Complete Indelible Love Series

by Cee, DW

  "Before you forbid me to hang out with a guy I've known all my life and work in the same office with, I have to tell you I'm having lunch with him in about an hour and will probably be hanging out with him and his sisters tonight."

  There was a long silence on Max's end.

  "Max...?"

  "Yeah, I'm here."

  "What do you say? Am I allowed to keep my friend?" The sarcasm was a bit heavy on my part.

  "Max...we 're all headed to the cafeteria for a late breakfast. Do you want to join us, or shall I bring something back for you?"

  There was that nail-on-the-chalkboard voice, again.

  "I'll be right there."

  "I'll save you a spot."

  "Sure."

  "Max? Shall I hang up so you and Alex Forrest can go have breakfast?"

  "Yeah. Why don't we hang up. We'll talk more when we're face to face. Bye."

  Just like that, without letting me say goodbye, he hung up on me. Jerk! What was his problem again? Aargh! How can things go so well and then go so far south again?

  I hadn't gotten any work done when Donovan stopped by to pick me up for lunch.

  "An egg-salad sandwich?" God, he knew me so well.

  "Yes." My phone rang as I was picking up my purse.

  "Hey, Laney. What's up?"

  "I brought your Kindle and I'm downstairs in the lobby. Can you come down?"

  "Yep. See you in 30 seconds."

  "Laney is here with my Kindle that I left in New York. She's downstairs."

  "Well then let's go.”

  Even in 50 degree weather, Laney was dressed in a tight, short dress with thigh-high boots, a stylish scarf and a matching hat. She looked good.

  "Isn't that Emily's Chanel outfit from Paris? Why are you wearing it?" That comment came out a bit snarky because I'd wanted to borrow it, but Jake wouldn't let me.

  "Yeah. Emily let me borrow it since I have a date tonight."

  "How'd you get it past Jake?"

  "Jake said I looked good in this outfit - though never as good as his wife."

  Jerk! He had no issues with Laney borrowing this outfit but wouldn't let his own sister wear it. Wait till he asks me for a favor next time!

  "Hello, Miss Delaney Reid. My you've grown up. How old are you, now?"

  "Old enough..." she retorted.

  "Bold words from such a youngin. Sassiness must run in the Reid family."

  "Do I know you?"

  "Laney, this is Donovan Taylor. He's Jake's best friend and he used to hang out at our house a lot when we were younger. You might be too young to remember."

  "I don't remember, but hello Mr. Taylor. It's nice to meet you again." Our gentle Laney was unnecessarily hostile towards Donovan. Maybe she got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

  "Here," she said handing me my Kindle. "I've got to go."

  "Would you like to have lunch with us, Miss Delaney?"

  "No thank you, Mr. Taylor. Bye Jane." Just like Max, earlier, she left without listening to me say goodbye. Brat!

  "She's cute! Independent, spunky, and no fear...gotta love youth."

  "Yeah, whatever.”

  "I texted all four Taylor sisters along with the two Reid brothers and we are all are meeting tonight at Jake's house. Why are Jake and Emily back from New York so soon? I thought they were staying there for a while."

  "Jake didn't tell you?"

  "No...what was he supposed to tell me?"

  "I'm sure he'll tell you tonight. This news...it's HUGE!"

  "Can't wait to hear it, then."

  Jan 10, 2013 Unexpected Flight Plans

  We had the best time the other night at Jake's house. It was like being a kid again and having a huge slumber party. Emily got along well with all of Donovan's sisters, even Kelley, Jake's one time long-standing girlfriend. But, before I rehash our fantastic night...the BIG news.

  Jake and Emily are expecting! Yes, only after nine months, she is pregnant, again. That was why she was throwing up New Year's Eve, and that was why she ended up in the hospital. Jake and the rest of the Reids are ecstatic! Emily is in a bit of shock, but once that wears off, I'm sure she'll be happier than the Reid lot, combined. Though I was bitter that night that Max and I didn't get to finish what we started in the hotel room, I could never trade what I heard outside James' bedroom. Even if the jerk hasn't called me in a few days since our last conversation concerning Donovan. Max had such a chick side to him sometimes.

  "Whatcha daydreaming about?" Hot man in another perfect suit, alert.

  "Hey Donovan. I was just thinking about the other night at Jake's house. I had so much fun! I can't believe we all stayed up till the sun came out. I was so exhausted yesterday. I went home from work and conked out."

  "Me too. I had a great time, but I can't do those all-nighters anymore. Emily was a good sport. Even as she was yawning away, she played the perfect hostess. I'm sure it was miserable for her to get up to the twins, only after a few hours of sleep."

  "Yeah, but Jake called my parents right before he left for work and asked them to come over and help her. There's no better husband than my brother."

  "I think Kelley was floored and jealous at the same time when she saw your brother in action. She couldn't stop mentioning how attentive he was to your sister-in-law. She said he was more attentive to Emily in those few hours of the night, than he was their entire relationship. I think she was a bit pissed."

