***A week later***
Jonathan and Max were all settled into the new house. Jennifer had been spending a lot of time there, after work.
She hadn't heard from Elliott since the incident in his suite.
She was at the office, working on her latest article when her phone rang.
"Jennifer Edwards, LA Times".
"Hi. You busy?"
"Not terribly. You?"
"Yes, actually. I'm trying to figure out who I can have dinner with. I'm looking for a gorgeous redhead, who was born in Maryland, and who actually happens to work at the LA Times. Can you direct me to her? Oh, and this part is non-negotiable. She has to be the most beautiful woman on the face of the planet".
"Whatever it is you want, you got it".
"Dinner, tonight? I'll pick you up at 6:30? It's a business dinner. And I'm sorry, but we have to go back to that By the Bucket place we went to last week".
"Oh, that's alright. I loved that place. 6:30 is fine."
"I just know you will impress my business contacts tonight, and I'm so glad you are going with me".
"Darling, your business contact-it's not…"
"Baby, I promise you, I am not now nor in the future doing business with Elliott Manning. And if I find myself doing business with him, I will pull out of the deal immediately. You have my word on that".
"Thank you."
"Well, Deanne just told me that my meeting is about to start, so I have to go. I really do love you, darling".
"And I really do love you".
She blew him a kiss as she hung up the phone.
The rest of the afternoon was pretty busy. Jennifer called to confirm her tickets to the fashion show, only to find out that it had been pushed back a month.
She called to do a phone interview with a local charity, but they had no record of the arrangements and refused to speak to her.
She decided to just push everything out of her mind and type up her latest article-her review of By the Bucket.
She turned up the radio and started typing.
A few minutes later, Olivia was knocking on her door.
"Hi, remember me? Your boss, who's office is right next door….where I can hear your music shaking the walls".
Jennifer cracked up.
"I'm sorry. I'll keep it down".
"Are you ok?"
"Just trying to zone out and focus. The fashion show I was supposed to cover was pushed back a month. The charity that I was supposed to interview on the phone didn't have any record of that and they refused to speak to me. I have a date with Jonathan tonight, so I just want to be in a good mood".
"Oh? Where's he taking you now?"
"You remember last week when you asked me to go to By the Bucket and cover the grand opening? Well, that's the article I'm writing right now. And that's where we are going tonight".
She walked over and started reading the first page.
"Sounds like a good place".
Jennifer finished her article and then headed home to get ready for her date with Jonathan.
***Jennifer's Duplex***
Jennifer came in and quickly changed clothes. She decided on a black floral cold shoulder tunic, some black metallic skinny pants and black peep toe wedges.
She poured herself a glass of wine while she waited for him.
She heard the knock on the door and ran to open it, expecting to find Jonathan.
Instead, it was a FedEx man.
"Package for Jennifer Edwards".
"That's me".
"Sign here, please".
She signed for the package and then grabbed her wallet to tip him.
Jonathan came in just then.
"Hi darling".
"Hi honey. I missed you".
She gave him a couple kisses.
"Ma'am, where would you like this?"
She turned to see the delivery man holding a large package.
"Oh, over there against the wall is just fine. Thank you".
She turned to Jonathan.
"Darling, do you have any cash? I need to tip him and I'm all out".
"Certainly".
Jonathan tipped him $10 bucks.
"Thank you".
"Have a nice day, ma'am".
She shut the door behind him, and then picked up the package.
She unwrapped it to find it wrapped in "Happy Birthday" wrapping paper, with a large card taped to the front.
She opened the card.
"My darling Jennifer-I found this in the gallery in Germany and immediately thought of you. I know I'm a little early, but I wanted to make sure you got it in time. Happiest of birthdays, my sweetheart. I love you-Pa".
"How sweet. I wonder what it is".
She unwrapped it and found a gorgeous watercolor painting, of a girl in a canoe at sunset. The girl had red hair and there was a white horse off to the side, on the shore.
"It's absolutely beautiful".
"Yes, it is".
"Darling, can you please carry it and put it on my bed? I'll hang it when I get home tonight".
"Certainly".
He laid the painting on the bed and then came back. She was cutting out a section of the wrapping paper and putting it in the card.
"Shall we?"
"We shall".
He locked her door for her, and then opened the car door for her and helped her in.
He gave her a short synopsis of who they were meeting for dinner.
"We were in the Navy together. He and I have worked on a few projects together over the years. He is an electronics whiz. I think he wants to ask me to hire him."
"Interesting".
They were almost to the restaurant when his car phone rang.
"Hello?"
He chatted for a few minutes, and then hung up.
"Ok, so By the Bucket is slammed, and it's a 2 hour wait. So, instead, we are going to the Captain's Table".
"Wonderful. I've heard great things about that place".
"With you as my date, it has to be a great place".
He kissed the back of her hand and squeezed her fingers some.
