Between the Lines

by Angela Benson

  Jake grinned. “You’re beginning to sound like Megan.”

  “Now that was a low blow,” she said, allowing him to deflect her question.

  “Ah, but it’s true.” Jake chuckled. “You and Megan are quite a pair.”

  “You can’t seriously think I sound like Megan.”

  “You make it sound like an insult. It’s not. It’s merely an observation.”

  “Yes, but I was in the car with you while Megan behaved like a petulant child.”

  Jake opened his eyes and sat up. “You’re being kind. She was at her best today.”

  “Don’t try to change the subject. Do you seriously think Megan and I are alike?”

  Jake nodded.

  “You’re the first person to say that. Most people think we’re exact opposites. I suppose you know they called us the Odd Couple in school.”

  He nodded again. “I can see why they did that. That’s the impression you two give, but it’s a false impression. You’re very much the flirt and spoiled little girl that Megan is and she’s very much the reserved, stern woman that you are.”

  “Me, a flirt and a spoiled little girl? I don’t think so. You must have me confused with someone else.”

  Jake rubbed her arm. “Now don’t get mad with me. You did ask. Do you want me to continue?”

  Eleanor nodded. “You certainly can’t stop now.”

  “Take that evening at Mel’s Diner. You wanted to play the flirt then, but you weren’t sure about doing it.”

  Eleanor remembered taking her hair down, unbuttoning a couple of buttons of her blouse, and hoping Jake would notice.

  “And don’t forget that white bathing suit you wear. Definitely designed to get a man’s attention.”

  “But that doesn’t make me a flirt.”

  He ignored her comment. “And look at you now,” he said, allowing his gaze to meander from her feet to the hair on her head. “Your legs were made for short skirts. And the way your hair falls in curls on your shoulders is maddening.”

  “Jake . . .” she pleaded, a warm breeze of passion raising her body temperature.

  Jake stared into her eyes and she wondered if he knew the effect his words were having on her.

  “I bet you were a virgin until you met Franklin. Right?”

  Eleanor averted her eyes. He was right, but it wasn’t his business, she decided. She wondered how he knew anyway, but she wasn’t going to ask. She was sure she wouldn’t like his answer.

  He didn’t wait for her response. “And my guess is, Megan is still a virgin.”

  Again he was right, though most people guessed Megan was sexually active. She liked men. A lot. But she didn’t sleep around. She’d die if she knew Jake knew. “You’ll have to ask her that,” she said, wondering again how Jake knew so much. The man must have ESP where women are concerned, she concluded.

  When he didn’t continue, she met his gaze with her own. “Go on,” she said. “I know you’re not finished.”

  “When men look at Megan, their first thought is she’s a firecracker. When they look at you, their first thought is she’s uptight. What they don’t know is you’re probably hotter than Megan.”

  Eleanor felt herself grow warmer. “And how do you figure that?”

  “That bathing suit. I doubt Megan would wear anything that revealing, even in the privacy of your pool. I’m hoping the only place you wear it is in the privacy of your own pool. Please tell me I’m right.”

  She wouldn’t have answered him, but he sounded so grave she took pity on him. “You’re right. Not that it matters.”

  “Oh, it matters, all right.”

  Eleanor refused to ask what that meant. “So you’ve got Megan and me all figured out?”

  Jake nodded. “As much as a man can figure out any woman.”

  “I’m sure you’ve been through your share of women.”

  He caught her gaze. “Why don’t you ask me?”

  Eleanor knew what he was talking about. “I know you’ve been through a lot of women. There’s nothing to ask.”

  “If you ask, I’ll answer.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m basically an honest guy. I don’t make promises and I don’t lie. Keeps life simple.”

  She didn’t know why she had to ask, but she did. His eyes told her he’d tell her the truth. “Have you loved any of them, Jake?”

  He smiled as if he’d known that was the question she’d ask. “I’ve loved them all.”

