“It should. Let me check with my people. I’ll have my assistant call to confirm.”
“Fine. And you don’t have to tell me how important it is, Mr. Collins. I’m clearing my desk and getting to work immediately.”
“That’s what I’m paying you for. I hope you like a challenge.”
“Absolutely. I look forward to the challenge.”
Jason’s mind immediately went back to a foot race he and Jane had had on the beach years ago when she had uttered those same words. Recalling how that race had ended, his heartbeat started increasing, his breathing becoming shallow. He couldn’t help replying, “As I recall, you can be a challenge yourself.”
“I’ve grown up.” How dare he refer to the past. She was trying so hard to keep all those memories totally separate and totally forgotten.
“You don’t have to tell me that,” Jason murmured before he could stop himself. Jane couldn’t decide if that was a compliment, an insult, or a pass. She was so confused. “Well, I’ll let you get back to work,” Jason continued. “I’m having my company plan a little celebration to kick things off. We’ll be in touch.”
Great. Just what she needed. More socializing with Jason. She took a big gulp of champagne, wondering how she was going to get through the next few months.
CHAPTER THREE
In the midst of the busy workday, Sally buzzed Jane about an incoming phone call. “Jane, the caller said you knew her—a Julie Beaumont, Esquire from Orlando, Florida.”
Jane whooped with joy into the phone then calmed down enough to say, “Please put her on the line, Sally.” After the click assuring her the call was transferred, Jane exclaimed, “Julie, how’s my best friend in the whole wide, wide world?” She remembered a little girl with black braids and skinny legs that she had played dolls and shared secrets with growing up. Julie had grown up in the same neighborhood as Jane and Jason but after high school graduation had moved to Orlando with her family. Always the smart one of the group, Julie had her law degree from Harvard and was practicing with her father’s agency in central Florida.
Laughing, Julie returned, “You remember our third grade friendship pledge, huh? How’s it going, ace?” Nothing like Julie’s husky, excitable voice could have put such a big smile on Jane’s face.
“Not bad. How’s the world of criminal law in sunny Florida? And please don’t tell me the temperature down there right now. You don’t want to hear me cry.”
“Hey, we have marketing specialists here in Florida, too. No reason you can’t just pack up and head south.” And she added in a thick Southern accent. “We’re mighty friendly down here, ya’ll.”
“Well, it is tempting. Especially since our weather has been cold lately. I do miss Florida winters. So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”
“I just had you on my mind. Thought I’d catch up with you during a lull in the action down here. Tell me what you’re working on.”
Jane hesitated. Julie was the closest thing to a sister she had. Although they lived in different states, they still tried to touch base at least once a month. Julie knew her. She had been through it all with her and knew how hurt she had been by Jason. Jane wasn’t sure what Julie’s reaction to the fact that she was working with him would be. However, Jane had always been honest with her. She wasn’t about to change that now.
“I’m working on an account for Talbot Toys. They have a new toy coming out for Christmas. It’s a combination computer and robot.”
“Sounds interesting. And you’re going to make it into a fabulous success, right?”
“That’s the plan. I’m working closely with the president of Talbot Toys.” Jane thought and then added. “He’s pretty brilliant.”
Something in the tone of Jane’s voice alerted Julie. “Stop the presses. Do I detect a note of interest in something other than the guy’s wonderful new toy robot?”
“Yes. No.” Jane sighed. “Jules, the president of the company is Jason.”
There was silence. “Jason? Jason Collins?” After Jane confirmed her assumptions, she waited for the blow to come. She didn’t have to wait long. “I don’t know why you didn’t just spit in his eye and tell him he could take his little toy and shove it up his—.“
“Julie! In all fairness to Jason he didn’t know what happened after my birthday that year. I don’t know how he would have reacted if he had found out.”
“Yeah, but he made it extremely hard for you to find him, now didn’t he? I’m telling you, that man did not want to be found. You tried. I tried. Tom tried. It was like he disappeared off the face of the earth.”
