My Nights With Kate
Page 25
“What’s that?”
“Well, it’s concerning Kate and me. I want you to know upfront the relationship we had, instead of having any skeletons in the closet.”
“You and Kate were more than business partners?” he asked, fidgeting nervously.
“Yes, we spent the last few weeks together. But I want you to understand, that had I not been initially attracted to her, none of this would have materialized. There would be no business opportunity and you wouldn’t even know Kate, so everything happened for a reason.”
“I had my suspicions when Kate explained how you two had met. I knew there had to be some reason why she immediately got through to you, because you and I both know that just doesn’t happen. So are you telling me this to squelch my interest in Kate?”
“Not at all, Kate is an incredible young woman. In fact, if I were 20 years younger we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Kate and I are in completely different places in life, just as you and I are. You guys are just getting started out in life, while I’m ready to ride off into the sunset.”
“Christ dad, you’re only 49! That’s pretty young for a sunset!”
“I know, that’s what everyone says. But, I simply don’t want to relive that last 25 years. I’m tired of it.”
“So what do you want from me?” Brandon asked, looking a little confused.
“Nothing. I just wanted you to know because I’m betting you and Kate will be a great team.”
“Does Jayne know?”
“No, I’ve denied everything to her for weeks.”
“That’s good. I’m going to have to think about all this.”
“Just focus on building the business and let nature take its course. You’ll know in time.”
“Yeah, I suppose. Right now everything just feels a little creepy.”
“I know. Let’s just drop the subject. I told Kate to give me a couple weeks and then the three of us can start our 9:00am conference calls.”
“Alright dad. Regardless of what happens with Kate, I’m excited about our business prospects.”
“You should be Brandon. Few people ever get to walk into a setup like the one I’ve placed in your lap. You are in for the ride of your life. So above all, enjoy it!”
After giving him a hug, I grabbed the pictures off my desk, tossed them in my briefcase and turned my back on corporate life. After a series of goodbye hugs from Kristen, Jayne and numerous others I found myself standing alone in the elevator. As the doors closed on my past, that old fear of what to do with all my free time came back to haunt me. By the time I reached the lobby however, I resolved to face the future with a sense of adventure.
“Are you ready for the next chapter?” I asked Tim as he opened the car door.
“When do we leave?” he asked, with a beaming smile.
“Is my stuff on the plane?”
“Yes, you’re all set Jack.”
“Then, let’s go to the airport. My work here is done!”
~~~
As the G 550 left the runway, I couldn’t resist sending Kate a quick text.
“Goodbye baby. I’m headed south. I really miss you, but it’s time for both of us to fly! I love you, so keep in touch!”
After what seemed like forever, I got the following reply:
“Thanks for everything Jack. I’ve loved you since I met you and even though we’ll be apart, there will always be a special place for you deep inside my heart.”
Her quote made me smile, even though it was filled with sadness. I put on my headphones, reclined my seat and looked forward to a long nap to Puerto Rico. It had been a wild, fast paced month since meeting Kate and I was emotionally spent. I just had to send her one last thought.
“The reason the name My Two Loves resonated with me is because it’s very fitting. I always thought Eva would be the one great love of my life until I met you. I have lived more in the last 23 days with you, than I did in the previous 3 ½ years. You saved me and I thank you Kate!”
~~~
Even though I was exhausted, I couldn’t drift off to sleep. There were just too many thoughts and scenarios playing out in my mind. Touching down in Puerto Rico and transferring to the helicopter, my entire body just felt numb. The moment my feet touched the helo deck, I knew My Two Loves wouldn’t be the same without Kate. Despite the warm welcome from crew members, the massive ship seemed completely lifeless without her.
“Traveling alone?” asked Edward as he and two others came to gather my luggage.
“Yes, Kate has business meetings all this week,” I replied, cutting the conversation short.
This wasn’t the time or place to get into a discussion regarding the merits of my master plan. Feeling nothing but pain, I simply wanted to be left alone to reflect on my decisions hoping to make sense of my almost desperate flee from the city. I can’t believe I just dumped her in Jayne’s co-op and basically skipped town. I should probably warn Kate that I told Brandon about our affair. He seemed to take it in stride, but things will probably be a little weird between the two of them. Maybe I was over-exaggerating the consequences of our age difference.
“You look like you could use a cocktail,” Lewis said as I approached the bar.
“Yeah, I’ll have the usual and it might take a few of them.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, anything you want to talk about?”
“Actually, let’s just talk about the weather or something.”
“Alright, tomorrow it’s going to be sunny and 85 degrees, just like today and yesterday.”
“That sounds nice,” I replied, taking my first sip of scotch.
Honoring my need for silence, Lewis busied himself by wiping down the already spotless bar. Whenever I reached the bottom of my glass, he was there to fill it up and offer a remark or two before leaving me alone with my thoughts. Most experienced bartenders know how to deal with upset customers and Lewis handled me just right. Reaching the bottom of my rocks glass for the 3rd time in less than an hour, I was more than a little relieved when my phone rang. It wasn’t Kate however, it was Jayne.
