OLDSALTSBAR& GRILL was nothing like the ultra-hip clubs in SoHo and the Village Max used to frequent when he lived in New York. But it had its good points-like a big deck that looked out over the ocean, decent food and drinks that didnt cost your whole paycheck.
Although lots of bars dotted Port Claras coast and downtown area, Max and his cousins had adopted Old Salts as their home away from home.
Max worked long hours these days trying to get the agency up and running and profitable-profitable being the point that interested him most at the moment. He had walked out on his job at Remington Industries, his familys New York conglomerate, with a lot of big promises about how he was going to make it on his own with no help from them.
He remembered how his older brother, Eddie, had stared at him slack-jawed, and his father-vice president of marketing-had clenched his jaw in anger, then declared Max would come crawling back before six months was out.
Hed thought their reactions kind of amusing back then. Now he didnt.
By eight oclock Max felt worn thin, and he decided to call it a night and head for Old Salts for a beer and some commiseration.
He found the whole gang there-Cooper and Allie, unwinding after a full-day charter on their boat, the Dragonfly; and Reece and Sara, relaxing after a long day running their various businesses-between them they had three.
Max! Allie greeted him with a quick kiss to the cheek. How goes the advertising biz?
A bit grueling today, he admitted as he swiveled a chair around and straddled it. The waitress caught his eye, and he pointed to Coopers beer. She nodded.
Its not easy, running your own company, said Sara. The B and B isnt so bad, since I took over an already-thriving business. But the cateringall I can say is, Im glad Reece has some business sense or Id be in serious trouble. She put a hand to Maxs shoulder. Hows the new artist working out?
Oh, you know about that?
Of course. I was there when you called her to offer the job. Shes incredible, isnt she?
Incredibleyeah, thats one word to describe her. Slow would be another word.
Youre not pleased with her work? Allie asked, reading between the lines. Oh, Max, please dont fire her. She really needs that job. You have no idea what a financial mess Scott left her in. That boat was supposed to be hers free and clear, and now shes discovered all kinds of debts and expenses related to the boat she knew nothing about. Of course, Scott kept her totally in the dark about their finances-
Cooper clamped a hand over his wifes mouth to silence her tirade. Allie. Perhaps Jane doesnt want her personal life bandied about in public.
Were not public, Allie objected, flipping her long red hair over one shoulder. Were Janes friends. Everybody here knows what a jerk her ex is. Max experienced it firsthand. First fist, that is.
Were not public, Allie objected, flipping her long red hair over one shoulder. Were Janes friends. Everybody here knows what a jerk her ex is. Max experienced it firsthand. First fist, that is.
Max rubbed his jaw, which was even now, months later, a little tender. He couldnt argue that Scott was a bastard, all right. Not only had the guy sucker-punched Max, but hed used Max as leverage to take advantage of Jane in their divorce.
The fact Jane needs a job shouldnt be a factor in whether Max keeps her on or not, Reece pointed out. He was the accountant in the family, the hard-nosed one who kept the rest of them financially on track.
So he should just cast her out into the street? Sara asked, with a look bordering on outrage.
No, of course not, Reece said. But you cant expect him to keep her on the payroll if shes not an asset to his business.
Whoa, whoa. Max decided the discussion had gotten way out of hand. I never said she isnt working out. Our first day wasrocky. Jane isnt accustomed to the fast pace in advertising. But I plan to give her a decent chance to adjust.
I hope youre not bombarding her with criticism, Allie said. Shes very sensitive.
But you have to give her feedback or she wont improve, Reece pointed out.
Um, I gave her plenty of feedback. Max had actually been a bit harsh, which wasnt like him. Hed always had an easy-come, easy-go attitude when it came to winning and losing. Back when hed worked at Remington Industries, if he spent weeks working with the creative staff on a campaign, only to have his father or Eddie or some other corporate suit shoot it down, hed shrugged and moved on.
But now his money, his time, his reputation were on the line. His future depended on whether he could make a go of the Remington Agency. Eddie and his dad were watching, waiting for him to stumble and fail.
The situation made him tense, like a snake ready to strike. If he didnt take things a little easier, he would end up like Reece had been before he resigned his high-powered position and relocated to Port Clara-headed for a heart attack like his old man.
What about the other factor? Cooper asked, giving Max a knowing look. Doesnt the fact youre hot for her get in the way of business?
