The day had been a busy one and when her call came he found himself smiling again. The truth was he had been thinking about her all day. What was it about this woman that affected him so? He had accepted long ago that his wife was gone. It took five years for him to get up the courage to have her declared legally dead. It broke his heart but he didn't know what else to do. It had come time for him and Riley to move on with their lives. She remembered so little about her mother and for that he was, as odd as it sounds, grateful. He threw himself into raising her and making Hart Industries a success. He was confident about one but now, not so much about the other. As Riley was getting older she needed a woman to talk to and go to for advice and he wasn't going to let just anyone into her life. But he somehow felt safe with a certain auburn haired beauty. That was the main reason he had stayed single. After coming to terms with his wife's disappearance, he was cautious about who was in his life, for Riley's sake. Was he ready to take a chance again?
"Mr. Hart, Miss Edwards is on the phone." Deanne's pleasant voice came through the intercom
He smiled and picked up the phone, "Jennifer."
"Hi," she said, "I hope you're not too busy."
"No, I'm glad you called."
She smiled, his voice was warm and sincere, "Well, you'll be happy to know that I got in touch my pianist friend and he would be happy to help out with a concert."
"That's great." He replied, "What date are we looking at?"
"Um, it looks like it will have to be the seventeenth of next month." She explained, "He's getting ready for a tour soon after that."
He looked at his calendar, "Okay, so I guess we need to get work on publicity."
"Let me handle that." She said, "You are far too busy."
"I can't let you do all the work."
"Jonathan, your time is far more occupied than mine." She replied, "You've got a corporation to run and a daughter to see after."
"And you have papers to grade and students to see after."
"Ah, that is why I have a teaching assistant." She explained, "One overworked, underpaid young man whom I can treat like a slave when need be."
He laughed, "If you're sure."
"I'm positive."
"Well, alright then." He paused, mustering up his courage, "I was wondering, if you aren't busy, if you would like to have dinner again this weekend? Friday night?"
"As a matter of fact I'm not." She replied, smiling herself, "And I'll bring the wine this time."
"Well, I was thinking of dinner for two at a nice restaurant." He explained
"Oh, I thought…" She said
"I know and normally that would be the case." He said, "But Riley has been invited to a sleepover birthday party so I'll be flying solo."
"Ah, well that sounds lovely." She said, "But what about Max? There won't be anyone to dazzle with his culinary talent."
"Max has the night off and will either be out with one of many lady friends or at a poker game. Either of which could last all night."
She laughed, "Then it's a date."
"Great." He replied trying to temper his happiness, "What is your schedule like on Friday?"
"I have classes until noon then I'll be working in my office grading papers or doing research. Why don't you pick me up at my house?"
"Alright, how about seven?" He suggested
"That would be fine." She replied, "I live on Grayton Road by the university, 106."
He quickly scribbled down her address, "I'll see you Friday at seven. Goodbye, Jennifer."
"Good bye, Jonathan."
They both hung up smiling.
/
That night Jonathan decided he needed to make sure Riley would be okay with him going out with Jennifer. She might think it was great in theory but he hadn't dated anyone in a long time. He didn't know if a relationship with Jennifer was in the cards but for the first time he felt like he had to open his heart to the possibility and Riley deserved a chance to say what she really felt. He went up to her room and knocked on the door.
"Come in." She said
He opened the door and found her getting ready for bed, "Hi sweetheart, I just wanted to tell you good night and well, there is something I want to talk to you about."
"Okay, Daddy." She said getting into bed
He sat down on the edge of the bed and looked her in the eye, "I just wanted to tell you that while you're at Katie's I'm going out with someone for dinner."
"Is it Jennifer?" She asked excitedly
He chuckled, "Yes, as a matter of fact, it is." He paused for a moment, "Are you sure you're okay with that?"
"Daddy, of course I'm okay with it." She insisted, "Jennifer's awesome."
"You're sure?"
She giggled, "Daddy you always work or you're with me. Don't worry so much. You don't go out much. It's not good for you to be alone."
He couldn't help but laugh, "Hey, who's the parent here?" He then became serious, "And I'm not alone. I have you and I want you know that no matter what, I will always love you and you will always be my best girl."
She sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck, "I know, Daddy. I love you, too, and you'll always be my number one guy."
/
Jonathan arrived at her house promptly at seven. She gave herself one final check in the mirror, satisfied with her emerald green wrap dress, then answered the door.
He was almost rendered speechless by her beauty, "Wow, you look amazing."
She smiled nervously, "Thank you and you, Mr. Hart, look dashing as always." She gave him a wink
"Yeah, I clean up okay." He replied, "Shall we go?" He offered her his arm
She took his arm, "Yes, let's." They walked outside and she locked the door and as they headed down the walk she suddenly realized something, "I just realized we never decided where to go."
