The Biggest Part of Me

by Malinda Martin

  “We’re on the home stretch with CARL. The ad campaign is cranking up, the development in its final testing stages. We’ve got a meeting with a Japanese delegation of electronic and toy distributors set up for three months from now. It’s extremely important that the meeting go well. If we don’t have the cooperation of this group, we can kiss international distribution of CARL goodbye.”

  “I’m sure you’ll get it. CARL is a great idea.” Jane said.

  “Yes, it is. But I’m concerned that any bad publicity for the company could derail the delegation’s consideration of the product.”

  “What are you saying?”

  Looking at her now Jason blurted out, “Just this. That if it got out that I was secretly married for seven years and now was divorcing my wife, head of the ad campaign, the innuendos and stories and lies could destroy CARL. The media would have a field day with it.”

  “Not if we were honest and told the whole story.”

  “Honey, grow up! Tabloids thrive on stuff like this. Being in communications, you should know that!” Dismayed over the tone of his voice and the shocked look on Jane’s face, Jason said, “I’m sorry. You know what I mean.”

  “No, you’re right. You’re absolutely right.” Jane understood Jason’s determination to protect his creation. It was his dream, his life, and his true love. And now she was a part of that and just as determined to forge her success as an ad executive with the success of CARL. “What do you propose we do?”

  “Nothing.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “Nothing, that is until this meeting is over. By that time, CARL will be well underway. The product should be able to stand on its own merit by then, especially if the ad campaign is as great as I think it’s going to be,” he added with a nod to her.

  Jane was suddenly uncomfortable. Restless, she got up to pace and think. “Let me get this straight. You think we should continue to be legally married until after CARL is launched, specifically after your meeting with the Japanese distributors. Is that right?”

  “That’s about it.”

  “And that’s when?”

  “On April twenty-seventh.” Looking down at the calendar on his watch he added, “Three months from today.”

  “And then we’ll . . you know. File for dissolution?” The word divorce had always soured her stomach. Saying it now and having it apply to her and Jason was impossible for her to choke out.

  “Whatever you want.”

  Jane paced for a moment and then stopped, looking at him. “You know, it might be better for everyone if I bow out of the marketing of CARL so that the fallout wouldn’t be that big.” Jane’s eyes were big, pleading with Jason to help her know what to do.

  He could never refuse those eyes. Getting up from the table he walked over and grabbing her two arms said, “No, absolutely not. You’re the best person to market CARL, we both know that. You understand exactly what I’m trying to do with it. You understand CARL. You understand me.”

  Jane looked deeply into Jason’s eyes. “I used to. I’m not sure I still do, Jay.”

  Jason’s heartbeat began to accelerate. The overwhelming desires to hold, to protect, to treasure were filling him up so fast, his breath caught. The tender look in her bright blue eyes started to cloud his brain. The hands that held her arms tightened, not in strength but in defense of all she was doing to his system by simply looking at him.

  Jane’s system was doing a tango of its own. She ached to feel those strong arms around her. She ached to again feel his mouth against hers. In the far reaches of her mind she told herself, this was crazy. We’re adults. We’re different people. Her heart, beating wildly, refused to listen.

  With his thoughts jumbled he said, “I don’t want you to quit. I need you, Janie. Give me three months.”

  In a daze, Jane agreed. “Three months.”

  “That’s my girl.” And then he pulled her towards him and kissed her hard and firm.

  Jane put her hands on Jason’s chest and looked at him. “No one has to know about this, right?

  “That’s right. Just between you and me.”

  “Well,” Jane said slowly. “Ed knows. But he won’t say anything.”

  Jason wanted to change the subject. She looked so cute in his shirt. Her big blue eyes so engaged in their conversation. How he had missed her! His body began to throb with need. He smiled as he took Jane’s hands into his and said, “By the way. I noticed when you came in this evening that you’re not wearing an engagement ring.”

