“I have to take this,” she told the men and answered the phone, turning slightly away from the table as she talked.
“Hi Mom, what’s going on?”
“Jayne dear, I’m sorry to bother you tonight but something important has come up,” her mother sounded stressed and Jayne felt her stomach clench uncomfortably.
“What is it?”
“It’s your father. There’s been an incident.”
Jayne’s hands felt clammy and she swallowed with difficulty.
“What do you mean?” she managed to choke out. “What’s happened?”
“It’s his heart dear, he’s had a heart attack.” Her mother’s voice trembled and Jayne’s heart started to pound as fear welled up inside her. As much as her mother professed to hate her father, she knew it was his unfaithfulness she’d hated more than the man.
“Oh my God, is he okay?”
“The doctors aren’t sure yet.” Her mother choked back a sob and then her voice broke. “Jayne, you need to come now.”
“I’ll be right there.”
“Please hurry.”
“I will.” Jayne swallowed back the tears, not wanting any of the vultures in the room to suspect something might be wrong. “And Mom?”
“Yes?”
“Tell Daddy I love him.”
“I will.” Her mother’s voice was shaking.
“I love you, Mom.”
Adam took her hand and squeezed it. He had followed her side of the conversation and she didn’t have to tell him she had to leave. He took charge, standing up and pulling her up with him. His ability to read her and know when she needed him was one of the things she loved about him.
“Sorry guys, we need to bail,” he told the other couples at the table.
“Just here for the photo op?” Matt teased, oblivious to Jayne’s fragile state.
“Something like that,” Adam said. “We’ll see you next time.” He turned to the door, but Jayne placed her hand on his arm and shook her head.
“I don’t want to leave that way,” she said. “Isn’t there a more private exit?”
“I’ll find out,” Adam said.
He left her at the bar while he made the arrangements and she called on her acting skills to pretend nothing was wrong as people came over to speak with her.
She was extremely worried about her father. He might not have always been there for her but he was her father and she loved him. To think that he might not be around was too horrible to consider.
“I’ve got our ride,” Adam said, startling her out of her thoughts. She nodded and followed him through the crowd and out a smaller door in the back which led to an alley where their limousine was waiting.
Once they were settled inside and speeding toward home, Adam poured a glass of white wine from the fully equipped bar that ran the length of the vehicle opposite the luxurious leather seats.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as he handed it to her.
“My father’s had a heart attack,” she said. “My mother is worried and thinks he might not make it.”
“Oh, honey.” Adam gathered her into his arms. “We’ll get you there as soon as possible. Do you want me to come with you?”
“You’re sweet to offer, but no. This is something I should do on my own.”
“You’re leaving tonight?”
“I plan to,” Jayne sniffed, grabbed a tissue from the bar and blotted her eyes. At least she’d managed to leave the charity function before she’d fallen apart and ruined her makeup. Her mother might be worried about her father, but she’d never have forgiven Jayne had she been photographed looking less than spectacular. “I don’t want the paparazzi following me. How do you think I can manage that?”
“Do you still have your Mercedes garaged?”
“Yes, why?”
“I have an idea. Let’s go home and get you changed and packed.”
Jayne leaned back into her best friend and thought again for the millionth time how fortunate she was to have found him. He was everything she wanted in a man, including the fact that he wasn’t sexually interested in her.
Why did she feel so empty?
Chapter 3
Nick pushed his cart through the supermarket like a man on a mission. He paused just long enough to toss some carrots and apples into his cart and then sped off again. He rounded the corner into the meat section and started to search for a steak.
“Nick!”
Turning, he frowned briefly as he tried to recall the name of the woman who was coming toward him, a huge smile on her face.
“Caroline?”
“Yes. How are you?” She was entirely too cheerful for a Saturday morning.
“I’m good, how are you?” His response was automatic as he tried to remember the last time he’s seen her. Wasn’t it high school?
God, that seemed so long ago.
“I’m excellent. I’m a nurse now.” Caroline laughed, showing her perfectly straight teeth. She was attractive in a small town girl kind of way. “It’s so funny that we ran into each other out of the blue like this.”
“It’s a small world.” Nick wasn’t sure how funny it was, but he didn’t mind chatting with her for a few minutes. He was only in a hurry because he hated shopping and did it as quickly as possible.
“How is your family?” she asked, moving around him and picking up some ground beef. She looked at him expectantly as she put it in her cart.
“Pretty good.” He rummaged through the steak cuts until he found one he liked and tossed it in his cart. “My sister’s married with three little girls. They are adorable and my parents spoil them rotten.”
“Aw, that’s sweet,” Caroline grinned up at him and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “What about you? Any kids or a wife?”
Nick motioned toward his cart full of bachelor-type foods. “Nope, still single.”
“I’m shocked.” She gave a little giggle. “I was sure you and Jayne would have…” She shook her head. “No, I’m sorry I guess not.”
“No.” Nick shook his head ruefully. “Not after what happened.”
“That was pretty awful,” Caroline said.
“What about you, any kids or a man?”
“No kids, and I’m divorced now.”
“Hey, do you want to go get some coffee sometime?” Nick didn’t know why he offered except he was tired of being alone all the time.
They were both single, why not?
“I’d love to.” Caroline gave him her number and after promising to call he zipped off to finish his shopping.
Three days later, he called her and they met for drinks at a quiet, little bar, perfect for hanging out and talking.
“So why haven’t you ever married?” Caroline