I do not own the right's to Nancy Meyer's, It's Complicated. Movie. 2009.
My story is a continuation of the events after this movie.
IT'S COMPLICATED:
The Un-complication of Jane Adler
Jane brewed another strong pot of coffee for the crew. Each of them were comfortable with themselves and each other; laughing and chatting boisterously.
All except Adam Schaffer. Who seemed to be observing only her.
From the moment Jane saw him underneath the blue canopy, she felt exhilarated, terrified, guilty, and happy. He still wanted to see her, she thought. He had seen the absolute worst and yet… here he was. Willing and ready.
Peter approached her, "Jane, the rain stopped. Do you want to do the honors?"
She whipped the apron off. "Absolutely."
Outside, the leaves still dripped, the sky was a light gray, and Jane was happier than she had been in years. It's finally happening, she thought.
Peter handed her a shovel that bit into the soft earth.
"Smile Jane." She looked up in time to see Adam holding out his phone. She flashed him her best smile, not only for the picture, but for his presence. She wanted him to know how much she appreciated him as an architect, a friend, and hopefully something deeper. "Beautiful." Adam muttered.
Peter looked at his friend and co-worker and thought that Adam had definitely fallen for Jane. After their date, he thought it was only a matter of time before he had heard that they were official. But a couple of weeks went by and Adam seemed off. Irritable and petulant. When he asked that Peter take over the project as the original contract stated, Adam was downright sullen. Peter politely agreed and wasn't surprised at all to find Adam in the office early this morning ready to work with Jane Adler. Peter could only smile and hope that things would work out between the two quiet, yet resilient people.
Adam knew that Jane wasn't entirely at fault with all that had happened.
Yes. He had caught her in a lie. Jane originally told him that she was single. He remembered when Jake rolled into her driveway as if it were his own home. He knew then and ignored it.
Yes. He believed her when she told him that she had been romantically involved and that it was over. Though, it didn't make matters any less complicated.
The real reason that he showed up this morning was because of Melissa, his ex.
After seeing WAY more of Jake than any person should, hearing his confession, and seeing how Jake's words affected Jane, Adam felt like Melissa had left him all over again. Miserable and disbelieving.
Was Adam truly that naïve?!
How had Jane put it? He was 'too nice'.
He called Melissa and asked to meet her. Actually, he told her to meet him where he proposed. He was done with the prosaic kindness. He wanted answers. He wanted to know if there had ever been a time that she had doubted their breakup. Could he have what Jane and Jake had? Had the Schaffer couple put their marriage before their selfishness? Adam thought so at the time.
Melissa was baffled by the suddenness of their meeting. She ordered something light, in case the meal turned sour. No use in spending money on delicious food if it went uneaten. Adam seemed to talk himself in circles while she remained silent. As though she knew he needed to release the nervous energy. And before he knew it, he confessed everything to Melissa.
She surprised him, by taking his hand, and telling him how sorry she was.
Then, she ordered a bottle of Cabernet and they talked more than they had in years.
One thing she said remained with him now as the crew followed Jane and Peter outside. "You're in love and I'm more relieved than I should be. Not because of us or our mistakes, but because you still believe in love. What I did to you, to our children, it was wrong. Just as what Jake did to Jane was wrong. But I commend them for trying. She is a stronger woman than me."
Adam knew that the Cabernet loosened her confession and that Melissa would never admit to it later. It still felt like a weight had lifted off of his shoulders when he called a cab and walked away from his ex. No bitterness. No regret. Just closure. Beautiful and clean closure.
(O)
Dirty and tired, Jane called it quits after 6 PM.
The crew placed their loose equipment in her garage and said goodbye. They would meet here at 8 AM and finish the clearing process. Adam had specific instructions on keeping the sod and loamy soil separate from the disposables.
Jane smiled at his uncanny perception to detail.
47 emails ago she had wondered if anyone could ever actually understand her.
She walked into the back door and into her cramped kitchen; she tried imagining how this could become her office. The wall of windows would be nice, but she wanted a traditional study with mountains of books and maps. She was daydreaming about a Parisian library when someone cleared his throat.
"Jane." Adam said. "Good progress today. The plumber will be by in 2 days to map out before we lay the concrete. Which should be…" He paused to review his personal calendar, "Monday."
She took his queue and wrote it in the red calendar he gave her a few weeks ago. When she put it down and looked up, Jane spotted Adam watching her. Suddenly conscious of her disheveled appearance, she tried to tidy herself. "How do you manage to stay so clean after everything you've done today?" She teased nervously. "I could plant a fresh vine off of all of the soil I'm shaking onto the floor."
"Well, instead of gardening this evening. Would you like to join me for dinner tonight?"
