Never Date Your Ex

by Genevieve Goodwin

  Reny was behaving oddly but Jamie shrugged it off as she breezed through the door with a wave.

  "Ta, ta" Reny called out.

  Reny and Cara were great gossipers, and it wouldn't be long before anyone who was anyone in their elite little crowd knew that Jamie had dumped Conrad Malcolm for a new man. The thought made Jamie smile all the way home to Seabrook.

  When Jamie arrived back at Aidan's, she booked a manicure and pedicure at the small salon that Kerrie used. She didn't want to continue explaining about her and Conrad's non-engagement. By three o'clock she was ready to pick up Ross from Tommy's and head home. Wait a minute. She meant the place she'd come to think of as home.

  "Daddy says you and him have a date tonight" Ross said as he clambered into her sports car.

  "That's right. We're going to a party in Palm Beach," she said, before planting a kiss on his dirt-smeared cheek.

  "Can I go?"

  Jamie's heart sank. She didn't want Ross to feel excluded and hated to have to tell him he couldn't come. "Sorry Ross, this one is for adults, but remember, there's the Octoberfest fish fry on the beach coming up. We can all go together. How's that?"

  "Is that a date?" he asked.

  "Yes, it's a date," she said.

  "Promise?"

  "Scouts honor" Jamie said solemnly.

  "High five!" Ross shouted and Jamie felt inexplicably happy as she raised her hand to meet his high five.

  Ross chatted about his slumber party as Jamie drove. He told her how Jimmy Mc Duffy wet the bed and how Austin Smitts had a pet frog named Ribbit. Jamie thought a dog was a much better pet than a frog and told him so.

  "Yeah, you're right" he said confidently, "Thorn's a much better pet than Ribbit."

  When they arrived back at Aidan's house, Ross washed his hands and face, ate cookies Jamie had baked and went outside to play with Thorn. It had become their daily ritual, and Jamie felt a sudden sadness wash over her in the realization it would be the last time. Sunday she would be returning to Palm Beach to oversee a new job and then she would travel to Europe after Halloween. She had already booked her ticket to Paris, where she would be shopping for a client. Life as she had come to know it in Seabrook would end. Aidan told her that her house would be ready by the mid of December but that seemed a lifetime away.

  She had spent years building up her business, dealing with difficult clients, day after day and year after year until she was making more money a year than her mother had made in her short lifetime. Now, what she had wanted most, Villa Milagros, was going to be snatched away in a nano second by the only man who'd ever managed to get under her thick skin.

  She was at her wits end. Leaving the country was definitely a good idea. It would give her a chance to think clearly, objectively. Rationally. So, why was she so sad at the prospect of leaving?

  This was no time for such unpleasant thoughts. She went upstairs to prepare an overnight bag for Ross who would be staying at Jo's for the night. When Aidan returned home from work, she was in her robe on the couch sipping tea, her hair still damp from the shower.

  "Hello Gorgeous!" he called to her as she stepped in the living room with his hand behind his back.

  She smiled as he brought out a full bouquet of exotic flowers.

  She accepted the flowers graciously. "Thank you. They're beautiful!" she said.

  "They asked me down at the flower shop who was ill. I guess it's been a while," he grinned. "Actually, it's been never."

  "I feel even more honored now," Jamie said.

  He bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips as Ross and Thorn came barreling into the room.

  "Uh-oh!" Ross said, covering his eyes.

  "Hey buddy," Aidan said, grabbing Ross and lifting him up over his shoulders. "You ready to go?'

  "Yeah. Jamie packed my things and promised to come to Halloween and the fish fry too! We have a date," he boasted.

  "I'm glad to hear that," Aidan said, winking at Jamie. "Can I come to?" he asked as he set Ross down on the floor.

  Ross stood dramatically with his hands on his hips, "Of course, Daddy."

  "Just checking," Aidan said.

  Jamie finished getting ready while Aidan dropped Ross off at Jo's. She was coming down the stairs in her dress, her loose curls and her make-up done to natural perfection when the doorbell rang. She hesitated answering it, after all it wasn't her home and answering the door in her present attire would surely cause tongues to wag in this small town. However, as the doorbell continued to ring, she decided she had no choice.