Jane’s voice became quiet. “He was building his toys, his company, his life.”
Julie knew the old hurts were resurrecting in her friend. She didn’t want that to happen. Calmly, she asked, “So, how’s he look?”
“He looks . . . good. He’s built an incredible company with good people and high standards.” She smiled to herself. “I really want to do a good job for him.”
“But?” Julie waited.
“But what?”
“I can hear it in your voice, old chum of mine. Something’s off. So how’s he really look, Jane?”
Jane sighed before answering. “He looks . . . older. Very intense and . . . well, hard, Julie. You wouldn’t know him. He’s so focused on his business that . . . that . . . it just seems strange, that’s all.”
Julie took a minute to digest the information. “So you’ll do this job for him and then you’ll both go your separate ways?” she asked.
“Yes, of course. He’s got his own life. I’ve got mine. After all, I’m engaged, you know.”
“Oh, that’s right. How is ‘Slick Eddie?’”
“Come on, give Ed a break. You only met him that one time. He was really stressed about a case he was working on. He didn’t mean to insult you by thinking you were a secretary.”
“Ask me to get his coffee, will he? ‘Cream and no sugar, sugar.’ I should have gone with my instincts and belted him.”
“Now is that anyway for an attorney to talk?”
“I know. My boss is trying to help me with that.”
Jane chuckled. “I’m sure he is. How is your father?”
Julie sighed. “Not ready to give me any substantial cases yet. He’s got me pulling duty as public defender. Says it’s good for me. It’ll toughen me up.”
“Like you really need to toughen up.”
“He thinks I get too attached to my clients. I’m not sure it was a good idea to join his practice.” She sighed again. “Oh well. Maybe I’ll be the one that moves. New York’s nice in the springtime, isn’t it? Then I can keep my eye on Jason. Make sure he doesn’t hurt you again.”
“Julie, I’m a big girl. We have a strictly business relationship.” Except for that near kiss in his apartment, Jane thought. “But I’ve been thinking that maybe it’s good that we ran into each other like this.”
“Why?”
“You know. Closure. A chance to say ‘I’m over you. The past is the past. Have a good life.’ A chance to say ‘goodbye.’”
Julie didn’t quite believe Jane but she didn’t say so. “All right. But I want to know everything that is going on, okay? Keep me in the loop.”
“I always have.” Jane smiled. “Hey, what about you? Anyone interesting in your life?”
“Absolutely. Let’s see. Today I defended a wino for urinating on a public bench and just yesterday I had to listen to a flasher explain to me how he just had to share his ‘talent’ with others.” Jane laughed. “But if you’re speaking of romantic interests, sorry to disappoint you.”
“That’s because you’re still in love with Steven Rivers, teen idol.”
“Give me a break. That was years ago.” Julie smiled just thinking about it.
“Uh huh. In my mind I can still see all the Steven Rivers posters and paraphernalia in your room. I can’t listen to any of his songs without hearing your voice singing along.”
Laughing Julie
said, “You poor kid. No unless Steven Rivers drops into my lap I guess I’m doomed to a lonely life of just defending the downtrodden and upholding the law. Which reminds me. Did I tell you what some idiot judge said to the homeless man I was defending the other day?” Smiling, Jane listened as Julie told her about the judicial state of affairs in central Florida.
The large Mid-town Manhattan club was packed. In the back, a special room has been reserved for a celebration for Talbot Toy Company and Patterson Marketing Agency. The drinks were flowing and the music was loud. Jane and Ed arrived, handing their coats to the attendants. Jane looked around excited to finally be in the exclusive club that had eluded her for years. She scanned the room, just taking everything in. Across the room she spied Jason talking to one of his vice presidents, with his arm around a beautiful woman. Oh yes, Dana. No, don’t feel anything, she told herself. It was a wonderful night. It was time to celebrate. She was not going to let any old feelings dominate her evening.
