The Biggest Part of Me

by Malinda Martin

  The work was piling up for Jane. The rash of unexplained problems plagued her thoughts. She checked and double-checked everything being done on the CARL Project. This was one project she was not going to let anything happen to. She was going over copywriting when she heard her office door opening.

  “Well, there she is, the infamous career woman that once knew how to have a good time!” The longhaired brunette with the almond shaped brown eyes smiled at the stunned Jane.

  “Julie!” With a laugh and a whoop of joy, Jane jumped from her chair and raced around her desk to embrace her childhood friend. “You’re here!”

  She laughed. “I’m here.” Julie held Jane by the arms and stepped back to take a look at her. She had worried about Jane ever since Jason had come back into the picture. Glad to be in New York, Julie was going to make sure that Jane was doing okay. She was amazed and comforted to see the look of joy in her eyes. “How you doing, kiddo?”

  “I’m doing great, Julie. Just working hard as always.”

  “Uh-huh. So take a break and tell me everything.”

  Jane buzzed Sally to request a pot of coffee. They walked towards the couch as a smug little smile settled on Jane’s lips. She couldn’t look at her office couch anymore without a smile coming. Jane pulled her thoughts back to Julie as the two friends sat, giving her another hug. “Oh, Jules, I’m so glad you’re here. So much is happening in my life right now, I really need an anchor.”

  “Something to weigh you down? I don’t think so.”

  Jane swatted Julie’s arm and said, “No, something to keep me from drifting, from getting lost.”

  “Oh, okay. I accept the metaphor. Now tell me all about it.”

  “I’m in love with Jason.” Jane watched Julie’s happy face change instantly, seeing the disapproval clearly. “Before you say anything, I know he broke my heart before. I know there are a few . . . secrets from the past. I know there’s the possibility that he may only be interested in me because of CARL.”

  “Hold it! Wait a minute, who’s CARL?” Julie’s pretty brown eyes were large with confusion. “Is there another man in the mix?”

  Jane laughed. “No, CARL is the new toy I’m marketing. CARL—computer and robot link.

  As Julie watched Jane, emotion filled her throat. She could see Jane’s heart in her eyes. Reaching over, she took Jane’s hand and held it tight. “What does Jason say?”

  “He says he loves me.” She looked up at Julie. “What should I do, Jules?”

  Julie continued to hold Jane’s hand while gently rubbing her back. “I’m not the best person to ask advice about relationships. I haven’t had much luck in that department. I do know that for you guys to have a chance, you need to tell him about the baby.”

  With eyes moist and large, Jane looked into Julie’s eyes. “He’ll hate me.”

  “Why? It wasn’t your fault. It just happened. Besides, if we could have found the jerk, he could have been there with you through it all.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “Okay, but don’t wait too long.” Julie needed to collect herself before she said something she’d regret. Sighing she said, “Jane, could I freshen up in your powder room?”

  Jane directed her there and went back to her desk to work some more on her production notes for the upcoming filming of commercials.

  Jason stepped in the door jam of Jane’s office. She was beautiful, with her head over her computer keyboard, typing furiously. He stood for a moment just appreciating her, and then quietly tiptoed into the office gently closing the door. She could see him out of the corner of her eye. A wide smile brightened her face as he came around her desk and began massaging her shoulders.

  “Mmm. That feels so good,” she murmured, closing her eyes and letting her head tip back. Jason leaned down and dropped little kisses on her neck.

  “How’s it going, Sweetheart?” he whispered in her ear.

  “Great! I—”

  Before she could finish her thought, Jason turned her around and pulled her up to him for a slow, heart-melting kiss. “Mmm. Really great,” Jane muttered as Jason kissed her temple, her checks, her jaw, and then continued south.

  Having a hard time thinking, Jane whispered, “You’ll never guess who’s here, Jay.”

  “You.” He continued the kisses. “Me. Anyone else is just incidental.” His arms slowly came around Jane, pulling her even closer against him as he began to plunder her sweet mouth. Jane reached her arms around Jason’s neck and tried to finish her thought but it was soon gone. All that was left was the moan that eased out of her throat and into Jason’s system. Had he locked the door? Could he take her now? The thought had him painfully aroused.