"Well, what are you in the mood for?" He asked opening the car door for her
She fastened her seat belt and waited for him to get in, "I don't know. Have you tried that new french place just a few blocks from your office?"
"Ah, Le Relais?" He replied as he started the engine, "No, but I hear it's wonderful."
"Then if that's alright with you?"
"Absolutely."
The drive was filled with mostly small talk and when they arrived at the restaurant they were able to get a quiet table and their waiter quickly took their drink order. As the night went on the conversation flowed easily, like they had known each other for years.
"So tell me more about that wonderful daughter of yours." Jennifer said taking a sip of wine
"She's amazing, really." He replied smiling, "I worry about her so much. I feel like she's getting to the age where she really needs a mother. I'm afraid I'm a poor substitute."
"Jonathan, don't doubt yourself so much." She said, "You're teaching her all the right things. Honesty, integrity, caring for other people."
He sighed heavily, "I know but there really isn't anyone to guide her, show her how to be a woman. I sometimes worry that she's too aggressive, too much like one of the boys."
Jennifer put her knife and fork down, "Riley seems very confident about who she is. There is nothing wrong with that. She's unconventional, like her name."
Jonathan's eyes clouded over, "Riley was my wife's maiden name."
"Oh Jonathan, I'm sorry." She said softly
"It's alright." He assured her, "But you're right. She is unconventional. She loves horses, beats me at cards nine times out of ten and thanks to Max, could probably make a better martini than I can."
"Now that's one well round girl." She observed, "Listen, I was about Riley's age when my mother died." She explained, choosing not to press him on anything more about his wife, "I know what it's like."
"Really?" He asked, "I'm sorry. I didn't know that. That must have been so hard for your father."
"It was. I was sent to boarding school." She explained, "My father traveled a great deal with his work and there was no one to look after me. Those were hard years sometimes. But we made it through."
"I guess I should be glad Riley doesn't remember much about Sarah." He said finally speaking her name, "It might have been harder if she did."
Jennifer nodded, "I still miss my mother and she's been gone twenty five years."
He felt the need to change to the subject slightly, "Well, I must say you certainly made an impression on my daughter. She's talked about you all week."
Jennifer seemed surprised, "She has?"
"Yes and she was most pleased that we were going out tonight." He informed her, "According to her you're 'the bomb' which I think means that she likes you a lot."
She laughed, "Well, I will take that as the highest compliment from tweendom."
"As you should." He said, "She thinks being a writer is 'the coolest' and she wants to know if you would teach her how."
"Well, I'd be happy to." She replied, "But really, Jonathan, coming from someone who's been there, just keep loving her. That's the most important thing you can do."
The conversation moved on to a multitude of topics and they both hated for the evening to end. He walked her to her door and wondered if a kiss would be appropriate.
"I had a wonderful time." She said
"So did I." He replied
"Would you like to come in for a drink?" She offered
He wanted to, but he wasn't sure that alcohol was smart at the moment. He was overcome with feelings he hadn't had in so long and he needed to take a step back, "I think I've had enough wine and I do have to drive home."
"How about some coffee then? Decaf?" She replied
He sighed heavily again, "Jennifer, I really like you and I want very much to see you again. But I think it would be best if I go on home."
She found it hard to hide her disappointment, "Oh."
"So I'll be rested enough to take you out to breakfast before I pick up Riley from her sleepover." He explained
She smiled, "I'd like that."
"How about nine? Is that okay?"
She nodded, "That's fine."
"Good night, Jennifer." He said and kissed her cheek
"Good night, Jonathan."
/
Monday morning came and they both found themselves smiling on their way to work. Jennifer arrived at her office after her morning class to find a bouquet of roses on her desk. Reading the card she smiled to herself
Riley isn't the only one who thinks you're the bomb. Dinner with us tonight? Don't worry about the wine. Just bring your beautiful self
"Well, well, well. Don't tell me you've actually started having some fun in your life." A voice called from the doorway of her office
She looked up to see her colleague, Harris Caufield, "Harris, you are a terrible gossip."
He came in and sat down in a chair across from her, "So who's the lucky guy?"
She smiled, "None of your business."
"Oh come on Edwards, give it up." He insisted, "I mean, who it is, not IT to HIM."
"You are awful." She said, "Alright, I had a couple of dates with Jonathan Hart."
"The Jonathan Hart?" He asked, "The millionaire?"
"Yes, that Jonathan Hart."
"And?"
"And what?" She asked, "It was two dates."
"Honey, if you don't snap him up I will." He joked
"Jealous, are we?" She joked back
"If I thought Jonathan Hart swung my way I would have wasted no time." He said, "Are you seeing him again?"
She glanced down at the card in her hand reading the note again, "Yes, I think I just might." She couldn't hide her smile
TBC