Chapter Three
Jason felt a nudge against his shoulders before he realized he was standing there, staring at the pair that just left. He couldn't help it, couldn't help but stare at the woman and the gentle sway of her hips as she walked away.
She was beautiful.
Her eyes had caught him off guard when they first connected with his. Deep, large blue come-a-little-closer eyes that had him standing there, staring like an idiot.
Another nudge against his shoulders had him snapping his attention away from the two and walking fully into the apartment lobby. When he turned around, it was to see his best friend, Sonny, standing there, his hands on his hips, a large smile across his face.
"That," Sonny said, pointing towards the lobby entrance, "was real smooth."
Jason glared at his friend before turning away and making his way towards the elevator that would bring him to his penthouse floor.
Sonny shook his head, trying but failing to keep the smile off his face and out of his tone. "Who was that?" He asked, directing his question to Max since the guard was the one who was showing the woman out when Sonny and Jason first walked in.
"She said her name was Elizabeth Webber. She was looking for an apartment for her and her kid."
Sonny covered his mouth to hide an amused smile when Jason stopped by the elevator, turning his head slightly to hear the conversation. "Well?" Sonny asked when Max didn't continue.
"Oh," the large man stood up straight, "She seemed to really like the place and was real disappointed when I told her the price of rent. I explained that security was," Max coughed into his hand, "real tight and was the reason for the extra cost. But she said it was more than she was looking to pay."
Max shook his head, looking quite disappointed himself. "I was really hoping she would have decided to move here." When Jason turned around, Max gave him that sly smile that only males seemed to understand. "You should have seen the ass on that one. She could—."
"That's enough." The command was made in a low voice, but still had the power to make Max drop his hands he had been in the process of forming into cups to demonstrate the size of Elizabeth's backside.
Max turned a bright red, seeing the warning in Jason's expression.
Jason just stared at the guard, not knowing why he was becoming angry at the man for discussing this Elizabeth woman the way he had been. It wasn't the first time Max spoke about another woman in that way. Hell, every time they went out Max would find at least five women to comment about and Jason would sometimes join in. Max was an ass man and Elizabeth did have a nice one, one that Jason had admired himself. Why it bothered him that Max should say something about it, Jason didn't know.
But he was annoyed and when he looked at Sonny and saw the smug smile on his face, he became even more annoyed. Where the hell was the damn elevator?
"Did the two of you discuss prices?" Sonny asked when it became obvious that Jason was just going to stand there and brood while Max turned redder by the second.
Clearing his throat, Max answered. "Yeah. What she's looking for is reasonable. But like I said, it's the security." Max finished off by whispering, as if the entire building didn't know that Sonny Corinthos and Jason Morgan, Port Charles most known alleged mobsters, owned the building.
An idea had Sonny smiling at Jason's back as he stepped into the elevator. "Let's lower the price." When Jason whipped around, Sonny was grinning from ear to ear. "This place could use more women."
"Daddy!"
Jason patiently sighed as he dropped the pen he was using on his desk. He was trying to get some last minute paperwork done—paperwork he should have had finished the night before, but didn't because his mind kept wandering to a petite, blue eyed brunette—before he had to bring his daughter to school, but the four year old was not letting him. Every five minutes she was screaming for him at the top of the stairs, acting more like a teenager then the little girl that she was.
He turned around in his chair, glancing up at the stairs to see Anna standing there, her eyes filled with tears. He was up the stairs and kneeling in front of her within seconds. "What's wrong?"
Her lower lip trembled. "I got toothpaste on...on…" her breathing became erratic as a tear slipped past her long lashes, "on my shirt." She rushed out as she threw her arms around her father's neck, almost choking him.
"Ok." His forehead creased into a frown, "We'll just get you another shirt to wear."
Her hands tightened in his hair as she mumbled against his neck. "But I wanna wear this one."
Jason pulled back to look at her. There was a huge blue stain in the middle of her favorite pink top. He, being the man that he was and having no idea how to fix that, tried to think of some way to get her into another shirt. "I know you want to wear that one, but it's time to go to your first day of preschool and there's nothing we can do about your shirt right now."
Her chin began to tremble as her big brown eyes, eyes so much like her mothers, filled with more tears. "Anna," Jason sighed, using the patient tone he always used with her. "You were looking so forward to going to school last night. Do you really want to be late because of a shirt?"
Her eyes lowered to the floor. "No."