  “Ahem.” Silence. Julie was standing in the door of Jane’s office trying to figure out what to do here. She began coughing to get their attention. When that didn’t work, she tried to cough louder, and then louder, finally imitating a pneumonia patient on his last gasp.

  They both looked up. Jason’s eyes grew bright with delight. “Julie? I don’t believe it. Julie Beaumont, look at you!” He walked over and gave Julie a big hug.

  For a moment Julie was speechless. This was the idiot who had hurt her best friend. The man that had disappeared. The man that Jane had said had become so cold. Something was strange here. She’d think about it later but for the time being, the ice around her heart melted and she hugged Jason back. Growing up she had always liked him. He was like one of her older brothers—fun, sometimes overbearing, very protective, and an integral part of her childhood.

  “Good see you again, Jason,” she finally said. “So, I hear you’re a big, bad fortune 500 C.E.O.”

  Jason laughed. “And I hear you’re a big, bad criminal law attorney. Heaven help the poor slob that has to face you in court. I’ve still got damage from playing football with you when we were kids.”

  “Hey, I was just trying to toughen you up. Get you ready to face the Wall Street vipers.”

  “Well, many thanks for that.” Jason turned back to Jane and facing her, took her hand in his. “This was what you were trying to tell me, wasn’t it?” She nodded. “So, Jules, what’s got you into our neck of the woods?”

  Actually, the desire to know what you’re doing to my friend, she thought but instead said, “Law seminar. Thought I’d check in with Jane. See how she’s doing.”

  “Julie, I want you to stay with me while you’re here.” As Julie started to object Jane added, “and I won’t take no for an answer.” Jane looked pleadingly at Jason. He knew this meant staying at Jane’s was off limits while Julie was here. He had been able to stay with Jane or her stay with him for most nights. Even though he loved Julie like a sister, this would put a stop to that for a while. Jason smiled at Jane, understanding her desire to spend some time with her friend.

  Trying to understand the unspoken communication going on between these two, she switched topics. “So, Jason, when do I get to see this robot computer that is going to take over the world?”

  “Soon. In fact how about I take the prettiest two women in New York out for lunch and then to my offices for a peek at CARL?”

  “I can do lunch but then I have to come straight back here,” Jane said. “I have to work on the copywriting for the catalogs.”

  Not wanting to miss her chance to get Jason alone to talk, Julie said, “Well, it looks like CARL will only get a glimpse of one of the prettiest two women in New York.”

  Jason laughed. “Then, let’s get started.”

  Lunch was a jumbled mixture of sharing good food, teasing each other, arguing rather loudly, and laughing. All in abundance. The busy deli on 44 Street was the perfect location for the three to reminisce without being an annoyance to anyone. After Jane was dropped off at her building, Jason and Julie headed back uptown to the Talbot Building. Entering and looking around, Julie was instantly in awe. “Very impressive, Collins. Didn’t know you had it in you,” she added with a wink.

  Trying to feign modesty, Jason said, �
��Yeah, it’ll do.”

  In the office suites, Jason introduced Julie around. To his horror, Julie couldn’t resist retelling how she had won his marbles in an arm wrestling contest when they were kids. He had to add that they were six years old. When she began telling the story of how she had made him cry with a brutal tackle she gave him playing football, he urgently lead her into his office.

  If Julie had been impressed before, it was nothing compared to her thoughts of his office. The view of Central Park was spectacular. She noticed the wind whirling through the trees. Spring was officially here, bringing with it blustery weather. Soon, flowers would be appearing in the Park. It would be beautiful. She wondered if Jason saw and appreciated the view. Or was he living for the company he had built? Would he just use and then devastate her best friend?

  Julie turned back to Jason. “Your office is incredible. I don’t know how you get any work done here.”

  “Well, I like to use the beauty as a balm. And if that doesn’t work, I look out and start imagining lots of different toys that I could build.”