  She opened the door to find Aidan Brice standing on the other side dressed to the nines in a black tuxedo, holding a single white orchid. He nearly took her breath away.

  "Madam, you look ravishing. Good enough to eat," he said and his grin was devilish.

  "So do you," she whispered.

  He held out the single blossom to her. "This one tried to get away but I like things in their rightful place."

  She took the orchid from him and he escorted her out the door where a limousine was waiting for them.

  She laughed, looking up at him puzzled. "You're not turning into a Palm Beach man, are you?"

  "Never. I just thought I'd take you in style. Besides, those elite socialites would be horrified if I pulled up in my pick-up truck."

  She laughed at the image he'd conjured up. All of Palm Beach's elite dressed in their finest black tie at the elegant Four Seasons Hotel as Jamie stepped down in her elegant Versace dress from a mud-smeared truck. She almost wished Aidan had driven his truck just to see the looks on their faces.

  The chauffeur opened the door to the limo, and Aidan helped Jamie into the luxurious back seat with all the poise and flourish of a Prince. Once they reached the expressway, Aidan brought out a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne.

  "Only the best for you," he said as he poured the golden liquid into two beautiful crystal glasses.

  "Shall we toast?" Jamie played his game of socialite pretenders with glee.

  "Of course," he turned to her and his face was close to hers. "To the woman who has made me the luckiest man in the world. To you, Jamie Connolly."

  A blast of warmth struck her heart. "And to you" she murmured.

  As Jamie sipped the crisp champagne she felt as though she were Cinderella, living a fantasy night of romance with a truly regal Prince. Aidan raised his champagne glass to his lips. He was incredibly handsome in his black tuxedo with his golden hair, bronze tan, and stormy grey eyes. She wondered if dreams really do come true and if happily ever after really did exist. Tonight, anything felt possible.

  Her giddiness lasted the two hours it took the chauffeur to drive them to the Palm Beach Four Seasons Hotel. But as the limo pulled up to the glorious hotel Jamie began to feel her stomach turning in knots.

  "Nervous?

  "A little," she admitted. She dreaded the moment she came face to face with Conrad. By now, he knew she hadn't used discretion about refusing his proposal. Until this moment she hadn't thought through the consequences. She worried how he would handle the scandal of being dumped so publicly in front of his cherished circle of society friends.

  Aidan helped her out of the limo and they walked toward the entrance. She hooked her arm through Aidan's and for a split second caught a glimpse of the two of them in the reflection of the lobby's glass doors. She had to admit, the two of them made a handsome pair. They looked like a celebrity couple gliding across the red carpet on Academy Award night.

  Aidan squeezed her hand in his, "Don't worry about Conrad," he said, reading her mind. "Remember I'm a great warrior, sworn to defend your honor at all costs."

  She smiled. "It's not my honor I'm worried about."

  "I know," he whispered.

  A blush warmed her face. "You've kept yours too."

  "Come here," he said, stopping her as they reached the entrance to the Ballroom where the Gala was being held. He pulled her to him and kissed her softly on the mouth, lingering enough smell his rich, spicy cologne
.

  She looked up into his beautiful, grey eyes. Her nervousness had melted and, in its place, a fiery electricity sizzled between them.

  "I was right" Aidan said.

  She was still mesmerized by his kiss. "Mm-mmm, about what?" she asked dreamily.

  "Your kisses are a sweet as you."

  He kissed her again, tenderly and all too briefly. As they drew apart, Jamie was startled by the sight in front of her. Conrad slithered toward them with a new beauty on his arm. He glared as he drew near them with Reny, who looked stunning in a tight-fitting gown of emerald green. The red headed beauty was completely focused on Aidan, and Jamie felt a seething irritation begin to burn within her.

  "Reny dear, you look incredibly…" she stumbled for words as Reny drew near. A closer inspection of her friend revealed a neck line that dipped and gathered enough to be almost indecent. Reny looked ready to burst out of the dress any second and the clingy fit left little to the imagination elsewhere. "You look incredible," Jamie finally finished putting forth her check for the required air kiss.