Jane stomach flipped excitedly. He really was giving her another chance! "I'd love to." She managed to reign in her eagerness.
"Nothing fancy. Here are instructions on how to get to the bistro." He pronounced the word with a French flourish. "But wear tennis shoes. Meet you in half an hour."
He passed a notecard on the buffet, keeping the distance between them, and walked out the back door. Jane wondered at why he specifically requested tennis shoes and looked at the note. It was from Adam's office; a hand drawn map leading to the bluff that overlooked the ocean.
A morbid thought crossed her mind. Maybe it wasn't a date. Maybe it was revenge.
No. Adam was anything but vengeful.
But something had changed in him in the brief time Jane had known him.
Ten minutes had passed with her worries. She showered the dirt and grit away quickly, swept her hair into a wet twist, and chose a comfy light blouse, jeans, and tennis shoes. The bedside clock told her she had five minutes to walk to the bluff.
Jane realized that Adam had given her the choice to the date. 'I'm inviting you to join me tonight. I want your company.' But did that mean forgiveness? Could he forgive her?
If the coin were flipped, could she forgive? No. A voice whispered Jake's name. No, she hadn't forgiven Jake all of those years ago. Not when he begged on his knees for their lives together. Not when she kicked him out, forever.
But Adam wasn't Jake.
And for that reason, Jane had to go.
(O)
Adam lined and lit the candles along the stone path to the bluff. A surveyor had given him the property map and Peter mentioned the path leading to the scenic view.
He directed a few of the crew members on his side project, passed them the sod, flowers, and cobblestone that had been pulled during the cleanup process this morning. Jane said that she wanted a flower garden; she just didn't say where.
Peter had been kind enough to run to Jane's café, grab some light sandwiches, and the chocolate croissants. His fondness for them hadn't waned after the… complications.
"Adam!" Jane called out. She was still walking through the woods.
Adam lit a few more candles and was just throwing out a red and white checkered blanket when she appeared out of the thicket and gasped.
"I brought the wine." She said with a tight throat. His note on the door gave her another ping of hope.
The view was spectacular. Her bluff was set into a crescent shape above the deep sapphire ocean below. The orangey sunset hung behind the taller bluff to the right and cast shadows over the spot Adam chose for an impromptu garden. A checkerboard pattern of square pieces of cobblestone and sod surrounded by several varieties of wispy flowers.
"I thought a picnic in your newest garden bistro would be… fun." Adam smiled sheepishly. "We hadn't discussed your plans for a flower garden and it is far from finished…"
"It's perfect. Adam. Seriously. Thank you."
"Well, I'm not a talented chef. But," he opened the picnic basket, "This food is from the best chef in town."
Jane, a little hurt said, "Oh, and who would that be?" She managed to sound curious instead of hostile. "I might know their head cook."
"Oh, I disagree. You do know her." His voice deepened huskily. "She's sweet, generous, a wonderful mother, and an excellent kisser. Not to mention, she is quite striking in her gray tennis shoes."
Jane blushed both in pleasure and embarrassment.
"You know Jane. I wasn't sure that I could do this again." He kneeled on the blanket and saw her expression. "No! I meant after Melissa, my ex, I didn't think I'd want that… intimacy. EVER." He tipped the wine into 2 plastic cups. "I've never done complicated. Or confrontation. Or arguments. Somehow, I went through my marriage with a cool and level approach."
Jane remained silent; she could tell he was building to something.
"But that is why it ended." He said finally as he bit into a chicken salad croissant. "The passion was gone. And really what is life without passion?"
She still hadn't touched her food. "I was like that with Jake. Frigid and detached."
"Somewhere down the way, we lost ourselves to busy schedules, work, and the children. We didn't make time for 'us'." He gestured for her to eat.
"I understand completely." She drank some wine.
"I feel different with you. That passion. Even jealousy. I didn't recognize it at first." He sipped from the plastic cup. "Remember when I said that I wasn't 'macho enough'?" Jane looked as though she didn't agree. "It was painful and embarrassing to admit that to you. But Jane, I really do like you and I'm glad you came here tonight."
Jane set her cup down and leaned forward. "Adam, I never told you that I was sorry."
"Don't. I couldn't bear to hear it right now." He closed the distance with a soft kiss. "Now that I have had dessert. How about a chocolate croissant?" He teased.
(O)
Jane waited as Doctor Allen evaluated the newest set of circumstances.
He stared as if he had never seen her before. His large Airedale terrier sniffed at the plate of coffee cake Jane brought him.
"Well, Jane, it seems like you have figured out your next step." He finally said.
Her eyes widened. "I do?"
