Mitch cursed out loud. He swore hed keep quiet about the job.
He didnt tell me why you were here. Though you just did. What job?
Its nothing.
Youre looking at a job in D.C.?
None of your business.
What about Jenny?
None of your business.
Jeffrey braced a hand against the wall. Youre zoned out staring at engagement rings here, Mitch.
Im not staring at anything. Im just zoned out. Mitch paused. Im thinking about the job.
So, thats it. You just leave her? Thanks for the memories.
It was always going to be like that. Just not yet. Not yet.
Youre a moron, you know that?
Mitch clamped his jaw against an angry outburst. What the hell was Jeffrey doing here anyway? Why are you here?
Jeffreys tone abruptly changed. I heard the verdict came in on your shoulder.
Twenty to life, said Mitch, knowing he sounded bitter.
Man, Im sure sorry about that.
Jeffrey and Mitchs friendship definitely didnt lend itself to talking about their feelings.
Dont worry about it.
It sucks.
Ill live.
Mitch. There was clear compassion in Jeffreys tone. He was in a better position than most people to understand what Mitch was going through.
You know, Mitch gave in. Half the time, I think, yeah, Ive had a good run, better than most, longer than most. I am thirty, and it aint gonna last forever. Other times, I want to put my fist through a wall.
Might want to use the left.
Mitch coughed out a cold laugh. Good advice.
Jeffrey slid his glance away. You know Im here for you, right?
Thanks. They didnt need to belabor the point. But Mitch appreciated the offer.
Jeffrey cleared his throat. So, when does the job start?
I havent said yes.
Are you going to say yes?
Good question. Mitch shrugged. I guess its more about the timing. So, how long did he need? Two weeks? Two months? The TCC Board had made it clear all along they would understand and make arrangements if he needed to make a career change. But how could he possibly pick an end date for the relationship?
And more about Jenny? Jeffrey guessed.
Its complicated, Mitch allowed, tired of pussyfooting around.
Make it simple.
I cant.
You know, man. If you dont want her.
Mitch felt his blood pressure spike, and his hands curled into fists. He struggled not to snarl at Jeffrey. You cant have her.
Dude. Did you just see what you did there?
Showed some good taste?
Your head flies off at the mere thought that some other guy might look at her.
Not every other guy. Just guys like Jeffrey who would most certainly hurt her. Mostly. And, yeah, okay, all the other guys, too.
Yes, Jeffrey articulated slowly. Every other guy. And Ive already made my position crystal clear when it comes to Jenny. So you have less reason to worry about me than most guys. But look at you.
Mitch couldnt argue. For a long moment, he found himself imagining her expression if he was to give her that ring in the window. And then what? Marry her?
Part of him wanted to go for it, but a more rational part worried this was all happening too fast. It couldnt be real.
Lets go grab a beer, Jeffrey suggested.
Only if we change the subject.
No problem.
The lounge is on five.
Lets leave the hotel. There are some great places down Pennsylvania Ave.
Mitch shrugged. What did it matter? Liquor was probably as good a way as any to switch up his thought patterns. And he didnt really care where he drank it.
A uniformed doorman let them out, and they turned right, going against the majority of pedestrian traffic along the wide sidewalk. It was four in the afternoon, late enough that the business crowd was swelling the streets, while last-minute shoppers rushed through their errands. The street was a maze of cars, minivans, buses and high-end automobiles ferrying VIPs from meetings to dinners to corporate and political functions.
See, if it was me, said Jeffrey, pulling on a glass shop door. Id wow her with something along these lines.
Confused, Mitch glanced at the sign. Too late, he realized Jeffrey had just ushered him into the showroom at Tiffanys.
Very funny. Mitch gave a mock laugh, while a salesman quickly approached them, obviously appraising the quality of their suits and watches as he did.
Good afternoon, sir, the man greeted heartily.
Just looking, Mitch quickly put in.
Something in a solitaire, said Jeffrey. The last one he liked had a couple of small emeralds.
The man beamed. Im Roger Stromberg. At your service. Please, let me show you our Esteme collection.
He motioned them toward one side of the store, and Jeffrey immediately fell in behind.
Im outta here, Mitch declared.
Jeffrey clapped a firm hand on his back. Wouldnt try it if I was you. Youve got a bum shoulder, and Im a better tackle.
This jokes gone on long enough.
Hes got cold feet, Jeffrey loudly explained to the salesman, dropping his large frame into one of two padded chairs in front of a display case.
I understand. The suited salesman gave a sage nod. Thing to remember in this circumstance is that picking out a ring doesnt commit you to anything. Were happy to keep it on hold for a period of time. Or well simply use today to make sure you understand your options. Then if, at a later date, you want to make a quick decision, youre all set.