***Captain's Table***
They pulled up and parked and went inside.
The couple they were meeting was waiting for them by the hostess stand.
"Darling, this is Evan Brownstone, and his wife Michelle. Evan, Michelle, this is my girlfriend Jennifer Edwards".
"Hi, it's lovely to meet you both".
The hostess told them it would only be about 5 minutes before their table was ready.
Jennifer studied them. They were older, late 40's. She was strikingly beautiful, and appeared to keep herself up with regular maintenance.
He was handsome, but reserved. He had dark hair like Jonathan's, but his shoulders weren't near as broad.
They were shown to their table, and Jonathan pulled Jennifer's chair out for her.
"You see that Evan?! Respect. He respects her, plain and simple. She didn't have to ask him to pull her chair out, he just did it".
Michelle yanked her chair away from the table and sat down in a huff.
The waitress appeared and took their drink orders.
"How about a bottle of wine for the table?"
Everyone was agreeable to that.
The waitress only brought three menus, so Jonathan and Jennifer scooted closer to each other so they could share.
"You see that Evan? He's sharing the menu with her. That's what sharing looks like".
"Michelle, knock it off."
"Don't tell me to knock it off! You used to respect me, and now you don't. Maybe you forgot what that looks like. Perhaps you need to go to the eye doctor".
"I have no problem seeing you".
Jennifer and Jonathan were uncomfortable but trying to make the best of it.
They finally stopped arguing when the waitress brought their wine.
Jennifer tried to make small talk with Michelle, but she could tell she wasn't in the mood.
Jonathan and Evan tried to talk business, but Evan seemed distracted.
The waitress came back and took their order.
Evan tried to order for Michelle.
"No, I don't want that".
After she placed her order, it was Jonathan and Jennifer's turn.
"We are going to split a bucket of crab legs, with boiled shrimp, mushrooms, onions, and corn, and 2 steamed lobster tails. Plus, a small side salad, with California dressing".
"Evan, you see how he knows what she wants to order? He pays attention to her. Watch him do that. Learn from it. Take notes, even".
"Well, in Evan's defense, she and I did talk it over first. I'm not a psychic, honest".
"Michelle, what will it take to make you happy? You say all the time we never get to go out. I got us a babysitter, we are out. What more do you want?"
"I want you to pay attention to me. I want you to respect me and do respectful things for me. You and I have grown too comfortable with each other, and I want our relationship to be less comfortable and more exciting".
"After 22 years of marriage and 5 kids, you should be glad we are comfortable with each other!"
Just then, the music started and people were getting up to dance.
"Darling, would you like to dance?"
"I'd love to".
Jonathan took her hand and led her to the dance floor.
"I'm sorry, baby. I had no idea it was going to be like this".
"It's not your fault, darling. I just feel so bad for them, but also for us. It's like you and I are in a display case with our every move being scrutinized".
"Maybe we should reschedule the business meeting and have him come by the office. Maybe if the pressure of business is off the table, then they will loosen up and start enjoying themselves".
"Good idea".
They shared a few kisses as they danced, and without meaning to, they ended up in a dance contest.
"Ok folks, we are going to have a little poll-these three couples on the dance floor have danced the last three songs in a row. So, by round of applause, who do you think is the most in love?"
The vote was unanimous for Jonathan and Jennifer.
"Congrats, folks. You two win a special treat from your waitress".
They headed back to the table.
Evan and Michelle were being very quiet.
"We apologize for how we behaved-we should have kept our fight to ourselves".
"It's ok, don't worry about it. These things happen".
They managed to get through the rest of the dinner without any more arguments, but Jennifer noticed that Evan and Michelle barely acknowledged each other.
After they were finished eating, the waitress brought their treat, which was a free dessert for everyone at the table.
"How lovely".
After they all finished their dessert, Jonathan paid the check and he and Evan agreed to meet tomorrow at the office to have their business meeting.
As they walked to the car, Jonathan turned to Evan.
"You still have your sailboat? My company is having a boat race to Hawaii. Starts this Saturday. You would love it!"
"No, we sold the boat when our oldest needed braces".
"Well, you two must come out on my boat with us sometime. We will have to plan that".
"Yes, we will".
They exchanged pleasantries and then each retreated to their own car.
"Well, that was an interesting evening, to say the least".
"Yeah, it was. But at least I got to dance with you".
He laced his fingers through hers and held her hand like that the whole way back to her duplex.
***Jennifer's duplex***
They came inside and Jennifer immediately kicked her shoes off.
She changed into some yoga capris and a tank top, and then got out her tool box.
"Darling, will you help me with the painting? I just need you to hold the painting up, and then I'll do the nail and all that".
"Where do you want it?"
"Well, I thought I wanted it over my bed. But now, I'm thinking I want it over the couch".
He was looking through her toolbox.
"Darling, you don't have any tools in here. You have a pair of tweezers and 4 screws, and that's it".
