“So how close are you to being done because I could really use a cup of coffee right now.” The deep sensual voice shocked her out the almost hypnotized state she has a tendency to get into when she is drawing.
“How long have you been awake? And sure you can get up I just have a few finishing touches but I’m pretty much done.” She told Tyler with a huge smile on her face.
The minute Tyler started to move Oscar made his displeasure known with a small little growl. “Well you may be fine with me moving but this little guy certainly thinks I should stay as his pillow.” Picking up the small dog and looking in his furry little face Tyler laughed.
“What kind of dog is he anyway?” Holding the little ball of fluff close and scratching his ears.
“I’m not sure I just found him at the shelter when he was six months old or so and I just fell in love.” Jenna looked adoringly at the two men in her life.
“Well little man what’s say you and I go take a walk and get some bagels for breakfast while the artist finishes her masterpiece.” Putting the dog down he ran to the front door barking happily.
“I think he is a fan of the idea. I mean you did say his two favorite words all in once sentence walk and eat.” Laughing, he pulled his pants on then his shoes. He walked over and leaned down and gave Jenna a quick kiss on the forehead before heading out the door. “We will be back in a few minutes.”
Jenna heard the front door open and close and immediately told her smart phone to call Sara.
“Hey Jen how are you doing. Ty was pretty upset when he came over last night looking for your apartment key.” Sara queried with a touch of worry in her voice.
“I’m fine in fact I’ve never been better. He came in here and was so gentle and so tender. I slept in his arms and I was never more at ease. Oh my god Sara is it possible I think I’m falling in love with this guy?” Jenna grabbed a towel and a multi colored maxi dress to put on after she took a quick shower.
“Jenna I’m so happy for you. He is a great guy and he is certainly proving himself to be good for you. Is he still there? What’s going on?” Now that Sara knew her friend was ok she couldn’t help but be happy and oh so curious as to what was happening with her friends new found love.
“He took Oscar for a walk and to get some breakfast. I’m going to take a quick shower and I will call you when he leaves. Bye Sara, and thanks for giving him the key to get in.” Trading goodbyes with her friend Jenna hung up and took a quick shower.
~~~~~
Jenna was just coming downstairs when Tyler and Oscar came through the front door. Her hair was wet and her feet were bare. She was wearing a long, strapless, multicolored maxi dress and Tyler stopped in his tracks when he saw her.
“You are beautiful you know that? What happened to the pink hair?” He smiled at her as she stepped off the bottom step and into his arms. Oscar was circling the couple as they embraced.
“The pink is just little clips I add when I’m in the mood for something different, I have all different colors.” Leaning up and kissing him sweetly as he holds her.
“Is he protecting you from me?” Tyler asks looking down at the little angry ball of fur running around them and barking.
“Nothing so chivalrous, he just wants some of the food your holding.” She whispered looking up at him, lost in his beautiful blue eyes.
While the couple stood there holding each other Oscar kept jumping up and trying to get the bag of food Tyler had. After several minutes of trying with no luck to get his breakfast he finally decided to let his owner and her knew friend know that he would not be ignored.
The loud bark followed by the saddest sounding howl ever to be heard from a dog made the couple laugh and they looked down at the poor dog.
“Well I guess we should feed him. I mean, I don’t want to be known as the man who withholds food from the poor dog from now on.” Holding Jenna at his side he guided her to the kitchen.
Jenna served the coffee while Tyler cut the bagels and put out the variety of cream cheeses he got. Placing a mini bagel with egg and bacon on it in a bowl for his new friend. “Here you go buddy eat up.” Scratching the dog’s ear and giving his attention back to Jenna.
“So tonight my family and I will be having dinner at the café and I really want you there. My father really wants to get to know you and my mom, brother and sister in law will get to know you and love you now that dad and I have put them in their place.” Taking a bite of the bagel he covered liberally with vegetable cream cheese he waited to see how she would reply to his invitation
“That sounds nice Tyler I’m going to call ahead and make sure they save the back table for us. It has the most privacy and I would really like to make a good impression on your family. Is there anything special they like?” Sipping her coffee he could see the fear in her eyes but didn’t say anything.
“Listen. You don’t have to worry everything will be fine. Dad thinks your great already Bryan and my mom are just standoffish people give them time and they will come around. Veronica is a really sweet girl and I do love her like a sister but she’s very quiet. But if you do want to hit a home run then my parents are fans of simple rustic French food. I really think they will like the whole menu there though.” Looking at her he sipped his coffee.
They finished their meal talking and laughing. When he was done she stood up and walked over and sat on his lap, she ran her fingers through his always perfectly tousled hair. Running her fingers over the stubble on his face and leaning in to kiss him so passionately it stole his breathe.
