The Biggest Part of Me (3 page)

In most ways, Jason looked much like the boy she had loved.  He was tall, just over six feet, with dark brown hair that contained just a bit of curl, and was now obviously styled by the best hair stylists in New York.  He had the body of a runner, long and lean.  Jane wondered if he still jogged as he had years ago.  His face was still boyishly handsome.  He had one dimple on his right cheek that shone when he smiled with both his mouth and eyes.  Jane wondered if she would ever see it again. 

Mostly, Jane remembered his lips.  Oh, those lips!  They were full and firm and wonderful!  They had known just how to make Jane come alive with passion.

The limo stopped in front of a small French bistro.  Jason concluded his call and took Jane’s elbow to help her out.  “I’m sorry.  I had to take that call.”

“No problem.” 
The toys always come first.  I know that
, she thought.

Once inside, the restaurant staff made a big fuss over Jason.  He spoke kindly to them, asking them about their families, college classes they were attending, sports events they frequented.  Apparently, this was a regular haunt of his.  Funny, Jane never remembered Jason ever eating anything French, unless it was French fries.

Lunch was ordered—two ham and cheese croissants with
frites francaises
(French fries) and more water.  Lots more water.  Jason took a deep breath.  “Did I tell you what a great presentation that was this morning?”

Drinking her water Jane said, “Yes, you did.  Thank you.”  When did Jane start drinking so much water?  It was like her mouth was a desert that would not stop blazing.  “You said you had a few questions to ask me?”

“Yes.”  He hesitated.  “I’m not sure how to put this.  I certainly don’t want to insult your professionalism.  But I have to know. . .”

Jane leaned forward.  “Yes?”

“If your agency gets the CARL account, is there going to be a problem with our working together?”

“I’m not sure what you mean by ‘problem.’”

Jason took another breath.  He was tempted to try the relaxation exercises he had seen Jane doing earlier.  “It’s just that we were at one time . . . involved.  CARL is too important to me to have to deal with problems involving an old acquaintance.”

Jane felt like she had been slapped in the face.  An old acquaintance!  Had he forgotten?  Did he even care?  Now she remembered.  She felt the hurt deep in her soul.  She felt unimportant.

“Did I say something wrong?  You have a strange look on your face,” Jason said.

Jane said, “No, sorry.”  She cleared her throat.  “Jason, Mr. Collins.  I can assure you that our involvement of the past is in the past and will absolutely in no way, shape, or form be evident in my work on the CARL project.  Surely, you could tell from this morning’s presentation that we are ready to make CARL a toy icon.  There is nothing I or my company want more than to make this advertising campaign a complete success.  And nothing, I repeat nothing is going to stand in the way of our success should we be given this project.”  Jane took a breath to compose herself. 

Jason smiled slightly at her passion.  “You realize that our staff will review all the agencies involved and then make a recommendation.  I, of course, will study their recommendation and make the final decision based on which company I feel fits with our vision.”

“And if you’re wise you’ll choose Patterson.”

Jason chuckled.  Then growing serious again he added, “Just so you know, CARL is my baby.  I’m going to be involved with every aspect of this campaign.”

Jason’s remarks created a sharp pain in Jane’s heart.  Recovering quickly she said, “I don’t see that as a problem.  After all, our goal will be the same—the total and complete success of a new toy sensation.”  Then, lifting her glass of water towards his she said, “To the success of CARL and the Talbot Toy Company.”

“Here, here,” he returned as he took a sip. 

Jane took a long gulp and just hoped she could deliver on her promises.  But why not?  She was capable and competent.  However, she usually didn’t have to look into those deep, creamy brown eyes everyday.

Silence reigned.  Both didn’t know where to go with the conversation.

  The lunches were delivered.  As if on autopilot, Jason reached for the small, elegantly bottled ketchup and mustard and handed them to Jane.  She used the ketchup and handed it and the salt to Jason, which he used.  Then realizing what they were doing, they both looked up.  A bittersweet smile passed over Jason’s face, reflecting what Jane was feeling.

“I guess old habits die hard, huh,” Jason said.

“They sure do,” Jane said with a little melancholy.

             
They ate their lunch, cognizant of the swirl of tension in the air.  “So, how is your family?”

             
Jane had just taken a huge bite of her sandwich and was forced to choke it down to answer.  “Everyone’s fine.  Mom is busy with church and women’s groups.  Oh, Tom lives here in the city.  He has a very successful photography business.  Did you know that?”

             
“Yes, I’ve seen his work.  It’s very good.  I especially liked his Sports Illustrated swimsuit covers.”

             
Typical, she thought, and then said, “Yes, those girls are beautiful.”

             
“Tough way to make a living,” Jason grinned.

             
Ready to defend her brother she said, “He works really hard at it.”

             
Touchy.  She always was very protective of her family.  “Yes, I’m sure he does.”  Jason paused to take another bite of his sandwich.  “He was always diligent as I recall.  Especially when he got me on the football field.”

             
Now Jane smiled.  “Do you still have that scar on your elbow from when he tackled you into the side of Chuck Miller’s shed?”

             
Jason lifted his arm and turned it so Jane could see the small scar on the elbow.  Jane laughed.

             
“Don’t laugh.  That thing hurt like hell.  It took five stitches and a bottle of smelling salts to pull me through.”

             
Jane laughed harder.  “That’s right.  You really don’t like the sight of blood, do you?”

             
He sighed.  “True.  I could have been a world famous brain surgeon except for that little fact.”

             
Enjoying herself for the first time in his company she shook her head.  “No, you’d miss your toys.”

