by Amber Page
“No, Nick. I’m sorry. I can’t.”
His mouth snapped closed and for a moment he just looked at her.
“What if I promised to show you a side of New York you’ve never seen? A place my father doesn’t even know exists?”
Even though she knew it was a bad idea, she was intrigued. “Go on …”
“That’s all I can tell you. But I promise you’ll love it.”
Although she hated to admit it, she was hooked. She wanted to know what he had in mind. Surely one night couldn’t hurt? Maybe if they spent more time together she’d be able to get him out from under her skin.
“All right. One night. But then we’re done.”
He nodded sharply. “I’ll take it. Pick you up tomorrow night at eight?”
“I’ll be waiting. Is there a dress code?”
“Wear whatever makes you happy.”
As soon as the words were out of his mouth he blew her a kiss and walked off into the night.
Jessie floated up the stairs to the apartment, humming under her breath. She dropped her coat and gloves on to a dining room chair, then glided into the kitchen in search of a glass of wine.
“You look a lot happier than you did the last time I saw you,” her sister said.
“I am.”
“Did Nick tell you what’s going on?”
“He sure did.”
“So what kind of wine are you getting?”
“White.”
“It couldn’t have been too bad, then.”
“Actually, it was just about the worst,” Jessie said, flopping down next to her sister on the couch.
“How so?”
“Nick’s dad really is trying to close us down. He’s the one who stole our employees and scared away our clients. Nick seems to think he won’t stop until he puts us out of business.”
Gloria stared at her, a horrified look on her face.
“So you’re happy because …?”
“Because I’m going on a date with Nick.”
“What?”
“You know—a date. Two people spending time together …”
“Yes, but why?”
“Oh, a lot of reasons,” Jessie said, twirling her hair around her fingers.
“I’ve met walls who talk more than you. Name one reason why.”
“He’s promised to show me a side of New York I’ve never seen.”
Gloria snickered. “I’ll bet you ten dollars he means his bedroom.”
“No, I don’t think so. I’ve already told him we can’t sleep together.”
Her sister spat out her wine. “You did?”
“Yes.”
“Who are you?”
“Your sister.”
“No, you’re not. My sister isn’t afraid to sleep with a guy she finds attractive.”
“Yes, but this is different. It’s too risky. I just want to get to know him better.”
“Oh. My. God.”
“What?”
“You’re in love.”
“No way! I just like him. As a friend.”
“Uh-uh. This is not how you act when you talk about your male friends. Deep down you want to marry him and have five babies and a little white dog.” Her sister laughed. “Figures you’d fall for the guy who could ruin everything you’ve worked for.”
Jessie threw one of the worn green pillows at her. “I’m not in love and I’m never getting married. It’s just one date. Then we’re done.”
Gloria tossed it back and bopped her on the head with another one for good measure.
“Enjoy it. Just remember who he is.”
“The devil’s son. I know. I won’t forget. I promise.”
But, she thought to herself, if you know you’re going to end up in hell anyway, you might as well enjoy the ride.
CHAPTER SIX
“WAKE UP, SUNSHINE!” someone chirped, rudely interrupting the delicious dream she’d been having.
“Why is the bed shaking? Gloria, stop jumping on the bed!”
“Okay. But you should know that it’s nine-thirty in the morning,” Gloria said as she flopped down next to her.
“Nine-thirty?” Jessie opened her eyes and realized her room was already bright with sunshine. She must have forgotten to set her alarm. She waited for the usual sense of panic to set in, but it failed to make an appearance. She just felt exhausted.
“I suppose I should get up, huh?”
“I have a better idea.”
Jessie flipped over so she could see Gloria.
“What?”
“I think we should take the day off.”
The idea sounded surprisingly appealing. “But it’s Thursday.”
“Yep. It’s the day that comes right after Wednesday.”
“We have work to do,” Jessie said, trying to convince herself as much as Gloria.
“I know. But you’ve been working nonstop for the last year and a half. When was the last time you took a day off?”
Jessie thought for a minute. Surely it couldn’t have been that long. “Becky’s wedding?”
“Yep. Becky’s wedding. That was three months ago.”
That would explain why she felt so tired. Still, there was no time.
“But there’s the Goddess campaign to get done and a creative team to replace. I don’t have time to take a day off.”
Gloria sighed. “Jessie, your alarm beeped for thirty minutes straight. You never heard it. I had to come in here and turn it off. That’s how tired you are.”
Wow. Okay, maybe Gloria had a point.
“What would we do on this mythical day off?”
“Get a massage? Take a yoga class? Eat too much chocolate?”
Every muscle in her body screamed at her to agree. “It’s tempting to say yes.”
“Then say yes.” Gloria frowned at her. “I hate to say this, but if you don’t start taking better care of yourself you’re not going to be around to see all your hard work pay off.”
Gloria was right, she knew. She deserved to take a little time for herself. Roar could live without her for one day.
“All right, you’re on. Can you schedule us massages while I go take a quick shower?”
“You got it.”