  Reny's smile was fabulous. "Thank you, darling," she said eyeing Aidan with a little too much interest for Jamie's comfort. "And who is your mystery man?"

  Jamie looked over at Aidan to see the beginnings of dogfight about to take place between he and Conrad. Reny seemed to have completely forgotten about Conrad for the moment; all her focus was directed on Aidan. Jamie tightened her grip around Aidan's arm. "This is Aidan Brice," she said.

  Reny gave her a knowing look. She put her hand out with ridiculous coyness. Aidan continued his princely routine for Reny and kissed it with more enthusiasm than Jamie preferred.

  Jamie was perfectly poised when she addressed the man on Reny's arm. "Conrad, I know that you and Aidan are already acquainted so I won't bother with introductions."

  "Long ago," Conrad agreed, his voice rich with contempt.

  The two men did not shake hands but Reny, who could barely keep her eyes off Aidan didn't seem to notice. Aidan looked at Conrad with feigned composure, but Jamie could feel the raging tension in his body. Perhaps it had been a bad idea to bring them together. She tugged at Aidan's arm, "There are so many people I must introduce you to, Aidan. We better join the party."

  "Of course, my love" he said, patting her hand.

  Even as they walked away, Jamie could feel Conrad's glare burning into her back. There had to be more to Aidan and Conrad's past than he'd told her. Much, much more.

  They stepped into the ballroom, where the Gala was in full swing. Jamie was swept away in a rush of greetings and questions. She had no time to consider the matter of Conrad and Aidan's history any further.

  The evening flew by with lively music, fabulous food and the required speeches of thanks to the benefactors and board members of the Cancer Society. Aidan danced the night away to salsa and disco with her, joked easily with Billionaires and graciously accepted the stares and blatant passes of flirtatious women with polite disinterest. She was amazed at the finesse and charm of this small-town boy. He obviously had many hidden talents.

  Hours later Jamie found herself alone in the lady's lounge. She was grateful for a moment of solace from the nosy crowd, but her gratitude was short lived. Reny strolled in, emitting a small gasp as she saw Jamie relaxing on the sofa.

  The required smile of greeting plastered across Jamie's face, and she murmured a greeting to Reny who was looking uncharacteristically apologetic.

  "I know what you must be thinking, my dear" Reny said rather sheepishly. "But it isn't the way it looks. Conrad and I are only friends. He gave me the saddest story of how you two broke up and I didn't have the heart to refuse his invitation," she said, sliding onto the chair opposite Jamie.

  A huge gilded mirror covered the wall next to them, and Jamie stole a glance at Reny as she applied her pale lipstick, noticing Reny's lipstick was as bright and unnatural as her hair color.

  "Reny, don't worry. I was never in love with Conrad and our relationship was quite platonic."

  Reny's eyes widened at this unexpected revelation.

  Jamie continued, "I happen to think that you would make a wonderful couple" she said, putting her lipstick away. She turned to Reny who was staring at Jamie with curious interest.

  "Do you really think so?" Reny asked earnestly.

  "Yes, definitely. He is looking for a wife at the moment to help speed his political career, and he is rich," she paused taking in Reny's gleam of satisfaction at the fact. "And since you are looking for a wealthy husband, and he a politically correct wife…" Jamie paused. She was on unstable ground here because Reny was anything but politically correct. "I think you are a good match."

  "He is charming and knows all the right people…" Reny began.

  "But Reny, you will need to tone down your style a little. The public can be so critical, especially of politician's wives."

  "I hadn't thought of that," Reny conceded.

  Indeed, she hadn't. Reny thought only of a life of luxury and leisure and not one of duty or discretion. Jamie wondered briefly what would become of such a match and felt a little guilty for suggesting it. It would no doubt lead to disaster.

  "I'll have to think it over," Reny stated. "At the moment Conrad and I are just friends, of course."

  Jamie smiled at Reny. "Of course," she said. She rose to return to the party but Reny detained her. Jamie dreaded the questions that were coming.

