C.J. cursed not for the first time since she'd left. Damn, the traffic had been awful today. She could have listened to an entire audio book during the time she spent driving. But she finally made it back to the parking garage at the Houston Enterprises' L.A. office building. She'd be heading up to the penthouse suite on top which was like stepping out of the elevator into a swanky place. Matt had personally designed most of it placing in his favorite elements of waterfalls, vines growing out of the rock face, a gym and of course, the Jacuzzi right off the lobby.
He liked to strip buck naked when he got in it. She'd caught him there just wearing his cowboy hat and nothing else after a sleepover with a woman and when he needed to brainstorm with her more often than not he sat in there beneath the swirling bubbles. She'd never look at him of course because it just wasn't that way between them.
Well, maybe a peek here and there, but the guy had a body that could make a woman go weak in the knees if she imbibed too much in looking at him. Matt had always treated her like a close friend, his best friend while she'd been the one who overstepped the boundaries by doing foolish things like telling him she loved him.
Okay so maybe the bullets whizzing all around him and him being framed for murder and on the run had fueled that admission. She never would have confessed it otherwise would she? But it's not like under duress or not, he ever told her he loved her back…in any sort of way that made her wonder if it went beyond friendship.
She thought maybe that last time might have been different but then Uncle Roy had moved to L.A. and the two had been inseparable…then Matt had met up with the flakey Elizabeth and nearly married her. She'd tried to tell him how she felt about it but had been half assed about it and even though he reassured her that nothing would change between them, which had already happened.
She found her spot in the garage and parked her car, after looking carefully around her for any suspicious signs as she had to be careful in her line of work. After locking up she headed towards the elevator fully ready to do some desk work before heading on home to get ready for the parade.
Matt had just finalized his plans with Ginger to go to the parade. Predictably enough she was a vibrant redhead who he had worn on his arm at the Medallion Ball a while back before he met Elizabeth. She had been damn sexy too, wearing a dress that hugged her figure and they'd spent a couple nights together before she'd gone to Europe to hit the fashion show circuit there.
She'd been cool when he'd gotten her on the phone and said, yes she could fit him on her busy schedule at such late notice because she had a cancellation. Of course the parade would be fine as long as they had good seats. Matt assured her that he had reserved a special box seat by Hollywood and Vine, a prime spot.
Roy smiled at him.
"I'll be heading on out," he said, "I finished the ledger work on that last batch of cases."
"You are going to the parade tonight?"
Roy shook his head.
"I have a dinner date with Yolanda at the Prada downtown, and then we'll be heading to the Chandler for a show."
"Sounds like fun…Ginger's going with me to the parade."
Roy smiled.
"Supposed to be the best ever this year," he said, "Like Mardi Gras."
Matt sighed knowing that it'd make parking hard but he had a friend who'd saved a spot for him at his office building not too far away. Ginger had this thing for wearing six inch heels everywhere she went to give her height that he didn't want her to have to walk too far. After Roy left, he sat in the hot tub, hoping that he'd see her sometime today. It'd been a few months after all and they hadn't parted on the best of terms.
Not to mention he had to talk her out of her latest plans to go off and have a baby on her own. Where had that come from? He knew she loved dating men and had good relationships…even if they didn't last too long. Both of them had such busy schedules in challenging careers that made relationships so damn difficult, not to mention that both had to deal with jealousy centered around whether or not he and C.J. kept their relationship platonic.
Damn straight they did and it had always been that way. Even that one time way back…but no need to revisit the past….when you had the present. The elevator door rang and he went to reach for his robe but before he could do that, C.J. appeared in front of him. She wore her hair curly around her face though it was a bit longer than he remembered. Dressed in one of her three piece business suits, she stood there a hand on her hip looking down at him.
"Hiya Boss…"
He smiled still sitting there.
"Hiya C.J…you're back."
She eyed him carefully.
"So are you," she said, "How was that last part of your trip?"
"Eventful…I spent the last night in Phoenix waiting for the jet to get fixed."
She went to pour herself some white wine and sipped it thoughtfully from the wet bar. He reached for his robe and she discreetly glanced away while he slipped it over him and joined her. He chose the Scotch bottle and they both went to the lounge. C.J. could tell by the way he eyed her that he had something on his mind.
"Okay partner, what's behind that look on your face, you should just tell me."
He paused and then took a deep breath.
"I heard about you wanting to get pregnant…"
Her eyes widened.
"You heard what?"
"About you wanting to get pregnant and having a baby on your own?"
She sighed.
"Damn word travels fast in this town," she said, "Okay Houston before you jump to conclusions, I'm just thinking about it, considering my options."
"Options…? C.J. this is a major decision you're making here."
She flashed him a look of irritation.
"I haven't made it yet Houston," she said, "I'm just thinking and since I hit 30, I just decided it's time to think about having a family."
He looked puzzled.
"I hit 30 and I just thought about getting a new Mustang convertible."
He had done just that, and it'd been a beaut. His former mechanic, Slim had advised him over Skype just what kind to get.
"It's different with guys Houston…"
"How so…?"
"Guys don't have a ticking clock for having a family."
He looked incredulous.
"C.J. you're just 30," he said, "You've got plenty of time left."
"Maybe a few more years," she said, "But I just am ready to have a family of my own, something I've only had for a short time."
She couldn't hide the wistfulness and old sadness in her voice. She'd envied Matt his having all that even though he'd shared it with her. This would be her chance to grow one of her own.
"Why by yourself C.J.," he said, "Why not wait until you get married?"
She felt more than irritation fill her at that statement. She put both hands on her hips this time.
"Why does there have to be husband involved," she said, "I can take care of a child on my own."
She saw the perplexed look on his face and she knew he realized he'd missed a huge chunk of information as to why she felt that way but she didn't want to get into it with him. She just wanted him to respect her decision.
"I'm not saying you can't but why are you closing the book on any man who might want to be a father to his child?"
"That's not what I'm doing."
"Not yet but that's what you're planning and I don't get it."
She knew he'd never understand why she'd chosen to go this route. She finished her glass of wine.
"Look I got to home and get ready for the parade tonight…after I do some work here…okay? We can talk about this later."
She'd just dismissed him and knew he didn't like it. But she just wanted to go out and have a good time tonight. The festive atmosphere of the parade in Hollywood would make for a fun evening.
"I'm going too?"
"Alone…?"
He shook his head.
"No with Ginger…you remember her don't you?"
God yes, she did, the woman who had acted catty to her in the bathroom at a jazz club when they'd double dated and she'd gone with Lance, an accountant. That had lasted about three dates.
"Have a good time…I probably won't see you there…there's going to be thousands…"
"I'll be in a booth at Hollywood and Vine…why don't you and your date join me?"
"I'm going with Elise not a date," she said, "and we thought we'd hang near the Jamaican food place first."
He paused.
"Okay well, have a good time and be safe."
She nodded.
"You too…and I mean it," she said, "Ginger can be somewhat…unpredictable okay?"
She started to head back to her office and then turned around.
"And it's good to see you back," she said, "We'll catch up later."
Looking at the back of her disappear into the stairway downstairs to her office, he wondered why she was pushing him away. He knew he'd do something about it but what?