  Julie chuckled. “You always did do that. You’d get that faraway look in your eyes and then you’d tell us about a plan to build some kind of contraption.”

  “And I’m still building contraptions. Are you ready to meet CARL?”

  Julie took a deep breath. “In a minute. I’d like to talk to you first.”

  “Okay. This sounds serious. Sit down.”

  “It’s very serious,” Julie said as she sat on the plush couch. She thought for a moment before starting. “Jason, I’ve always liked you. Growing up you were always a good friend. Our friendship was important to me.”

  Jason smiled and sat next to her. “Thanks. Ditto, by the way.”

  “Good. Then you won’t mind me doing this.” Then Julie put all her weight behind her and punched Jason in the gut. “Just what the hell are you doing to my best friend?”

  CHAPTER NINE

  “I’m not sure what you mean,” Jason mumbled through his teeth as he held his middle to relieve the pain. “You still have a mean jab there, Beaumont.”

  “You’d be on your way to the hospital if I thought for a minute that you were intending to put my best friend through what you did before.”

  “I happen to be in love with your best friend. Why the hell would I intend to hurt her?”

  “Yeah, sport, that’s what I thought years ago.”

  “Julie, we were just kids. We both had a lot of growing up to do.” His mind wandered. “There were a lot of things to do.”

  “Like get married? How’s that working out for ya? Why did it take you seven years to come clean on that? And now you’re just going to waltz back into her life and forget the past, right? I’m sorry but you don’t have a very good track record when it comes to Jane.”

  “All valid points, counselor. All I can tell you is that there were some things that I couldn’t tell Jane at the time.”

  Julie paused. “Jason, there are some things that Jane couldn’t tell you at the time.” She took his hands and held them firmly. “Listen, I’m speaking now not as an attorney that would have a field day with the both of you on the stand. I’m speaking as a friend that loves you both very much. Sit down with her and really talk about the past.”

  “But we have, we—“

  “No. I mean no more secrets. Everything out on the table. Whatever you couldn’t tell Jane then, tell her now. And insist that she tell you whatever she couldn’t tell you then. You both need to trust each other. Otherwise, how can you have any kind of future together? And then deal with this marriage issue!”

  Jason smiled and put his arm around Julie. “You know what, slugger? You’re pretty wise for being a lawyer.” And then he gave her a kiss on the head.

  “Oh stop, you’re making me blush,” she said sarcastically. “Now can I meet the dashing Mr. CARL?”

  Julie’s visit lasted for three days. The two women stayed up late in the night giggling and sharing secrets just like they had done in their youth. When Julie left for home, Jane was sorry to see her go. However, that night Jason had reminded her how nice it was to have the apartment all to themselves.

  Even though Jane and Jason’s business dealing were intense and friendly, no one else suspected that they were deeply involved, let alone married. They spent practically all of their work-free hours together, pretty much moving in together into Jane’s comfy apartment. Evening was usually met with a light dinner and a glass of wine. Jane didn’t mind making simple dinners or Jason would pick up take-out on his way to the apartment. After dinner they would snuggle on the couch and listen to music, holding each other. Jane never wanted it to end.

  The higher temperatures of spring blanketed Manhattan making the air warm and inviting. Jane stood in her little kitchen looking out the window and stirring homemade chicken cacciatore. She was feeling positively domesticated—and it felt good. Looking down the street she noticed a very handsome man strolling towards her building, briefcase in hand. He wore a camel colored suit that was tailored to fit his lean body. His lean hands gripped his briefcase in one hand and in the other, a small bouquet of wildflowers. His hair was blowing in the cool wind. His eyes were intense, obviously deep in thought. Her husband. How she was beginning to love that word! Jane poured two glasses of wine.

  This was Jason’s favorite time of the day. He would come through the doors of Jane’s apartment and shut out the world that was anything except the two of them. He smiled at the key Jane had given him to her apartment building. Things were coming along quite nicely with Janie.