  “I didn’t think it was right to wear one man’s engagement ring and legally be married to another. Call me old-fashioned!”

  Jason could not contain his grin. “Well, whatever the reason, I have to be honest and say I’m glad it’s not there anymore.”

  “Jason, I didn’t say it was gone for good.”

  “We’ll see.” He began moving his thumbs over her hands in sensual circles. “Why don’t we just take it one day at a time. Get to know each other again. See what happens.”

  It sounded so easy. Still she had her doubts.

  Jane sighed as Jason’s hand moved up to her neck and into her hair. His other hand under her chin brought her face close to his as he began lightly kissing her cheeks, her brows, her eyes. “All right. I guess we can get to know each other again,” she mumbled, surrendering to his touch. And then as his lips made their way to hers she whispered, “Now what?”

  Jason’s mouth covered Jane’s in a reverent touch that had Jane smoldering. His eyes turned dark and he grinned seductively. “Now, we continue getting to know each other again.” Taking Jane with him and kissing her senseless, he guided her back to the bedroom.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The next day, Jason Collins was late for work. Extremely late. To the surprise of the Patterson Agency, Jane Kendall was even later. As she walked into the office just before noon, all heads turned to watch her. Jane was oblivious to any stares as she smiled and hummed her way to her office.

  Assistant Kerry Bolton walked over to Sally’s desk and asked, “Was Jane humming?”

  Sally giggled. “Yeah. She looks pretty happy this morning. Have you ever known Jane to be this late for work?”

  “Never.”

  “Hmm.” Sally smiled. “Must have been a hell of a night.”

  The elevator doors opened and Jason’s assistant Shelly emerged. “Hi, Sally. I’ve got some papers from the boss for Jane. It’s the information for the casting director for the CARL commercials.”

  “Your timing is great. She just got here,” Sally said taking the papers.

  “Really. That’s interesting. Jason got to work only an hour ago.”

  The three women looked at each other and smiled. Quietly they began chatting and wondering aloud about the possibility of Jason and Jane being together.

  “Hold on,” Sally finally said. We forgot one little problem. Ed Simpson.”

  Confused, Shelly said, “Who’s Ed Simpson?”

  Sally whispered, “Jane’s fiancé.”

  Shelly chuckled. “Really? Well, if you could have seen Jason and Jane in that hot tub in the Hamptons, you would know that he’s probably not a problem.”

  And then, as if on cue, the elevator doors opened and Ed stepped out with a more serious than usual expression on his face. “Is she in yet?” he asked Sally, not bothering to wait for the answer as he walked towards Jane’s office door.

  Kerry broke the silence. “I think Ed’s not finished being a problem, yet.”

  Leaning back in her chair, Jane thought about her life. She had had it planned—get a degree, get experience, climb the ladder of success. In life’s round about way she had accomplished those things. But nothing could quite compare to the lazy morning she had just shared with Jason, her husband. He had been so kind, so loving. He had stroked her tenderly until all the passions that they held for one another seemed to burst forth from their pores, filling each other with ecstasy. How could she ever go back to her normal life aga
in? The knock and opening door brought her back to reality.

  “Jane, darling, you finally made it in. So, did you confront Collins? Do I need to ask where you dumped the body?”

  “Our meeting went . . . fine.” Jane blushed.

  “By the way, why were you so late getting to work today?” Ed walked to Jane and kissed her cheek.

  What was she to say? I didn’t make it in earlier because I was lounging in bed having incredible sex with Jason. “I . . ah . . had a lot on my mind.”

  Ed sat on the edge of Jane’s desk watching her as she leaned back in her chair. “What did he have to say about it?”

  “That he thought he had taken care of it. Some such nonsense about a friend in law school that was taking care of the dissolution. Apparently, he didn’t.”

  “What ignorance.” Ignorant? Jason was many things but ignorant certainly wasn’t one of them. For some reason, Jane was offended. “Now are you ready for me to draw up the divorce papers? And remember, I can include a nice divorce settlement. Settlements are my specialty.”

