Simon sighed wishfully. “You deserve happiness, Phoebe. Not the crap you’re getting now.”
“I know, but good things come to those who wait.” She left out the office and went to work.
Later on that day she got an email from Madeline to make sure the office was in tip top shape by Friday because she would be having a poker party with some friends and clients. Phoebe ordered the catering and made sure the room would be extra clean for the party. Madeline also mentioned in her email a technician would be working at the apartment today that Madeline was planning to use on the weekends in the city.
Phoebe wondered would her lover follow her down on some weekends? Would he come to the office and would she have to pretend she wasn’t interested in Jacoby when he was around with Madeline? It would be difficult, but Phoebe could do it. Maybe the more she did see Jacoby with Madeline, maybe she would be able to put her feelings to rest about him.
As she was preparing to leave, she caught a figure at her doorway and at first thought it was Jacoby, but as she faced the large frame she smile at Lawrence in greeting. “Is there something wrong with the computers that I don’t know about?” she asked.
“No actually.” He leaned against the doorframe of her office, crossing his arms across his chest. In a tailor-made suit for him, he was a very handsome man. His build was similar to Jacoby’s, except he was much more brawnier. “I was in town doing some things to Madeline’s apartment and I realized I hadn’t had breakfast or lunch.”
“You were working that hard?” she asked.
“I almost sweated.”
She laughed at his teasing.
This seemed to encourage him more and he came into the office. “Since I’m in town for the night and I’m famished as hell, but I hate to eat alone, I was wondering would you be free for dinner.”
The smile she adorned quickly faded and she broke eye contact packing up her things quickly and putting on her coat. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Lawrence considering yesterday’s events.”
“Well, I figured you needed a load taken off and I figured I need the company of a nice young woman of just dinner. That’s all I would like and it’s my treat.”
Phoebe found him to be quite charming and indeed handsome, but she wasn’t emotionally attractive to him, but would it seem she was going out with Lawrence to try to get closer to Jacoby. That wasn’t true at all. She did need to get her mind off of Jacoby and Lawrence would be a wonderful distraction. Plus she didn’t have to worry about being emotionally involved with him. He would be a perfect distraction.
Meeting his deep brown chocolate eyes, she smiled warmly. “Let me finish straightening up and make a phone call to my mother about my children, then I’ll let meet you in the lobby.”
He looked happy and relieve in the same instant. “Thank you.”
When he was gone she called Patricia’s cell phone to let her mother know she was going to be late tonight.
“Is this the same one?” Patricia inquired, without even knowing why Phoebe would be late.
Phoebe evaded the answer. “Mother, please.”
“I’m not mad. I love it. This time, though, make sure you call so I won’t worry.”
“Yes Mother. Do I have a curfew too?” she teased.
“Shut up girl.” They both laughed.
She hung up and joined Lawrence in the lobby. “Before we go any further, I need to know some things.”
“Ask me anything,” he prompted, not looking the least bit worried about what she was going to ask.
“Are you doing this because of what happened between Jacoby and I? And do you expect something more than what you are saying?”
Lawrence answered casually, “No. I’m doing this because I need the company of a nice intellectual lady such as yourself for dinner and nothing more. I don’t expect anything, but good talk and a good meal. Is that too much?”
“No, it isn’t.” She hesitated before she asked him her next question. “Does Madeline know?”
Understanding crossed his features. “You knew he was her lover?”
“I found out after he left. Simon knew.”
“If she knows, she didn’t find out by us. Desmond finds this all too amusing and I don’t spread my friend’s business around to other people. Jacoby won’t tell. It would ruin his Lansing bootie call, if I must be vulgar about it.”
“I wouldn’t want to ruin that,” she snipped more to herself.
“What about Simon? Will he tell?”
“No. Simon’s a good friend. He’ll keep it a secret,” she assured him.
“If there isn’t any more, then may I have the pleasure of the evening with you?”
Phoebe looped arms around him and allowed him to escort her out.
****
Jacoby was surprised to see Madeline standing in the doorway. Her slender frame was adorned with the latest Donna Karen suit, her hair looked as if she had just stepped out of a beauty salon, even when they had been intimate, he had never seen Madeline look bad. Her make up never ran or smeared. She was a very beautiful woman of fifty and still had a few tricks up her sleep to excite a man with her body that was like a thirty year old.
Even as he thought of their kinkiest nights, it did nothing to stir his manhood at that moment. Frustrated that his life would never be the same now that he was hooked on someone new, he looked down at his work as she came in the room.
“You busy?” she asked, sitting in front of his desk casually.
He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “Not really. Just wrapping up the Davenport deal.”
“So everything worked in your favor?” she asked proudly smiling.
For some reason actually sitting there now having a conversation with her now, he felt as if he were speaking with his mother. “Yes, actually it did.” He leaned forward to give her his full attention. “Thank you for the contact, Madeline.” Maybe he could do her the favor of giving her one more night. “Let’s grab lunch together.”
She put her hand up. “I have an appointment in an hour. I just came here for you to tell me exactly what happened in Detroit.”
