She, Celia, not Lacey. “Not what I meant.”
They both blinked, then waited for him to continue.
Improvising, he stammered, “I, uh, I should’ve been the one to make the reservations. Not her.” Lacey was getting x-rayed and checked out at the hospital while he was here discussing dinner plans with his parents. Unreal. Insane.
Once his parents finally departed to spread their cheer elsewhere, he tried calling her but got a busy signal. Hospital zone. Probably had to turn off her phone while there. He’d check back later.
The rest of the afternoon and early evening went by in a blur. What had his parents been up to in his office while they waited for him? What had they talked to Cam about? These questions nagged at him, eating away at any reflections about the property he might have brought back with him.
Just before he left the office, he tried calling Lacey again.
“Hello?” said a somewhat familiar—but not Lacey’s—voice.
“This is Jack Dalton. How’s Lacey doing?”
“Oh, hello, Jack. Janice Collier. I brought Lacey back to her apartment about an hour ago. They gave her something for the pain, so she’s sleeping at the moment. She didn’t break anything, but she has a nasty sprain that’s going to keep her off her feet a bit.”
Jack released a sigh of relief. At least nothing was broken, even though it sounded like she’d done considerable damage to her ankle. Damn! He’d never injured a woman, especially during sex. He hated seeing this happen to Lacey. “Thanks for taking her to the emergency room.”
“No problem. Reminded me of my son’s teenage years. He was always spraining this or hurting that. I hope you were able to resolve your situation back at the office.”
About all he’d accomplished with his situation was to eject his parents from his office. He was still on the hook for dinner tonight. Which he probably should be taking off for now. “Let’s say I dealt with it temporarily, but it still requires my attention tonight. Please tell Lacey I called and I’ll get back to her as soon as I can.” He hung up and raced to shower and change in the next ten minutes.
Later, as he drove Celia to the restaurant, he said, “Thanks for going along with this dinner. Especially when I was ready to quit our agreement last night.” Despite his misgivings about the reason for his parents’ visit, the look in their eyes when they told him they’d met his new lady friend had been too intoxicating. Their interest in his love life disturbed him, but their seeming approval felt great. He wanted to bask in the sunshine of their notice for a little while before setting them straight. Besides, he hadn’t really lied about squiring Celia around recently. That much about their fake relationship was true.
“Actually, your parents didn’t give me much chance to say no, let alone explain our situation, but I don’t mind. You’ve been such a good sport to help me with Brian.”
“They’re a pair of human bulldozers. Don’t let them plow you under.”
“They seemed so pleased you were seeing someone, I hate to lead them on like this.”
He pulled into a parking lot and located an empty spot. “Serves them right for preventing us from clarifying why we’re together. But I agree, we need to let them know we’re not serious about each other.”
“Just so we don’t let on about our arrangement,” she said.
Despite their intrusiveness, he didn’t want to lie to his parents, although that was pretty much what they were doing with everyone else. “Uh, sure.”
His parents were waiting for them at Moliere’s, a French contemporary bistro in Windsor Heights. His mother, her hair dark as ebony, was chic as usual in a gold linen suit. His dad, looking more debonair than ever, complemented his wife in a dark blue blazer, perfect on this late April night. Once the amenities had been seen to and their dinner ordered, they moved right into their agenda.
“So. How long have the two of you been an item?” his mother asked.
Jack gripped the edge of the table, reminding himself to keep his cool. “We aren’t what you’d call an item, Mom. That’s a term used by your generation. Celia recently broke up with her boyfriend, so she asked me to escort her to Cam’s birthday party. We’ve only been out a few times.”
“Ah, but according to Cam, you haven’t tried to hide your association.” His mother rested her gaze on Celia, apparently hoping to pry more information from her.
“Well, yes, that’s true,” Jack admitted. “But—”
“Sounds like you’re an item to me,” his father said.
Jack looked to Celia. Time for her to conclude this interrogation.
