don't think I've had women literally fall for me..” a voice stated.

I blinked as I was a little breathless having the shit scared out of me. “uh thanks … uhm again..” I regained my balance and brushed my clothes off a bit self consciously. I frown for a second “wait did you just shout my name.... “ it sounded like his voice but why would he be calling my name of all people. “did you need something?”

Jon shrugged this time his hands were in his jacket. “No … well yeah … I wanted to thank you for the Cinnamon roll it was pretty good...and ask you again ...”

“what and you're welcome..”

“are you okay … that coffee was pretty hot...” he asked the look on his face was confusing. Like he was wondering why he just asked a strange girl who he had never met in his life before if she was alright. He finally looked up and gave me a small smile.

I gave a tentative one back. “yes I am fine … I didn't get cut and .. yes the coffee was hot but … most of it went on my shirt and jeans..besides working in a coffee shop you get burned once in awhile its no big deal .. thank you though...” I turned to walk away when I heard him ask me to wait. I turned back around. “yes?”

“do you know of anywhere I could find a hotel … or motel … someplace to stay … it looks like its going to storm and … I rather not get caught in it...” He asked as he ran his hand through his hair before setting his cap back on his head. “that and a place to find a pair of clothes .. to change in cause ..” he chuckled. “the knees of my jeans are a bit stiff... and I don't fancy walking around in coffee stained clothes...”

I quickly look down at his pants noticing the dark brown stains now on his faded jeans and how did I not notice he got splashed a bit on his own clothes the damn coffee had gone everywhere. “well unfortunately we don't have any hotels or motels around here … we are a pretty small community..” I fiddle with my coat zipper. “and the only place to get clothes is the local Wal-mart which is in the next town...” I sigh “I am sorry...Albany which is about an hour away from here is the next big city ….” Just as I stated that the storm he had been expecting broke over our heads. I so didn't need this right now as I had to still walk back to my loft apartment. I wanted to get going but I was not going to just leave him standing there. He was just as soaked as I was in a matter of seconds. I was not sure what to do, he was this strange guy did I really want to invite someone I didn't even know to my apartment. Sure I might have something for him to wear cause my older brother was forever leaving his clothes there. Yet I knew the stories about him too. I didn't want him getting any ideas. I ran a hand through my already sopping wet hair. “My apartment is ...” I didn't get to finish it as a car rode by the spring storms we had already flooded the streets soaking us both. I turn to see Jason laughing in the truck as it sped by.

I heard him grumble something. “pardon?” I asked I was now soaked, dirty and muddy. I was not in the mood for anything but to go home.

“I said the guy is an asshole … and my car is over here can I give you a lift ..” Jon asked. He looked about as miserable as I felt as the dirty water dripped off the bill of his cap.

“I don't' want to ruin your cars interior ...” I quickly tried to side step that question. What the hell, I was just thinking of offering him some dry clothes at my apartment now I was worried about riding in the car with him. Shanna girl you are so over your head right now. I could hear my mother say.

Jon shrugged “I am as muddy as you are .. and I can get it cleaned later look … you're soaked so am I... the least I could do is give you a lift to your apartment before you catch pneumonia or something … “ He offered. He truly looked sincere.

I was wet and really just wanted to go home even if it was in a complete downpour. Finally those blue eyes that every women always said could make a grown woman swoon won me over . I can be stubborn as they come but one thing I was was not stupid. I nodded before following him over to the large SUV. He even held the door open for me before getting in on the other side.

“you'll have to give me directions..” he gave me a smile. My heart just about did double flips seeing it directed at me. I had only seen that smile once before. I was thirteen years old my best friend in the world and I had talked her mom into taking us to a Bon Jovi concert. It was for her birthday and her mother could not deny her anything. She was her only child. Somehow she had gotten good seats via a scalper as it was a last minute thing. We had set front row and center that night. Tara had been over the moon though she had had the hots for Richie instead of Jon. She had even gotten a rose from the guitarist. It was the last time I went anywhere, as two weeks later my best friend in the world was gone. The reason her mother had allowed us to go and pulled the strings was my best friend Tara was dying from cancer.... and it was her last wish to see the guys in concert but she never wanted special treatment just to see them. I shook myself out of that memory as I heard him talking. “Sorry?”

“I asked if everything was okay you seemed a mile away.... “ He asked concerned.

“yes oh yeah I am fine .. just thinking about something... “ I directed him to the street my apartment was on. Soon we were setting in front of it. I debated for a second. “look Mr Bongiovi...”

“Jon...”

I blinked at him. “what?”

'”I said my name is Jon.. my pop is Mr Bongiovi... “ Jon stated his hand on the steering wheel.

“fine Jon....” I took a deep breath. “I might have something for you to change into … but .. I am not in the I mean I don't usually ...” I was flustered and I had no fucking clue why. It might be because he was watching me intently or just being in the damn car with him. “I mean I don't usually invite strange guys I don't know into my apartment but .. you're soaked and you got covered in coffee because of me.....”

“Its a good thing I am not strange then .. I leave that to Richie..” Jon suddenly joked causing me to stifle a laugh. “but thank you I would like to get out of these clothes but I am not so sure I want to go walking around in woman's clothing...”

“OH don't worry … its not … oh no no … my brother … he's about your size he's constantly leaving his clothes at my house he probably has something you could wear … just for you know … so you can get out of the wet clothes … I have a washer and dryer so I could get those clothes clean for you ...” I Stammered out a bit shocked at myself. This was totally out of the normal for me.

“are you inviting me up...” He asked.

“I guess I am … I mean … “ I sighed with a shrug “its the least I can do...” I got out to see him putting the car in park. He was soon following me up the stairs into my loft. I was nervous about that. But I quickly hid it behind a neutral mask before unlocking the door and grabbing my dog before he tried to jump on Jon. “down boy down..” I look at Jon “I hope you don't mind dogs...”

“long as its not cats ….I should be fine..” he remarked looking at the large Siberian husky that was on its hide legs giving the me kisses.

“nope no cats... he don't like cats...” I ruffled his ears “Uhm I'll go get you those clothes .. come on boy..” I pull on his collar but he wanted to be obstinate he started to sniff Jon who stood very still. “he is just investigating you ...come on boy...” I patted his back. “Jovi come on..leave him alone..” I tugged at his collar feeling my face blush.

“Jovi?” I could clearly hear the humor in Jon's voice.

“Yes Jovi ...” I sigh “My great niece is a fan … she named him so it stuck...” I quickly lied. “come on boy … “ I tug at his collar finally he came with me while I went to get the clothes from the guest room. I came back a few seconds later handing him the black sweats. “I hope they fit, if you want to take a shower .. it's to the left by the kitchen....its not a very big one but it works...”

He took the clothes “thanks ….”

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