  ***

  “Eleanor, dearest,” Randolph Mason said, pulling her into his arms. “It’s about time we met.” He pushed her back and grinned at her. “I knew it. You’re gorgeous.”

  Eleanor believed he meant it and his words made her feel gorgeous. She silently thanked Megan for coaxing her into the burgundy tailored suit with the mini-skirt.

  “You’re not so bad yourself,” she said and meant it. Randolph Mason was a very attractive man. His salt-and-pepper hair, his bright eyes and sparkling teeth. Not to mention the broad shoulders set off by his tapered suit. Jake got his good looks from his father.

  “Hey, watch it now,” Jake warned. “There are children in the room.”

  Eleanor saw the teasing glint in Jake’s eyes. “I apologize, Jake. I see where you get it from.”

  Jake laughed.

  “I know an insult when I hear one,” Randolph teased. “My son is a perfect gentleman and so am I.”

  Eleanor rolled her eyes and spoke in an exaggerated Southern drawl. “Oh, is that what ya’ll call it up North?”

  Randolph’s eyes danced. “What do you call it in Lamar?”

  “Calculated charm.”

  Randolph laughed, then spoke to Jake. “She’s a tough one, son. How are you surviving down there?”

  Jake passed her a teasing glance. “We’ve had our moments, but I think we’re on the right road now. What do you say, Eleanor?”

  She nodded, getting into the spirit of the moment. Jake and his father’s relaxed relationship warmed her. Maybe she’d misread the comments Jake had made during the ride from the airport. “It was touch-and-go for a while, but I think I have him trained now.”

  Randolph shot Jake a glance. “Trained, huh?”

  Jake raised his arms in surrender. “What can I say? She’s a slave driver.”

  “Well, this slave driver needs to freshen up,” Eleanor said. “If you’ll excuse me?”

  “I don’t know what I was thinking about, dear,” Randolph said. He pressed the intercom and a uniformed manservant appeared in the door. “Jeffrey will show you to your room.”

  Jake watched as Eleanor left the library behind Jeffrey. When the door closed, his father said, “She’s nothing like her pictures, is she?”

  Jake turned to his father. “Mathias told you about the woman at the pool?”

  Randolph nodded and walked around to his desk. “So what’s been happening?”

  Jake dropped down on the couch in front of the wall of built-in bookcases. “Not much. I’ve been trying to understand the paper.”

  “What do you think?”

  “It’s a nice, small-town paper, but I still don’t see why you want it. Will you explain that to me again?”

  “There’s nothing to explain. Mat and I have been friends forever. We want this merger because of our friendship. It’s your job to make it work as a business deal for Mason Publishing. Are you going to be able to do it?”

  “Definitely,” Jake said with confidence. He was still determined to do more than his father expected.

  “Good, I’m counting on you.”

  Jake’s shoulders set up a little straighter at that comment. His father was counting on him. There was no way he would let him down. In fact, he planned to impress the hell out of the older man. Once he knew from which angle to approach the new magazine that he and Eleanor had discussed, he’d be better able to draw up his deal-of-the-century. He couldn’t wait to present his fathe
r with the final proposal.

  ***

  Jake scanned the hotel ballroom later that night looking for Eleanor and wondering where she was. He wanted to see her, but he also wanted to see this guy who had spoiled his plans to be Eleanor’s date for the gala.

  “Are you looking for somebody, Jake?” Sherise’s honeyed voice asked.

  Jake looked at her and wondered when he’d lost interest. She was still the attractive, leggy, demure yet fun-loving diva he’d first met, but now his tastes hungered for someone with more mouth and less height. “I told you about Eleanor. She’s supposed to be here tonight. Dad wants to introduce her around.”

  “Are you sure there isn’t more to it than that?”

  That got Jake’s attention. “Jealousy doesn’t become you, Sherise.”

  “And you’re turning into a bore. I get the feeling I’m being used.”