“Maybe tomorrow after dinner you can take me back to your place. I would love to sketch the view from your penthouse.” Smiling wickedly she winked and got to her feet.
Playfully swatting her behind, he smirked. “Anything you want princess.”
Noting the time he got up and headed to the door. Stopping to place a kiss on her soft pink lips then crouching down to rub Oscars belly as he lay on his back in one of the many dog beds throughout the house. “I guess you better bring Oscar too, what do you say Oscar you going to come run around my place? There are so many new things for you to sniff and tons of comfy places for you to nap.” The dog didn’t even move which made Tyler laugh. “He certainly is a creature of comfort isn’t he?”
“I will pick you up later. Bye Jenna.” Winking he walked out and got in his shiny black sports car and drove away.
The minute his car was out of sight Jenna grabbed her cell and called Sara.
“Come over here now! I have dinner with the family tonight I need help!”
As soon as she hung up she called the café and talked to Peter the head chef to see what was on the menu today. After about fifteen minutes she worded out what would be served to them and asked him if he would have time to run next door to the pick out a wine to accompany the meal.
Chapter nine
Jenna stood looking at herself in her bedroom mirror. She had chosen to wear, with the help of Sara, her long sleeve sweater dress. It had horizontal blue and black stripes and she added her black wedge booties to wear with it. Her hair was long and straight and just to add a touch of fun she put in just a few blue streaks in her hair. She put in the small diamond stud earrings that Aunt Emma told her were her grandmothers and checked her lip gloss.
The doorbell rang and Jenna took a deep calming breathe and headed down stairs. Grabbing her purse she opened the door and smiled at Tyler.
“Do I look ok?” She asked him nervously.
“Let me see.” Grabbing her hand he held it above her head and she did a little twirl. “Yup just as I expected, you look perfect.”
She closed the door and locked it. They walked the two blocks to the café and arrived at the same time as his family. They got out of the car and everyone said their hellos.
“Café Eclettico, this place is absolutely charming Jenna.” Julia Johnson kissed Jenna on the cheek and everyone walked inside. Jenna gave Tyler a bit of a shocked look.<
br />
Everyone went inside and took the table in the back corner. Their waiter Thomas came over and poured them all water and while he opened the wine he let everyone know what was planned for tonight’s meal.
“Hello, Jenna has set up the menu for the table tonight. I will start you off with; warm goat cheese and caramelized onion tartlets. Then a warm beet salad and the main course will be a beef bourguignon.” Thomas looked around the table to make sure that everyone was happy with the selection.
“If you would prefer something else please have what you want.” Jenna added nervously.
“That all sounds amazing, really, I love tartlets.” Alfred added sipping his water.
“Jenna this is really nice, the place lives up to his name so eclectic and tasteful and that mural is amazing. Is that by the artist you are always talking about Ty? If so than he is every bit as amazing as you said he was.” Julia looked to her eldest son and sipped her wine.
“Yes mother it is by the artist I have mentioned. I am currently trying to get her to do all the work for the penthouse renovation downtown.” Squeezing Jenna’s hand he kept talking to his mother about the mural and his plans for downtown.
Tyler’s father Alfred who was seated on Jenna’s right sipped his wine and turned to Jenna. “So what is it you do Jenna? Tyler explained to us that you do not really need to be a housekeeper you just do it to occupy some time.”
“Well actually, I became Tyler’s housekeeper because my friends whom I believe you know, Sara and Dean, well they were worried about me after Aunt Emma died. I have…well I have an anxiety disorder. When my Aunt died I was really lonely and scared and I wouldn’t leave my apartment.” Pausing to look around she realized that they were all looking at her. She swallowed, took a deep breath and continued.
“Sara knows that when my anxiety is acting up I find comfort in schedules and routines. She told me about Tyler needing a housekeeper so she told him I would be interested in the job. I mean I don’t really have to work. I have the café and the royalties from Aunt Emma’s cookbooks, my home is paid for and I...” She looked around one more time and let her eyes settle on Tyler. He nodded reassuringly. “I am an artist and I make a very good living selling my work.” She grabbed her wine and sipped it.
“Oh really? An artist? What kind of work do you do?” Julia asked, apparently Jenna had piqued her interest.
“Well I work mostly in charcoals and pastels but I work in every medium. I painted that mural right there.” Pointing to the mural they were talking about earlier.
“Oh! That’s your work? I can’t believe that I am acquainted with a top artist. This is amazing you really must let me have you over for a small event to promote your work darling!” Julia chimed in happily getting the attention of Veronica. They started talking to each other about who to invite and where to have it and how it would be the nicest party. Clearly the two women loved being fabulous and letting people know it.
Gripping Jenna’s hand Tyler was just about to jump in when to his surprise his brother did instead.