Jacoby froze wondering what exactly did she know about yesterday’s incident. Looking at the clock, he knew Phoebe wouldn’t be at the office and since he didn’t have her number there would be no way he could contact her. Damn her deceitfulness. How could he warn her if he didn’t know how to contact her?
To stall, he asked, “What do you mean?”
“I mean we planned on being together when you returned from Detroit. You couldn’t keep your hands off of me the night before you left and now, when you come back, I can’t get the time of day from you. Now either a piece of your anatomy has come up missing - which I highly doubt, or you’ve met some drop dead gorgeous woman who could rock your universe better than I.”
He took a deep breath in reprieve. Madeline didn’t know what happened, but she suspected pretty damn close. Still he pretended evasiveness. “I don’t understand what you mean.”
She leaned forward. “Cut the shit, Jacoby and let’s act like adults. I’m too grown for games. What happened?”
After a pregnant silence feeling a little bit relieved that this could end with a decent amount of maturity, he admitted, “She’s drop dead gorgeous.”
“I figured that much. Young?”
“Yes. What does this mean for us?”
She stood up and came around the desk. Leaning down, she kissed his cheek. “We’ll always be friends, Jacoby.”
“Thanks Madeline.”
She cupped his face and pressed her lips against his, but he didn’t respond. Moving away, she looked highly disappointed. “If you ever change your mind, don’t forget me.”
“I won’t,” he promised.
“We can have lunch Monday in Detroit. You will be there won’t you?”
“I intend to. Abraham Blue will be there to finalize Davenport.”
“Will your offices be ready by then?”
“There is a slight a
sbestos problem on the floor I’m on in the David Kahn Building, and I won’t be able to go in until next month.”
“Don’t you have appointments already set up? Where will you meet them?”
“There are a lot of restaurants downtown, I think I can mange.”
“That’s ridiculous, Jacoby. I have two empty back offices in the Detroit layout. You can pay me back later for the usage.” She looked through her bag and handed him a gold key and an electronic card. “The gold key is for the office itself, and the electronic card is my extra parking space.”
“I don’t think this is appropriate, Maddie,” he insisted.
“It’s fine, Jay.” Standing up she kissed his cheek one more time and headed for the door. “Make room for lunch Monday afternoon. You and me.” With that, she was gone.
Looking down at the keys in hand, he wondered how was he going to explain this to Phoebe? A black book on the end of his desk caught his eye. He knew this was Madeline’s handy scheduler and he quickly reached for it and flipped to where she had her employee’s listed. Phoebe’s number was circled in red and her address followed. Quickly writing it down, he closed the book just in time as his door opened again and Madeline came back in.
“I thought I left it.” She came to him and he handed her the scheduler. After blowing him a kiss, she left.
He looked down at the number and address smiling.
Chapter 13
Dinner was great and she even allowed him to take her dancing as well. By ten that night, Phoebe was exhausted, yet happy and relaxed. Lawrence was nothing but a gentleman and she allowed him to take her home instead of returning her back to the office. He walked her to the door and she kissed his cheek.
“Thank you for taking my mind off my troubles,” she said.
Taking her hands in his, he said, “Thank you for giving me a very enjoyable evening.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
She smiled up at him and then quickly went inside. Patricia came from the living room where she had been sneaking a peak. “He’s cute,” were her mother’s first words.
“Thank you, Mother.” Phoebe shed her coat and stretched. “I’ll go check on the kids and meet you in the kitchen, okay?”
Patricia nodded.
Phoebe even changed after kissing the sleeping twins, before joining her mother who had made warm milk for the both of them at the breakfast nook.
“He looks nice too.”
Phoebe agreed. “He was and I did enjoy myself. He just wanted to talk. It was so nice.”
Patricia frowned. “Why do I have a feeling he isn’t the same man you were with the other night?”
“Because he isn’t, Mother and I don’t want to speak about that anymore. Did you get the bank all straighten out?”
Patricia nodded, but there was a look of worry in her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Phoebe questioned getting upset knowing that look meant something was terribly wrong.
“There’s a problem still at the bank.” She pulled out an overdraft and handed it to Phoebe.
She didn’t open it, but merely put the envelope on the table. “What’s the problem?” she asked.
“There’s a two thousand overdraft, not including the fees.”
Phoebe jumped up. “How did it get overdrawn, Mother?” she asked incredulously not believing after all hey had done to get the bills down this could happen.
Patricia looked just as disheartened. “Someone withdrew the money.”
Their eyes met and both knew who had done it.
Patricia explained, “When they investigated it, it seemed even though Daniel’s name was taken off the account, he still had a card to the account. It was easy for him to get to an ATM and withdraw the cash.”
“Now we’re even deeper in debt and the taxes still need to be paid off by Tuesday.” She stood up and paced deep in thought. “Where are we going to get that kind of money? We can’t possibly take out a loan at a bank.” She stopped suddenly knowing who she must ask.
“Whatever you are thinking Phoebe, the question is no. Don’t do it.”
Phoebe turned to her mother quite perturbed that her mother could read her thoughts. “There’s no choice in the matter. We need to get the money as soon as possible and we don’t have anyone or anything we can depend up for financial support.”