  "Dear, you look absolutely gorgeous tonight. Your dress is smashing, although a bit out of character for you, I must admit. You do have a certain glow to your face. Tell me, are you in love with that hunk of a man who has been hanging on your arm all night?"

  "Reny!" Jamie laughed. "You're a romantic after all."

  "Anyone can see the man's in love with you. He's barely left your side all night!" Reny said, sounding disappointed.

  "Is that so? I hadn't noticed," Jamie said happily. "I better get back to him then. Every bored housewife will want a moment with him, and he may get tired fending them off," she said lightly.

  They walked back to the ballroom together. "Not just bored housewives but any female who comes within sight of him will want a taste of him," Reny observed.

  Aidan stood across the room, talking animatedly to a group of women. She could not help but agree with Reny. He took her breath away. But it was more than his rugged looks and charm; his gentle yet chivalrous manner made her feel like an infatuated schoolgirl every time their eyes met.

  She made her way to him, poised and slow. She stopped along the way to greet various people she knew, subjecting herself to lots of air kisses, limp handshakes and probing questions about her new man. She smiled and escaped them with well-practiced grace only to meet with another equally curious question from the next person.

  She looked discreetly over at Aidan as Georgette Valdemar drilled her about the fascinating man who had replaced Conrad. No doubt Georgette had grown dangerously bored with her current play toy.

  Across the crowd she felt Aidan watching her. There was a knowing gleam in his eye and a devilishness in his grin. She knew what hidden meaning it held. Jamie moved through the swarm of tuxedos and gowns, almost at his side. A sudden panic took hold of her as she drew closer to him through the swarming crowd. He was speaking with Francoise Ansel, the twenty-something beauty who was the sole heir to a fortune her father had made in robotics. She watched as Francoise giggled and leaned close to Aidan's face to whisper something. How amusing. Jamie felt her blood pressure rising.

  She plastered a practiced smile on her lips as she drew near them, somehow overcoming the urge to grab Aidan and kiss him possessively in front of Francoise and the whole crowd, branding him with her mark of pale lipstick like some sort of high school girl. The band switched to ballroom music and a waltz began to play as she pressed through the crowd, oblivious now to the calls and greetings people spoke to her as she passed. Francoise's auburn hair glittered and her young, smooth skin glowed in the soft light as she giggled at somethin
g Aidan had said.

  Jamie moved quicker, anxious to return to Aidan's side. He turned toward her and his gaze held something in it that made her relaxed and restless all in one. She was a few feet away from him, but she felt a sense of urgency, of necessity to be near him. She took another step toward him. He smiled at her and started to speak.

  "May I say you look lovely tonight?" a voice both familiar and repugnant drifted through the music and noisy crowd.

  Conrad hooked his hand in hers with enough pressure to keep her from pulling away without drawing attention to them. "Dance with me' he said, "for old time's sake."

  She gave him a dark look. "No."

  "But I insist," he said in a way that was neither jovial nor inviting. It was a command.

  He all but dragged her to the dance floor. She lost sight of Aidan.

  "No doubt your date for the night is not schooled in ballroom dancing? Maybe he can square dance, eh?" His laugh was vicious.

  "What do you have against Aidan Brice?" she asked coolly and looked away from Conrad as they danced. "You aren't jealous of him, are you?"

  "Jealous? No, my dear, I am simply concerned for your well-being. He believes he has a score to settle with me, and I am afraid he is using you to settle that score."

  "I know about his brother's death and you representing the opposite side. It would be natural for him to dislike you," Jamie said smugly.

  Conrad's laugh was rich with triumph. "It is much more than that, my dear Jamie. It's about his wife."

  Jamie didn't like the feeling of dread tearing at her insides. "His wife?"

  Conrad was like a cat who'd caught a mouse but wanted to play with it before going in for the kill. "You don't know about his wife?" he asked. There was no missing the satisfaction in Conrad's tone. He led her around the dance floor skillfully, twirling her around in a dizzying turn.

  A sense of foreboding filled Jamie. She tried to break from him, but he was too strong. She continued to dance with him, imprisoned by his grip and a sense of decorum.

  "Ah, you don't know about her," he said his voice rich with amusement.