“Clearly Jenna is not comfortable with the attention you two are going on about giving her. She is a very talented artist there is no doubt about it. However she uses a symbol instead of her name. She trusted us with her secret and I think instead of trying to push her into doing something she doesn’t want we should be grateful for her trust and thank her.” Taking his wife’s hand and smiling Bryan said his peace.
“I agree, Julia let the girl live her way.” Alfred Johnson spoke to his wife as the appetizers were set in front of them.
“Thank you Mr. Johnson.” Jenna was slightly choked up that not only did the two men stand up for her and understand her wishes and reasons but the two women seemed to nod in agreement.
Tyler couldn’t stop smiling as the small talk continued around the table. Everyone was wowed with the meal and made Jenna feel very comfortable. Jenna was luminous as she spoke about her work and her aunt and just had a nice time. It was clear his family was accepting of the woman he was choosing to be with.
As the waiter came back over at the end of the meal he asked if anyone would like desert.
“Tonight we have Pavlova with fresh fruit, crème Brule, and a nice pear tartlet.” Taking everyone’s order Thomas smiled and went to get their food.
A short while later the group left the café. Julia and Veronica hugged Jenna and they all discussed a time to meet for a nice lunch just the girls. Alfred embraced her and Bryan said a very nice goodbye smiling genuinely at her.
Waving the car off Tyler put his arm around Jenna and they walked to her home.
“They loved you.” Tyler whispered as he kissed her temple.
About an hour later they entered Tyler’s apartment. Jenna took Oscars leash off and let him run around. The small dog went crazy in his new environment. He had to smell every surface and explore every corner. Jenna noticed a big plush dog bed covered in toys in front of the windows in the living room. Turning to Tyler she smiled.
“Are you trying to spoil him more than he already is?” She asked laughing
“You are right it’s addicting. I ran into the pet store to get my little friend a bed and maybe one new toy and they all just looked like so much fun. Before I knew it I had a huge pile.” He pulled her down to sit on the couch next to him.
“I have a present for you.” Grabbing a large envelope off the table he handed it to her. He watched as she opened it.
She opened the envelope and saw laminated passes for the concert she wanted to go to but was too scared to go to Atlantic City for. She shook her head in disbelief.
“I know you are unable to stand in the middle of a large crowd so…I called a friend of mine who is the manager of the casino and hotel where the concert is being held. These passes are so we can go backstage and watch the concert from the side of the stage with the very V.I.P’s. We will be taking a limo to Atlantic City, when we arrive I have set up a surprise for you then we will see the concert and spend the night in the penthouse suite. If you’re feeling up to it maybe we can explore a little. With it being November it’s a little too cold to go on the beach but we can do anything you want.” He ran his fingers through her silky hair as he explained his plans to her.
“I cannot believe you went to this trouble for me. Nobody has ever put so much thought into a gift for me. Thank you.” Turning and wrapping her arms around his neck she kissed him deeply. The couple stayed in the embrace enjoying the feel of each other until they were interrupted by Tyler’s cell phone.
“YES? He did what?! Send the file to my computer and get him on the phone with me in ten minutes!” Kissing her cheek he apologized. “I’m sorry; there is a major problem with my project in the Bahamas. Make yourself comfortable and I will finish this as soon as I possibly can.”
“You do what you have to do. Oscar and I will just relax.” She nearly fell of the couch laughing when she saw Oscar take off to go in the office with him and heard him tell the small dog not once but three times to get out of his office chair. “See what happens when you spoil a dog, they become your shadow.”
While waiting for him to do his work Jenna grabbed one of her sketch pads and worked a little more on the sketch she started last time she was here. The view from the couch was amazing, especially at night when the city was lit up in the background of the park.
After about a half an hour later she got up and stretched then checked to see how close to if he was still working. He was sitting at his desk with Oscar asleep on his lap while he talked on the phone. Smiling she made her way down to the bedroom and grabbed the nightie she purchased last week and headed into the bathroom.
Chapter ten
One aggravating hour later Tyler and his new shadow Oscar left his office. Didn’t see Jenna but the bedroom light was on so he figured she was in there. He grabbed Oscar’s leash and the two headed out for the last walk of the day.
When they returned a short time later he st
ill didn’t see Jenna. Letting the dog off the leash he took off his gray wool pea coat and hung it on the hook by the door. Walking deeper into the penthouse he looked around for her.
“Jen? Where are you?” Seeing a light on in the bedroom he headed that way.
When he walked in the bedroom he stopped and a large smile crossed his face when he saw her. She was walking out of the bathroom wearing a soft blue silk nightie with spaghetti straps that fell mid-thigh. Licking his lips he moved closer to her.
Taking Chances Page 5