Treading Water

by Marie Force

  He held up his left hand where he still wore Clare’s ring. “What about this?”

  “You have to carve out a life for yourself without Clare.” Madeline’s eyes filled as she said the words. “Somehow.”

  “I think I’ve finally accepted that she’s really gone. For so long, I didn’t believe it, you know? But now… It’s been such a long time.”

  “I so admire that despite everything you still honor the vows you took with her, but nothing can change what’s happened.” She took his hand and looked into his eyes. “Live, Jack. That’s all you can do, my love.”

  He remembered Frannie saying almost the same thing. “I know what I need to do. Thanks, Mom.”

  “Any time, darling. Want to take your mother sailing this weekend?”

  “I’d love to.” He hugged her and walked the rest of the way back to the office with his arm around her shoulders.

  Chapter 11

  Jack brought Quinn in on his plan, and she helped with the details. Her contagious excitement helped to dispel any final doubts he had. With many of the most important people in his life urging him forward, Jack couldn’t help but be swept up.

  When he got to Chicago, he hoped to meet with Infinity’s CEO David Johnson to go over the latest set of plans for the hotel, but not until after he saw Andi. He didn’t want anyone to spoil his surprise.

  Late on Monday afternoon, Jack cut through their shared bathroom to Jamie’s office. “Are you busy?”

  Jamie waved him in. “Not at the moment. Come in.”

  “Quinn told you I’ll be in Chicago for a few days?”

  “She did, but I didn’t think we were due to meet with them again for another month or two.”

  “I’m going to see Andi, and you know it.”

  Jamie grinned. “So what’s the strategy when you get there?”

  “I have some tricks up my sleeve. I’ve learned a few things from watching you in action over the years.”

  “Oh, to be a fly on the wall…” Jamie laughed. “You’ve been off the market a long time. You’re aware a few things have changed, right?”

  “Spare me the details, killer. Don’t forget you’re engaged to my sister. I don’t want to hear about your ‘moves.’ I’ll stick to my own plan, thank you very much.”

  “So what changed? I thought you guys had decided to cool it.”

  “Would you believe I listened to my mother? She basically said I’d be a fool to let Andi go.”

  “I’ve always loved Madeline’s voice of reason. You seem a little better lately.”

  “Maybe,” Jack said with a shrug, “but I wouldn’t want anyone to think I’ve forgotten Clare or left her behind or anything.”

  Jamie got up and came around the desk to lean against it. “No one who knows what you’ve been through would ever think that, Jack.”

  Jack nodded, overwhelmed by Jamie’s unwavering support. “Do you know what I wonder about sometimes?”

  “What’s that?”

  “This thing with Andi happened so fast, you know? It was like being hit by lightning or something. I wonder what I would’ve felt for her if Clare had never gotten hurt. I still would’ve met Andi…”

  “You were the most solidly married person I ever knew. You might’ve had a few thoughts about Andi, but you never would’ve acted on them.”

  “That’s what I hoped you’d say,” Jack said, relieved. “You know what I think about a lot? That putt. Remember?”

  Jamie chuckled. “Yeah.”

  Standing, Jack said, “The last moment of normal life.”

  “Before you go, there’s a favor I need to ask of you.”

  “Sure, anything.”

  “Will you be my best man?”

  “Of course I will.” Jack stood to hug Jamie. “I’d love to.”

  “I know it’s got to be kind of weird for you—me marrying your sister after all these years.”

  “It’s terrific, and Clare would’ve loved it, too.”

  “Especially after all her failed matchmaking efforts on my behalf—and Frannie’s.” Jamie smiled. “I’m sorry she won’t be able to share it with us.”

  “So am I. Have you told your parents yet?”

  “I asked them to come up this week without telling them why. I wanted to give them the news in person, and I can’t get away right now.”

  “I’m sure they’ll be thrilled. Make sure they see the girls, will you?”

  “As if my mother would be here and not see them.” He checked his watch. “I need to get out of here and meet Frannie. Have a good trip. I hope you get whatever it is you want.”