He stood up, smiling down at his little girl. He held out his hand which she grabbed right away. "Let's get you another shirt and then we'll be on our way to school."
And just as quickly as her eyes filled with tears moments before, her pout turned into a huge smile, melting her father's heart like she always did. "O'tay daddy, but you gotta do something with my hair."
"What do you mean he can't go to school?"
"Just like I said, you didn't fill out all of the appropriate paperwork, which means he is not fully registered."
Jason paused as he walked into the school's front office, hearing the argument that was going on. The irate mother stomped her foot when the woman behind the counter shrugged her shoulders while speaking. Normally, he would have just continued to walk on by and ignore the conversation, but something had him pausing, listening to what was going on.
When his gaze traveled over the woman standing there in her high-heeled shoes, from the bottom of her pointed heel, up her long, smooth legs, to her very shapely…
Ass.
Even though she was wearing a skirt, instead of the shapely jeans she was wearing the day before, Jason knew who she was before his gaze traveled the rest of the way up, seeing her profile.
It was Elizabeth Webber.
How he did it, he didn't know, but he tore his gaze away from her to see her son, sitting on one of the office chairs, staring at his feet as they swung back and forth. He frowned when a while went by and she still hadn't glanced at the boy.
Elizabeth's angry, yet saddened, voice filtered through his thoughts.
"I'm sorry all of the paperwork hasn't been finished, but my sister was a little too busy dying to get everything in order."
Jason's eyes traveled to the little boy and then back to Elizabeth to see her turn her head and glance down at her… son?... nephew? There was sadness in her eyes that did something funny to Jason.
Elizabeth's shoulders slumped as she looked at William's dejected expression. She hadn't meant to blurt that out, especially in front of him. But, damn it, why couldn't they just let him go to school today and she would bring the paperwork tomorrow?
She turned back to the lady behind the desk—Ms. Epiphany Johnson—and tried to reason with her in a more polite manner. "Couldn't he just go to school today and I promise you that I'll bring the notarization tomorrow?"
Epiphany's expression softened, but before she even spoke, Elizabeth knew what she was going to say. "I'm sorry Miss Webber; I know this has to be hard on you—"
"You have no idea."
"But I cannot allow William to go to class today if I do not have the proper paperwork."
Elizabeth sighed, dropping her forehead into her palm. What was she going to do now? She was supposed to meet with a major client today, someone who was so close to financing one of the shows Elizabeth was planning. She couldn't meet with him with a four year old attached to her hip.
She could leave William with Brenda, her assistant, but the woman had made it more than clear that she couldn't handle children.
Not like Elizabeth could either, but that's what happens when you have a crazy sister that thinks she can save your life from the grave.
Just as Elizabeth was straightening up, a large hand rested on her shoulder, causing an unnatural heat to wash through her entire body. She only became hotter when she looked up to see the man standing next to her.
It was the same man she ran into yesterday.
He briefly looked down at her, a small smile across his very gorgeous mouth, before he looked up at Epiphany. He removed his hand from Elizabeth's shoulder to lean both of his hands on the desk.
Epiphany pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes as they connected with Jason's. "How are you today, Mr. Morgan?"
"I'm good, how about yourself."
She didn't answer, but her lips did grow bigger as they pushed out more.
The side of Jason's mouth threatened to curve upwards, but he fought it off. It would not do good to smile at the lady. "I couldn't help but overhear what was going on."
Epiphany's reply was an "mmhmm," as Elizabeth just stood there, staring up at him and not knowing what the hell to do.
Jason looked down at Elizabeth and once again, she was mesmerized by his ocean blue eyes. They were the perfect shade of blue. Not too light but not dark at all. Eyes she could get lost in.
She shook her head, what in the world was wrong with her?
"I know a place right around the corner that will notarize this for you." He said, and then turned his attention back towards Epiphany. "Do you think you could let William go to class while she gets this filled out so he doesn't miss anything?"
Elizabeth watched in amazement as Epiphany narrowed her eyes even more at the man standing next to her—Mr. Morgan as the woman called him—and then looked left, right, and left again before giving a slight nod of her head.
Epiphany gave Elizabeth a knowing look before handing the paperwork that had caused the problem in the first place back to her. She gave the woman a genuine smile before looking up at the man, her smile growing bigger.
The smile she gave him stole the breath right out of his lungs. Jason wasn't prone to such things happening to him, but her smile made her all the more beautiful.
