Every Rule Has an Exception

Jo took out her jacket and put it on the grass to seat atop of it. It was too late to think about grass smears, and she could only hope the Seoul cleaners would be able to revive her entire suit.

"It was all worth it."

"What was?"

Jackson approached the woman with two glasses of water. Jo gestured for him to join her, seeing as he was already prepared anyway, and he seated himself next to her on the damp grass.

"I was just thinking I would have to pay good money to resuscitate this, Ralph Lauren."

"Ah," Jackson laughed. "I don't want to sound like an entitled prick, but I gave up on mine."

It was Jo's turn to laugh. "I'll give you a call if I find this magical cleaner. But now that I think about it, I don't think I gave you my number."

"Isn't this as good a reason as any?"

Jo mimicked shock on her face to which Jackson laughed. "Ouch, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you didn't want my number."

Jackson mirrored her expression, albeit more genuinely. "Please forgive me."

Jo tapped her chin with the index. "I'll let it slide. Just this once."

Jackson's chest deflated from letting out all that air. "I got lucky."

While she was typing her contact into Jackson's phone, he spoke. "Are you leaving soon?"

"I should. I have a meeting at 8AM if you can imagine."

"I don't know why but I actually can."

Jo quirked an eyebrow. "Just because I carry it well doesn't mean it's not heavy."

She knew she must have ruined the fun when Jackson did not reply. He was playing with the tattooed skin of his finger. Jo cleared her throat and handed the phone back.

"I'll go upstairs to gather my things, and I'll order an Uber. It shouldn't take too long to get home. It's a nightmare to think I'll have to change back into those heels."

"Don't worry, I'll carry you to the car and take you home."

Jo scoffed. "I can handle that."

Jackson's eyes were too serious for his own good. And to argue, for that matter. "Okay, I'll give you my loafers, but I'll still take you home. You refused last time we went out and I spammed Sam's phone with messages to make sure you got home safe."

Jo was surprised. For some reason, Samantha had failed to mention that to her. Unless that was the plan all along. "She never said. But what will you take then? You can't imagine I'd accept you walking barefoot on the streets."

Jackson simply pointed to the slippers on her feet. "I mean, I'm getting back here anyway."

"There's no use arguing with you, is it?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Not about these kinds of things, no."

"Do tell, what can I argue with you about?"

Jackson rose to his feet. "We can find out if you'd like, I guess," he extended his hand to help her get up. It was the second time that night Jo lingered into his touch, which was warmer this time around. "Come on, I'll take your things."

Jackson stopped in his tracks for a quick moment. A quick moment that would have had Jo blushing, maybe under different circumstances. "You're still as beautiful."

Samantha and Mark accompanied Jackson and Jo to the front gate. The sight of Jo wearing Jackson's loafers, which were noticeably bigger than her size, had Samantha giggling.

"The Jo I knew would have chosen to die rather than take her heels off."

Jo sneered and folded her arms over her chest. "Maybe this Jo learnt a thing or two."

"Mhm," Samantha remarked.

"Hey, Jackson, let's leave the girls to say their goodbyes. We can wait for the Uber in the street."

"Happy birthday once again, Mark. I hope you've had fun and do enjoy this day to the fullest."

"Thank you for coming, Jo. I know it was short notice and everything, but I do appreciate your presence here. We'll clean up and get to sleep most likely."

As Jackson and Mark walked away from the gate, Samantha approached Jo, facing her with her arms crossed over the chest as well. "And? What did this Jo learn tonight?"

Jo chuckled. "This and that."

"This Jo and that Jo, as I said, would die and not take off her heels for no man. Surprise, surprise, you're wearing Jackson's loafers."

"Yeah, whatever that's supposed to mean."

Samantha continued taunting. "This Jo and that Jo would have probably slammed her lips against his. What was it that you claimed? Fuck around and find out?"

Jo did not comment.

"Maybe if Bam wouldn't have cut off the moment, you just might have."

The girls turned their attention towards the car. Mark was waving for them to approach.

"Who knows? He's taking me home, isn't he?"

Samantha watched Jo with a devious look in the eye. "He is."