Something About Lorelei(71)
I climbed into the limo and instructed Tony to take me to Bloomingdale’s. As I was in the men’s section, looking at their sweater line, I heard a voice next to me.
“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Jack Sutton.”
“Hello, Stella.” I smiled. “What brings you to Bloomingdale’s this afternoon?”
“Just doing a little shopping for my boyfriend. You?”
“Picking up a new suit.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t make Lorelei do it for you.”
“The thought crossed my mind, but I decided to do it myself.”
“Listen, Jack, I want to thank you for looking after Hope while Lorelei was in the hospital. That was very kind of you.”
“You’re welcome. Hope is a great kid.”
“She is. Isn’t she? And so is her mother.” A small smile crossed her lips.
“Yeah. Lorelei is great. Hey, do you have some time to grab a coffee? I want to talk to you about something.”
She gave me an odd look. “Umm. Sure. I guess so.”
****
Lorelei
The next morning, as I was walking towards Jack’s office, I noticed there was a bouquet of yellow roses perfectly arranged in a vase sitting on the edge of my desk. I set my things down and walked into Jack’s office with his coffee.
“Do you know where those flowers came from?” I asked as I set his cup down.
“They’re from me. Do you like them?”
“They’re beautiful. What’s the occasion?” I narrowed my eye.
“Again, they’re apology flowers.”
“For what?” I asked.
“I want to apologize to you for the way I spoke yesterday about the whole dating site thing. I was way out of line and I’m sorry. Of course what you do on your own time is none of my business. It’s your life and I had no right.”
“Thank you, Jack. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome.”
He walked over to where I was standing and clasped my shoulders.
“Listen, Lorelei, I’ve been giving my behavior and actions a lot of thought. I know I’ve hurt you in the past and I’m sorry. We’re friends and that’s how I want things to stay between us. So as a friend, I’m going to be honest with you. I think you should start dating again. You’re an amazing woman and I know you would have no problem finding your Prince Charming if you just let yourself. In fact, I know a couple of great guys who would love to go out with you.”
Suddenly, it felt like I was gasping for air. Was he being serious? I gulped.
“Thanks, Jack, but I can find my own dates.”
“Okay. If you change your mind, let me know. Another thing, if you wouldn’t mind, I would like you to give some of your sketches to the sewing department.”
“Why?”
“Because I think you have a real talent and I’m thinking that maybe we should feature some of your designs in our January issue.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, right, Jack.”
“Lorelei, I’m not kidding. Now get your ass to the sewing department and tell them I said they are to get working on your designs immediately. Wait,” he said as he walked over to his phone.
“This is Jack Sutton. I’m sending my PA, Lorelei, up to give you some designs I want started immediately. When you’re finished with the outfits, I want them brought straight to my office.”#p#分页标题#e#
He looked at me and smiled. “You’re all set.”
“I don’t know what to say, Jack. Thank you!” I impulsively threw my arms around his neck and gave him a hug. He wrapped his arms around me.
“You’re welcome. Now go.”
Feeling his arms around me again felt good. But what didn’t feel good was my heart. Hearing him say that he only wanted a friendship did something to me. It made me feel sad and alone. I couldn’t explain it if I tried. There was a time when he wanted me and I pushed him away. I pushed him so far that now he was no longer interested in me and that hurt like a bitch.
Later that evening as I lay in bed, I thought about Jack. I knew Hope missed him because she expressed it during dinner. My heart still hurt because I was in love with him. I was stupid for pushing him away that night he kissed me at his house, but I wanted him to know that it wasn’t going to be that easy. I was playing a game, making him pay for the things he’d said to me. But in the end, I wound up the loser. A tear fell from my eye the more I thought about it. Tomorrow would be a new day and a new start on my quest to try and get Jack to see that he was the one for me and I was the one for him.
Chapter Forty-Six
Lorelei