Gloria bounced up and headed in the direction of the kitchen. Jessie got up a little more slowly, then shuffled into the bathroom that had been her one extravagance when remodeling the old brownstone. It was all colored glass and dark hardwoods, and it made her feel like a fairy princess every time she walked in the door. She turned on the waterfall in her oversized shower and let it flow in a river over her back.
Opening her eyes, she saw the waterproof card she kept in the shower to remind her to do monthly breast examinations. Sighing, she decided there was no time like the present.
She began moving the pads of her fingers in a circular pattern around her breast, trying not to hold her breath. She was young. Chances were she wouldn’t find anything. Just because her mother had died of breast cancer it didn’t mean she was doomed. She finished her inspection of her left breast and moved on to the right side. Halfway done and no bad news.
She allowed herself to relax a little as she fell into a rhythm. Press, move. Press, move. Press … wait. What was that? Jessie kneaded at the spot a little more, trying to feel the edges of the knot. That definitely didn’t feel right. Quickly she felt the same place on her other breast. There was nothing there. She moved back and poked around some more, not wanting to admit to herself what she’d found.
A lump. Cancer.
Her brain flooded with images of her mother after her diagnosis. Trying to look brave as she put a hat on her balding head. Throwing up in the bathroom. Wasting away in a hospital bed.
She couldn’t have cancer. She just couldn’t.
A low keening echoed around the tile room and after a moment Jessie realized it was her. Giving in to the pain and fear crashing in her brain, she slid down the wall and curled up on the bottom of the shower, sobbing.
“Jessie? Jessie, what’s going on? Are you okay in there?”
Jessie tried to answer, but her voice failed her.
A few seconds later Gloria crashed through the door. “Jessie?”
“I’m here,” Jessie croaked from her place on the shower floor.
Panic and worry flashed across Gloria’s pale face as she crossed the room and reached in to shut off the water.
“What are you doing? Why are you curled up on the floor? Jessie, you’re shaking like a leaf!”
This was not news. The water had turned cold ages ago, but she hadn’t had the energy to turn it off. Instead she’d just curled tighter around herself, waiting for the sobbing to stop. It still hadn’t.
Gloria grabbed a towel off the rack and went to her knees on the damp shower floor so she could cocoon Jessie in its fluffy softness.
“What’s wrong, Jessie?” she asked, gently rubbing the tears off her face.
“I—I found a lump. In my breast. Gloria, I have c-c-cancer!”
“You found what? Are you sure? Let me feel.”
Jessie grabbed her hand and moved it to the place where she’d felt the knot. “Here.”
Gloria kneaded for a second.
“You’re right. This doesn’t feel right. But that doesn’t mean it’s cancer.”
“Of course it is.”
“No. I’ve read that, like, eight out of ten lumps are benign. It’s probably nothing.”
“But Mom …”
“But nothing. Just because Mom got breast cancer doesn’t mean we will.”
“But what if it is?” Jessie asked, hating how weak her voice sounded.
“Then we’ll deal with it. You’re not going to die,” her sister said, eyes sparking with anger. “You’re not—do you hear me?”
Jessie nodded slowly, not believing her but knowing she had to pull it together. For her sister’s sake.
“Deal with it. Right. Of course. I need to make an appointment.”
“Yes, you do. But first you need to get dressed. And then we’re going to go get those massages. Because you won’t get a mammogram appointment straight away and right now you need to relax,” she said, grabbing Jessie’s arms and helping her up.
Jessie made herself smile. “All right, boss. Give me ten minutes and I’ll be ready.”
By the time they sat down to eat at the vegetarian restaurant attached to the spa Jessie felt a little more hopeful. Even if it was cancer, treatment had come a long way in the fifteen years since her mom had died. She could probably kick it in nothing flat. And, since she’d always looked good in hats, chemotherapy fashion wouldn’t be a problem.
“Stop it,” Gloria said.
She blinked. “Stop what?”
“Thinking about it.”
“That’s kind of a tall order. After all, it does signal the beginning of what could be a life-changing event.”
“Or it could be nothing at all. You’ve got your appointment to see the doctor. Until then, don’t think about it.”
“I’ll do my best,” Jessie said, trying to smile. Of course that was easy for her sister to say. She wasn’t the one who could be dying.
“I know what will distract you,” Gloria said, taking a bite of her black bean and mango salad.
“What?”
“Shopping.”
“I don’t have anything I need to shop for. Unless you think I should stock up on hats now?”
“Nope, I’m not talking about things to cover your head with. I’m thinking about things to cover your naughty bits with.”
“Lingerie? Why? I’ve got a whole drawerful.”
“Yes, but you have a hot date tonight. Why not find something that will make you feel sexy?”
In all the drama she’d actually forgotten about her date with Nick. For a moment she thought about canceling, but something deep in her gut rebelled at the idea. If she was dying, she deserved to have a little fun before she went.
Her decision made, she nodded at her sister.
“I’ve got plenty of cute underwear. But I guess one more set wouldn’t hurt—as long as it matches the new outfit I’m about to buy.”
