In Love With My Personal Assistant(19)

"That was a long time ago, though," Melony said softly with a weak  smile. "James here has always been a great friend though and he comes  back to see me," she paused, "out of pity."

"What?" James pushed Melony playfully in the arm. "There is nothing I've  done for you out of pity," he assured. The light air had returned and  the three of them grinned and laughed easily.

"So what are you doing here?" Melony asked again, more to James, but Jennifer answered.

"He got a call early this morning about a potential new contract with a business here." James nodded at the answer.

"So how's Jerry in Colorado?" Melony asked.

"Screwing things up," Jennifer said with a flat voice. James held his breath. Frowning, Melony looked to James curiously.

"Really?" She asked.

"Yes. Andrew was sent there earlier today to try and clean up some of the mess he made with our real estate options there."

With every word Jennifer said as an answer to Melony's questions, his face fell further and further.

"So Andrew was sent away?" Melony asked, an over engrossed interest  taking over her tone. Whenever she met James's eyes, her face fell flat.

Jennifer nodded with a sigh. She sipped from her cup for a moment. "Two weeks, right? That's what he told me."         

     



 

"Two whole weeks in Colorado?" Melony held a look of disgust and turned  from James to Jennifer. When she faced Jennifer, the look vanished like  magic.

"So what happened?"

Jennifer shrugged and nodded towards James. "Last week everything was  fine. This morning, Jerry had done nearly everything but burn down the  place. Andrew's there to do some damage control, repair the  relationships and scoop out some real estate for our new office. We were  almost blacklisted out the prime locations."

"Oh, really? That's terrible," Melony said softly. Jennifer took another  drink. Melony turned to James and scowled. When she spoke, her voice  was calm and collected, but laces with feigned interest.

"If things are so bad in Colorado, how can you manage a new contract in Jersey?" She stared directly at James as she spoke.

Behind her, Jennifer answered again. "That's the million dollar question."

"The contract here isn't as intensive as the other two," James offered.

"I think we're going to have to come back. With the way Tim was talking,  we'll need someone to help these guys pick out a good location within  the city for their New York office," Jennifer voiced her concern,  drawing James's telegraphing scowl, but she missed it, head still down  as she leisurely enjoyed the home brewed tea.

"So you'll have to come back," Melony's tone with Jennifer was  exceedingly soft. It grated on James's ears like nails on a chalkboard.  This conversation needed to end. Before Jennifer could offer a response,  James interrupted.

"We last ate at 11. I'm beyond hungry. I was thinking about something in  the city," he spoke to Jennifer. Melony was slightly in front of her  and still scowled. James glanced at her momentarily. "You can come  with," those words slid out faster than he could pull them back. No,  Melony couldn't come with.

"Oh, no thank you," Melony said quickly, immediately filling James's with relieve. "I've seen enough shows."

James pressed his lips together angrily and glared at Melony. She  shrugged and didn't even bother to hide the condescension in her tone.  Jennifer watched the two of them, her expression growing with  perplexing.

"Is everything okay?" Jennifer asked, looking at James. Melony faced James as well and held a less than enthused smirk.

"Oh, I'm great," Melony said with a deflated voice. She turned from  James slowly, and produced a wide smile for Jennifer. Reluctantly,  Jennifer returned the gesture.

"I'm sorry," James held himself in check, "but I don't know what shows  you're referring to," James found a smile when he looked at Jennifer.  "But if you don't want to come along-"

"Mom, who are you-James!" A thin voice broke through the group huddled  in the kitchen. Melony's face brightened as she saw her daughter, a  younger version of herself without the red locks and freckles.

Her daughter pushed through Jennifer and connected with James, giving  him a hug around his waist. The young woman didn't let go though. She  simply tipped her face back and grinned at him.

"You weren't going to leave without saying bye, were you?" Her voice cracked, but her smile remained the same.

James smiled and leaned over to plant a kiss on Lydia's forehead. "Of course not. I'd never do that."

