No, the client was thrilled and he actually wrote us a check on the spot.
Then whats going on?
Im not really sure. Carol took a sip of her coffee. But I do know theres a loan payment due this week. Max has been counting on being able to put it off, even though Reece said no way.
Thats terrible. Jane would be crushed if her bailout only delayed disaster a few days. How much are we talking about?
Again, I dont know for sure. But I overheard some figures being bandied about-were talking mid-five figures, at least.
Oh.
The good news is, we have paychecks. Carol handed Jane an envelope. She peeked inside, a little disappointed in the amount. Still, it was her very first paycheck ever. She couldnt wait to show it to Kaylee.
Her first, and possibly last, paycheck from the Remington Agency.
A thought occurred to her. She would close the deal on her boat in a few days. She could invest the proceeds into the Remington Agency.
That would mean she couldnt buy the beach cottage. Her salary alone wouldnt qualify her for that high of a mortgage.
Was she crazy, even thinking about throwing away her entire divorce settlement, all so she could keep a low-paying job? But she believed in Max. Furthermore, she believed in herself. They could get things going, she knew they could. They just needed a little more time, and the cash would come rolling in.
Then Max would pay her back, and she could buy herself the beach cottage. Or a different one, if her first choice was no longer on the market.
Max came out of his office and joined them in the reception area. He looked a little pale and not quite himself. Good morning, Jane, he said with unusual formality.
Hi. Everything okay?
Ah, not exactly. In fact, Im afraid I have some bad news.
Carol put a hand to her forehead, as if shed suddenly developed a killer headache. Jane just felt a dull ache in her stomach.
Im about to default on my business loan. The bank will start foreclosure proceedings, which means my operating accounts will be frozen. Ill have to close the doors. Ill try and come up with some severance funds for both of you-
No.
Max looked at her quizzically. You dont want a severance check?
I dont want to be severed, Jane said. Listen, Max-I can cover the loan payment. I think I can.
He shook his head. I cant let you do that. It was bad enough, borrowing as much as I did-which I will pay back, by the way, I swear to you I will. But I cant let you throw any more money down a bottomless pit.
Its not a bottomless pit. Youre going to make it. I know you are. All you need is a few more weeks and youll turn the corner, I know it.
Jane. I appreciate your faith in me-
In me, too. I do good work. Look how happy Coastal Bank was with our presentation.
Oh, yeah, theyre thrilled, all right.
Dont tell me they hold the loan.
Uh-huh.
Then they should understand weve got what it takes to succeed. Although its probably a completely different department. Stillnever mind. Tell me how much you need, and how much time that buys us.
I cant let you-
Let her, for Gods sake, Carol said. I need this job.
Jane, if you have all this money lying around, why were you so desperate for me to hire you?
Its a recent windfall. Thats all you need to know. If you dont let me help you, Ill just march right over to Coastal Bank and handle it myself.
By noon, it was a done deal. She had backed Max into a corner, she knew, but in the end hed grudgingly agreed to let her make the loan payment, buying them three whole months.
In three months they could conquer the world.
As they walked out of the bank, she was trembling. Had she completely lost her mind? If her parents got wind of her recent actions, they might just take steps to have her committed.
Max, I need the rest of the afternoon off. She needed to start all over in finding a place to live, this time looking for a cheap rental. Is that okay?
Yeah, of course. You want me to drop you off at the marina?
She nodded.
They were silent as they settled into Maxs Corvette, fastening seat belts. Max adjusted his mirror. Second thoughts?
No, she answered without hesitation. I know I did the right thing.
She nodded.
They were silent as they settled into Maxs Corvette, fastening seat belts. Max adjusted his mirror. Second thoughts?
No, she answered without hesitation. I know I did the right thing.
I cant even begin to thank-
No, dont go there. My motives are purely selfish. I love my job and I dont want to lose it.
He put the brakes on, halfway out of his parking space. Really? I thought I was a pretty horrible boss.
No, you arent. You work me hard. You challenge me to be my best. I need that.
I pressured you to lie to a client. I forced myself on you in the break room.
She had to laugh at that. If that kiss involved any force at all, she was Angelina Jolie. I guess I needed that, too.
He finished backing out of the parking space, unable to conceal the half smile on his face.
Jane felt warm all over just remembering that kiss. How had her life gotten so complicated? When she was married to Scott, she essentially had no choices except for whether to stay or leave. Now that she was single, her life was a mass of crazy decisions and complex, multilayered situations. Nothing was black and white anymore.
