No, Im not all right, he mumbled, throwing himself down on her sofa and covering his eyes with his arm. He held up the nearly empty bottle he carried. Im almost out of whiskey and Im not nearly drunk enough yet. He sat up straight. Do you have any whiskey?
No, Jane said. I have champagne and some wine coolers. And I think I might have some peppermint schnapps. Itit tastes good in hot chocolate and sometimes, when I cant sleep, I
Bring on the schnapps, he shouted, throwing out his arms. Let the celebration begin.
What are we celebrating?
My absolute ignorance when it comes to the inner workings of the female mind. He took another swallow of the whiskey. Youre a female, right?
Jane slowly sat down beside him. I am. No surprise he had to ask. Hed certainly never noticed. When he looked at her, he saw the shy, unremarkable girl who lived in the apartment above his, the girl with all the houseplants and the sofa full of embroidered pillows and the collection of old movies.
But shed noticed everything about himthe light in his eyes when he was amused, and the way his hair curled around the collar of his shirt, the tiny dimple in his left cheek when he smiled, and the beauty of his hands. Will McCaffrey had been the subject of countless vivid and detailed romantic dreams, dreams that featured those beautiful hands on her naked body. What happened? Did you and Amy have a fight?
I went to pick her up for dinner and found a note taped to the door. She met someone else, some football player. She was afraid to tell me, afraid to ruin my Valentines Day. Can you believe that? Its over between us. Yesterday, we were together and now werefinished.
Im sorry, Jane lied.
Not as sorry as I am. He frowned. I guess Ive been dumped. Ive never been dumped before. Will stretched his arms across the back of the sofa, his hand brushing against her nape as he did. So, this is how it feels.
Jane pressed the roses to her nose, closed her eyes and inhaled, deliberately quelling a satisfied smile. Shed met Amy and found her conceited and self-absorbed and far too obsessed with her figure. Youre probably better off without her.
Damn straight.
She risked a glance at him, allowing her gaze to take in his profile, the chiseled jaw and the sensuous mouth and the impossibly straight nose. His eyes were closed and for a moment, she thought he might be asleep. But then he shifted slightly. Theres a perfect girl out there for you, Will. You just have to find her. She might be closer than you think.
Amy was perfect.
No, she wasnt. Because she didnt love you as much as I Jane swallowed hard. As I think you deserve to be loved.
Will opened his eyes and looked at her. Youre sweet, Janie. You always know what to say to make me feel better.
He said it as if the thought had just occurred to him. A warm flush crept up her cheeks and she dropped her gaze to the flowers.
You are, Will insisted, curling his arm around her to toy with a strand of hair that brushed her cheek. Youre just about the sweetest girl Ive ever known.
In a heartbeat, hed pulled her into his arms, giving Jane a fierce hug, fueled more by whiskey than passion. Her first impulse was to pull away, but then she realized this might be the opportunity shed been hoping for. Sure he was drunk, but a girl had to take her breaks where she got them. So she slipped her arms around his waist.
When he drew back, he stared down at her, his gaze skimming her features like a silent caress. Jane held her breath, waiting for him to make the next move, praying that hed just throw caution to the wind and kiss her. Her heart slammed in her chest and she was certain he could hear it. Every nerve in her body jangled with anticipationof the warmth of his lips on hers, of the taste of him when his tongue invaded her mouth, of the feel of his hands on her naked skin.
Will smiled and drew his thumb across her lower lip, his eyes fixed on her mouth. But suddenly, his mood shifted. Im never going to find anyone, he said, letting his hands fall away. He sank back into the cushions and took another swallow of the whiskey. Im twenty-four years old. My father expects certain things from me. He expects me to get my law degree this spring and then he expects me to work for the family business. Ive got so many ideas for the company and someday, Im going to run the whole show, just you watch. McCaffrey Commercial Properties is going to be my company and its going to be the biggest in Chicago. Will drew a ragged breath. And he expects me to find a wife and start a family.
Today? Jane asked.
No. But soon, Will said.
You have plenty of time.