“Hi honey, miss me already?”
“Yes in fact, I do. I also have a question for you.”
“Ok.”
“Are you leaving town for my benefit?”
“I don’t follow.”
“I know what’s going on dad. I was onto you right from the beginning. The St. Regis is right up the street from my office, you didn’t think I would notice Tim and your car? I’m a little hurt that you would trust Kristen and Brandon, but not me.”
“Honestly, I didn’t know how to approach you with it.”
“I gave you several opportunities.”
“I know honey, but she’s three years younger than you. I couldn’t imagine that you would understand.”
“Do you love her?”
“Jayne, I’ve been trying to rationalize my feelings for the last three weeks.”
“Dad, do you love her?”
“I’m sorry, but yes. She’s stirred up feelings in me that I thought were lost forever.”
“So, that’s why you‘re running away from her?”
“No, I didn’t want to hurt you or Brandon for that matter.”
“Ok, so you think denying your feelings and running away will make us happy? We have both been worried about you since Mom was killed. We know how much that hurt you. It wasn’t your fault dad. In fact, it’s been great to see you happy again. That day when Kristen told you to talk to me, she was trying to get you to come clean.”
“I just couldn’t do it. That’s why I turned the focus onto you and Julian. It just didn’t seem right.”
“What’s more important than love dad?”
“You know my answer to that Jayne. But my kids always come first.”
“First of all, we’re adults not kids. Second, if I did something that you didn’t approve of I know you would still love me, right?”
“Of course, I only want what’s best for you. You know that.”
/>
“Newsflash dad! That’s all Brandon and I want for you too. None of us control who we fall in love with, it just happens. If you think you’re going to be happier sailing the world without Kate, then please do so. But don’t sacrifice this relationship and convince yourself that you did it for us! That’s not fair to anyone.”
“Jayne, you’re pretty smart for your age. Thank you for calling and I’m sorry I didn’t come to you first.”
“It’s alright dad. I can’t blame you for being a little embarrassed. However, if she makes you happy I’ll be really pissed if you blow her off. By the way, you might want to call Brandon. He’s a little freaked out that you tried to set him up with your girlfriend.”
“Alright Jayne, I’ll give him a call. It seemed like a reasonable solution at the time.”
“In hindsight, I’m sure you’ll see it wasn’t one of your better ideas.”
“Alright, thanks for the talk. You have no idea how much it means to me.”
“I love you dad!”
~~~
“Another cocktail?” Lewis asked, as I laid my phone on the bar.
“No, I’m going back to my room. I’ve got a couple more calls to make.”
As I walked down the corridor, I began to reflect on my conversation with Jayne. I’m 49 years old and literally running away from everyone I care about. Even though my goal was to avoid hurting anyone, it appears that I’m actually hurting everyone. I wonder what Brandon and Kate think of my attempt to throw them together… not my finest moment! What the hell was I thinking?
I’m through thinking and I’m done with these stupid master plans. When it comes to love and relationships, there’s no such thing as a master plan anyway. Kate and I are bound to have some awkward moments, but she’s definitely worth it. I’m going to give her a call and invite her down for a long Valentine’s Day weekend. After that, we’ll have to figure everything out one day at a time.
It was then that her mother Cynthia popped into my head. I think I’ll let Kate explain things to her!
~~~~~~
Thanks for reading!
For more background on Jack Ryker, pictures of his yacht, the pics that Kate posted online visit:
www.JackRyker.com
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1 – An Instant Obsession
Chapter 2 – The Meet
Chapter 3 – Kate And The Diamond Suite
Chapter 4 – A Night With A Real Man
Chapter 5 – The Day After
Chapter 6 – An Eventful Afternoon
Chapter 7 – Our First Business Meeting
Chapter 8 – Monday Starts With A Bang!
Chapter 9 – Yoga, Sex and Video
Chapter 10 – Seeing Stars & A Reboot
Chapter 11 – Grilled At Lunch & Thrilled At Dinner
Chapter 12 – Are We Even?
Chapter 13 – Three Short Days
Chapter 14 – Dinner And A Three Way To Paris
Chapter 15 - Saturday In Paris
Chapter 16 – Jack Does Double Time
Chapter 17 – Back In the NY Groove
Chapter 18 – Jack The Puppeteer?
Chapter 19 – Tough Reception In PA
Chapter 20 – More Puzzle Pieces
Chapter 21: Going For A Test Drive
Chapter 22: The Not So Virgin Islands
Chapter 23: Kate & Brandon Meet
Chapter 24: Returning To Allentown
Chapter 25 – Done Deals
Chapter 26: The Confessions Begin
Chapter 27 – A Very Special Day
Chapter 28 – My Two Loves