Ch 17
"What?" Jax asked gruffly as he answered the door. He hated being interrupted on a good day. Today he was pressed for time.
Chloe stood in the doorway stunned. "What did I do?"
Jax looked at the beautiful blonde that stood before him. My date, he finally remembered. She had it all, brains, beauty, money, and culture. As he looked at her dress, he added fabulous taste to her list of attributes. All the things he desired. She was the type of woman he thought he needed, yesterday. What am I going to do now? He asked himself.
"Jax is there something wrong? I know you said you would pick me up. I am just a little early. I couldn't stand that house for another instant. I had to get away from the Quartermaines. I love them. They are darling. However, I am pretty sure that prolonged exposure to the Quartermaines could land an outsider in Ferncliff."
Jax couldn't help but laugh at the description. Often on visits to the mansion and during ELQ board meetings he had wondered the same thing. "I'm sorry for my behavior. I wasn't expecting you." Jax attempted to recover for his earlier behavior.
"Jasper Jacks isn't a man who likes surprises?" She asked with a grin as she took a seat on the couch. She noticed the CD player had finished the song it was playing and started it again. "What is this?"
Jax groaned. How do I explain that I am serenading another woman? Jax asked himself. He decided to sit on that question. Obviously, he would tell Chloe the truth before he took the stage but not now.
"Jax you are being really quiet. It isn't like you. What's on your mind?" Chloe hoped to get her date to open up.
Without thinking of what he was saying, Jax answered. "V."
Chloe paused. Why would he think about her? "Oooh I am so excited about her date with Simon. I am so glad we talked her into it. She needs to have more fun. Don't you agree?" Chloe asked happily.
"Yes, but Simon? He is a little…." Jax couldn't find the words to describe the other man.
"He is perfect for her. They will love one another. I want them to find everlasting happiness together." Chloe answered in a determined tone. They better love one another. She was counting on it.
"Why? Why is this so important to you?" Chloe's heart skipped a beat. How could she tell Jax the real reason for the set up?
--
Jerry laughed. Bobbie always knew how to read him. "You think there is something more?"
"I know there is, spill." Bobbie said with a sly smile.
"Spill?" Jerry held up the drink he had just poured for himself. "You will have to have the carpets cleaned."
Bobbie was thankful she was too aggravated with him to laugh. She did, however, crack a smile. "Why are you so difficult?"
"Who me? You just said I grew on people." Jerry reminded her with a grin.
"And you said, 'I wish'. Why did you say that?"
"Doesn't everybody want to be more popular?" Jerry tried another tactic.
"Jerry Jacks, this is just the kind of conversation that left you all wet yesterday. Tell me what you meant buy that statement, or you will need a new tux."
Jerry laughed. Nothing beat Bobbie when somebody got her juices flowing. "Can we not talk about this. I will only test you further. I will end up wet; and you will be hard up." Jerry smiled. "I always thought we worked better the other way."
Bobbie smiled as she caught the sexual innuendo in the last remark. "You better watch yourself with statements like that." She thought of all the ways could respond to his statement but didn't use them. "How was your date? The concert must have been wonderful."
Jerry turned his head. The last time he had spoken with Bobbie he hadn't planned on going. "I think it is your turn to 'spill'. How did you know I went out last night?"
--
V groggily got out of bed and went to the shower. She didn't know how she could handle another night out. She didn't regret going out with Jerry. It had been entertaining, among other things. The date with Simon, however, did not hold the same appeal.
She dressed, applied her makeup, and fastened her jewelry before deciding she was ready to leave. They had arranged to meet at Jax' penthouse before the show. She hoped the special care she showed in dressing. With that in mind, she left a half an hour early. "If I am the first person to the penthouse, we can spend some time alone." She declared as she left.
When she arrived at the penthouse she stood in front of the door and prepared herself for the evening. She took a few deep breaths and was about to enter when she heard laughter from in inside. Putting her ear to the door she strained to hear what was being said.
The words she heard cut like a knife. How could somebody who claimed to be her friend say something like that? How could Jax not defend her? She asked herself as she turned to leave. She had just reached the elevator, when she was she heard somebody call her name.