Patricia stood up and stood in front of Phoebe to stop her daughter from pacing. “I don’t want you getting the money from where you got it from before. Whoever gave you that money changed you, honey. You haven’t been yourself. You’re withdrawn and upset and you don’t sleep right. I don’t like the person you become. It feels like when you were trying to get over Daniel.”
The scared look in her eyes returned and Phoebe felt helpless. “I have to, Mother. I have to get the money.”
“No!” Patricia said adamantly. “I’ll lose it all, but I won’t lose my daughter. Not again Phoebe. Not ever.”
Phoebe turned away gripping the kitchen counter to stop the shaking that wanted to envelope her and send her to crying. Her mother was trying to back her in a corner. They needed the money really bad and Phoebe knew only one person she could get the money from. “With the overdraws and the taxes, there isn’t any guarantee that he will even have that amount of money as quickly as we need it, but I have to try, Mother.”
Patricia held her daughters shoulders tightly. “Whatever you had to do to get that money, Phoebe, it wasn’t worth it. He’s not worthy. We can lose it all if we have to.”
“Daddy worked too hard to give us that. He wouldn’t want it to be sold. It’s all we have left of him, Mother and I don’t want you to lose it.” Phoebe knew the property meant a lot to her mother and she would be distraught over losing.
“Not like this. We’ll try another bank, another credit union. Something, anything. We’ll figure out something else,” Patricia said desperately.
Phoebe kissed her mother’s cheek with serene understanding. “Do what you must, Mother. I won’t let you lose the properties.” She pushed gently away and went up to her room to find the card Jacoby had given her that night.
Chapter 14
Jacoby couldn’t take his eyes off the phone. He had been staring at it for the past two hours as if staring was going to make the thing dial Phoebe’s number. It was ridiculous to even think that, but he couldn’t muster up enough courage to call her. All she’d do was shoot him down again. She had made it very clear she wanted nothing to do with him. Knowing that she didn’t made him want to find out why. Never had a woman just out right ignored him. They usually played hard to get, but they just never said they didn’t want anything to do with him.
Until Phoebe.
Being used for just sex didn’t sit too right with him. True she had needed the money, but usually younger women wanted a ring, commitment, and/or some emotional attachment to him.
Until Phoebe.
Taking a shot of Jack Daniels, he used the back of his hand to wipe his lips, then headed to the phone looking at it as if it were ten feet tall. Jacoby had memorized the number and he had every intention of staying on that phone with her until she agreed to see him. Hell, he’d be willing to pay a hell of a lot more money just to get her back in a hotel and being that same woman he had wanted to make love to all night.
Just as he was about to pick up the receiver, the phone rang. It was probably Lawrence or Desmond. Right now he didn’t want to speak to neither.
“Hello,” a soft voice said on the other line.
Jacoby couldn’t believe his ears. “Should I pinch myself?” he asked simply.
Her soft nervous laughter was sweet music to his ears.
“What do I owe the pleasure of this call, Phoebe?”
Silence came which he didn’t want to hear from her. He wanted to hear her voice, not her breathing, but he didn’t want to push it. She might hang up. Damn why did he feel like a teen boy speaking with his first girlfriend? He was nervous, sweaty, and off balanced all at the same time.
&
nbsp; “This isn’t a pleasure call, Jacoby.” That serious tone in her voice was there again and he found himself a little annoyed at the sound of it.
“Are you pregnant?” he asked sarcastically.
She snickered. “No.”
“Good, because I was going to say that was impossible.”
“Really? You can’t have children?” She actually sounded concerned.
“Long story,” he only said thinking her concern was probably faked.
“I didn’t know.”
“Of course you wouldn’t.”
More silence from her.
Jacoby knew something was wrong and he wanted to broach the subject about Madeline, but he just couldn’t find the courage to address the topic with her. “This isn’t like you,” he said.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“It isn’t like you to beat around the bush.”
“You’re right.” This time the silence was only brief. She took several deep breaths and Jacoby could just imagine her biting her lip and wrinkling her cute brow. “I should start from the beginning.”
“I’d rather hear the short sweet version.”
“I need some more money.” The words were forced out.
It was his turn to be quiet.
His quietness must have unnerved her because she went into explanation. “My ex-husband...he took it all. He took more than all, he wipe me out so completely, I don’t think I’ll ever pay it all back in my miserable lifetime. It’s all my fault though. I should have canceled his card, but I forgot I gave him one. I wouldn’t be doing this if my mother didn’t need it.”
He stopped her. “You’re only doing this for your mother?”
She hesitated before answering, but didn’t hide the truth. “Yes, Jacoby.”
Again he was quiet. Knowing he wanted to be with her in an unimaginable way, it was quite difficult to accept she was only doing this for her mother. For the first time in his life he wanted more, but he was too stubborn to admit. “I don’t know if I want to help you, Phoebe.”
There was a pregnant pause on the line until she finally said, “I understand. I just thought I’d try.” He could clearly hear the deep disappointment in her tone. “I appreciate the consideration-”
Deceptive Nights Page 7