Coveting Love (Jessica Crawford) (37 page)

“
Well, actually both. I am glad you’re back, but I also wanted to ask if you could stop by the office sometime today.” She started to protest, but John cut her short. “I know you weren’t planning on working today, but this is really important. I need your advice on something.”

She sighed and promised John she would be in sometime that morning.

She picked up her purse and headed for the door. She was just about to open the door, when she heard a knock on it. She opened the door to find Karen standing there, looking pleased.

“
Hello, Karen. I was just on my way out.”

“
Yes, I see that. I just wanted to let you know that your gentleman friend never came back while you were away.”

“
Thanks. I didn’t think he had, but it’s nice of you to reassure me. I feel much better about it now.” She started to walk past her, but Karen continued to speak.

“
There was a delivery for you, though.”

Jessica froze in her steps. She turned to look at Karen. “What kind of delivery?” she asked nervously.

“
Roses,” she said. “The biggest bouquet I’ve ever seen. Even bigger than the ones your fiancé sent you that time.”

“
When were they delivered?”

“
Just yesterday. It’s funny though; they were addressed to you but had my address on them. It was as though whoever sent them knew you weren’t going to be home. Of course, there was no card attached,” she said smugly. “It appears to me, my dear friend, that you have a secret admirer.” She turned to walk back toward her apartment. “Wait here, I’ll bring them back.”

Jessica reached out and grabbed her shoulder. “No, don’t. You can have them. I don’t want them,” she said biting her lower lip.

“
Okay, if that’s what you want. But I sure wouldn’t go giving away expensive roses, no matter who sent them.”

She turned and walked into her own apartment, shutting the door firmly behind her, cackling a laugh as she closed the door. It was obvious Karen was beginning to view this as a game. But Jessica knew who the secret admirer was, and she didn’t think the game was much fun.

She was trembling when she arrived at the office. Her head had begun to ache, making her irritable.

John greeted her, “Are you all right?”

“
I’m fine, John, really. What’s so important you had to call me back early?”

He led her to the studio. “I wanted to show you these photos. I developed them while you were away. I was so excited about them that I could hardly wait for you to get back.”

He spread the pictures out before her. Vivid flashbacks of her trip to Australia came flooding back as she viewed each one. She cringed.

“
They’re good,” she agreed. “But I thought we decided to scrap the project. We never even got the photos we really wanted.”

“
I thought so, too, at first. Then I saw all these and I thought it was such a waste to have them go to the incinerator. I thought that maybe we could approach the new executives over at the store. Even though Phillip isn’t in charge, and they weren’t the ones requesting the trip…well, I just thought that maybe when they see these, they’ll want to push ahead with the project, then our whole trip wouldn’t have been a total wash, and maybe something good can come out of those awful memories.”

She looked thoughtful for a moment. John left her to her dilemma, patiently waiting for her decision.

“
I haven’t said anything to Clair yet, just in case… well, you know, in case it’s too painful for you. You know Clair; she’ll run with it at any cost.”

She smiled and hugged him. Poor John, she thought, always trying to make something good out of a bad situation. What right did she have to crush his hopes?

“
All right, John. You run the idea by Clair and see what she thinks. Make sure she knows it’s your idea. I’m leaving here soon and she’s going to need a new lead photographer. I’ll back you on it.”

“
Yes!” he shouted, pumping his fist. “I love you.” He danced in circles, leading her along beside him. She laughed, and it felt so good. “We can make it work. I know we can. Trust me on this.”

“
Oh, I do, John. I do. You go talk to Clair. I’m going into my office to put my head down for a while. I have an awful headache. Come and see me after you’ve talked to Clair.”

“
It’s the caffeine. I keep telling you to get off that stuff.”

“
Yeah, yeah, yeah,” she mimicked, slamming the door shut behind her.

On the short distance to her office, she brooded over what John had said. The photos had brought back painful memories.

She wondered if these memories ever would get easier. She made a desperate attempt to conjure up the good memories, but Phillip’s face, shrouded in the dim light the flashlight had provided, kept creeping in. She pushed aside the memory, laid her head down, and drifted into a restless sleep.

**********

CHAPTER 22

It’s a strange feeling knowing you’re being watched. Jessica was becoming quite familiar with the feeling, and she didn’t like it. The part that really puzzled her about Jeffrey’s pursuit was that he always presented himself when he knew she was not available.

Since the incident several weeks ago with the flowers, she had received several other shipments of flowers and candy, none with cards attached, of course.

She also received several messages at work that a man had called for her but refused to leave his name.

She began to watch around corners, waiting for a glimpse of Jeffrey, but she never saw him.

She was beginning to think he was playing a game for his own satisfaction, and did not intend to present himself to her at all. He never called her at home anymore, always the office, and always when she was out.

She had considered mentioning Jeffrey’s silent pursuit to Brandon. She had even come close a few times, but had decided against it. There was no telling what his temper might cause him to do. She was actually beginning to find a little humor in it. Suddenly, he didn’t seem harmful anymore.

The day of her mother’s wedding was drawing near. Between work and last minute preparations for the wedding, she was busy. She barely had time to think of either Jeffrey, or Brandon.

Amy called often to keep her informed about the baby. She reported that she was showing quite a bit, and had even heard the baby’s heartbeat.

Randy was acting as if the baby was his, and all Jessie’s misgivings about their marriage disappeared.