“Come on,” she told Ed as she took his hand and led him over to the drinks. Tonight, she decided, she would focus on her fiancé. Ed was a handsome man of thirty-five with neatly cut black hair. He was tall, over six feet to her five feet four inches. His face was always intense. Jane had made it her aim to get him to laugh more often. When he smiled, his eyes softened to a smoky gray, which Jane thought was very attractive.
They sampled the appetizer trays of smoked salmon and caviar. The champagne Jane drank began to loosen her up. She was starting to enjoy herself. Other associates gathered around Jane and Ed, chatting—mainly about what an elaborate party Talbot Toy was throwing.
The beat of the music caught Jane’s ear luring her to the dance floor. Dragging a hesitant Ed with her, they reached the dance floor surrounded by hundreds of other people enjoying the sounds of the band. The lights flashed as the music’s frenzied beat intensified. Jane felt alive and free as she began dancing to the beat. Ed did little more than shuffle his feet and look around. He was more of a box step kind of guy. Not even his reluctance dampened Jane’s enthusiasm. She moved her hips and arms along with the music, immersing herself in the blissful escape of it all, unaware that she was being watched.
Coming here was a big mistake, Jason thought as he looked out at the dance floor. I didn’t have to come. I’m the company president, damn it! No, he knew about employee and associate relations. He should be here celebrating the union of Talbot with Patterson and the future success of their joint venture. Besides, he wasn’t going to avoid Jane. How adolescent would that be? No, he was older now, wiser. He was back in control. He could handle Jane Kendall.
They had important work to do, nothing else. Ah, there she was, on the dance floor having the time of her life with Ed, or as Jason affectionately referred to him—Executive Frankenstein. Ed really was a good model for the toy he was planning. Jason smiled.
Dana was getting bored. “Come on, Jason. Let’s dance.” Jason’s heart was really not in it tonight. Even though he had the “hottest” girl in the club on his arm, he felt empty, incomplete, and alone. Every male eye in the house had ogled the tall, beautiful flight attendant. That didn’t make him feel any better. Especially since Ed had been one of those ogling his date.
“All right. Let’s go,” Jason finally said to Dana. Taking her hand they walked onto the dance floor. Becoming part of the crowd without running into Jane should have been easy given the size of the dance floor and the crowd, but no such luck. Before he knew it, they were looking at each other. The corner of Jason’s mouth curved up as he raised a hand of acknowledgement. Jane smiled and turned away.
The music slowed, delighting Ed. He pulled Jane close to him, closing his eyes and swaying to the music. She hid her face in his chest, not because of some need to be close to him, but to prevent her eyes from wandering over to Jason. The last thing she wanted to see was his hands all over that woman. Sure, she was beautiful but didn’t Jason want more than a girl with good looks? Who am I kidding? She’s probably a neurosurgeon or a rocket scientist, Jane thought. Jason is rich, handsome, and successful. He can have any woman he wants.
Completely out of the mood of the song, Jane excused herself to the ladies’ room. There she splashed water on her face, trying to bring herself back to her own reality. She liked her life. She wanted to head the CARL project. However, she didn’t want to have to work with Jason, to see him day in and day out, remembering their past. The best thing, she decided, was to do an awesome job quickly, and be done with the Talbot Toy Company. She stood tall and straightened her shoulders. Looking into the mirror she checked her makeup. Ready for battle, she returned to the VIP room and had more champagne and hor d’oeuvres.
“Hello.” With a mouth full of food, Jane turned to see Jason standing there. He was so much more handsome up close. His smooth jaw was strong and his eyes were dancing at her. These were the eyes, she thought. These eyes had charmed her, intrigued her, and beguiled her years ago. She had been useless to fight against them then and their power seemed to continue to this day.
Jane tried to gracefully finish eating the food in her mouth and then said, “Hello.”
“So how do you like the party?”
“It’s very nice. Thank you so much, Ja—Mr. Collins.”
“I think it’s all right for you to call me Jay. I mean we’ll be working closely for the next couple of months.” He hesitated. “And it seems weird to be so formal considering our past . . .”