"You had an affair with Jake. Which, though you thought it wasn't a good thing, and I'm not saying it was overall, it was what needed to happen. For both of you. Jake still holds onto that guilt. He may never let it go. But you are. You're finally letting go of your guilt. Your kids may never understand unless they go through a rocky marriage or divorce and that's okay too. It seems like they're coming around?"
"Lauren and Harley invited me to dinner at their place tonight."
"Harley wasn't comfortable with keeping the affair secret." He said. "However, he rallied for the kids as much as himself. He wanted answers for them. Your next step is figuring out this new, confident part of yourself that Adam seems to bring out in you."
"See, this is why they give you the corner office with the great view." She chuckled. "Still, it was quite a story."
"Jane, remember to lose yourself in the remodel. See where it leads you."
She left Dr. Allen's office full of confidence and belief that all of the complicated events of the past several weeks would settle given enough time.
The café had a line of customers waiting for their morning fix. She planned to work until 2 PM, go home to fix Harley's favorite dessert, Croquembouche, observe the remodel progress, and head over to Lauren's at 5 PM.
The day passed quickly. She watched the café kitchen workers and admired their performance; because it was like watching a ballet of graceful beings move and position themselves like clockwork. Perfectly timed and attuned to each other.
Another boost of confidence as she left: Customer's grinning over empty plates.
Jane arrived in time to see Peter and Adam. She blushed when Adam patted her arm affectionately, but he was called away to a crew member with several questions.
"He's crazy about you, ya know?" Peter said to her. "Be good to each other." He walked away to help them move some heavy cinderblocks.
Jane chuckled as she prepared the caramel pastry puffs, balanced her accounts, sent a few emails (none to Jake), and made a call to Trish. Trish was understanding about the whole Adam/Jake scenario and seemed to agree with Dr. Allen. She needed to lose herself in the newfound 'Jane'. Trish called it Jane-2-point-Oh.
Harley greeted Jane, eyed the covered dish with admiration, and took her coat.
"Thanks, Harls." She joked then saw his face. "I'm being ambushed. Aren't I?"
"How did you know?"
"I know my children." But what she didn't expect to see was Jake sitting in the living room. "Jake?"
"Hi Jane." Jake has aged a decade since the last time they saw each other. Just over 2 weeks ago. "You know, don't you?"
"Don't I always know, Jake?"
He smiled briefly in wonderment. How had he let the love of his life slip away?
(O)
Lauren and Luke spent the afternoon making mom's favorite, Croque-Monsieur, while Harley and Gabby set the table.
"Uh, have a little trouble earlier?" Jane asked as she opened a window.
"You're early!" Lauren said. "I burnt the first batch."
"It's okay; the best chefs always burn a meal now and then. It keeps us on our toes. Oh, but these have turned out perfect!" She inhaled deeply. "Why is your father here?"
Luke answered. "We have some questions for you and dad."
"Are you mad?" Gabby asked as she held a set of silverware.
"No, baby. I understand. This was, well. We'll get into that after a bit. The table looks fantastic." She kissed Gabby's cheek. "Thank you, kids."
"You haven't even tasted it yet!" Lauren said.
"Well, I'm saying thank you early in case I decide to get mad about the ambush later. I fully intend on enjoying the second meal prepared for me this week. I'm not used to being so spoiled." Her statement caused a near riot.
'What? Who?" They each exclaimed before Jake answered. "It was Adam. Wasn't it?"
He had never been one to tamper his jealousy.
"Not yet, you two." Luke said. "Mom you're here. Dad you're there. Harley, sit next to mom. Us three are on the other side." Lauren helped him place the food and drinks on the table.
Jane was proud of her children. They ate, joked, and asked questions. They didn't want the details, Jane couldn't blame them. But they wanted answers. It was their family too and Jane couldn't blame them for needing assurances.
In the end, Jane and Jake told them everything from the end of their marriage until when they found Jake in Jane's bedroom. Parts of the story was more painful to hear than others, especially for Jake when Jane confessed that she wished that she hadn't given up all of those years ago.
He longed for another chance. Agnes had kicked him out. Wasn't now the opportune time?
Jane said as if attuned to his thoughts, "Your dad and I had our time together, more than once, and I don't regret it. However, that time is over. We don't fit together in the way we did 10 years ago." She turned to Jake. "I pray that you try with Agnes the way you tried with me. Use your way with words, argue, and win. Like you always do."
He felt the knife slip into his heart and twist when she leaned into Harley for support. "I love you all and I'm so sorry that I, that we, hurt you. But this was something that we did for each other." She didn't look his way, as if she knew he wanted to hide the tears. "We deserved to see if it could work. Now your dad needs to see if Agnus can work past this. I'm surprised that she wasn't invited."