As she folded her hands, Celia leaned into the table. “I hope my agreeing to join you tonight didn’t give you the wrong idea about Jack and me. He’s been helping me pick up the pieces after my last relationship ended abruptly.
“Oh.” His mother exchanged glances with his father. “Well, you certainly seem to be getting along well.”
Gordon Dalton touched Celia’s hand briefly. “We’re happy you were able to join us tonight.”
What was this? Nicey-nice all around. Another shoe was out there somewhere, about to drop. But at least he hadn’t led them to believe he and Celia were serious.
As they were finishing dessert, his father set down his coffee cup and cleared his throat. “Did Cam mention our luncheon discussion?”
And there it was, the sound of footwear hitting the floor. Jack felt his dinner clump together in his stomach. “No. I didn’t see Cam this afternoon.”
“I’m sure he won’t mind if we give you the news instead of him.” His mother’s eyes glowed with anticipation.
Jack wondered if his own eyes might not be glowing. With fever.
“Cam is elevating you to a new position,” his father announced.
Jack sat up suddenly, his heart rate escalating. Celia’s eyes widened. “Principal?” Jack said. Finally.
“Better.” His father pulled at the hem of his blazer in apparent preparation for his big news. “You’re going to be Cam’s new marketing director.” He sat back, issued a smug smile and eyed Jack, as if expecting a big hug. Except his parents weren’t the hugging types.
“Marketing director? What the hell is a marketing director?” Jack’s exclamation caused patrons at neighboring tables to glance their way.
His mother chided, “Lower your voice, darling. I’m sure our little announcement has you excited, but we don’t want to make a scene.”
“Okay, fine,” Jack said in a less vociferous tone. “What exactly did you discuss with Cam?”
His parents gazed at each other, as if deciding how much he understood of their adult world. “I’m sure the projects you’ve been working on have been fine, son. You’ve cut your teeth on them, made a name for yourself, earned your co-workers’ respect. But it’s time to move up the corporate ladder. Especially since you may soon be settling down.” He looked directly at Celia.
Celia studied her vegetables. Jack massaged his temples. The room seemed to be spinning around him. Or had the entire world gone into a tailspin? This was more than inquiring about his work. Once again, they were interfering in his career. Did they have no faith in his own abilities?
He wanted to scream and upend the table. Throw a child’s tantrum like he never had when he was a kid. Why couldn’t they simply appreciate him for who he was?
“Well, Jack? Isn’t this great news?” his mother wanted to know.
He wanted to groan.
“Jack’s overwhelmed by your announcement,” Celia cut in, valiantly attempting to cover for him.
“Ah,” his mother replied, somewhat mollified.
Celia did what she did best, handled the situation. “While Jack digests this turn of events, why don’t we celebrate with some bubbly? My treat.” She didn’t wait for their consent. For the next several minutes, she oversaw the ordering and toasting, making sure Jack kept his cool.
Having dropped their bomb, his parents departed shortly after taking a few courtesy sips of the champ
agne, claiming jet lag.
Jack hunched in his chair, hands clasped, twiddling his thumbs. “Thanks for rescuing me.”
“The least I could do. Was tonight typical behavior for them?”
“Tried to warn you. Sometimes they do it long distance over the phone.”
“Families can sometimes be a pain, but my parents would never insert themselves in my work life.”
“Would you mind if we cut the evening short?” he asked. “This business about becoming Cam’s new marketing director has me reeling.”
“Of course not. You should check in with Cam as soon as possible.”
“My plan exactly.” Why would his boss agree to such a ridiculous idea? Jack had been dealing with his parents’ off-and-on-again attention span since he was a kid. But Cam’s part in this had him worried. He thought he knew his boss and had the man’s support. What hold did his parents have over the guy?
****
Lacey awoke around eight-thirty that evening, groggy from her lengthy, drug-induced nap.
“How are you feeling?” Janice asked from a chair in the corner. “You were out for some time.”