  “Thanks. I guess I’ve gotta get busy planning a bachelor party.” Jack stroked his chin, feigning deep thought. “I wonder if that stripper you had at mine is still in the business.”

  Jamie blanched. “Don’t you dare!”

  Hired sight unseen, the woman had been old enough back then to be their mother. With a shudder and a laugh, Jack went to his office to clear off his desk.

  Jack flew to Chicago early the next morning, unsure of how he would be received but prepared to do battle—if that’s what it took—to keep Andi in his life. On his way into the city in the limo Quinn had hired for him, all he could think about was seeing Andi again.

  He checked into a suite at the Infinity flagship property. In the lavish lobby as well as the suite, he got an impressive first glimpse at Andi’s work. The hotel was gorgeous, among the nicest he’d ever seen, and he knew the Newport property would be equally amazing.

  His fifteenth floor suite overlooked Lake Michigan, and he took a few minutes to appreciate the view and calm his nerves before he rode the elevator to the top-floor executive suite. He wore tan dress pants, a navy blue cashmere blazer with a light blue silk shirt, and Italian wingtips. When he got to the top floor, he asked for Andi at reception. They sent him down a long hallway to a large corner office.

  Andi’s assistant, Jen Brooks, looked up from her desk to greet him. Quinn had let her know he was coming.

  He asked if Andi was in, but when Jen reached for her phone, he held up a hand to stop her. Gesturing toward the closed door, he asked, “May I?”

  “Of course.” With an intrigued look on her face, she waved him in.

  Andi’s large office had a marvelous view of Lake Michigan as well as Chicago’s famous Lake Shore Drive.

  She sat with her back to the door, looking out at the lake. “What is it, Jen?”

  “It’s not Jen.”

  She swiveled around, her face slack with shock. “What’re you doing here?”

  “I couldn’t stay away.”

  She stood up and circled the desk. “I thought we agreed…”

  Jack took in her cranberry-colored suit and heels so high she almost met him eye to eye.

  “Wow, look at you,” she sighed, her gaze skipping over him.

  “Look at you.” It was all he could to resist the urge to haul her into his arms and show her just how much he’d missed her.

  “What’re you doing here, Jack?”

  “Let me quote someone near and dear to me: life is short. When you have the chance to be happy, you have to go for it.”

  “But nothing’s changed. We’re setting ourselves up for so much pain. I can’t,” she whispered, shaking her head. “I just can’t.”

  Unable to wait another second to touch her, he closed the distance between them and took her in his arms. “And I can’t let you go. I can’t forget about you and what we have together. Somehow we’ll figure it out. I love you, Andi.” He kissed her. “I love you.”

  Her resolve seemed to melt away as she put her arms around him.

  When he felt her surrender, he kissed her again, weak with relief that part one of his plan had succeeded brilliantly.

  Andi got home two hours before Jack was due to pick her up. He hadn’t said where they were going, just that she needed to get dressed up. What’ll I wear?

  Her mother, Betty, wiped her hands on a dishtowel as she came o
ut to greet Andi. “Hi, honey.”

  Andi rushed by with a quick kiss to her mother’s cheek. “Hi, Mom. Would you mind watching Eric tonight? A friend of mine is in town unexpectedly, and he’s invited me to dinner.”

  “Must be a pretty good friend.”

  Andi stopped short. “Why do you say that?”

  Betty nodded to the front hall table. “Look.”

  Andi turned to find a huge box from Sak’s Fifth Avenue sitting on the table. She gasped, and her hand shot up to cover her mouth. “What is it?”

  “I don’t know, honey. It didn’t have my name on it.” Betty laughed when Andi approached the box as if it might be filled with explosives.

  She lifted the top off and pushed aside tissue paper to reveal an exquisite ivory silk dress. Gingerly, she lifted it out of the box. She couldn’t believe he had done this. The card said, Even Cinderella had something new to wear. See you soon. Love, Jack.