Several mischievous looks were passed between the siblings before they all burst into laughter.
There were just some things, and people, in life that you never got along with.
Jake walked Jane out to her SUV. He was silent, until she turned and he saw tears on her cheeks. "Oh, Janey." He wanted her to fall into his arms the way she did before.
"Jake, I'm so sorry."
"I am too. More than you'll ever know."
"If you want things to work out with Agnes, I can, I will confront her with you. If you need that support."
He nodded, held her door open, and walked away without another word.
(O)
Saturday brought a round of rain that couldn't be covered by the largest canopy created by COLEMAN. Her yard was sodden, muddy, and nasty. Good luck, she muttered as she looked at the stakes mapping out the remodel. Where's the good luck now?
It was still early enough to be in bed, so that's exactly what she did, crawled back in bed and fell into a deep sleep.
When she woke again, her bedroom was sunny and hot. The bedside clock read 13:21.
Jane hurled herself out of bed, showered, rushed into some clothes, and called the café with a lame excuse and profuse apologies. Adam and the plumber were mapping out the plumbing when she emerged outside into the sweltering heat.
"Jane. When did you get home?" Adam checked his watch.
"I, uh, just got out of bed." She said sheepishly. "I haven't done that since I was a teenager!"
Adam chuckled. "You must've needed the rest. Come and see what we've done so far today."
The humidity kept the smell of sawdust at bay. Jane rubbed her droopy eyes to make sure that she saw properly. Her garage space had been taken over with framed walls! Several men were hard at work on the table saws, moving wheelbarrows of rock, and some were putting together the roof!
"Oh! I'm so excited!" She gushed. "What can I do to help?!"
"They haven't had a break since 10 AM." Peter walked over.
"I'll get lunch ready. Water. Tea. Lemonade. Sandwiches. Definitely. With some slaw, baked beans." She ticked off a list as she walked back inside.
"I hadn't meant for her to do all of that." Peter muttered.
Adam chuckled. "She is fantastic."
"Why don't you go inside to help her?" Peter nudged Adam's elbow.
He happily complied, walked through the back door, and saw his favorite chef hard at work chopping vegetables from her garden for a veggie-tray.
Jane's phone vibrated on the counter top, since her hands were full, Adam said he would get it for her. He looked at the caller ID; he just couldn't help himself. It was Jake. Several thoughts raced through Adam's mind, especially the green monster of jealousy who seemed to show his ugliness more frequently than usual.
Jane rolled her eyes. Jake called at least once a day since New York. She hit ignore and saw Adam's expression. Pained and rigid.
Jake left a voicemail, her phone indicated.
In a moment, Jane decided to put the voicemail on speaker so she could continue preparations for lunch. Hopefully, this would also show Adam how much she was really and truly finished with Jake.
'Jane, I took your advice and called Agnes. She didn't answer, but I want to try. Just,' he breathed deep. 'Wish me luck. I guess.'
"When did you give him that advice?" Adam helped himself to a radish.
"At Lauren and Harley's house last night. They ambushed me. Or tried to. The kids cooked dinner, baited me, and asked us both a million questions. The divorce was the hardest on them and with all that's happened, they were…" She thought a minute. "I think they were disappointed."
"That you and Jake decided against getting back together?" Adam snuck another radish.
Jane shook her head and she unloaded several containers of meat, cheese, sauces, and bread. "Disappointed that the affair was secreted from them or maybe that we should have known better. Which is true. We should have."
"Life is complicated enough. Do you know what I think?" Adam asked her. "I think they want you to be happy and they want their father to respect your wishes."
She smiled honestly at him. "Being around you makes me happy, Adam." She leaned across the counter and kissed him lightly on the lips just as the crew members opened the back door to come in for lunch.
(O)
Jake called Agnes several times, each call was ignored. Hotels were not his style. Living from a suitcase definitely a temporary solution. Before deciding to just show up, he left her a message. If the past few weeks had taught him anything, it was to announce your presence.
'Agnes. I want to talk and since you're ignoring my calls. I'm going to the condo. I'll be home in 20 minutes. Please, just talk to me.'
The Porsche drove steadily as he nervously twitched and worried over the inevitable argument.
He was a damn good attorney; making a case was not difficult for him.
But could he talk his way through this?
Agnes had nearly 10 years ago. And Jake forgave her. How could he not? She was beautiful, witty, and on the rise at her company. She had even agreed to a prenuptial agreement as a way to show how dedicated her intentions were.
They eloped in Vegas that weekend.
The Sunday following their wedding, Jake woke to the sound of Agnes retching and sweaty.
He knew before she did. Jake had been through the process 3 times already; Agnes was pregnant. It didn't take a genius to realize that he was NOT the father.