“Like my brain has been stuffed with cotton. Those pain killers were potent.” She swung her feet over the side of the bed, but as soon as the affected ankle touched the floor, her whole foot throbbed with pain. “Ouch! It still hurts, Janice.” Could she sound more pathetic? Like a little child rather than a grown woman who should be able to suck it in.
“It’s not going to subside immediately, even with all those meds the hospital gave you. I hate to sound harsh, dear, but you’re going to have to deal with this for at least the next few days.”
Gritting her teeth, Lacey pulled her feet back under the covers. “I thought the meds would block the pain.”
“At least they helped you get some rest, so your body could start to heal. Are you hungry? You shouldn’t take any more of your pills on an empty stomach.”
Lacey really wasn’t hungry but agreed to try something. She could only consume a few bites of the sandwich Janice fixed, but she was able to get down half a glass of water.
“Jack Dalton called while you were sleeping,” Janice told her after removing the tray of food from Lacey’s lap.
Lacey smiled to herself. True to his word, he did check on her. “Oh? What did he say?”
Janice filled her in on Jack’s call, ending with his promise to check back on her later.
“Did he say when?” Maybe he’d come to see her yet tonight.
Janice shook her head. “Sorry. Perhaps I should’ve pressed him for a time.”
Just in case he might still stop by that evening, although it was now after nine, she convinced Janice she was fine and could manage on her own. After Janice left, Lacey remained in bed, the pain of her sprained ankle fighting the memory of her romp in the field with Jack. She’d known their pent-up emotions were heading for an explosion, but she hadn’t been prepared for the impact, interrupted though it was, let alone the aftermath.
Where was her head? She still couldn’t believe they’d almost gotten naked right there near the roadside.
She knew the answer. She’d wanted Jack to take her right there, right then. Blame it on the bull. Their adrenaline levels had been sky-high as they’d barely outrun the aggressive animal. No wonder they’d collapsed in a heap in the grass. Of course, the bull hadn’t forced them to remove each other’s clothing and maul each other. No, their afternoon frolic in the field was all their own idea.
How the pain from her injured ankle had not permeated her passion eluded comprehension. Yet she’d been totally unaware of the sprain until she’d tried to stand. Jack Dalton was getting to her, as much as she hated to admit it. Not good. Couldn’t afford to let herself get too involved. Yet the thought of his making love to her made her tighten her knees, bad ankle and all.
Who was she? Lacey Rogers, the woman who could have any man she wanted? The rising architect who’d learned she could hold her own with the firm’s star player? Or a woman so wanton she’d almost given herself out in the open on the edge of a farm field? “What’s with you, Lacey Rogers?”
Just weeks ago, she could have readily answered her own question. Now she wasn’t so sure. Jack Dalton was more than she’d bargained for. It went without saying he was the most gorgeous, charming man she’d ever known. His mere touch had her heart pumping at warp speed. The challenge of keeping up with him professionally gave her a buzz like none she’d ever experienced.
But there was something more about Jack. Whatever it was had been working its way under her skin the last several days. He possessed a certain decency, a humanity. Here, finally, was a man she might be able to trust. One who wouldn’t take advantage of her and then run off.
So would he call or come by? If she allowed herself to fall asleep again, she might miss him. She had to know if he was still panting from the aftermath of their picnic. Around one in the morning, she finally decided he wouldn’t be contacting her that night and gave in to sleep.
Though their deadline weighed heavily on her conscience, she stayed home from work the next morning, sending Jack a message saying he’d have to muddle through without her. That should generate a call. Though every step was slow and painful, she managed to drag herself from bed and throw on clothes. She could lounge on the couch and ponder their project just as well there as at the office. After all, Janice’s contribution had helped them turn a corner. The concept wasn’t quite there, it still needed something she hadn’t been able to define, but they were getting close, which was good, because the deadline was fast approaching.