"Oh. Well, it came with screws. I have the perfect pair of heels that will work as a hammer".
Jonathan grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him.
He kissed her a few times and then picked up her phone and dialed Max.
"Max? Hey, can you please bring my tool belt to Jennifer's? And make sure it has a hammer in it….yeah, I think she would like that. Ok, see you soon".
He hung up the phone.
"Max will be here in 15 minutes".
"Jonathan, you didn't have to do that. I hate for him to get out this late".
"This late? Darling, it's Max. He's the king of the all-nighter. He probably invented the phrase. I promise you, he's just fine".
They did the measuring ahead of Max getting there, in hopes that it wouldn't take too long to hang it when he did.
Jennifer was on the step ladder, with one hand on the painting, and drawing a line with the other when Max knocked on the door.
Jonathan ran to get the door. On his way back, he accidentally hit the ladder with his foot, causing Jennifer to fall back and him to fall on the ground. He stood up in time and caught her in his arms as she fell, dropping the painting onto the couch.
"You alright?"
"Yeah. You?"
"Yeah".
"Aren't you two cute".
"We are, Max. We certainly are".
He kissed her and then set her down.
He and Max hung the painting for her.
"Miss Edwards, I brought you some of my famous chicken noodle soup. It's in the freezer".
"Thanks, Max".
She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
"You got any other jobs for us manly men here around the house?"
"No Max, that was it".
"It's a beautiful painting, Miss Edwards".
"Thank you. My father sent it to me for my birthday".
"Today's your birthday?! Well happy birthday".
"No, today's not my birthday. It's next week, on the second".
"Oh, well happy early birthday".
"Thank you, Max".
"Well, I guess I'll head back home. See you two later".
"Night Max".
"Night Max. Thanks for your help".
Jonathan closed the door behind Max and came to help Jennifer put the couch back against the wall.
She came over and embraced him.
"Thank you for helping me, honey".
"Anytime, baby".
"Do you want to stay the night?"
"I was planning on it".
"Good. I hate it when you aren't here".
She leaned up and kissed him and then went and made her salad for lunch tomorrow.
After she was done, she was going through the mail.
There was an envelope from the owner of the duplex.
"Damn! Damn, damn, damn!".
"What is it?"
"The owner of the duplex is selling. He's giving us 30 days to vacate. And I'm frustrated because I finally have this place like I want it".
"Well, what if you made him an offer to buy it?"
"That's a good idea. I do have some money my mom left me that I could tap into, depending on the asking price".
She put the mail back on the counter and turned the lights out.
She went and sat next to him on the couch.
She leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"I forgot to thank you for dinner, honey. We will have to go back there sometime".
"You're welcome. And yeah, we will, it was delicious".
He wrapped his arms around her and she rested her head against his arm.
"How many more innings is this game?"
"Probably one more".
As soon as it went into extra innings, she got up and went to wash her face and get ready for bed.
He came and joined her in bed when the game was over.
She snuggled up to him as soon as he climbed in bed.
"Darling, what do you think happened that made Evan and Michelle so miserable with each other?"
"I don't know. I imagine they probably focused on the kids instead of on themselves".
"Promise me we won't ever do that".
"Do what?"
"Get comfortable with each other".
"Jennifer, I'm already more than comfortable with you".
"No, no no. I mean, I want us to be comfortable. That's important. I just don't want us to just be comfortable."
"I promise you, that you and I will never just be comfortable".
"Thank you".
She kissed him a few times.
"You know, as uncomfortable as it was that they were fighting the whole night, I'm kind of glad we got to see it".
"You are?"
"Yeah. Think about it, darling. She pointed out to him that you pulled my chair out for me. I love that you do that. She pointed out that we were sharing the menu, and I love that too. Plus, seeing two people absolutely miserable with each other makes me appreciate our happiness even more".
She kissed his chest and played with his chest hair.
"Tell me about the boat race".
"Well, once we get going, I will flip the sails to electric. And I figure you and I can enjoy the seas during the day, and then at night, I'll anchor and we can focus on each other".
"And when we get to Hawaii?"
"Well, it will take them two days to get the boat cleaned up and gassed up and the batteries recharged. So, while we are waiting, I figure we can check into a resort and enjoy the beach and then sail back home. We can also stock up on groceries for the way back".
"I'm so excited. I can't wait to be on the boat with you".
"I had them put a new mattress in the bedroom today, and it's bigger than the old one".
"How much bigger?"
"It went from an extra long twin to a queen size. And I had them put it in a pocket, so it won't take up as much space. And I had them put a deadbolt on the door that leads down below, for safety".
"Honey, do you think that maybe…we will drive each other crazy with all that time at sea and no one else to talk to, nowhere else to go?"
"You drive me crazy? Darling, it's what I'm counting on".
He rolled on top of her and kissed her.
They had mad, passionate sex before they fell asleep together.