These ones here- he pulled three rings from the display and set them in their cases on top of the glass -are all flawless, D and E. He glanced up. Do you mind if I ask your price range?
Not an object, said Jeffrey.
Mitch gave up and took a seat. I sure hope youre the guy popping the question, he said to Jeffrey. Because Im just a spectator on this.
Jeffrey and the salesman exchanged a significant glance, but Mitch just chuckled to himself. Jeffrey wasnt going to goad him into anything so rash as choosing a ring.
Twelve
Jenny was going to be a single mother.
She couldnt believe it. She could barely bring herself to acknowledge it, never mind say it out loud. Shed checked the test wand four times this morning. Twice in the bathroom, again halfway down the stairs, then shed pulled it out of the trash once, just to be sure.
Twelve
Jenny was going to be a single mother.
She couldnt believe it. She could barely bring herself to acknowledge it, never mind say it out loud. Shed checked the test wand four times this morning. Twice in the bathroom, again halfway down the stairs, then shed pulled it out of the trash once, just to be sure.
The line was blue.
She was pregnant.
Thank goodness Mitch was out of town. Shed landed right smack-dab in her mothers predicament. Difference was, she wasnt going to repeat her mothers mistake.
She absolutely would not let a man marry her because she was pregnant and then start hating her. Still, in her weaker moments, shed caught herself thinking about telling Mitch, imagined him breaking into a wide smile, telling her he was happy, assuring her they were going to make it work. But then shed exit Wonderland and pull herself together.
Reality was hitting her fast and hard. Since arriving at the office, shed twice had to dash to the bathroom to vomit. And she was facing the stark fact that she was going to have a baby all by herself.
Just like her mother, shed have to hold down a job, juggle day care and PTA meetings, make budgetary ends meet and try to comfort a lonely little boy or girl who desperately wanted siblings.
Working her way compulsively around the office, she shoved the sparkling clean coffeepot back into the freshly polished machine that sat on a compact, shiny countertop in the corner of the office. Then she centered the wicker basket of assorted teas that shed lined up alphabetically by variety: blueberry, chamomile, Earl Grey, ginger, Irish breakfast, jasmine green, lemon, mint. They had only one peppermint left, and all the other packets were in even numbers. She briefly considered brewing and drinking it, but her stomach had rebelled.
Again, she said a silent thanks that Mitch was in D.C. If hed been in the office, today would have been an even bigger disaster.
She rewiped the shelf that held the sugar packets, checked the coffee can to make sure it was at least half-full, centered the stainless steel faucet above the sink and refolded the dishcloth.
The desk phone rang, but she ignored it.
The last three numbers on the readout had been Emilys. Jenny had purposely escaped from the house this morning before Emily and Cole saw her. She knew if she didnt answer the office phone, Emily would show up at lunchtime. But shed face that in an hour.
She glanced at the clock on the wall, noting it read 11:02. She automatically checked her watch, making sure the times synced up. Then she crossed to her desk and sat down, folding her hands on the pristine wooden top, trying to figure out what on earth to do next.
The red message light was flashing on the face of the phone. She didnt want to listen to Emilys voice and feel the guilt that came with ignoring her best friend. But there was an off chance it was a TCC member who needed something. And she couldnt ignore what might be an important matter. There were three weddings coming up this month.
Her throat closed up, and she was forced to swallow the lump. Three radiant, blissful brides would say their vows under the Leadership, Justice and Peace plaque, something that would never happen for Jenny. True love was obviously not in the cards for her. Fate had single motherhood in mind instead.
Blinking the moisture from her eyes, she determinedly lifted the telephone handset, pressing the button for voice mail. She entered the password and heard the computer-generated voice inform her there were two new messages.
The first one was from Emily, short and to the point, obviously worried and telling her to call back just as soon as possible. The second was from a member. Thankfully, it was for general information, and it could wait a few hours. Then she punched in Mitchs number and his pass-code, learning there was another message on his account.
She tapped her pen on the pad of message paper as a hearty male voice spoke. It was great to get your message yesterday, it said. I know you didnt ask me to call, but I didnt want to waste any time in offering my thanks and my congratulations. The entire D.C. office is looking forward to working with you, Mitch. As I said in the interview, were flexible on timing. But I will courier over the employment documents in the next few days. As Im sure you can appreciate, working this close to the White House staff, theres a fairly rigorous security procedure, and we should get that started. Call me when you get back to Royal. If Im not in the office, Melanie will give you my private line. It was really great to meet you. Well talk soon.