He picked her up at the airport and took her to the apartment. Despite her protests he helped her get settled. She came out of the bedroom after putting away her things. He was standing nervously looking around.
"Jonathan, if you need to go, it's okay." She insisted, "You've been more than kind but I'm sure you have things to do."
He looked at his watch, "I do have some work to get back to. Do you think you might feel up to going out to dinner tonight?"
"Oh, you don't have to…" She began
He moved closer to her and took her hands in his, it was the first time they had really touched and his hands still felt the same to her, strong yet comforting, "I know I don't have to, I want to. I would really like to spend some time just catching up."
She smiled wryly, "Before it's too late?"
"Jennifer." His voice was soft again, "Please stop…"
She squeezed his hands, looking down, "I'm sorry. I guess I don't know any other way to deal with this to keep from breaking down."
He pulled her into his arms and she found herself unable to protest, "Maybe breaking down once might help, instead of keeping it inside." He stroked her hair
She sighed heavily, "I'm afraid once I start I won't be able to stop."
He pulled back and looked at her with those blue eyes, eyes that could pierce her soul, "Why don't you rest for a while. I'll pick you up about seven."
She ran her hand down the lapel of his suit, "Are you sure you want to be seen with me? You know how the rumor mill is in this town, Jonathan Hart's ex-wife shows up. I don't know what your situation is…"
He smiled, "Don't worry about that." He assured her saying nothing but saying it all, "I'll see you about seven."
She walked him to the door and an awkward silence hung in the air.
"So where are we going to eat?" She asked finally breaking the silence
"Where ever you want." He told her
"Hmmm, I just want to make sure I have the appropriate attire, cancer chic or cancer casual." He joked
He shook his head and gave her a wink, "I'll surprise you."
L'ORANGARIE
She had tried hard to put her best face forward but with limp hair and skin even paler than usual, she knew if anyone saw her who knew her from her days as Mrs. Jonathan Hart the gossip would spread like wildfire. Poor thing hasn't held up well at all over the years…she used to be so beautiful but now. She wondered if there was any hidden meaning in his choosing this restaurant. It had been a place they frequented often as a couple and one time in particular washed over her like a tidal wave.
"Why would Irene Day want to make me jealous?" She asked
"You cannot be jealous." He told her
"Aren't I allowed to have a human emotion?"
"You cannot be jealous." He repeated
They had proceeded to pull off a whopper of a fight, totally staged to smoke out someone who was going to an awful lot of trouble to break them up. It turned out to all be because of a ridiculous bet made at Jonathan's bachelor party on how long they would stay married. If they had just waited a couple of years, one of those so called gentlemen would have won that bet legitimately, she thought as they were shown to their table.
A waiter appeared shortly to take their drink order, "Ah, Mr. Hart, how are you this evening?"
Jonathan smiled, "Fine, Claude, and you?"
"Very well, sir, thank you." He said, "And who is your lovely companion this evening?"
"Ah, Claude this is…" He began
"Jennifer." She finished for him with a smile
"Claude, would you bring us a bottle of Chateau St. Clair and some of that wonderful bread, please." Jonathan asked
"Right away, Sir." He replied and headed off to the kitchen
Jennifer took a drink of water, "So who is she?"
"What?" He replied
"The one you told me not to worry about." She smiled slightly, "When I said I didn't know what your situation was."
He shook his head, you can still read me like a book, "Her name is Diana Caldwell. She's in charge of donor relations and fundraising at the hospital. We've only been seeing each other for about a month, nothing serious."
"She must be very understanding." Jennifer concluded
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, you're here with me and not with her." She pointed out as Claude returned with the bread and wine, pouring them each a glass
"She's out of town." He said, "And I just said we're not serious."
"Darling." It slipped out like nothing had changed, "I know women, I am one, remember? And if you think Miss Caldwell won't have her feathers ruffled by you seeing your ex-wife, you have been out of the game too long."
He knew she had a point, "Maybe I'm tired of the game." He said softly
"I know what you mean." Her eyes softened, "After you get a certain age the whole thing gets old."
His eyes met hers again, "Did you ever…"
"Remarry?" She asked taking a drink of wine, "No, almost, but no."