  Feeling guilty, Jake immediately slid his gaze from her. She was right. He’d only invited her after he’d learned Eleanor was bringing Franklin. His plan had been to make Eleanor jealous. Now he realized how stupid that was. And how unfair to Sherise. “Look, Sherise, I’m sorry. Do you want to dance?”

  Her eyes twinkled and he knew all was forgiven. He took her hand and led her to the floor. Luckily for him a slow Barry White tune played. He pulled her into his arms, glad they didn’t have to talk anymore. He sensed Eleanor’s entrance into the ballroom and his head went up.

  “Watch it, Jake,” Sherise chastised. “Those are my feet you’re stepping on.”

  “Sorry,” Jake mumbled, his eyes still on Eleanor. He’d thought she was gorgeous before but tonight she’d gone beyond that. White was definitely her color, though he thought the strapless white gown could have used a little more material up top. And he thought the guy on her arm looked a little bit too happy. He wondered what Eleanor had done to make the guy grin like that.

  “Is that her?”

  Sherise had stopped dancing and was now looking at Eleanor and her date.

  “That’s her,” Jake said, taking Sherise’s hand and leading her in Eleanor’s direction. “I’ll introduce you.”

  Randolph and his date for the evening reached Eleanor before Jake did.

  “Here you are,” his father said to him. “Good to see you, Sherise. Have you met our Eleanor?”

  Randolph made the introductions then Eleanor introduced the tall, well-groomed man with her as Franklin.

  Jake took his hand, sizing him up. “Glad you could make it. Eleanor speaks of you often.”

  Franklin placed an arm around Eleanor and pulled her to himself and smiled. “All good, I hope.”

  Eleanor touched the string of pearls around her neck and gave Franklin an intimate smile that made Jake’s inside clench. “I only told the truth.”

  Franklin rewarded that answer with a kiss on her forehead. “Thank you.”

  Randolph took Eleanor’s arm. “Come on. There are some people I want you to meet.”

  “Franklin?” Eleanor asked.

  “No, you go on,” he said, waving her away. “I’ll be okay.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Franklin winked. “As long as you look for me for the first dance.”

  “Deal,” she said and let herself be escorted away by Randolph.

  ***

  “Do you live in New York, Franklin?” Sherise asked, flashing the man a brilliant smile that Jake thought was exaggerated.

  “All my life. You?”

  “Brooklyn.”

  Jake observed Franklin as he talked with Sherise. What was it about this man that attracted Eleanor? Jake admitted he was handsome. And tall. And well groomed. Probably very successful, since Jake guessed his tuxedo wasn’t a rental. And the guy was personable. Jake had to give him that.

  But Jake didn’t like him and he knew why. Franklin had been engaged to Eleanor. In Jake’s opinion, that erased all the other positive attributes the man had.

  ***

  Eleanor’s jaw hurt from so much smiling. Randolph had introduced her to what seemed like over a hundred people. Thankfully, he did most of the talking so all she had to do was nod and smile. At other times that would have rankled her, but not tonight. Tonight she was glad because it gave her time to think.

  So Sherise was the kind of woman that attracted Jake. She was surprised. For some reason, she’d thought Jake went in for blatant sexuality, not the demure sophistication she sensed in Sherise. She guessed one really couldn’t judge a book by its cover. She smiled at the thought and at the bald-headed man and his wife Randolph was now introducing. Jake always surprised her. First, his attitude at the paper. Then, his genuine concern for Megan and Carl. Now, his choice in women. Jake Mason was not a man to be pigeon-holed.

  “I think I’ve waited long enough,” a firm masculine voice whispered close to her ear.

  She turned and smiled at Franklin. “I’m sorry I left you for so long. Thanks for being such a good sport about it.”

  Franklin took her drink from her hand and placed it on the passing tray of the floating waiter. “Now it’s my time.”

  She turned to Randolph. “Please excuse me for a while,” she said.

  “Oh, sure, dear,” Randolph said, looking from her to Franklin. “But be sure to come back in a little while. There are still people for you to meet.”

