People Will Say We’re in Love-Chapter 8
"Damn," Dara said as her keys fell on the ground. This was just great. That’s what she got for trying to juggle the box and her keys at the same time. She laughed; well isn’t that what she was going to try to do with her life. Juggle the law and her singing at the same time.
"May I be of some assistance?" Stefan asked seeing her plight. He bent down and retrieved her keys and took the box from her.
She smiled. "Thank you very much," she said finally able to unlock the door. "I guess I should learn to not do two things at once."
"Or maybe you should learn to seek help," he returned her smile.
She shrugged as he placed the box in the back seat of her car. "Maybe. Do you usually hang around here or are you here for a reason?"
"I came to inquire about any news regarding my mother or Lucky Spencer."
"Yeah, there isn’t any new news about him. Last I heard, Helena was still in prison," she told him
He nodded. "Good, that is where my mother belongs. I am sorry to hear that there is no new news about Lucky. His family is greatly distressed about his second disappearance."
"I know," she said genuinely concerned. "I can’t imagine having to go through something like that. It must be terrible knowing that your child is out there but not being able to talk to him and not knowing he’s safe. You see, contrary to popular belief, I really do have a heart," she told him.
He smiled. "So do I, Ms. Jensen."
"I told you to call me Dara. Hey, after that wonderful time we had at the Outback, I think that we can be on first name basis. I even caught you singing along with the performers," she teased him.
"Really," he said laughing lightly. "I must be sure to be a little more guarded in the future."
She nodded. "You really should." She tilted her head to the side, and wondered if she should really do what she was about to. "What are you doing this weekend?"
He raised an eyebrow. "This weekend? I do not believe that I have any plans."
"There’s this wonderful jazz club just out of town. I don’t know how interested you might be in jazz, but I’m going and you’re welcome to join me. I really don’t like going to these types of places alone, but for good jazz, I’ll do just about anything."
"That sounds interesting. I have an appreciation for jazz, although that may be surprising for you. I would like to accompany you to this event. Just call me with the details."
She smiled and nodded. "All right, I will do that. Have a good night, Stefan," she said opening her door.
"You as well, Dara," he said walking away.
‘Now’, Dara, she said to herself as she watched him walk away. ‘That’s something you wouldn’t have done a couple of weeks ago.’
*****
Sonny looked up as Esmerelda walked into the penthouse. "Hi, Sonny," she said and walked over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "How have things been since I was away?"
He smiled at her. "Your mother called, and I told her that you would call her back tonight. She said it didn’t matter how late; she knows how work is sometimes, you know."
She narrowed her eyes at him. "You’re cruel, do you know that," she said throwing herself onto the couch once she put her things down. "I really don’t feel like talking to her tonight."
"Really, did you do some things you might be guilty about and don’t want to tell her," he said fishing.
She threw one of the pillows at him. "Sonny, please," she said as he laughed dodging the pillow. "I told you that the whole trip was perfectly innocent. We just talked, looked around a bit, did some work, and slept. That’s it, Sonny, nothing more. Hey, it’s not a bad way to get some insight on the boss."
"So, it was just business for you. What about for Jax, though?" he said bringing the pillow back and joining her.
"He was a perfect gentleman, and even gave me the master bedroom in the suite. How nice is that?"
"So, you two shared a suite," he said incredulously. "This just keeps getting better and better doesn’t it."
"You know what, Sonny. I don’t really want to go through this with you right now. I’m tired, and I’m going to bed. Besides," she said standing up. "It’s Monday, and I haven’t had a chance to check the stocks yet. I must be slipping. I need to check on my investments, portfolio, and things like that. Do you want me to make dinner?" she asked.
He shook his head. How could he ever be mad at her? All her mind was on was business. "No, I’ll make something. Just go check on your portfolios," he said smiling at her.
"Okay," she said picking up her things and going upstairs. "Call me when you’re ready for me. You know, Sonny, you really need to upgrade your computer. There’s a much faster processor out. We’ll talk about that later."
He nodded. "All right, later." He really didn’t know what he was going to do with his little cousin.
*****
"You’re back," Alexis said entering Jax’s home office knowing that was where she would find him. She went over and gave him a hug.
"Yes, I’m back. Look, my new purchase has just arrived," he smiled showing her the computer. "Out with the old, in with the new, and all that, you know."
"Nice," she said examining it. "Very nice." She smiled at him. "Chloe was looking for you."
He nodded as he sat back in his chair. "I know. I received all of her messages. I just didn’t want to deal with her right then."
She sat down. "She told me what happened. I have to say I was shocked."
He nodded in agreement. "So was I. You know, I know that I really don’t have a right to be upset. We did agree that we were over, but I never imagined that she would jump right into bed with someone else so quickly, least of all, Luke Spencer."