  "Funny. Yeah, Jake is a bit ridiculous where his wife and family are concerned. It's no wonder she's pregnant again."

  "With their speed of progress, they may be at half a dozen kids before I even have one."

  "I just hope it's not twins again. Though, if Emily has twins, again, we'll all have a baby to hold. As you can tell, we are all a bit obsessed with those kids."

  "I've noticed. Although, I, too, find them adorable - especially that Elizabeth. She's quite a charmer, even at her young age. She must get it from her aunt.”

  Dear God, he was giving me one of those flirtatious, gorgeous smiles. What kind of defense can a girl have against such perfection like that? I ignored his comment and changed subjects.

  "I was super glad we had the reunion. We need to get together more often."

  "Yeah, I agree. By the way, when's your flight tonight?"

  "Jane!" Ms. Biatch Lawyer was calling. "Oh, hello, Donovan. I just needed to make sure Jane was ready for our meeting with the Mitchell Group. She can be a bit messy with her work. You can't believe all the mistakes I have to correct whenever she sends me her finished documents..." While the Biatch was going on about my flaws, I stood behind her mimicking her witchy ways. Donovan did his best to hold back his laugh. "I'll see you on the 8:00pm flight!" She said whatever she needed to say, and walked out.

  "Boy, you gonna be okay being with her for a few days?"

  "No, but do I have a choice? I'm going to stay at the apartment rather than at the hotel with her, Mark, and Andrew. I don't even know why I'm attending this meeting. They really don't need me. Ms. Biatch is the head of patent law. She's only making me go so I can be her personal assistant and do all her grunt work."

  "Have a good trip. I'll see you when you get back."

  "Okay, see ya."

  I contemplated whether I should give Max a call. He had no idea I was leaving for three days since he hadn't called me in about the same number of days. It served him right not to know what was going on in my life. But, I also missed him and knew I was being stubborn about not calling him. I decided to be the bigger person.

  "Hello?" that scratchy, pain in my arse voice answered my boyfriend's phone.

  "Max, please," I bit out in the most pleasant voice that I could muster.

  "Is this Jane?" She was way too cheerful! "Hi!!!"

  OMG!!! I wanted to throw the phone against the wall.

  "Hold on, Max is changing out of his scrubs right now."

  What the hell???

&n
bsp; "Max..." She used a way too familiar tone when calling his name. "You've got a phone call."

  "Uh, thanks. Hello?"

  "You pretty much hung up on me the last time we spoke, it's been three freakin' days since you last called me, and Alex Forrest just picked up your phone and told me you were changing clothes. I think I've said all I want to say. Good-bye!"

  "Ja..." Those were the last sounds I heard from the other line before I hung up. Boy, this relationship stuff was hard. Maybe I, too, need to find someone like my brother. Perhaps Laney was on to something.

  I decided to call it a day and go home and pack for my business trip. I was mad as hell, but figured we'd work it out when I got back home.

  "Jane. Pick up the home phone," Mom called from downstairs, as I finished packing.

  "Hello?"

  "Gem, my sweet, you can't just say what you want to say, then hang up on me. You gotta give me a chance to explain myself. And, what's with turning off your cell phone?"

  "What do you want? I'm busy." Mean, I know, but I wasn't in the mood to play nice.

  "I'm sorry I haven't called you. I was mad, I was busy, and I was an idiot." Okay...not bad. "Would it make you feel better to know that I've been miserable the last three days? I've missed you, my precious gem." Getting better..."Can we meet tonight? I'll do whatever it takes to make it up to you." That suggestive tone was doing things to me.

  "I wasn't lying when I said I was busy. I'm leaving for the airport right now. I have a business trip up in San Francisco. But...you can make it up to me all you like when I get back...I'm gonna be very demanding..." I used my best phone-sex voice starting from the But... part.

  "Is...Donovan going?" Max sounded insecure again.

  "You really asking me this when Psycho answered your phone and told me you were naked?"

  "She did not say that. She was just holding on to the phone for me when I went in to change. I didn't have any pockets. And, you're avoiding my question."

  "It's me, Andrea, my boss from hell, and Mark, and Simon from M&A. Donovan is not part of this team, so no, he's not going. You know, you're a G.E.M. yourself."

  He laughed. "How long are you gone for?"

  "I think 3 days, give or take a day, depending upon how it goes."

  "Alright. I have exams the next few days so I won't be able to see you anyhow if it isn't tonight. This works out perfectly. When you get back, I'll have some free time and we'll tie up all the loose ends."

  "What loose ends are we tying up?"

  "Our conversation about your extra-curricular activities with other men, and our unfinished business from New Year's Eve." I could tell he was smiling on the other end.

  "Sounds stimulating! Can't wait. I'll see you in a few days."

  "Bye. I'll miss you!"

  "I'll miss you too."

  I was glad to have worked things out with Max before leaving for my trip. Sitting on the plane, I thought over our conversation and blushed at the thought of tying up our unfinished business from New Year's Eve.

