THREE MEN AND A LADY
Chapter Ten

"Jack! I told you to stay quiet!"

"Sorry."

"That’s all right."

"What are you doing in there?" Cal asked.

"You’re still out there?" Jack was incredulous.

"Yes, I’m still here."

"Wow!"

"What?"

"I don’t know. I just like the word." Rose giggled. "Go away."

"Why should I?"

"Because we want you to."

Cal’s voice was blank. "All right, I’m going to do what you want me to do?"

Jack replied, "Yes."

"Uh…no."

Rose groaned. "Go away for a minute, and we’ll be right out." Cal was hesitant. "We promise."

"All right."

Jack turned to Rose. "We really have to?"

Rose sighed. "I don’t want to, either, but it’s best if we do." She kissed his cheek lightly. "We’ll find some time later."

Jack grinned slightly. "All right."

Two Days Later

"Come on!" Cal skipped ahead eagerly. They were finally moving into the house he had found, and he was bursting with excitement.

"Is he mad?" Jack whispered.

Rose laughed. "No, just childlike."

Jack nodded. "I see."

He softly kissed Rose. "Rose--"

"Where are you people?" Cal screamed.

Jack groaned. He was beginning to have fantasies about killing Cal. The man had to ruin every moment he had with Rose.

"We’re coming!" Rose called. She smiled radiantly. "Come on, Jack."

He laughed, holding onto her hand. "I’m coming."

The house was a two story, with two bedrooms. There was a tree in the backyard and a shed off to the side. Jack couldn’t find fault with it, and had to admit Cal had done a good job.

"Jack!" Fabrizio’s voice was furious. "Where am I supposed to sleep?"

Jack was confused. "What do you mean?"

"There’s only two bedrooms!"

"Uh…I guess you could…"

"I’m not sleeping in the same room with him!"

"You have to!" Rose said pleadingly. "There’s nowhere else."

"I will not!"

"Hold on a minute, Fabri."

Jack walked into the kitchen. Rose was sitting on a chair, looking very stressed. A very furious Cal paced the room. "What is wrong now?"

"He won’t share a room."

"Ah."

"It is not just ah, it’s not right!"

"Cal, if you don’t calm down, I will hurt you!" Jack leaned against the wall. He was exhausted with the effort it took to scream louder than Cal.

Cal was looking frightened. "Where can I sleep, then?"

Rose intervened. "You and Fabrizio can share a room." She paused, studying Cal’s reaction. "But not a bed."

Cal thought for a moment. "All right."

Rose sighed, relieved.

An Hour Later

"Jack?" Rose stood in the kitchen doorway.

Jack looked up from his book, Anna Karenina. "Rose--"

She kissed him before he could finish. "Come on." Rose led him upstairs.

Chapter Eleven
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