"Never ever," Melony agreed. She took a step back to include Jennifer in the moment and smiled at her.

"My daughter loves that man," she whispered. Jennifer smiled and nodded.

"I can see. Is he good with all kids?" Jennifer asked, crossing her arms with amazement.

Melony smiled brightly. "Pretty much," she turned to Jennifer then and  looked her over carefully. "You are very beautiful," she complimented  genuinely.

Jennifer gushed. "Thank you. You too. You look incredible. I would have never guessed that you had a child."

Melony laughed. "Well, it's been a few years," she chuckled. "I've had a  bit to work out and get back in shape." Silence lulled between them.  After a moment, she continued, "So how long have you known James?"

"Five years," Jennifer answered quickly. Jennifer's eyes darted from  Melony to James. "You two seem close," she commented awkwardly. Melony  laughed and turned her attention to James. She crossed her arms over her  chest and took a deep breath.

"I guess we are," she paused, "but never have we been more than that,"  she turned to Jennifer. "He's a great guy though. I don't know too many  people that don't like James for who he is."         

     



 

Jennifer grinned. "He's a bit of a workaholic."

"Little bit." The women giggled.

"So you're sure you and your daughter don't want to join with?"

Melony smiled, something that seemed more forced. When she glanced at  James, it was clear he was watching them. Lydia had let loose of his  waist and had left the kitchen. Now it was just the three of them.

"I'm positive. You two should enjoy the time you have together," Melony  stressed with a grin. Jennifer's eyes narrowed at the remark, but she  said nothing more.

"Well, I guess we'll be heading out then," James said a bit loud. He grabbed the attention of both women.

Jennifer was shocked. "So soon?"

"It's getting late," James said quickly.

Melony nodded. "It's quite alright, Jennifer. Besides, jet charters are  faster than commercial flight so if you ever find you need to come to  Jersey again," she paused and smiled widely, "we're just a hop, skip,  and a jump away. Isn't that right, James?"

James forced calm over himself and ignored Melony's jab. He turned to Jennifer. "Are you good with that tea?"

She nodded and sat the glass down. There was still a quarter of the  liquid left. James hadn't even come close to finishing what Melony had  given him. With their glasses on the table, an awkward silence came to  fill their missing conversation. Jennifer glanced between James and  Melony. On her second pass through the group, James met her eyes.

"Something on your mind?" He asked.

Jennifer tried to shrug nonchalantly, but a thin grin broke onto her  face. "Are we really not in a hurry?" She asked. Melony smirked at James  from Jennifer's side. James ignored her.

"Depends," he said with a chuckle that made Melony roll her eyes. He  glanced at her momentarily before giving Jennifer his full attention.  "Why do you ask?"

"You said you wanted to eat in the city. You mean New York, right?"

James laughed. "Is there any other big city around here?" At that,  Melony chuckled genuinely. Locking hair behind her ears, Jennifer nodded  with less enthusiasm and played with the tips of her fingers.

"You want to see a show in the city?" James asked at length, a bit confused. Jennifer laughed, but shook her head.

"It's just that I have a friend who lives there. I was thinking maybe I  could see if," she paused and swallowed back before continuing, "maybe  she could meet us for dinner?" She smiled sheepishly. "But if Melony  isn't coming then it might not be a good idea."

James grinned. This was perfect. "Of course! Give your friend a call,  the more the merrier," he turned Melony. He really didn't want to offer  her another chance to come out with them, not after the stunts she kept  pulling, but he had to now.

"Are you sure you don't want to come? We could get a sitter and be a bunch of adults in the Big Apple."

Melony grinned. "I thought you were here on business," it was a flat  statement. She was challenging him. He needed to leave by minutes ago.

"I can just call my friend real quick," Jennifer offered. She frowned  and glanced at Melony. "The front door is back this way, right?" She  pointed towards the hallway that led to the front of the house and  glanced between James and Melony. James postured for her attention and  nodded at her with a gentle smile.