  “I told you, Ed. No settlements. When we decide to end this, it will simply be a clean break, no complications.”

  Ed sighed and stood. “All right. I’ll get to work on it right . . . What do you mean when you decide to end this?” He frowned crossing his arms in front of his chest.

  “It’s just that there are a few details to work out, that’s all. We’re going to leave everything as it is for three months.”

  Ed hit the ceiling. “Are you crazy? This man deceived you for seven years and you’re not going to bring him to justice for this?” Ed realized he was shouting and calmly lowered his voice. “What details need to be worked out? Maybe I can help.”

  “The launching of CARL. We both need to concentrate completely on that. The publicity of a secret marriage and quick divorce will hurt the project. We can’t let that happen.”

  “I don’t think a little publicity will have a very big effect.”

  “It might. Especially with some of the distributors.”

  “Maybe we should go public over it. Let Collins have to deal with what he’s done to you.”

  “No. I gave him my word. Besides, if there was a big scandal involved, I would feel obligated to stand by Jason until it blew over. I’m going to do everything in my ability to see the CARL project through.”

  Ed thought for a moment. He trusted Jane implicitly. Jason, however, was a different story. What game was he playing with Jane? “I’ll do whatever you ask, Jane. But I still say you’re making a mistake. This guy hurt you. How do you know he won’t hurt you again? He’s a user. He’ll use your incredible advertising skills and then leave you high and dry when this robot deal is done.”

  Jane stared straight ahead thinking. Could he be using her? Was this all about CARL and the Talbot Toy Company? Was he going to destroy her again? She didn’t think she could handle it a second time.

  Ed walked around behind Jane and began massaging her shoulders. “All right. We’ll wait the three months.” Then he bent down and whispered in her ear. “Then I think we should set the wedding date.”

  One of CARL’s first big tests was here. A test group of moms and their children ranging from age five to fifteen had gathered in a large gathering room off the lobby of the Talbot Building. It was the first focus group to gauge the public’s reaction to CARL. This moment was huge for Jason. His heartbeat was accelerated. His breathing was thick. The kids have got to like CARL, he thought as his group got everything in place for the demonstration and the subsequent “hands on” time for the kids.

  “How’s it going, Boss?” Shelly stood by with her ever-ready pen and pad.

  “I think everything’s in place. Did you get a call back from the factory about that shipment of defective rotating gears?”

  “They swear on a stack of Bibles that everything was kosher when they left the plant. We shipped the defective ones back yesterday for their inspection. They are sending new ones, to be delivered personally by the C.E.O. this afternoon.”

  Jason looked at her with admiration in his eyes. “How did you get old Hanson to agree to that?”

  Shelly smiled. “Just a little creative bargaining. He knows what a breakthrough CARL is going to be. Oh, by the way. When CARL’s good to go, Hanson gets one of the first.”

  Jason chuckled. “Why didn’t I think of that? You’re a gem, Shelly.”

  When Jason was given the signal, he stepped into the middle of the room and began. “Ladies and kids, I’m so pleased that you were able to be here today. The Talbot Toy Company sincerely appreciates your help with this project.”

  Pointing to the smiling robot next to him, he continued. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet CARL—Computer And Robot Link. He can do everything your home computer can do with the added bonus of being your personal robot. He is going to become your butler, your assistant, and your companion. In short, CARL will be your new best friend.”

  Jason proceeded to turn on his demonstration model and waited for the familiar humming to signal all systems go. The younger kids watched with wide eyes, excited to see the robot come to life. The teenagers appeared indifferent, watching CARL with skepticism. Mothers smiled with patience as they thought of how to get CARL to take over the washing and cleaning.

  The model hummed, and hummed, and then hummed some more. Jason began looking over the robot. The humming stopped and the model began to shake and then spin. A guttural moan began emanating from the toy. The volume grew louder and louder as Jason began frantically turning over the unit to turn it off. Then the moaning was ear piercing, scaring the younger children into their mothers’ arms. One of the older kids said, “Hey, cool,” to the agreement of the other teenagers and the disapproval of their moms.

