Chapter Three
Jaime reached Oscar's office at almost the same time that he knocked on the carriage house door. Then he climbed back onto the plane and she began unpacking boxes in her new (temporary) apartment. Rudy, who'd accompanied Jaime back to the office, finally managed to track down Oscar's whereabouts and (once Jaime was out of hearing range) phoned Jenn with an update.
"I think you were right," Rudy confirmed. "She was really looking forward to seeing him. And Oscar! I never expected him to just fly across the country on a whim."
"Maybe I can set something up for tomorrow," Jenn suggested. "That'd give Jaime time to settle in and Oscar can get back to status quo."
"Jenn," Rudy laughed, "I like how you think."
Thwarted once again (but nowhere near giving up) Jenn began to plan...
In spite of her good intentions, though, her husband continued to brood. The next evening, as they were dressing to go out, Jenn couldn't take another minute of the stiflingly thick silence.
"Alright, just spill it," she sighed, plunking down onto the bed.
"What?" Steve snapped, a little too quickly.
"You've been a bear ever since I suggested that Oscar and Jaime might enjoy spending some time together. So – what is it? Get it out of your system and then – for everyone's sake – let it go!"
Steve finished tying his tie, straightened it and then undid and re-tied it before finally turning around. "I told you – I just don't like it!"
"You still haven't told me why!" Jenn had been very patient, but Steve's obstinate stance was wearing her down. "And don't give me that He's too old, she's too young crap again, either. 'Cause I'm not buying it! I know we've talked this to death, but I need to ask you one more time and then I will never ask you again. Are you still in love with Jaime?"
Steve softened and drew his wife into his arms. "I do care about her, but I love you."
"What is it, then? Please, Steve..."
"I just...well...I don't want either of them to get hurt."
Jenn frowned. "Hurt...how?"
"Oscar's position makes anyone who gets close to him extremely vulnerable," Steve said softly.
"Okay. I'll give you that one. But Jaime is vulnerable too, by virtue of her work and simply because she's bionic. Maybe they can take better care of each other together than either one could do separately."
"Maybe," Steve allowed. "But..."
"But...?" Jenn prodded. Now that she had him talking, she wasn't about to let him stop there.
"Jaime's a beautiful woman, with more than her share of men who notice that. I don't like to think this, but...Oscar could get his heart broken."
"They're two grown adults – who both need a friend. Now, whether they choose to make a relationship out of that – or whether they don't – they'll have their eyes wide open. Oscar's heart has been so well-guarded for such a long time that I don't know if he'd even be able to open it now...to anyone! But that's a choice he'll have to make, all on his own."
"I guess you're right," Steve told her. "Now how 'bout we meet our friends for dinner, huh?"
Jenn had done her homework well. The restaurant was softly-lit, quiet and with an attentive staff who met the diners' every need and then promptly disappeared. Jaime looked radiant, in a turquoise dress that seemed to flutter and float like waves at the seashore. Her hair was curled and pulled back with a clip in a gemtone that perfectly matched her dress. Her eyes were sparkling...especially when she saw Oscar.
He had dressed for the occasion in a light pearl-gray suit that was obviously tailor-made and a definite departure from the regulation penguin suit. He shook Steve's hand, nodded pleasantly to Jenn, then took Jaime's hand in his own...beaming at her. "It's great to see you, Babe," he said, still smiling as he took his seat at the table.
While Jenn had presented the idea of this evening as four friends sharing a meal together, it felt very much like a double date. There was a new spark between Oscar and Jaime that even Steve couldn't deny. Nothing romantic, of course – it was far too soon – but it was clear that the chemistry was there. While all four friends shared in the conversation, Oscar poured Jaime's wine for her. Jenn noticed that they couldn't seem to stop gazing at each other with the wonder of what might suddenly be in their futures.