Pedro was born with russet skin, a head full of black hair, and though Agnes had an Islander build… she too, knew that Pedro was not fathered from Jake. Of course, they never talked about it. The illegitimate child with the temperament of a wild ostrich set lose in a China shop.
Jake let himself into the condo. Not entirely sure that this was what he wanted.
"Agnes." He called out.
"Jake?" Agnes was cuddled on a blanket on the couch with a box of tissues. Several used tissues were piled around her. "Why are you here?!"
He set his suitcase down. "Because this is my home."
"Oh. So now it's YOUR home. Are you kicking me and my child out? She's telling you to do this isn't she?"
"No." He was alarmed by her aggressiveness towards Jane. "No, but she gave me some advice and I want to… no, I need to follow through with it."
Agnes hiccupped, but remained silent.
"I fell in love with you 10 years ago and I think you should know how that happened."
"Are you kidding me right now?" She bellowed. "I don't care about your excuses!"
"Really? Because that's what you told me after your fling with Pedro's father. The time was the only difference. You told me that you fell in love with me 10 months ago." He clarified. "You came here, smelling like cheap alcohol and sunscreen. I knew then that you loved me. Even though you were scared. You always got what you wanted. Your job. Me, a married man at the time. And Pedro. I couldn't and still can't provide another child. So, I forgave and went about the next decade losing this household's respect with each year."
"A pity party? Really Jake? You cheated on me. With Jane. Miss perfect wife, perfect chef, perfect mother, and perfect business owner. It's a LOT to live up to."
"Is that why you're so bitter? You think I've compared our marriage to my marriage with Jane?"
Agnes didn't answer.
"We have to talk." His phone rang. It was the office and an important client needed counsel quickly. "Agnes, I'm moving back home. I'll go to the spare room. But I want you to know that I want us to try to make our marriage work."
"Petey's missed you." Tears flooded her brown eyes. "He loves you."
Jake nodded as he left the condo. "I love him too."
(O)
Jane woke to the sound of her doorbell ringing relentlessly.
"Oh God! The kids!" She stumbled out of bed, grabbed her robe, and rushed to the front door in a panic. A late night call like this only meant 1 thing, death.
She opened the door and saw Agnes. Her normal composure had fled, was replaced with a disheveled appearance, and puffy eyes. Jane would never in a million years thought that Agnes would come to her like this. Jake, what if he was dead? Panic lumped in her throat.
"Can I come in?" She asked brusquely. "Jake is home."
Annoyance replaced the panic instantly.
Then guilt replaced annoyance. Jane opened the door, stepped aside, and let her pass. Never in 10 years had Agnes come here.
She shut the door, went to the kitchen, and set the tea kettle on the stove.
"I'd prefer something stronger than tea." Agnes said bluntly.
"You'll need to be able to drive home." Jane stated.
The brunette nodded. "Fair enough. Tea it is." She sat down. "Jake told me that you gave him advice to come home to me. That he needed to work it out with me. He said he loved Pedro."
"Did you ever doubt that?" Jane chose a strong black tea for both of them.
"Oh come on. Everyone knows that Pedro isn't Jake's. I've heard your precious kids joking about it when they thought I couldn't hear. The 'lunatic' child." She quoted Gabby. "He is MINE."
"I'm sorry about what my kids said. But I know Jake loves Pedro. He wouldn't let some random child climb all over him like a set of monkey bars. He is a good father and doesn't see Pedro as anything but flesh and blood." The kettle whistled. Jane poured the hot water over a sugar cube in each cup. "Why are you here?"
"Jake is still in love with you." Agnes hated crying in front of Miss perfect.
As if in confirmation, Jane pursed her lips. "I disagree. He was in love with the idea of being the only man I've ever been with. I dated in school and college. Even a bit in Paris. But Jake was the only one until we divorced. He was always the jealous type; wanted what he couldn't have. And that's what happened in New York."
"You're telling me that Jake wanted to be the only man you ever slept with?" Agnes repulsed.
Jane nodded. "Until I found out about Jake's indiscretions and then I spent the night with a fellow chef, Tim. I went home and told Jake what I had done. And I asked for a divorce. I'm not quite sure if he ever believed me. Then, later, Tim and I began dating. It lasted 8 months. Jake knew then that he wasn't the only one…"
"Yeah. Yeah. I don't need to know that." Agnes' wheels were turning. "Was there ever a time before New York where you were together…intimately… with Jake?"
"Nope." Jane sipped the tea.
"What should I do?" Agnes wasn't really looking for advice.
"Maybe couples therapy." Jane suggested.
The brunette leveled a hard stare. "I hated you. For years. I wished all sorts of bad things to happen to get you out of the picture. A car accident. Food poisoning epidemic at your café. Something that could knock you down."