  He entered the apartment and after hanging up his coat and setting down his briefcase, found Jane. She greeted Jason with a kiss and a glass of wine. He returned the kiss and gave her the bouquet.

  “Jay, these are beautiful! Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, darlin.’” Wearily, he sat on the sofa to drink his wine.

  Jane joined him and snuggled close to him as he put his arm around her to draw her close. “Bad day?” she asked.

  Jason sighed. “I don’t understand it. We’re having trouble closing this Japan deal. It seems to me that the distributors of Japan would have no trouble being on board with a toy that combines robots and computers.” He hesitated. “They’re having second thoughts about displaying CARL at their worldwide exposition this summer.”

  “You can’t be serious! CARL is incredible! Why would they turn their backs on such an obvious money maker?”

  “Your guess is as good as mine, sweetheart. Maybe I’m not stating my case well enough. Maybe they’re getting bad information.” Looking at his watch he said, “I’ve got to go back out in an hour. I’m meeting our lawyers to see if perhaps there’s a legal issue involved that we’re not seeing.”

  “You have to go back to the office?” Jane was disappointed.

  “No, I’m meeting them at Brannings,” Jason said indicating the little bar around the corner from the apartment. “I figured if I could get these lawyers in a relaxed environment, maybe I could understand what the hell they were saying. God, why don’t they learn to speak English?”

  Jane chuckled. “They can be infuriating.”

  Changing topics he said, “Gee, what smells so good?”

  “Chicken cacciatore. Homemade, I’ll have you know. I made it especially for you. I also made your favorite—chocolate chip cookies.” Jane looked up into Jason’s large smiling eyes.

  “Great. I’m starved. However . .” Jason put his wine down and began nibbling on Jane’s neck. “I could sure go for an appetizer now.” His hands moved over her shoulders and down her sides as his mouth moved up her throat to make contact with her lips.

  “Good idea,” Jane murmured as she gave herself to his kisses. What an appetizer! However, they were fast on their way to a main entrée when the phone rang. Gathering her wits, Jane reached to the side table to grab the cordless. Jason continued scattering kisses all over her as she answered.

  Jason felt Jane’s b
ody grow stiff as she listened to the call.

  “Sally, calm down and tell me what happened.”

  Jason sat up and watched Jane. He started rubbing her shoulders as she listened to the call.

  “Okay. Okay. Was there anything missing? . . . Call security and explain everything to them. Have someone escort you out . . . It’s all right, Sally. Go home and get some rest.”

  “What happened?”

  Jane turned to face him. “Someone broke into my office. Sally had come back to the office after dinner to do some typing and saw the door open. Files and drawers were emptied on the floor. She said it’s a mess but it doesn’t appear that anything was taken. Whatever it was they wanted, I don’t think they found it.”

  “CARL.” Jason said, his eyes hard and intense.

  “Do you really think so?”

  “I’ve suspected industrial espionage. Too many unexplained problems.” He sighed as he massaged Jane’s shoulders. “I really don’t want you in the middle of it.”

  Defiantly she said, “Well, I am. And I’m not letting anything happen to this project. I’m so glad that after that debacle with the first casting call, I had all our papers locked up in my safe. Nothing connected with CARL is ever left out.

  “We’ll get past this, Jay. CARL will be a success, for you and Patterson.”

  Jason smiled. “Yeah, it’s your big chance.”

  Jane looked tenderly at Jason. Touching his cheek she said, “No, it’s your dream.”

  The rush of emotion that filled Jason was overwhelming. He grabbed Jane and kissed her with all the passion that filled his heart. Then he took her hands and kissed them while he tried to regain his voice. “How’s that cacciatore coming?”

  The apartment was quiet. Jason had left for his meeting. Jane sat in her large upholstered chair and pulled an afghan over her. She wore baggy sweatpants, a large University of Florida sweatshirt, and heavy wool socks. Next to her, she had a cup of hot tea and a new romance novel. She couldn’t remember the last time she had read fiction. Romance seemed appropriate. Sighing, she leaned back and began reading. As she finished chapter one, she heard the buzzer indicating a guest at the front door of the building.