Will shook his head. Ive dated a lot of girls, Jane. And in the beginning, it always seems like Ive found the one. But then something happens and I realize shes not exactly what Im looking for. He drained the bottle of whiskey and leaned forward to set it on the coffee table. You know, Amy really had ugly feet. And when she laughed, it sounded like she had the hiccups.
Can I get you something more to drink?
He turned back to her and sent her a sleepy smile. Youre sweet. Will reached out and cupped her cheek in his palm. Have I ever told you that?
Yes, you have, Jane reminded him, slightly impatient. Not that she didnt like hearing it.
But you are, he said. Youre always there for me, Janie. You care about me.
Youre my friend, Jane murmured.
He leaned forward and when his lips brushed hers, a startled sigh slipped from her throat. He took the sound as surrender and captured her mouth in a kiss so unexpected, yet so stirring Jane felt her heart swell. His tongue teased hers and she knew shed never been kissed like this before. There had been boys in her past, clumsy, fumbling boys who couldnt kiss, much less voice a romantic sentiment. But shed never had a man, a man like Will McCaffrey who could stir this desire she hadnt known she possessed.
As the kiss spun out, her mind whirled with questions. Was this the beginning of something between them? Had he also harbored a secret crush? Or was this just a side effect of all the whiskey hed drunk? As she wrapped her arms around his neck, Jane realized it didnt make any difference. Will McCaffrey was kissing her! And if she thought too much about it, she might just wake up and find out this was all a dream.
And just as quickly as the kiss began, it ended. Will straightened and stared down at her, an earnest look in his eyes. I have a really good idea. If Im not married by the time Im thirty and youre still single, would you marry me?
Jane gasped, her heart leaping into her throat. Shed imagined this moment so many times in a wide variety of scenarios, with a wide range of potential fiancés. But shed never imagined this situationher dressed in an unflattering chenille robe, him drunk and despairing over another woman. Youyoure not serious, she said, her voice cracking. Youre drunk and youre upset with Amy.
I am serious, Will insisted, his words slurred by the liquor. He shoved up from the sofa and crossed the room to her desk. I need paper.
In the top tray, Jane said. Are you going to write Amy a note?
When he returned to her side, he had a pen in his hand as well. Nope. Im going to write a contract. An agreement between us that if youre free and Im free, well get married.
When he returned to her side, he had a pen in his hand as well. Nope. Im going to write a contract. An agreement between us that if youre free and Im free, well get married.
What? Youre just going to write it down and it will be a contract?
Sure. I got an A in my contracts course. I can write a basic agreement. Its simple. If were both free, then well get married.
Dont we need a witness or a notary or something?
Well just have to find a witness, Will murmured. He reached for the whiskey bottle and when he noticed it was empty, he dropped it on the floor.
Jane sat next to him on the sofa, her feet tucked beneath her, as she watched him write out the contract. She tried to read his expression, to figure out where the spontaneous proposal had come from. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized the proposal was all just a silly exercise to soothe his bruised ego.
As he worked, Jane wandered into the kitchen and found the bottle of champagne shed put in the ice bucket. A marriage contract was probably something worth celebrating, she mused, as she popped the cork. She filled a champagne flute and guzzled the entire glass, hoping that it might give her a bit more courage. There had to be a way to get him to kiss her again.
As she passed the window in the kitchen, Jane caught her reflection and groaned softly. The chenille robe made her look like a sausage, tied in the middle. She might attract a few hungry Germans with an outfit like that, but Will expected more. She took the clip out of her hair and let it tumble down around her face, then pinched her cheeks. Changing wasnt an option, so instead, she loosened the tie of her robe until the neck draped open a bit more.
Drawing a deep breath, Jane grabbed a second champagne flute and walked back to the sofa. Would you like some champagne? Or I could get you something else.
He glanced up at her and smiled, his gaze dropping to her cleavage. Instinctively Jane followed his gaze and noticed she really didnt have anything to show. Her hand flitted to her robe and she drew it back together again, embarrassed by her feeble attempt at seduction. She went to sit down beside him, but a soft rap at the door stopped her.
Will glanced up. Are you expecting someone?
Jane shook her head, frustrated by the interruption. When she opened the door, she found their landlady, Mrs. Doheny, standing in the hall, a paper plate filled with frosted heart-shaped cookies in her hands. Happy Valentines Day, Jane, she said with a cheerful smile.