The baby was due to arrive in mid-October, and Amy had begun preparing the nursery. She reported that she was content staying home and being a wife and expectant mother. She made Jessica promise she would come out soon and visit.

Jessica and Brandon set their wedding date for the following spring, wanting to give Amy plenty of time to recover from childbirth, and not wanting to crowd her mother’s wedding.

Two days before Jessica was to depart for her mother’s wedding, she received a phone call at work.

“
Jess, you have a call on line three. I think it’s your Romeo,” Sandy said disgustedly. She lifted the receiver, expecting to find Brandon on the other end.

“
Hey, sexy,” she greeted.

“
Hey, yourself,” came a familiar, but unwanted reply. He laughed at her boldness. “I’ll take the compliment.”

“
What is it, Jeffrey? What do you want?” she asked, trying to sound angry but smiling flirtatiously, thankful this conversation was taking place over millions of tiny wires, instead of face-to-face.

“
I thought maybe we could see each other. There are a few things I would like to talk to you about.”

“
That’s not possible. I promised Brandon I wouldn’t see you. In fact, I think his words were something akin to ‘avoiding you like the plague’.”

He laughed. “He would. Honestly, though, it’s your decision, not Brandon’s. Please tell me you aren’t going to be one of those women who do everything her husband says. It doesn’t suit you.”

“
I can’t possibly imagine what you have to say to me.”

“
I want to talk to you about Brandon. It’s very important. There are a few things I think you should know that I’m sure he hasn’t told you.”

“
I’m hanging up now, Jeffrey. Please don’t call back again. She slammed down the phone. A moment later, an outlook window popped up, announcing she had new mail to read, and did she want to read it now. She clicked yes.

She clicked off the email program and tried to concentrate on her work. She did not meet him.

She worked late that evening in hopes of catching up. As she was leaving the building she had the feeling she was being followed. Her heart pounded madly and she turned to find herself staring right into Jeffrey’s eyes. She gasped.

“
Jeffrey! You scared me half to death. Who do you think you are sneaking up behind me like that? You’re lucky I didn’t mace you.”

“
Sorry, but I really need to talk to you. You were so rejecting on the phone and then again in the email. And then you stood me up for lunch; I’m hurt by the way.”

“
Ask me if I care.”

“
As I was saying, you must be starving. Please let me buy you dinner.” His eyes were pleading and Jessica found herself relenting.

“
I am hungry. I suppose I could use a nice dinner. Okay, Jeffrey, I’ll go, but just dinner. Then you have to promise to leave me alone. And I don’t want to hear anything about Brandon.”

Jeffrey nodded and led her to his car, which was parked a short way down the street.

“
I see you have the same good taste in cars as your brother.”

“
Better,” he said as he put the car in gear and sped off.

“
Of course,” she replied, “always a competition,” she muttered under her breath.

Jeffrey drove to a quiet, secluded, and romantic restaurant on the other side of town. They drove in silence, both feeling the awkwardness of the situation.

She had to admit she was more than a little curious about what Jeffrey felt so compelled to tell her, but she wasn’t going to give in to her curiosity.

They pulled up to the restaurant. A valet opened her door and extended his hand to help her out of the car. She blushed but didn’t hesitate to take it. She stepped daintily out, feeling much little a fairy princess, which made her think of her father.

“
I feel like Cinderella,” she whispered to Jeffrey, when he took the place of the valet and laced her arm through his.

He handed the valet the keys to his Jaguar, but held tightly to them when he tried to take them from him. “This car costs more than you’ll ever make parking it. Catch my drift?”

The valet gave him an irritated look and grabbed the keys. He jumped into the car and screeched away from the curb. Jeffrey started to lose his temper. Then he remembered where he was and turned his attention back to Jessica.

“
Cinderella wasn’t as beautiful as you.”

She giggled and said, “This is supposed to be casual, remember, future-in-laws enjoying a little get to know each other dinner.”

He smirked in a half grin. “Of course, it is.”

Jessica turned and gazed at the front of the restaurant. In front of the building, in a courtyard area, an enormous fountain sprayed water at least ten feet high. The entire front of the building was ablaze with tiny white lights that sparkled when colored floodlights, buried in the depths of the fountain base, splayed over them. There were benches placed around the perimeter of the fountain, so people either waiting for their table or trying to catch some fresh air after dining, could sit and relax. The benches were full.

“
Ready?” Jeffrey asked.

She nodded.

They stepped inside and Jessica caught her breath. A fire blazed in the enormous fireplace, lights sparkled and flickered overhead, candles burned brightly from sconces around the room. The tables were adorned with the finest china, crystal glasses, and gleaming silverware. A vase of fresh cut roses with bright, full blossoms commanded every table.

“
I think I’m terribly under dressed,” she said looking down at her black linen suit and crème silk blouse.

“
You look beautiful.”

A woman in a deep green gown greeted them with a smile. “Good evening,” she said. “My name is Alicia. I’ll be your hostess tonight. Do you have a reservation?”

Jessica started to say they didn’t when Jeffrey interrupted.

“
Phillips for two.” He palmed a hundred dollar bill and slid it to her.

“
Right this way,” she said as she pocketed the bill.

A couple standing next to them shot them an angry glance.

“
Jeffrey, that was a hundred dollars,” she said.

“
I am aware of that.”

She gave an apologetic look to the couple and hurried after the hostess. She seated them in a dark corner near the rear of the restaurant. She wondered if Jeffrey had to slip another hundred for this quiet intimacy.