Promptly at eight, her phone rang. Jack, at last! She grabbed for the cell, anxious to hear about his visit with his parents. But it wasn’t him. It was Janice, offering to come over again. Lacey refrained from telling her friend how much pain she was still in. She wanted to savor yesterday’s memories and ponder last night’s dilemmas by herself, even though she’d have to struggle to get around. “You hardly know me, yet you came to my rescue when my brother and friends weren’t available. I don’t expect you to drop everything at your gallery and come over here now.”
“I’m not leaving you alone today,” Janice said, and within an hour, she was there making breakfast.
“You really didn’t have to do this,” Lacey said, wolfing down a homemade muffin, “but since you wouldn’t take no for an answer, I’ll have another of these.”
“Good! Your appetite’s returning. You had me worried last night when you could barely hold your sandwich let alone eat it.”
She’d been preoccupied, wondering when Jack would check in. But she wasn’t ready to share what was really troubling her, so she supplied another reason. “Hospitals.”
Janice cocked an eyebrow. “Bad memories?”
“From when my mom was dying of cancer. I was old enough to visit her room but too young to deal with it.”
“I experienced a similar feeling after my husband’s death. Although Dan had been failing for months, he had a heart attack when he was out jogging and passed away two hours later in the emergency room. I couldn’t go anywhere near the place for some time, even when close friends were hospitalized.”
“I totally forgot about your situation when I asked you to take me to the hospital yesterday.”
Janice placed a hand over Lacey’s. “I wouldn’t expect you to. I told you about my feelings just now because I wanted you to know it’s possible to get beyond them.”
Lacey studied the muffin she’d been about to bite into and sighed. “Next week would have been my mom’s fifty-fifth birthday. My brother and I observe it every year by placing flowers on her grave.”
Janice studied her. “Nice tradition.”
“I suppose. But I don’t feel it’s necessary any more.”
Janice remained silent.
Unbidden tears welled up in Lacey’s eyes. With Janice, she didn’t feel the need to hold back. She wiped away the moisture with an index finger. “Am I so terrible? Bri
an won’t hear of it.”
“When you lose someone who’s been close to you, one of the greatest comforts you have is sharing your grief with others. Trouble is, people don’t always deal with grief the same way.”
“That’s it exactly! Brian thinks I’m forgetting our mom. No longer honoring her memory.”
Janice got up and poured herself a glass of water. When she returned to the table, she said, “My son and I are going through something similar. I threw myself into keeping our business afloat, attempting to get through my grief by working round the clock. My son worries about losing me as well as his father. Since he lives so far away and is always traveling, I think he obsesses about my wellbeing.”
“Sounds a bit tedious.”
Janice considered the question. “I guess I worry about him too.”
“Losing him?”
“No. I don’t think he’s fully processed his father’s death. Given in to the grief.” Her eyes blinked with her own tears. “I worry about what will happen when he does.”
“I went for years without fully accepting my mother’s death. It finally caught up with me in college.”
“What happened?”
“A broken romance. Though it wasn’t as traumatic as losing my mom, being dumped by my fiancé brought back all those feelings of hurt and anguish. First I partied and let my grades slip. Then I dropped out of school for a year, ran off to France and lived with other students I met in the clubs. Slept all day, caroused all night.”
“What turned you around?”
“One day, the shouting in the room across the hall sent me out to the streets for escape. It was early spring, misty and cool. I wandered the streets of the Rive Gauche for hours. When I finally settled on a park bench, I was numb with cold. When I finally took note of my surroundings, I discovered I was sitting near the Cathedral of Notre Dame. My eyes focused on the powerful lines of the grand old lady of the City—the parapets, spires, flying buttresses. Sketching them calmed me. I used an old letter from Brian I found in my purse for paper.”
She hadn’t even shared this story with Jack. “After I finished, I felt more at peace with myself than I had in months. Enough to finally read the letter. He said he’d given me my space long enough. It was time to come home and work through my grief.”
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