  The on/off button was jammed and Jason was having a hard time shutting the unit down. Mothers picked up their young children and fled the room. Teenagers were yanked out, led by their mothers who were shaking their heads.

  When Jason finally tore off the control panel and turned the robot off, he looked up to see the room empty except for his faithful employees.

  The CARL project was consuming Jane’s life. News of the test group debacle had to be taken care of. If that ever got out to the public . . . Jane didn’t want to think about it. She had made sure that all the parents and children had been contacted, heard, and placated. Good customer relations equaled good publicity. She was not going to leave any stone unturned on her way to marketing stardom.

  The buzzer interrupted her in her thoughts as her fingers flew across the computer keyboard. Grunting under her breath, she reached over to press her intercom button. “Sally, I’m extremely busy.”

  “I know but it’s your lawyer friend from Florida.”

  Jane smiled automatically. “All right. Tell her to hang on just a second and I’ll be with her.” Jane finished her thoughts, saved the changes, and then eagerly reached for her phone.

  “Hey, unlike you lazy attorneys, some of us have work to do,” she said with laughter in her voice.

  “Kendall, I do more before seven in the morning than any pop culture loving, high living ad person does in a whole day.”

  Jane laughed. “So why are you calling since you’re so busy?”

  “Just a heads up. I’m going to be in the big apple in a few weeks for a seminar. Wanted you to see about clearing out a little bit of your fabulously precious time to get together.”

  Jane was thrilled. “Absolutely, you know I will.”

  “Good. So how’s it going with the toy maker?”

  Oh no. Jane didn’t know what to say. She promised Julie to keep her informed. How could she not tell her she was married? How could she tell her?

  Julie assessed the silence as bad news. She sighed heavily. “Okay, Jane. What’s going on?”

  “I . . I don’t know how to tell you this. But first, you’ve got to promise to keep this quiet. No one needs to know.”

  “Sure, no prob. What’s up?”
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  “I’m married. I mean Jason’s married . . to . . me. We’re married.”

  Not knowing what to say, Julie muttered, “Congratulations?”

  “Okay, here’s what happened. Remember when we all went out on my twenty-first birthday? Well, Jason and I went bar hopping later, I got drunk, we drove to Georgia and we got married.” Jane let out a big breath as if relieved the secret was out.

  “And you didn’t tell me? Jane Kendall, you’ve been married all this time and you didn’t even tell your best friend. See if I tell you the next time I get married!”

  “I just found out. I didn’t remember any of it. Jason tried to handle everything by getting a quick divorce.

  “Oookay. That was seven years ago. Even being a fairly new attorney I know that marriage dissolutions do not take seven years, neither do quickie divorces.”

  “Apparently the law student friend that Jason got to handle things didn’t quite come through. Nothing is on file. We’re still legally married.”

  Julie whistled through her teeth. “So, do you need me to take care of this?”

  “No, not yet.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because we’re in the middle of a big ad campaign. We don’t want any bad publicity while trying to win over families. A divorce isn’t a recommendation of family values for the product.”

  “So you’re just going to remain married until when? The silver anniversary of this toy’s debut?”

  “No, there’s a big meeting with a conglomeration of toy distributors in a few months. After that meeting we’ll quietly take care of the divorce.”

  “Hey wait. What about the ‘Ed-ster?’ Does he know? He can’t be too pleased about all this.”

  “No, he’s not. But he’s patient. He understands the dilemma. We’re all just eager to do the best job we can until this meeting. Then things can go back to how they were before.”

  “Man, my life is so boring compared to yours! I can’t wait to see all this in person.”

  “Trust me. You can wait.”

  There was silence for a moment and then Julie said, “Jane, now that all this has come out, don’t you think you should tell him about—”