Both were quiet. Talk about the elephant in the room.
Jane couldn’t look at him and instead found the appetizers suddenly fascinating.
“Great spread, Boss!” Jason’s personal assistant Shelly Williams breezed through the room filling her plate with goodies. She turned her attention to Jane, introducing herself and shaking her hand. “So, you two were childhood friends, right? That’s amazing. Boss, why don’t you dance with Jane and catch up.”
“I’m sure that her fiancé—“
“Won’t mind a bit. Go ahead. I’ll hold down the fort here.” Shelly gently pushed Jason and Jane towards the dance floor.
Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Jason led Jane to the dance floor and took her into his arms. The floor was packed. They couldn’t help but to press close together. Jason stiffly held her, looking anywhere but at her blue eyes, not coming close to her sweet smelling hair. Jane looked down, trying to temper the blush on her cheeks.
“So, you’re marrying an attorney. Interesting,” Jason surprised her by saying.
“Why is that?” she asked looking up at him.
“Nothing. It’s just that I thought you would go for a more . . . oh, interesting guy. Not the traditional doctor or lawyer.”
“Or gorgeous model?” Jane said cocking a brow at him.
Jason looked at her. “She’s not a model. Flight attendant.”
“Oh, well that’s different,” Jane said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
The music stopped but they stayed in each other’s arms. Before Jane could let go, a familiar musical introduction started. Jane was transported in time. Suddenly she was a teenager in the arms of the cutest guy she knew. Suddenly she was light and happy. She looked into his eyes with a youthful expectation. He looked at her showing no recognition.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
“No, nothing,” she lied. She looked away downhearted, tears threatening to appear.
Then feeling Jason’s eyes on her, she looked back into his face. Slowly, a wide grin spread across his face. She shyly smiled back. Their eyes held each other as Jason brought her closer. Jane’s pulse quickened. He was so close she could feel his breath against her face, his solid body holding hers and swaying with the music. They moved to the music, feeling every beat of the song.
It was their song. It was the song they had fallen in love to so many years ago. They again looked at each other remembering all the times they had listened to this song, all the things they had done while listening to this song. Jason’s hand softly
traveled up and down Jane’s back feeling the soft skin around the thin straps of her dress, sending shivers down her spine. Jason then pulled her even tighter to him and laid his head down against her head.
Jane reached her arms around his neck. She closed her eyes enjoying the feel of him, the earthy smell of his cologne, the sound of his breathing against her ear.
Before either of them realized what they were doing, Jane’s hands were in his hair and Jason’s hands held her hips. They danced as one, carried away by the soft strains of the band playing. There was no need for either to speak. The moment was too powerful, too filled with emotion to ruin it with words.
As the song came to an end and another one started, Jason pulled back from Jane as if awakening from a dream. They stood looking at each other as they both tried to regain their equilibrium.
“I’m sorry,” Jason blurted out. “I let that get a little out of hand.”
“That’s okay,” Jane said nervously rubbing her hands against each other. “What are the odds that they would play that song when we started dancing?”
Jason laughed. “It probably had to do with the generous tip I gave them. Although, I really didn’t expect to be dancing with you when they played it.”
“You asked them to play that?” Jason nodded. “Why?”
Shrugging, he said, “I thought you’d like it. I thought it would be . . . nice to remember our friendship.” Then, as if remembering that they weren’t two kids in love, his face turned hard as he said, “You didn’t think it was like fate or something that—“
“No,” Jane quickly replied turning a bright red. Her heart was bruised. How could he have thought it would be “nice” to remember their relationship? It had been passionate, loving, mind blowing. “Nice” was hardly the word. “It was just . . I mean . .” She gave up. “I suppose it was ‘nice,’ thank you.” Jane started to leave the dance floor saying, “It’s been a great evening but I think I’ll say goodnight.”
Frustrated by Jane’s response, Jason followed her saying, “Leaving so soon? Surely you don’t have to go yet.”
The Biggest Part of Me Page 5