  Under the dress, she found a gorgeous pair of high-heeled, beaded sandals she would have chosen for herself. He had left her office saying he had things to do, but she couldn’t have imagined this.

  “It’s beautiful, Andi. It’ll be lovely on you. You never did say too much about what happened in Rhode Island, and I didn’t want to pry, but I have to admit I’m curious.”

  “I didn’t say anything because I had ended it with him.”

  Betty followed Andi into the bedroom, where she laid the dress on her bed.

  “I didn’t know he was coming today,” Andi continued. “He’s asked me to give him a chance, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

  “You definitely haven’t been yourself since you came home from the weekend in Newport. Why did you feel like you had to end it with him? There couldn’t have been much to end. You only spent a short time with him.”

  “I spent just long enough with him.” Andi sighed and sat on her bed. “It’s complicated.”

  Betty sat next to her. “How so? Other than the obvious geography problem.”

  “He owns a business and has three daughters—two in high school—so it’s not like he can move. Eric’s in such a great school, and you’re here. Then there’s my job. It’s such a mess.” Andi’s earlier excitement faded as she revisited all the reasons their relationship was such a bad idea. “I just didn’t see the point of getting into something so impossible.”

  “I can see what you mean, but do you love him?”

  “I do,” Andi said, smiling. That was the easy part. “I love him so much. I know you’re thinking that I hardly know him, but I already know him better than I ever knew Alec. He’s a wonderful father, and he’s smart, talented, and so handsome.” Her belly fluttered with excitement as she thought of how sexy he’d looked earlier. “He’s everything I’ve ever wanted. I’ve been sick with missing him since I got home.”

  “He sounds lovely.”

  Andi bit her bottom lip. “There’s one other thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “He’s married.”

  “Oh my God, Andrea! Tell me you’re kidding me!”

  Andi held up her hands. “Let me explain.” She told her mother about what had happened to Clare and everything Jack went through before she met him. “Believe me, he wasn’t looking for this any more than I was. It just happened. To both of us. Please try to understand.”

  “You can’t change the fact that he’s married.”

  “I’m not asking him to change it. That’s just one of the reasons why I told him we couldn’t see each other anymore. But he flew out here today and asked me to give it a chance…” Andi shrugged.

  “You’re far too old for me to tell you how to live your life, but you were right when you told him this is a no-win situation. I can’t bear to see you hurt again like you were with Alec. You’re setting yourself up for a terrible disappointment.”

  Her mother’s words hurt, and Andi knew there was some truth to them. But as she ran her fingers over the exquisite dress, she decided he was a risk she was willing to take.

  “What’s Eric doing?” Andi got up from the bed. “I want to spend some time with him before Jack gets here.”

  “Is he your boyfriend?” Eric signed as Andi helped him into his favorite Spiderman pajamas. He smelled so sweet from his bath, and she held him close for a minute before he squiggled away.

  Andi was glad now that she’d never told him about the few dates she’d had with his friend’s father. She’d hate to have to explain the change in direction to a five-year-old. She could barely explain it to her mother—or herself. “Sort of.” Checking her watch, she saw she had only forty-five minutes.

  “Can I meet him?”

  “Of course you can. He wants to meet you, too. Mommy’s going to get dressed while you have your dessert, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  She kissed him and left him eating his ice cream in the kitchen.

  After a quick shower, she pinned up her long dark hair in an elegant French twist. When she couldn’t keep a few curls from springing free, she gave up trying. She realized she was nervous when her hand trembled as she applied mascara.

  Her mother’s somber warning ran through her mind, but she chased those thoughts away when it was time to put on the gorgeous dress and shoes, which fit as if they’d been made just for her. She wondered how he’d managed such a wonderful surprise.

  Cinderella indeed, she thought, checking the complete ensemble in a full-length mirror. She couldn’t have done better herself. As she walked out of her room, the doorman rang to announce her visitor. She asked him to send Jack up and called for her mother to bring Eric.