  Franklin placed his hand on her elbow and escorted her away from Randolph and company and onto the ballroom floor. “If I didn’t know better,” he said, “I’d think the elder Mason was trying to keep you away from me.”

  Eleanor stepped into his arms. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

  Franklin slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “He wouldn’t be the first older man interested in a pretty young thing like yourself.”

  “Pretty young thing?” she repeated. “You’d better be glad I’m in a festive mood or I’d have to call you on that phrase.”

  “Politically correct phrasing or not, the older Mason could be interested in you.”

  “No way. The man is my father’s best friend.”

  “So?”

  “So, they’re practically brothers.”

  He turned her in a fancy turn. “There could be another reason for his interest.” He turned her again.

  “And what’s that?”

  “Maybe he wants you for a daughter-in-law.”

  Eleanor stopped moving and looked up at him. “Now that’s crazy.”

  He urged her into the dance step. “What’s crazy about it? Maybe your fathers want to merge more than their businesses.”

  Eleanor shook her head. This conversation was ridiculous. “Are you jealous, Franklin? Is that what this is about?”

  “Why would I be jealous? You’re not my girl anymore.”

  He was jealous. She’d thought Franklin had gotten over their failed romance, but obviously he hadn’t. “Maybe it was selfish of me to invite you tonight, but I wanted to see you.”

  He hugged her closer and she felt him relax. “I’m glad you invited me. You’re very special to me, Roni.” It was the first time he’d used his pet name for her in years.

  “Oh, Franklin . . .”

  He squeezed her. “There’s no need for that. I’m fine. I’m not pining away for you, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

  The levity in his voice made her smile. “I’m glad to know that.”

  “I’m seeing somebody,” he said a few seconds later.

  “Is it serious?”

  “More serious than any relationship I’ve had since you. I think she could be the one.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yes, oh. You’d like her. She’s a great woman.” He looked down at her. “A lot like you.”

  “Are you happy?” Eleanor questioned.

  “Very. I didn’t think I’d get over you, Eleanor. You broke my heart when you decided not to come to New York. I loved you, you know.”

  “I know,” she said softl
y. She was happy for Franklin, but a part of her hated that soon he would no longer be hers. There was a sense of security in knowing somebody out there loved her. “Does she mind you being out tonight?”

  He shook his head. “I told her the three of us would get together sometime this weekend. She wants to meet you.”

  “She does?”

  He nodded. “She said she wants to meet the woman who helped make me a man.”

  Eleanor looked up at him. “You told her that.” It was something he’d often told her though she never really believed he meant it.

  When the song ended, Franklin led her out to the terrace. She sat on the marble bench and he leaned on the marble railing in front of her. The night was clear and cool and the sky shone with stars.

  “You’ve changed,” he said.

  “I’m older.”

  “And a little wiser,” he added.

  “I hope so.”

  “He’d be a good match for you.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Jake.”

  “Jake?” she repeated.

  “I think you already know that.”

  She didn’t answer. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t attracted to Jake. He was an attractive man and that tuxedo showed off the contours of his body so well that her pulse raced. Finding him attractive and having a relationship with him were two different things though.

  But heaven help her, she had wondered about loving Jake Mason. He had a charm that practically disarmed her. She sensed he was drawn to her as well. If they had met under other conditions, maybe—

  “This is Franklin you’re talking to, Eleanor,” he said, interrupting her musing. “I think I know you better than anyone else in the world.”

  “You’re wrong this time.”

  Franklin sat next to her and took her hand in his. “I don’t think so. Love doesn’t always happen twice, Eleanor. I’ve been lucky. I loved you, but you didn’t love me. Then I found Vicky. I love her and she loves me. I want you to find that. I want you to love somebody so much it hurts.”

  “Why do you want me to hurt?” she asked, deliberately misunderstanding what he meant.

  “You know it’s real when it hurts, when you’ve given all you think you have and you still have to give more. You know it’s love when you’re willing to dig deep to find the extra strength it takes to make the relationship work.”