He sensed a story there, "What do you mean 'almost'?" He broke off a piece of bread and buttered it
She sighed heavily, "The almost came when I caught him with his secretary."
Now it was his eyes that softened, "I'm sorry."
"Well, I went down to surprise him with dinner after he said he would be working late." She explained, "But when I got there she sure as hell wasn't taking dictation. But at least it happened then instead of after we were married or if we'd had…" She trailed off averting her eyes
"Had what?" He asked
She shook her head, "Children." She said barely a whisper, "Excuse me." She got up and quickly exited the restaurant, needing some air
Jonathan dropped his napkin on the table and went after her. He found her on the sidewalk, tears streaking her face.
He came up behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders, "Jennifer." His breath was warm on her neck
She pulled away, "I can't do this, Jonathan."
"Do what? Eat dinner?"
She turned to face him, "No, this…sitting there reminiscing, catching up, like we're just two old friends, like nothing happened. Just take me back to the apartment, please."
"Jennifer, I'm sorry if I said something that upset you." He replied, "But we're already here, so let's just go ahead and eat. We don't have to talk anymore but you have to eat dinner, you know?" He searched her face for a reaction
She smiled and nodded, "Okay."
HART INDUSTRIES
Jonathan sat with Kelly, his secretary, dictating some memos and going over the agenda for the rest of the day but his mind was hardly on any of it. He was thinking about Jennifer. She was meeting with the doctors and he was anxious to hear what happened.
"Will that be all Mr. Hart?" Kelly asked
He smiled, "Yes, Kelly, thank you. Just get those memos typed up and that proposal on the Lawson deal."
"Right away, Sir." She said and headed across the room to the double doors just as they opened revealing an attractive blonde, "Oh, Ms. Caldwell, how are you?"
The woman smiled but it seemed forced, "Fine, Kelly." She said, "Oh, would you get me a cup of coffee. You remember how I like it don't you?"
"Yes, ma'am." She replied exiting the office. She always felt condescended to around Diana Caldwell. When she had started working for Mr. Hart five years ago, his previous secretary, Deanne, told her how nice the now ex-Mrs. Hart had been and she often wondered about the woman whose name was only uttered in hushed tones around the office
Jonathan stood and smiled, "Well, this is a nice surprise. I thought you weren't due back until later this afternoon."
She crossed the room and unceremoniously dropped the morning paper on his desk, turned to the society column, "Then that must be the reason for this."
He picked it up and saw it in bold black print Jonathan Hart dines with mysterious red head. The article that followed describe how Jonathan was seen dining with an unidentified woman with auburn hair and they seemed very cozy.
"Diana, let me explain." He began, "That wasn't what it looked like."
"Oh please, spare me." She retorted, "Who is she?"
"It was Jennifer." He replied simply
"Jennifer?" She thought for a moment, he'd only mentioned her a few times, "Jennifer, as in your ex-wife, Jennifer?"
He nodded, "Yes."
"I thought she lived in New York."
He sighed, "She does but she's here for medical treatment." He explained, "She has cancer."
"Oh." She managed, "I'm sorry."
He came out from behind his desk and put his arms around her, "I just wanted to lift her spirits a little. She doesn't have anyone. Her father is elderly and she doesn't have a husband or kids…"
"It's alright." She interrupted, "But just remember who fills your dance card now."
After work Jonathan hadn't heard from Jennifer so he decided to stop by the apartment before meeting Diana for dinner. He knocked on the door and waited until he heard the turning of the locks. She opened the door offering a warm smile.
"Hi." She said, "Come on in."
He stepped inside, "I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time. I hadn't heard from you and I wanted to see how it went with the doctors."
"Well, the only thing you're interrupting is a really cheesy movie." She explained, "In fact, I thought you were the pizza. I saw Guido is still in business so I ordered my usual."
"Yeah, I don't think Guido will ever retire." He observed, "So, the doctors?"
"Oh, right." She said, "They think I'm a very good candidate for the interleukin trial. They've got to do some tests but with any luck, I'll start treatment within a week or so."
He smiled, relieved, "That's great." He looked at his watch, "Well, I need to get going."
"Right, you don't want to keep the lady waiting." She replied sensing he had a date
He smiled knowingly, "Good night, Jennifer." He said opening the door to leave