  Andi opened the door, and her mouth went dry at the sight of Jack in a tuxedo.

  He handed her a single red rose and kissed her cheek. “Magnificent.”

  Wiggling a finger to bring him closer, she kissed him back and whispered, “You, too.” She took him by the hand to lead him into the living room where her mother and Eric waited. “Jack, this is my mother, Betty Franklin. Mom, Jack Harrington.”

  He shook Betty’s hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Franklin.”

  “Likewise.” Andi heard the hint of reserve in her mother’s tone but didn’t think Jack tuned into it.

  “Who’s that cute guy behind you?” He crouched down and signed, “Hello, Eric, my name is Jack.”

  Andi’s heart swelled with love as she watched him communicate with her child.

  Eric’s big blue eyes sized up the stranger in the funny clothes as he signed, “Hi.”

  Jack turned to Andi. “I might need your help here.” He spoke slowly and signed, “Do you like baseball, Eric?”

  Eric looked at his mother, and she signed baseball correctly.

  Jack watched and mimicked her signs.

  Eric nodded enthusiastically.

  Jack reached for his inside jacket pocket and withdrew four tickets to the next day’s Chicago Cubs game.

  Eric’s eyes lit up when Jack handed him the tickets.

  “Do you want to go?” Jack signed.

  Eric looked at his mother, who nodded and signed rapidly to remind her son of his manners.

  “Thank you,” Eric signed and scampered from the room with the tickets and his grandmother in pursuit.

  “Have a nice evening,” Betty called over her shoulder.

  “How did you learn sign language?” Andi asked, astonished.

  “Don’t be too impressed. That’s about the extent of it. Kate’s friend Miranda has a sister who’s deaf. She gave me a few pointers last night.”

  “It must’ve taken you hours to learn that much!”

  “Just a few,” he confessed as he walked her to the front door. “I was a good student. Miranda said so.”

  “Thank you for doing that and the dress and the tickets. How did you manage all this?” she asked in the elevator.

  “I’ll never tell my secrets.” He led her to the limo he had waiting at the curb. “I’ll admit to having had just a tiny bit of help, but that’s all I’m say
ing.”

  “I’ll get it out of you,” she said confidently.

  He laughed. “I’ll look forward to that.”

  “So where are we going?”

  “You’ll just have to wait and see.” He slipped an arm around her, drew her close, and kissed her. “I’ve needed that since the minute you opened the door. You look stunning.”

  “Thanks to my secret shopper.” She reached up to caress his face. “I didn’t think I could love you any more, but what you did with Eric… Thank you, Jack.”

  He kissed her again, this time more intently, and after a few minutes they were both breathless with longing.

  “Ever done it in a limo?” he asked, nibbling his way up her neck.

  She laughed. “Nope.”

  “We’ll have to fix that later.” He kissed her again. “Hey, I forgot to tell you before that Frannie and Jamie got engaged last week.”

  “That’s wonderful! You must be delighted.”

  “We all are. Jamie asked me to be his best man.”

  “Of course he did. When’s the big day?”

  “New Year’s Eve.”

  “I like that—a new year and a new start.”

  He kissed her hand. “I hope you’ll be there with me.”

  “Maybe,” she said wistfully, still finding it hard to believe they could have a future together.

  The limo slowed to a stop, and Jack helped her from the car onto a pier. A uniformed man waited to welcome them aboard the Esmeralda, a classic eighty-foot Trumpy yacht.

  “Oh, Jack, it’s gorgeous!” She turned to him as a steward escorted them up the gangway. “Whose is it?”

  “It belongs to a former client who was happy to loan it to us for the evening.”

  The steward led them into a large dining room where a single table was set for two. A trio in the corner provided background music.

  She gazed at the extravagant surroundings while the steward told them the boat, built in 1966 in Annapolis, Maryland, was considered the “Rolls Royce of American motor yachts.”

  Andi walked around the elegant, candlelit dining room. When she turned to Jack, he shrugged, as if it’d been nothing to arrange this fairy-tale evening.