Max groaned. Come on, Coop, dont bring that up. Yes, shes a beautiful woman, but I think I can manage to resist her. I dont need a harassment suit slapped on me, thanks very much. Besides, he added, shes a single mom, and you know my rule.
Sara looked at him quizzically. What rule?
Max doesnt date women with children, Reece supplied, seeming amused by his wifes narrowed gaze aimed at Max.
Thats horrible! Sara said. Are you telling me you dont like children? She turned to Reece. He is not going to be the godfather of our first child.
Sara was expecting her and Reeces first, and she was a little prickly where babies were concerned.
I never said I dont like children, Max objected. There are other issues.
Like a single mom cant shower all her attention on you, Allie said. She has other priorities besides partying.
What is this, Pick-On-Max Night? Max took a long sip of his beer. I came here for good company, not to have my life dissected.
Allie at least looked a little penitent. Sorry, Max. Who else can we pick on?
Youve already picked on me enough for one night, Cooper said. Ill be glad when you all get tired of telling anyone wholl listen how I tried to get Allie arrested for stealing her own boat.
And I dont want to hear any more seasick jokes, Reece put in.
Or anything about my numbers dyslexia, Sara added. Hey, you know I found out theres a term for my problem? Its called dyscalcula-a math-learning disability.
They continued to banter, but Max didnt take part. He was nervous as hell about his meeting with the childrens clothing manufacturer hed told Jane about. The owner of KidznStuff was arriving for a meet and greet tomorrow, and Max was counting on Jane to come up with some sketches that would wow them, based on his concepts.
If she was as slow at sketching as she was with computer graphics, he was in serious trouble.
WHENMAX ARRIVED at work the next morning, he found Jane already there, working industriously at her drawing board. She was prompt in the mornings, hed give her that.
He tapped on her office door, which shed left open as usual. Morning, Jane.
She jumped and turned, smiling. Oh, good morning.
You dont look so good, Max blurted out, but her appearance was slightly alarming. Yesterday her coal-black hair had been curled and arranged in shimmering waves falling over her shoulders, and her makeup had been magazine perfect. Today she wore an untidy ponytail. What was worse, she had dark shadows under her eyes. And she wore glasses.
Was she trying to ugly herself up so she wouldnt tempt him? Had she sensed his nearly overwhelming desire for her? He thought hed kept it pretty well under wraps.
He had news for her. Nothing she could do would make her ugly. But her lack of polish was such a contrast from the day before, he was afraid something was wrong.
Jane looked down at herself, then back up. I guess I should have looked in the mirror before I left home this morning. She sounded embarrassed. I lost track of the time and I got rushed. But I was so excited. Kaylee has a bunch of KidznStuff clothes, and we both love them. I started just doing some sketches and, well, before I knew it the sun was coming up.
Max stepped into Janes office. You stayed up all night?
I didnt mean to. Its just that when I get involved in creating something, I lose track of time.
Finally he chanced a look at her drawing board, and his jaw dropped. Thatsthats gorgeous.
Really?
Yeah, really. Jane had taken his scribbled notes and stick-figure drawings and turned them into a comp for a full-page magazine ad. But this was no rough sketch. Shed made drawings of two children that were so realistic they almost walked off the page.
One of those kids, he realized, was her daughter. The other was a little boy he didnt recognize.
I used photos of Kaylee and a neighbor boy from Houston just as examples, she said almost apologetically. I hope thats okay.
Okay? It was fantastic. Given the ridiculously short timeline, he hadnt expected anything this elaborate from Jane. I thought wed discuss concepts this morning and you could knock out a few rough sketches to show the client. But this-
I did too much.
Well, yes. You really should have discussed this with me before you invested so much time, just to be sure we were on the right track.
I know that now. But I wasnt thinking about it at the time. Im just so excited to be using my art. For years I havent been able to devote any time to it, and I hadnt realized it, but IId shut down a part of myself. And now I have that part back andwell, Im sure you dont want to hear all that.
Actually, he was fascinated. It seemed that the beautiful, polished woman who had first attracted him was far more interesting than he would have guessed. Now he saw, in full color, the passion that lurked below her slick surface.
And it turned him on.
He wasnt sure how he felt about her revealing something so personal to him. It indicated a level of trust he certainly hadnt earned.
I still have the rest of the day, she said, suddenly all business. What changes would you like me to make?