             
“True enough.  Besides Mr. Linstrom in biology told me that science would be much better off as long as I wasn’t involved in it.”

             
“Maybe that was because you blew up the science lab.”

             
“Rumors!  It was only a little explosion.  Nothing that even bears repeating.”

             
Now Jane was really laughing.  Jason looked at her and couldn’t help but to chuckle.  Finally, Jane thought.  A little thawing of the successful executive.

She took a breath and said, “And what about your family?  How are your parents, Eliza, Tracy?”

“Everyone is doing fine.  Dad still works at the garage however he’s cut back on his hours.  Mom has convinced him that cruising is actually enjoyable.”  Jane laughed.  “They’ve been doing a lot of traveling.  They come up here regularly to make sure I’m eating properly and taking care of myself, you know how they are.”  Jane remembered Jason’s loving and caring parents.  She smiled.

“Eliza is married and has two children.  She married Ben Johnson, you remember that small kid at school?”

“Oh yes, he was small but had a big brain as I recall,” Jane remembered.

“Yeah, still does.  They live in Jacksonville.  Seem to be very happy.  Their kids are cute as buttons.

“That’s wonderful.  What about Tracy?”

“She’s teaching kindergarten and engaged to be married next year.”

“Wow, little Tracy’s getting married,” Jane was amazed.

Jason looked at his water, running his finger around the rim.  “So, I see an engagement ring on your left hand.  I guess congratulations are in order.”

Jane had not given Ed a passing thought since she had first seen Jason in the conference room that morning.  What did that say about her character, she thought.  How could she explain about Ed?  Did she want to explain about Ed?  “Yes, I am.  Thank you.”  She decided to leave it at that.  And then because she couldn’t help herself she added, “What about you?”

Jason took a breath. “I suppose it’s been more important to establish my business than finding someone.”  Jane saw darkness in his eyes, a barrier to his soul.  She had always been able to read him by looking into his eyes.  Not anymore.  They were hard and resolute.  This was new.  Jane shivered slightly at the intensity of those eyes.

After an uncomfortable silence, Jason asked, “So, how long have you been in New York?”

“I came after college.  The Patterson agency offered me an internship and I just sort of stayed.”  Jane laughed nervously.

“Oh, I know better than that.  Patterson has a reputation as one of the best marketing agencies in the city.  They wouldn’t have kept you unless you were very good.”

Jane looked him in the eye and with a serious expression said, “I am.”  Jason grinned.

“Tell me about the Talbot Toy Company.  How did it come about?”

Jason took a breath, not knowing how much to tell Jane.  “Well, while I was at UF, I started working at different manufacturing companies, learning the business.  When I scrapped up enough money together, I started my own small company.”

Jane waited for more.  When nothing came she asked, “What was your first successful product?”

Hesitating, Jason said, “The J.J. doll.”

“The J.J. doll?  Your company did that?  I remember that was all the rage one Christmas.”

“Yeah, we couldn’t produce them fast enough.  We got lucky.”

“No, it wasn’t luck.  I saw that doll.  It was amazing.  How did you create such a beautiful doll?”  Jane was dully impressed.

“I had a lot of help,” Jason said looking at his plate and losing his appetite.

I’ll just bet you did
.  Jane could imagine what kind of help.  In fact she was thinking about all the women that could have helped him create the exquisite doll that was called “J.J.”  Jason had always been handsome and had never had any trouble getting a girl.  Suddenly sad, Jane chastised herself.  What did she care if Jason had a hundred women at his beckon call?  It was none of her concern.

Jason looked up at her, puzzled.  Jane rebounded and said, “So, after that success you moved to New York?”

Jason nodded as he took a drink.

“After graduating from UF?”

“Did you see our waitress?  I think we need more water.”  Jason looked around the restaurant, avoiding Jane’s question.

             
After a refill of water, Jason said, “You know, I’m glad I ran into you.  I actually have a couple of things of yours.

             
“Really?  Such as . . .”

             
“Such as those God awful gloves that you wore to senior prom.  The ones you took off in my car.”  Jane blushed.  “And your class ring.  I’m not sure you want those gloves back but you’d want your class ring.”

             
“Yes, I would.” 

             
“After lunch, why don’t I swing by my apartment and get them for you.”

             
“That’s really not necessary, Jay, I—“

             
“No, it’s no problem.  It’s on the way back to your building.  And I’d like to get these back to you.”  Sure he could mail them but he decided that he wanted a few more minutes with Jane.

             
“Well, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble.”

             
“None at all.”  And motioning for the check he grinned one more time at her.

                Jason’s apartment was in a fashionable Eastside apartment building.  The doorman, decked out in a formal uniform, opened the door and greeted Jason by name.  The moment Jason opened the door to his two-story apartment, Jane gasped.  It was like something out of House Beautiful.  Everything was immaculate.  The caramel-colored leather couch had a polished shine that was made comfortable with paisley printed pillows.  The bookcases surrounding the marble fireplace had leather bound copies of the classics, interspersed with small models of Jason’s toy creations.  The balcony beyond boasted large lounge chairs with colorful umbrellas and plenty of potted ferns.  Jason took off his coat and threw it over an upholstered chair then took Jane’s and threw it on top of his.

             
“Wow, this is tremendous!”

             
“Yeah, it’s home,” Jason said without any real enthusiasm.  “Just make yourself comfortable and I’ll get your things.”

             
When he left, Jane sat on the couch.  Leaning back, she let herself sink into the soft cushions.  Her head fell back and she relaxed.  A small moan of pleasure escaped her lips just as Jason came back into the room carrying a large box.