Jane rose in surprise. "Why?"
"Because you make me crazy with… with…" She held her head in her hands.
"Doubt." They said together.
"Well, if we're being honest with each other, I felt the same way. You're young. Beautiful. Powerful at your company. It made me doubt myself as a wife."
"So you finally got your revenge." Agnes drank her tea as a salute.
Jane was clearly slighted. "This wasn't revenge. No matter what we've done to each other. It wasn't for revenge. My only explanation that I can give to you, is what I told Jake, and our children. We did this because divorce is impossible; I forced it on Jake before we were really ready to breakup. He was familiar and comfortable and the circumstances presented themselves in New York."
"So, it would have happened at some point?" Agnes read between the lines.
"You can ask 'what if' about anything. It happened. And now you're faced with a choice that I was faced with 10 years ago. You can hate me and hate Jake. But this is your choice." Jane said.
Agnes went back to the condo, wrote Jake a note, and went to bed.
Jake read the note when he woke up and made coffee.
'Fine. I'll try. But I'm still mad.'-Ag
He smiled into his coffee and went to work with an extra skip in his step.
(O)
Adam patted his dog's head as they walked the city streets of Santa Barbara. Murphy had been an adjustment. He might have been a mutt, but he was also a fun companion. After Melissa left, Marie and Billy insisted that their father needed a pet. It was as if his children thought he needed something noisy to fill the empty walls of his downtown loft. He was originally slow to agree; after 25 years of marriage, Adam thought he could handle the quiet.
But the emptiness of his downtown loft wore on him.
Almost as much as the dating realm.
So, now his favorite excuse to get out of a blind date was Murphy. The ratty, gray, playful mutt.
And Jane. Now that Jane was a part of his life. Adam didn't know where it was leading him and hoped that the strawberry blonde was really and truly ready to…to… to what? He thought to himself.
Was he ready for a relationship? He most certainly wanted to spend time with Jane. She made him laugh; his favorite pastime and it seemed to be missing from his life until he met her.
Adam had prided himself on his sense of humor. Even performed standup in college.
That was how he met Melissa. A group of her friends had mistaken Ladies Night at Sizzles Bar for Open Mic Night. On a dare, Melissa sent Adam a drink on stage. He had made a joke, belittling her eyesight, for who could she be to send this goofy man a beverage? He chuckled at the memory, which caught Murphy's attention. He yapped at Adam's heels as if to say, 'I'm ready to go back into the air conditioning.'
"Okay, Murph. You're right, it's hot." Then he had an idea. "Hey, boy. You want to go see a pretty lady?" He jogged eagerly to the parking garage, let Murphy into the passenger seat, and took off for Jane's café.
It was just closing time. Several employees were leaving through the front door.
Adam took a few minutes to let Murphy familiarize himself with the greenest blades of grass. Then, he watched as Jane closed down her second home. She straightened displays, removed stale pastries into a container, and counted the register.
She snapped numbers on the calculator with a precision of a seasoned accountant. Rolled her neck until it cracked. And dialed something on her phone.
A moment passed before Adam realized that his pocket was buzzing. She still hadn't spotted him outside of the café.
"Hello, Chef Jane." He watched her blush. "How are you this evening?"
"I'm well. How is my favorite architect?"
He smiled at the sentiment. "I'm walking the world's most raucous mutt and a bit curious about your plans this evening." His stomach quivered as he gauged her response.
"In 10 minutes, I'm making a delivery and then my evening is open. Could I see you then?"
"Hmm, no. I don't think so." Adam saw her eyes sadden. "That isn't fast enough. Would you be interested in having company with your delivery? Perhaps, Murphy wouldn't devour your Pain Au Chocolat." He tapped the glass hoping he wouldn't startle her. "But I'm not making any promises that he won't leap all over you. Murph isn't the most astute pooch."
She giggled into the phone before hanging up and then skipped to the door to unlock it.
Adam held the leash a little tighter as the dog tried to hurl himself at the stranger who smelled like melted caramel.
"So this is Murphy?" She ignored all propriety and sat on the dirty sidewalk to play with him. "I didn't recognize you without piles of Indian sweaters on top of your head!" She teased and instantly pulled a laugh out of Adam. "Would you really like to accompany me on my delivery?" Adam nodded. "Well, I'm sure Murphy will be popular."
"Jane, what are you talking about?" Adam had imagined an evening stroll through the park.
Jane grinned wickedly. "Let me make 1 phone call first."
(O)
Jane drove her SUV with Adam and Murphy in the passenger seat. Both were equally curious about the drive and what the driver was up to.