  "Whatcha daydreaming about, now?" Donovan asked, taking the seat next to me.

  I just stared at him.

  "Mark's wife went into labor 4 weeks early. I'm the replacement."

  Uh-Oh!!!

  Jan. 14, 2013 Circa 1814 Part 1

  If I'd known that being an associate lawyer of a big firm was no different than living the life of a first year medical resident, I would've picked a different profession. I would've gone with my first choice of becoming a writer. Then I could've sat in front of a computer screen all day and eaten bonbons, while coming up with scintillating story lines. Law school was the wrong choice.

  We had been going back and forth with the Mitchell group for the past two days with no resolution in sight. Our client would not concede to any of their demands, and of course, the Mitchell group would not concede to any of our client's demands. In the past 48-hours, I think I slept no more than 10 hours. I felt like hell, I looked like hell, and there was no end in sight.

  "How you holding up?" Andrea shot daggers with her eyes when she saw Donovan ask me this question while patting my hand to comfort me.

  "I thought the New York office was bad. This case is the toughest one I've seen yet."

  "Jane, don't be such a whiner. You're not the only tired one here," said the biatch who went to her hotel room at 10:00pm last night, and slept a full night's sleep.

  What was I doing while Ms. Andrea slept the night away, you ask? As the least senior member here, it fell upon me to rewrite all the documents from the meeting. And of course, I'd have to rewrite them again tonight, because of all the changes that will occur by the time we are done today.

  "Hello all .How are negotiations going?"

  "Gimpy!!!" I jumped up to hug Sir Roland Hugh Ascot III. "What are you doing here? You didn't tell me you were going to be here."

  Getting the chance to hug this 84 year-old elderly love of my life was the highlight of this crappy trip.

  "I'm here checking up on our employees. You working hard? By the circles under your eyes, I can tell you're not slacking off."

  "Jane," Andrea admonished in her "kindest" voice, "you're being rude by not introducing us to this gentleman. Hello. I'm Andrea Kot, lead partner in the patent law department."

  "Hello, Andrea Kot, lead partner in the patent law department, I'm Roland Ascot."

  "Roland Ascot, as in Ascot, Ascot & Pemberly? The Roland Ascot, founding member of our firm?" Andrea was a bit tongue-tied. "And how do you know our Jane?"

  Sure...now that she knew how well connected I was in this firm, I was her Jane? Whatever! Before Gimpy could answer, I introduced him to everyone else.

  "Gimpy, this is Simon Han and you remember Donovan, Jake's best friend? They're both from the mergers and acquisition department."

  "It's an honor to meet you, Sir." Simon was in awe.

  "Nice to see you again, Sir." Donovan shook Gimpy's hand.

  "You married, yet, Son?"

  "Not yet, Sir."

  "Hasn't Jake schooled you on the virtues of married life? He's a man in bliss, last I saw."

  "Oh yes he has, and he definitely is a man in bliss. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find any girl who'll take me."

  "Why don't you marry our Jane here. She's as stubborn as she is beautiful."

  "She is that, Sir. I'd take her in a heartbeat if she'd have me." Donovan winked and squeezed my hand.

  OMG! He couldn't have meant what he just said. "You're one to talk, Gimpy. When're you gonna marry Gram and make an honest woman out of her? I know you two are living in sin out in London." Gimpy burst out with that deep, rich laughter I so loved hearing. "She won't come back to us because of you, huh?"

  "Young lady, you talk too much." He laughed again. "How about it, my Janey...you want me to marry you and Donovan right now?"

  I blushed. "Gimpy, I have a boyfriend. I'll introduce you to him when you're in LA." I said shyly, not understanding why I felt so self-conscious.

  "Alright. Enough talk of marriage. I have a treat for you all. I know you've been at a dead end with this deal. I happen to know the old goat who owns the Mitchell Group. Let me deal with him today. You all can have a day off."

  Everyone clapped. We were all so in need of a break.

  "Donovan, let me talk to you privately for a second, and Janey, my dear, I will see you later." Just like that, he dismissed us all but Donovan.

  I sat in the break room waiting for Donovan, ignoring Andrea's prying questions.

  "Jane, let's go." Donovan quickly shooed us out of the break room before anyone got a chance to stop us. "We have a few things to take care of before seeing Sir Ascot again."

  "Where are we going, and when are we seeing Gimpy again?"

  "Surprise," he smiled and put us on the elevator as Andrea tried to follow.

  "What's going on?"

  He kept his mouth sealed and continued smiling.

  "Donova
n!!!" I whined. "A hint or two or three?"

  "Okay .A dress, a tux, a horse and carriage. There are your three hints."

  Oh my gosh, did Gimpy command Donovan to marry me? Didn't I make it clear that I had a boyfriend? What was going on and why would Donovan agree to such a crazy demand? And wait...why wasn't I consulted in this whole marriage decision? What the hell am I talking about? Nobody was getting married today...but why else would we need a dress, a tux, and a horse and carriage?