She folded her arms. "I think that was a very big mistake on both of their parts. She told me she had been drinking quite heavily that night." He nodded to signify that he believed that much. "She also told me that she had a run in with Esmerelda and Sonny earlier in the heaving. It seems that she didn’t mince any words with Chloe."
Jax laughed. "I would be surprised if she had. She is quite straightforward and likely to tell you the truth even if it’s the last thing you want to hear. Sort of reminds me of someone else we both know," he said teasing her.
"Really, Jax. I think that I’m a very compassionate person and a great friend," she said smiling.
He nodded; "And very truthful. But, I don’t think that anything Esmerelda could have said caused Chloe to go drown her sorrows in a bottle and with Spencer. Thanks for settling Sonny down."
She smiled. "No problem. So, are you going to tell me about the weekend with her?"
He shrugged. "There’s not much to tell. I can tell you that she’s a very interesting person, full of surprises. Outside of that, there’s really nothing."
"Good. I’m glad that you’re taking things slow with her."
"Taking what slow?" he asked. "What are you talking about, Alexis?"
"Okay," she said nodding. "Fine, play innocent, but I know better."
He decided to steer the conversation in another direction. "How are you and little Davis-Ashton?"
She smiled. "You’re really good, Jax," she said. "Little Davis-Ashton and I are quite well. Although, this morning was a different story. Women definitely do not exaggerate about morning sickness."
"I’m sorry to hear that. Forgive me, but I’ll bet you were just cute. This is really wonderful," he said moving to the sofa where she sat. "I’m glad that you’re going to let me share in this with you."
"You’re very welcome. Actually, I have a little favor to ask from you."
"Sure," he said. "Do you want me to marry you and make an honest woman out of you?" he joked.
Laughing, she said, "I think that we’ve already tried that. No, but it’s really big. I want you to be my baby’s godfather."
Jax was very honored by her request. "Of course I’ll do it," he said drawing her into a hug. "You do realize that this means that it’s my job to spoil this child and get him everything he wants."
"Or she, Jax. This baby might just as well be a she. As long as she or he is surrounded by love, I really don’t care if you spoil her or not."
"Well, that’s good to hear, because I am."
"Have you eaten dinner yet?" she asked.
"No, what do you have in mind?"
"I don’t know," she said as she leaned against him. "For some reason, I have the craving for popcorn."
*****
"Is this what you’ve been doing all day?" Laura asked when she entered Luke’s office and found him at his desk with a bottle of vodka.
"Close the door," he mumbled. "There’s too much light getting in. Care to join me?" he said pulling out another glass.
She sighed angrily. "Our child is out there somewhere, and all you’re doing is drinking yourself to death. I tried calling you a couple of nights ago, is this what you were doing?"
He smiled as he recalled the events of a couple nights ago. "No, this is not what I was doing. I was doing something else. It helps to dull the pain," he said lifting his glass to her.
She rubbed her forehead and looked at him. "This is not helping Lucky, Luke," she informed him.
"Aren’t you getting enough help from Count Vlad?" he asked. "Yeah, Laura, I know that he’s helping you."
"No, Luke, he’s helping us. He’s helping to find our son. I don’t care who helps me as long as we get Lucky back." She took a deep breath. "You know, I don’t even know why I try with you anymore. Lulu wants to see you, if you still care. If you do want to see your daughter, then I suggest you clean yourself up and come by. Be sure to call first," she said before slamming the door.
Chloe saw Laura leave the office and entered after she had left the club. "Ah, the lovely Ms. Morgan," Luke said when she came in. "I was just thinking of you. Shall I pour you a glass?"
She laced her hands in front of her and shook her head. She sat down in the chair in front of Luke’s desk. "We really need to talk," she said.
"Famous last words," he said pushing the decanter to the side. "What should we talk about?"
"You weren’t there when I got back so we didn’t have a chance to talk then."
"No, I wasn’t. I knew where you went, and I usually don’t like playing second fiddle to blonde, Australians. Did you find him, by the way?"
She shook her head. "Even Alexis didn’t know where he was. Luke, I’m sorry about all of this. The other night was a mistake. I love Jax."
He nodded. "I know that. For some odd reason, that guy has some kind of attraction. I just don’t get it. Don’t feel too sorry for me, though, because I was nursin’ a broken heart as well."
She smiled slightly. "Thank you, Luke, but I don’t think that I’ll ever be able to make things right with Jax."
"Well, I’m sorry, darlin’, but I don’t have much advice for you there. Just remember if you ever need anybody to vent to, I’m here."
"Thank you," she said smiling again as she rose. "Good-bye, Luke."
"Never say good-bye, darlin’," he said raising his glass. "You never know when we might see each other again."
She nodded and left.