"Thank you so much…?"
"Jason."
"Thank you, Jason." An awkward silence came over the two of them before Epiphany cleared her throat, causing the two of them to look away from each other. The older woman was pointing at William, who was staring up at Jason and Elizabeth with an inquiring look. Elizabeth walked towards him, held out her hand.
Without hesitation, William put his small hand in hers; leaping down from the chair he was sitting in. He looked up at Jason when Elizabeth began to talk to him. "Can you wait here while I walk him to class? I'll be right back."
Before Jason could answer, Epiphany was walking around her desk and towards William and Elizabeth. "You better hurry and get all your paperwork done; I'll walk William to class."
William quickly let go of Elizabeth's hand and ran towards Epiphany. He was chatting away to the woman before they even began to walk away. "Bye, William, have a good day." Elizabeth called out to him.
He looked over his shoulder, gave Elizabeth a huge smile and waved his hand back and forth quickly. "Bye, Aunt Ewizabet."
Epiphany stopped, turned and gave Jason a look. "Say hello to Stanford for me."
Slowly, as if remembering that she was standing there alone with Jason, Elizabeth turned around, giving him a polite smile. "Thank you again for saving me. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up."
"It's not a problem."
"So I take it you know Epiphany?" She asked, trying to figure out how he was so easily able to convince the intimidating woman to let William go to school. If it had been Elizabeth behind the desk, she would have let Jason do anything just due to his looks. But she didn't think Epiphany was so easily swayed by a handsome face.
"Her son Stan works for me."
"Well, it's a good thing." She gave a little nervous laugh. Clearing her throat, she shifted on her heels. "So, umm, where was this place you were talking about. I kind of have to get to work." Oh, God, she hoped she didn't sound too impatient. Why was it that she was so nervous around this man?
"It's just around the corner, I'll walk you."
"Oh, no, you don't have to. I—"
Jason bent his head, looked away as if embarrassed. "I wanted to talk…" he cleared his throat, and Elizabeth began to wonder if there was a slight blush rising on his cheeks. "I wanted to talk to you. About the apartment you looked at yesterday."
"Oh?" She asked, not moving when he opened the door for her.
Jason sensed her hesitation, realizing that he sounded very much like a stalker. "My friend Sonny and I own the building."
"Oh." Elizabeth smiled, quickly getting over that slight weirdness. "It's a lovely place." She commented as she followed him out of the school and onto the side walk.
Jason placed his hands inside his pants pockets when his arm brushed hers, feeling quite uncomfortable and like a teenager. He was a grown man but, yet, he was acting like some nervous boy. "I like it."
When Elizabeth just nodded and gave another polite smile, Jason tried again. "Max told us that it was more than you were willing to pay."
Elizabeth went to tell him that she had decided to go with the apartment anyway, for the security of course—she added to herself—but Jason continued on.
"We're willing to work with you, to go with the price that you and Max talked about."
Elizabeth stopped, causing Jason to stop and turn to look down at her. "Why are you helping me?" She blurted out, so confused as to why he was helping her so much.
First William and now this?
He had no idea. He was going to let Sonny deal with the apartment issue, but for some reason, maybe an excuse to walk with her, Jason had decided to bring it up. It just sucked that he was screwing up so bad.
He shrugged his shoulders, cleared his throat. "It was really Sonny's idea. Max told him how disappointed you were, and Sonny figured he'd help you out."
Elizabeth's forehead scrunched in confusion. "Ok." She began to walk again, prompting Jason back in motion. They walked in silence until he gestured to a building.
"This is it." He stuffed his hands into his pockets, took them out again. "I, uh, should probably get your number." At Elizabeth's raised eyebrows, he rushed out, "To call you about the apartment."
She had already given Max her number, something Jason probably already knew, considering his uncomfortable stance. The side of her mouth curved up, what the hell?
Pulling out a pen and a gum wrapper from her purse, Elizabeth scribbled down her number. Her smile was soft as she handed it to him. "Thank you, for everything."
Their fingers brushed as Jason took the small paper from her. Both paused, glanced down at their hands, then slowly pulled away. His smile was just as gentle as hers as he nodded his head once, then began to walk away.
It was her voice that stopped him.
"Jason?" He turned around. "What grade is your kid in?"
She didn't know why she stopped him, but for some reason she did. And the only thing she could think of was to ask him about his kid.