Within 5 minutes, they had arrived at their destination. The SANTA BARBARA COTTAGE HOSPITAL. Trisha, wearing light blue RN scrubs, met them near the front entrance and waved to grab their attention. She was surprised that Jane had called to make sure that a dog wouldn't be hazardous to the environment of the hospital.
Trisha said that it wouldn't be a problem so long as they remained on the first floor. "The important floor, since that's where Diane's coffee stand stood in all of its glory." Trisha had commented jokingly.
Adam was a bit confused as Jane unloaded the pastries and greeted the nurse.
Trisha stood to greet her friend. "Janey, he's a catch! Much better than the guy from !" She whispered. "Hi, I'm Trisha!" She walked over to greet Adam and pat the dog's head. "And who is this little guy?"
"This is Murphy." Adam said.
"Trish, this is Adam. My… boy… erm…uh… architect friend." Jane thought it might be too soon to call Adam her boyfriend and they also hadn't discussed the terms of their relationship.
They shook hands. "So you're the one who unfortunately saw Jake… all of Jake?" Trisha joked and chuckled when Adam's face turned fuchsia.
Jane smacked her hand to her forehead. "That's it. You don't get any pastries today, sister."
"Sorry, sorry!" She waved her hands frantically.
"She tends to say everything that is on her mind, Adam. Plus, I think she sneaks from the patient's medications from time to time." Jane quirked her brows to show that she was kidding. "Or maybe she NEEDS a prescription?"
"Adam, Diane wants to meet you too. It's okay to bring Murphy!" Trisha led them inside.
Adam relaxed measurably when he realized that Jane must have been talking about him to her friends. Jane saddled next to him and whispered, "I'm sorry about that. She doesn't behave herself for anyone."
"I heard that." Trisha called over her shoulder. "Diane! Janey brought him!"
The blonde friend turned over a card indicating that she was on a break for the next 15 minutes. "Adam, nice to meet you. We're not all outspoken. I promise." Diane handed Adam a coffee. "Cream with 2 raw sugars, right?"
"Yeah, how'd you guess?" He asked.
"Janey may have mentioned it." Diane smirked as Jane blushed. "Thanks for bringing some of your sweets. We have the night shift this week and I'm running on fumes."
The 4 adults and small gray mutt chatted, joked, ate pastries, and became familiar with each other for nearly 2 hours. Diane only leaving their group to fill a coffee order and Trisha, a seasoned nurse, was able to depend on the staff to cover her few patients.
Jane thought that Adam was a charming, kind, and funny man. Easily respected. Happy manners. Someone that she could see herself with for a long time. He got along with 2 of her friends more than Jake ever had. Joanne hadn't met him yet, but that would be for another evening. Jane was sure that they would be fast friends.
"Nice meeting you 2." Adam called as they left the small hospital.
"Sorry that I sorta sprung that on you." Jane tossed a stick for Murphy to retrieve.
Adam chuckled. "Thank you."
"What? I was mortified when Trish…"
Adam interrupted. "No, seriously. Thank you. You must've told them about… everything. And though some of it was embarrassing. It also means that you… maybe… like me?" He had begun confidently and somehow ended a bit unsure.
"Adam, I do like you. Somewhere between 'really like' and 'a lot like'." Jane grinned. "Did I make any sense at all?"
Adam nodded as he kissed her softly.
(O)
"Jane," Adam asked as they pulled into the parking space in front of the café, "I don't want to seem overly eager."
She chuckled as she dangled the keys to her café in front of him. "Late night snack?"
Adam cleared his throat. "Actually, I wondered if you'd maybe like to come over to my place."
"Uh, I…" Jane started nervously. "I'd love to."
Adam didn't want to press his luck, but Peter had told him earlier today that women like Jane didn't come around too often. She was bright, a bit shy, and yet so funny when she loosened up and let her sassy personality spring free. Adam admitted that nearly every moment they had spent together so far had been full of laughter.
Maybe not every moment. Adam thought as he recalled the… sticky situation a few weeks ago.
He shook his head. He couldn't dwell on that because he had already forgiven her the second she came to his office to explain what happened.
"I don't want you to feel like anything could or will happen." Adam blushed.
"Actually, I thought I could just pop into my office for a few minutes. Maybe grab a small snack." Jane hopped out of Adam's futuristic car and unlocked the café before he responded. She kept a few personal items at the office in case of cooking spills or accidents. A change of clothes, undergarments, toiletries, and of course something for a snack or… if she dared… breakfast.
Some fresh fruit, baguettes, and mini custard tarts.
Jane bit her lip as she slunk back into Adam's car with a canvas bag. Obviously not trying to be overly presumptuous.