IIm almost done, Will called. Whos at the door?
Mrs. Doheny peered over Janes shoulder. Is that Will? Will McCaffrey, I just dropped a plate of cookies at your door. I thought youd be out romancing one of your pretty girlfriends tonight. She gave him a little wave. Happy Valentines Day, William!
Thanks, sweetie, he said, sending the landlady a wide smile. I cant let Valentines Day pass without a kiss from my best girl.
At first, Jane thought Will was talking about her. But then Mrs. Doheny clucked her tongue and bustled inside. When she reached the sofa, Will stood and planted a kiss on the old womans cheek. A blush stained her pale skin. Even the widow Doheny couldnt resist him, Jane mused. Will could charm the orthopedic stockings off any eighty-year-old.
Mrs. Doheny, youre just in time, Will said, drawing her down to sit next to him. You can be our witness.
Witness? To what? She set the cookies on the coffee table.
Just a little agreement between me and Jane, he explained. You just need to watch us sign and then sign yourself. Jane, youre first. He handed her the pen and then the paper, covered with his lazy scrawl.
What had begun as a silly joke suddenly seemed dead serious. Was this really a contract? Was it legal? She glanced down at the text, but then brushed aside her concerns. This was a joke. Besides, even if the contract was real, Will was drunk. Even she knew a person couldnt sign a contract when they were drunk. And there was no way Will McCaffrey was going to show up in six years demanding she marry him. After all, he waswell, he was Will McCaffrey and she was Jane Singleton. Enough said.
Are you sure you did this right? she teased, trying to keep her tone light. Once I tie you up in legalities, I dont want you to get away on a technicality.
Its all there, he said, watching her put pen to paper. Arent you going to read it before you sign?
No, I trust you. She scribbled her name on the bottom and handed the contract back to him. Now you.
Will stared at the contract for a long moment and Jane wondered if he was already reconsidering, thinking about Amy, about how he might get her back and persuade her to marry him. Then he quickly signed it and handed it to Mrs. Doheny. She did the same, with a flourish and a little giggle. What am I signing?
Will took the paper and pen from her. Nothing important. Just a little agreement between me and Jane.
Mrs. Doheny nodded, then stood up and headed for the door. Well, I have more cookies to deliver. Ill see you two later. Toodles!
When shed closed the door behind her, Jane sighed softly, almost afraid to look at Will. She touched her lips, her mind returning to the kiss theyd shared. She could either act like it hadnt happened or she couldshe could. Jane reached down for the tie to her robe. She could slip out of the unflattering garment and see what happened. Her fingers fumbled at the knot and Jane felt the robe gape open as she turned to face him. Oh, God, her mother would never approve, but if she waited for Will to make another move, she might have to wait forever. And though shed always considered herself to be a bit old-fashioned, this situation called for a woman who was thoroughly modern, a woman who could make her needs known and get them satisfied at the same time.
Wills gaze skimmed her body as she approached and then he suddenly jumped up from the sofa. Ive got to go, too, he murmured.
Jane froze, her fingers still fumbling with the tie to her robe. Sure, she said. Right. Its getting late and Iwell, I have She swallowed hard. Plans. Jane quickly hurried to the door and yanked it open.
He smiled, carefully folding the contract and slipping it into the breast pocket of his jacket. Then he pulled out his wallet and handed her a five-dollar bill. This is consideration, he said.
Confused, Jane took the money. That is considerate of you, she said. I can always use laundry money.
No, it makes the contract binding. His gaze caught hers and for a long moment, it held. Jane wondered what was going through his mind, if he was remembering how it felt to kiss heror how it might feel to do more. I guess Ill see you later, Janie.
Later, she repeated.
When she closed the door behind him, Jane leaned back against it, biting her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. If shed only been smarter, or prettier, or sexier, she could have convinced him to stay. She could have lured him into her bed and they could have made love all night long. Then, for the first time in her life, she could have had a Valentines Day worth remembering.
She drew a ragged breath and wandered back to the sofa. Picking up the remote, she settled back onto the sofa. Suddenly her evening seemed empty and pathetic compared to the memory of the kiss theyd shared.