"She's in preschool, Mrs. Jones class."
Elizabeth smiled, "So is William." She shifted from one foot to the other, her smile becoming more forced. "I guess I'll be seeing you around then."
"Yeah," Jason tipped his head. "See you later."
Elizabeth rushed into her gallery, walking past her personal assistant without evening looking at her. After getting William's paperwork notarized and dropping it off at his school, she rushed to the gallery, thanking her lucky stars that his school was so close. It really was a pain to get him up a half hour earlier just to make it to school on time. If all worked out, they would be moving into the apartment building that was only a block away.
She threw her purse on the desk, ripped off her jacket and adjusted her skirt. Brenda quickly followed her into the office, a cup of coffee in one hand, offering it to Elizabeth, while her other hand ran through Elizabeth's hair, fixing it.
"Is he angry?" Elizabeth asked after one long sip of her coffee.
"Not really." Brenda shrugged. "Lucky's been keeping him pretty busy." Her hand fluttered in the air. "You know how gay men are, they get together in a room and the time flies by. I think Lucky scored himself a date for Friday night."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes at the mention of her other best friend. Lucky, Brenda, and Elizabeth were like inseparable. They worked, went out, exercised, basically did everything together. Where you would find one, you usually found the other two.
She was going to have to take Lucky out for a drink for stalling for her. She knew how temperamental Jasper Jacks could be when he was caused to wait. She was just thankful Lucky was there to keep him distracted.
She placed her coffee down after one last sip, giving it a longing look as she walked towards the meeting room where she would pitch her idea to Jasper until the man agreed to fund the project.
Maybe she would keep Lucky in there, just as an incentive, she thought. Walking into the room, she smiled at both men, and got right down to business.
It was only two hours later when Jasper walked out of the gallery, a dent in his pocket and Lucky's phone number in the other.
Walking up to Lucky, Elizabeth gave her best friend a loud kiss on the cheek. "You are wonderful." She emphasized each word with one sloppy kiss after another.
"I should be thanking you." Lucky said, pulling away and smacking his lips together. "I've wanted to get his number since he came here last month."
"Congratulations to the both of you." Brenda said with a sarcastic tone. "Elizabeth got the deal, Lucky got a hot man, and I got… nothing. It really is unfair how the both of you always win."
Elizabeth gave her friend a sympathetic look. "The date didn't go so well last night?"
"Are you kidding me? He was a freaking moron. All he did the entire night was talk about himself and look at my chest."
Lucky walked behind Brenda, pushing her into a chair, and began to massage her shoulders. "Did you wear the red top with the—"
"Yes." She sighed.
"I warned you." Lucky tsked.
"Who would take advice from a gay man about straight men?"
"I would." Elizabeth reluctantly stated.
"If you would take his advice, then Patrick Drake wouldn't be in your life right now." Brenda shot back, giving her friend a knowing look. Both Lucky and Brenda had told her over and over that Patrick was not right for her, even though she told them over and over that they weren't in a serious relationship.
Just friends… with benefits.
Lucky nodded his head, looking over his shoulder when he heard the door to the front of the gallery open. His gaze turned back towards Elizabeth, his eyes rolling heavenward. "Speaking of the devil."
Brenda raised a single eyebrow. "Are you going to tell him about William?"
She bit her lip. "Of course, just… not right this second."
"How are things working out?" Lucky asked with a sympathetic tilt to his head.
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at him, saying between clenched teeth. "I'm not going to talk about this right now."
"Want me to get rid of him?" Brenda asked with a gleam in her eyes.
"Stop it." Elizabeth ordered, and then put on a smile when Patrick reached them. "Hey."
"Hello yourself, beautiful." He said, wrapping an arm around her waist and giving her a long kiss. When they pulled away, he gave both of her friends a smug look, knowing that neither one of them liked him.
Brenda stuck her tongue out at him, causing him to chuckle. Lucky blew him a kiss, causing him to stop smiling all together.
Elizabeth, hating that her friends couldn't get along, turned Patrick's attention back to her by placing her hand on his chest. "What are you doing here?"
Patrick gave her a charming smile, the same smile that drew her to him when they first met almost a year ago. "I thought I'd take my favorite girl out to lunch."
Brenda kicked her leg, causing Elizabeth to give her friend a stern look before smiling back up at Patrick. "I'd love to go."
It would be as perfect time as any to let him know about William.
And she dreaded it more than anything.