They were driving down Front Street, Port Claras main drag, when Maxs cell phone rang. He answered it, and Jane clicked her tongue and shook her head. Shed lectured him before about the dangers of driving and cell phones.
Youre kidding. He slammed on the brakes and stopped in the middle of the street. Youre kidding, he said again. You wouldnt kid about this, Carol, would you? I mean, youre not getting back at me for never cleaning out the coffeepot-
Jane closed her eyes. Was Carol quitting? That would be terrible. She was a crucial component of the Remington Agency, not to mention that Jane now considered her a good friend.
When Jane opened her eyes, traffic was backing up behind the Corvette and people were starting to honk.
Max! Youre blocking traffic!
Hold on, Carol, I have to drive. He set the phone in his lap and whipped onto the nearest side street, then pulled into the first available spot at the curb. Okay, Im back. He extracted a gold pen from his shirt pocket and searched for something to write on.
Jane pulled a notebook from her purse and Max scribbled something in it. Okay. Ill call her right nowyes, Ill let you know. He disconnected, looking stunned and puzzled at the same time.
Max, what is it? Have we had another disaster? Another fiasco like the pink real estate magazine would finish them off.
I dont know. Ellen Lowenstein wants me to call her.
Really. That was interesting. Do you know what she wants?
She wouldnt tell Carol. Maybe she plans to sue me for fraud or something.
If she were going to sue you, her lawyer would call. Are you going to call her back or not? Now Jane was consumed with curiosity.
Carol said she seemed impatient to talk to me. That was why she tracked me down.
Well, call her! Then something occurred to Jane. If you want some privacy, I can take a walk. Ive been meaning to check out that quilt shop across the street.
Dont you dare leave me alone. If its bad news, Ill need you. If it isnt, Ill want someone to share it with.
Jane felt flattered that he would need her for anything. Hed always struck her as such a strong, self-sufficient man, though the events of the last week had shaken him, that was for sure.
So, call her.
Max took a deep breath and dialed the number hed just written down. His blood pounded in his ears. Ellen Lowenstein, please. Max Remington, returning her call.
Ellen picked up almost immediately. Max? How the heck are you?
Im good. How are you? he asked cautiously.
Im good, too. Listen, Ive been thinking. And I dont like the way we left things.
That makes two of us.
It seems silly, now, getting our feathers ruffled over the fact you were pretending to be a husband and father. I mean, its kind of flattering, the lengths you went to to get our business.
Max was afraid to say anything, so he didnt, but he reached over and grabbed Janes hand, squeezing hard.
I mean, even if you are a bachelor, clearly you like children and feel comfortable around them, and thats all I care about. What Im trying to say is, I want you to do our advertising. None of the other agencies we talked to had your vision. And I want Kaylee to model for the magazine ads. Maybe the TV commercials, too.
Max thought his heart had stopped beating altogether. That shouldnt be a problem. He was amazed he sounded halfway normal.
Im sending over a retainer check by FedEx. You should receive it tomorrow.
Thank you, Ellen. He forced himself to breathe as they worked out the details of their next meeting, during which they would outline the specifics and sign a contract.
When he hung up, he realized he was still holding Janes hand-nearly crushing it. He loosened his grip but didnt let go altogether.
You got the KidznStuff account? Jane said.
Yes.
Jane squealed and threw her arms around him, though it was an awkward hug in the Corvettes close confines. Im so happy for you! Your first national ad campaign.
Our first. Your drawings are what tipped the scales. He didnt let her go, because it just felt too good holding her. She didnt seem eager to escape, either.
Suddenly they were kissing like mad, making out in his front seat like teenagers necking on a lovers lane, except they were in the middle of town in broad daylight.
Maxs body ached for more. Its a good thing I dont have a backseat, he murmured against her ear.
He expected her to laugh, but she didnt. My boat is five minutes away. She kissed him again, harder this time.
Sos my condo. He barely breathed the words.
We cant. Its the middle of the day.
Is that all thats stopping you? More. He needed more of her. He buried his face in her soft hair and breathed in the scent. We have to take a lunch hour.
His cell phone rang.
Jane pulled away. Get it. What if its important? What if youd ignored that last phone call?
He saw from the Caller ID that it was Carol. What?
What happened?
Oh, right. He was supposed to have called her. We got the account. The triumphant feeling returned, surging through his body and mixing with his lust for Jane, transforming into a potent mixture.
Oh, my God! Carol screamed. Thats great! We need to have a party. Can I plan a party? Im great at parties.