Gloria clapped her hands. “That’s the spirit. Where to?”
“Well, he said to wear something that makes me happy. Which means …”
“Sparkles. Lots and lots of sparkles. All right, sis. Let’s find you something that sparkles brighter than the sun.”
Jessie grinned and they set off, arm in arm. Cancer could wait. She had shopping to do.
“How beautiful! Are those for me?” Jessie asked as she opened the door and noticed the bouquet of tulips in Nick’s outstretched hand.
“Of course. I thought they might put you in the proper frame of mind for our date.”
“Oh, really? Trying to butter me up so you can get me into bed?”
To his credit, Nick did not look at all embarrassed. “Well, my bedroom is one part of New York you’ve never seen.”
She groaned. “Gloria, I owe you ten dollars!” she shouted.
“Told you so,” called a muffled voice from somewhere inside the big house.
Nick raised an eyebrow at her. “What was that about?”
“When I told her we were going out tonight that’s exactly what she said. About your bedroom.”
“Oh. Damn. I hate to be predictable.”
Jessie gave his outfit a closer look. He was wearing a black motorcycle jacket, faded denim jeans, and sturdy black boots. It should have looked ridiculous on him, but it didn’t. In fact, he looked completely delicious.
“Well, that is not what I thought you’d be wearing when you showed up. So score two points for originality.”
“And do you like what you see?” he asked, grinning evilly.
“I’d tell you, but your ego’s already big enough. I’m going to go put these in water, and then we can go.”
She needed a moment alone to center herself. Nick did look good but, more than that, his presence made her heart thunder in a way she wasn’t ready for. She had no problem with their physical attraction. In fact after this morning’s discovery she had decided to let the evening end in whatever way felt right—even if it led to his bedroom. But her heart was more off-limits than ever. She was not going to let herself become dependent on someone when so much was on the line.
One step at a time, she told herself as she put the tulips in a funky metal vase. It was just a date. No different than the hundreds of other dates she’d been on over the years. She’d have a good time, hop into his bed—and hop back out in the morning, just like she always did.
She pasted a cheerful smile on her face and put a swagger in her hips as she stepped back into the entranceway where she’d left him. When she saw his eyes slowly wander down her body she knew she’d chosen the right outfit. The shimmery copper top slithered perfectly over her thin torso, stopping just below the top button of her dark denim skinny jeans—which also had a sparkly sheen. On her feet were her favorite black stilettos—the ones that made her four inches taller. She felt amazing.
“Like what you see?” she asked, in the same teasing tone he’d used.
“You have no idea how much.”
The first stirrings of desire fizzed in her veins. “Maybe you can show me later. But I want to see what you’ve got planned for me first.”
“Then let’s get on our way,” he said, opening the door. “I have a big evening planned.”
Nick smiled when he saw Jessie’s mouth drop open at the sight of their ride for the evening.
“Where’s Bob?”
“I gave him the night off. To show you this side of New York I need to be in the driver’s seat.”
“Well, all right.” She ran her hand along the sleek hood of the cherry-red luxury sports car he’d rented. “So far I approve of your taste.”
“I thought you would,” he murmured as he held the door open for her.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“Nope. Just sit ba
ck and enjoy the ride. I’ve even got some of your favorite tunes cued up.”
She laughed as one of her favorite eighties songs started playing. “Good job, you.” Within seconds her toe was tapping. Then she started humming, apparently not even aware of what she was doing.
God, she was adorable. “You can sing if you want.”
“What?”
“Sing. To the radio. It’s obvious you want to.”
She grinned sheepishly. “Really?”
“Really.”
“All right—but remember you asked for it.”
He nodded and she let loose, belting out the familiar words in a voice fit for Broadway. He grinned and settled back into the leather seat, enjoying the way the powerful car responded to his touch—and hoping Jessie might do the same later on.
All too soon they arrived at their destination. He pulled into the dark parking garage, into his reserved parking space.
“Ready?” he asked as he turned the car off. She looked around, apparently confused.
“Wait. We’re really going to your apartment?”
“No.”
“But this is …”
“Just wait and see!”
He helped her out of the car and led her over to his private elevator. The door opened after he punched in his security code and he let her in first, blocking the number pad so she couldn’t tell which floor they were going to. But he couldn’t help the grin that emerged as the numbers kept ticking higher.
“You are pleased with yourself, aren’t you?” she said, eyeing him critically.
“Sure am.”
“Hmm. I’m going to assume there’s a good reason for that.”
At long last the elevator dinged, signaling they had arrived.
“After you.”
She stepped hesitantly out on to the rooftop. “What are we …?” Then she spotted it. “A helicopter? Are you taking me on a helicopter ride?”
“You better believe it. You said you love how New York sparkles at night. But you can’t fully appreciate how many lights there are until you see them from the sky.”
She looked at him silently and for a moment he thought she might cry. Had he done something wrong? But then she was throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him for all she was worth.
“You, Nick Thornton, are an amazing man.”