Adam couldn't be fooled by her blush and inability to make eye contact. Murphy bounded back into her lap to smother her with affection. He tried, not so sternly, to scold the dog. But Jane brushed him off with a wave.
"I don't mind Murphy's snuggles." She giggled as he stuck his cold nose in her face only to make her giggle. "I never had a dog growing up so I never understood the fuss until now. They're so fun!"
"You never owned a dog?" Adam asked as he pulled into the parking garage of his loft building.
"Nope. My mother and brother were both allergic to fur. Then when Gabby was born, Luke brought home a puppy to surprise his baby sister with… and that's when we found out that all of the kids are allergic to pet dander." She chuckled when she thought of the disaster. "Luke found this poor dog, muddy, starved, and infested with fleas. He conspired with Lauren of course. When I brought Gabby home from the hospital, walked through the doors, and saw their puffy eyes, itching noses, and incessant sneezes. I just knew."
Adam laughed. "So what happened then?"
"My mother said that I should leave the house; take Gabby and stay at a hotel. She swore that they must've caught a flu or something." Jane explained. "But then I saw Luke's guilty face and noticed that Lauren was flicking glances over her shoulder. Luke said that he had a present for his new sister and I just knew… We gave the puppy to Joanne."
"Now that is the friend I haven't been ambushed by… I mean, that I haven't met yet?" Adam joked as he unlocked the loft.
Jane impressed by his banter just smiled.
The loft was in an old industrial bread factory. Red brick walls, rust leather chairs, large slate tiles, tall double paned windows, and exposed lighting. Adam had played up the atmosphere of the loft by accenting with piped shelves, Edison bulbs, antique signage, and geometric artwork. Then Jane noticed the architect's table and the detailed projects that Adam had worked on.
"What?" Adam asked nervously.
"I was just thinking that you are so… clean." She saw how the stainless steel appliances, countertops, and tiled floor sparkled. "This is how a loft should look. Oh, I think I have a trunk kind of like this."
"That's where I keep my records and vintage video games." Adam felt his face turn fuchsia. Melissa had thought that the vintage novelties made him to be something like a relic. Or a packrat or just plain lame.
Jane gasped in excitement. "Do you own a record player?"
He nodded as he pointed to an early 60's record player underneath a tall window.
"Ah! I had this exact same one, but sold it after I bought my house. I regretted it ever since. This is really cool, Adam." She examined the piece of furniture. "You said you had some vintage video games too? You wouldn't want to show them off by any chance?"
He beamed back at her. "Are you by any chance into Space Invaders?"
Adam pointed to the wall behind her. She saw an arcade style game next to a clown pin-ball machine.
"I'm totally into it."
(O)
Jane forgot how much fun it was to hang out with someone whom she had never really known. All of the similarities and all of the differences. Jane and Adam found that they had a healthy balance of both.
They played records all night. Talked about concerts that they had went to over the years. College. Travel. Family. Children. Divorce. Therapy. Work. And finally each other.
Adam was genuinely curious about how the affair with Jake began. "I don't want to pry or anything, but something that Jake said makes sense. Just don't tell him that I said so." He grinned. "Married couples DO think about how their life would be post-divorce. And if they don't think about it, it makes me wonder if they were ever really in love. That's how I knew."
"What do you mean?" Jane asked him.
"Not once did I think that Melissa and I could be together again." He admitted.
"When I met you that day, you had self-help tapes playing. You said that it had been 2 years since your divorce…?" Jane was confused. "Why after all this time were you…umm…?
"I was simply hung up on the idea that she could hurt our children and our lives the way she did." Adam understood the confusion. "We just lost the passion and I was bitter with how my children were so broken hearted."
Jane nodded. "Oh I understand what you mean. It took me years to get over the bitterness of how my kids were so… lost. And angry. Boy, I was so angry. Jake had told them why I was making him move out. Kids don't need to know all of the details, nor should they know. But there he was trying to… well. It doesn't matter. Then time passes and the bitterness is replaced with acceptance. We obviously still saw each other at mutual friend's homes and for the kid's school events. The familiarity was…"
"Comforting." They said together.
"You really are over him, aren't you?" Adam asked after a long pause.
Jane nodded. "Really and truly."
"Good." Adam leaned forward on the leather sofa, with a soft FOREIGNER song playing in the background, and kissed Jane with such passion and love that he had wondered how he could have ever believed that he could have lived without her in his life. They made love long into the night. Fell asleep and woke again only to be embraced by that intensity.
In the morning, Adam woke and watched the sun rise for the first time in decades. In a minute, Jane's arm snaked around his waist and she asked if he wanted breakfast.
"Not yet." He whispered gruffly as he turned and breathed in the melted caramel scent of Jane.
(O)