My Body-Mine (36 page)

“
I need time,” he said, and left me standing alone, naked in Parker’s bathroom.

I turned on the shower and cried, the tears merging with the water that cleansed me. I’d give him the time he needed, just as he had done for me. I only hoped that he’d find his way back.

After dressing, I curled up on the bed, needing to talk to someone. Hearing Parker’s voice on the phone, I
hoped
I hadn’t made a mistake in reaching out to her.

“
Hi, Jane,” she said, a lilt in her voice.

“
Am I interrupting?”

“
Not at all. Andre and I just finished watching a TV show.”

“
Is he there with you?” I asked.

“
Yes … why?”

“
Can we have some privacy?”

“
Sure, I’ll go into the bedroom.”

“
Thanks,” I said.

After a few minutes she said, “Okay, so what’s up?”

“
This has to stay between you and me. I understand if you can’t do that, but I need you to assure me before I say anything else.”

“
Of course, Jane. This will stay just between us.”

“
Thank you, Parker. First off, Luke signed the divorce papers and I’m getting everything I wanted. I wanted to celebrate, which leads me to the second part.”

“
I’m so happy for you. How does it feel to be a divorcee?”

I laughed and said, “I don’t know yet, let’s give it a few days.”

“
And the second thing?”

“
You have to promise not to get mad at me. I need you on my side.”

“
I’ll do my best.”

“
I’m in love with Chase.”

“
Yahooooo,” she screamed out, and I imagined her dancing around the bedroom.

“
You okay?” I heard in the background.

“
Peachy, Andre,” she said, and then I heard her cup the phone. “Can I tell him that part?”

“
Sure,” I said, rolling my eyes and shaking my head.

“
Jane’s in love with Chase.”

“
Wonderful,” he said, loud enough so I could hear him.

“
Can you close the door behind you, honey?” Parker said to Andre. “Okay, so what happened?” she said into the phone.

“
Chase came over to your place and we started getting hot and heavy—”

“
On my bed?”

“
No, I know better than that. We were in the bathroom.”

“
So what happened?”

“
Brace yourself and remember your promise.”

“
Shoot.”

“
I slept with Luke the night I saw him, and I didn’t feel right having sex with Chase without telling him the truth. He didn’t take it well.”

“
What man would?”

“
None. It’s just that it was the best thing that could have happened. I know he can’t see that, but honestly, Parker, I have no regrets. It’s almost like my heart was locked safely away where no one could hurt it anymore, but that also left me without the ability to love fully. Getting closure with Luke was the key. In the strangest turn of events, Luke came to Florida to get me back.”

“
What the fuck.”

“
Yeah.”

“
Well, Jane, you and I have been at odds over some of your choices but not this one. You made no promises to Chase and from what Andre has told me, you were very clear that you still needed time to sort out your life. Chase clearly has feelings for you, so I think he’ll come around. He might be reacting more to his past than you anyway.”

“
I hadn’t considered that.”

“
That’s why they pay me the big bucks and why you keep me around.”

“
Parker?”

“
Yes dear.”

“
You’re the best. One more piece of news … I get the beach house in about a week.”

“
That’s outstanding!”

“
I did tell them to get rid of all the furniture and stuff so we have shopping to do.”

“
I can’t wait.”

“
I
was
hop
ing
you’d say that.”

“
Thanks for trusting me, Jane. It means a lot to me.”

“
I love you girl, and will let you know how it goes.”

“
Good luck.”

“
Bye.”

W
eeks passed, and I fell into my own groove. Luke generously expedited the return of my money, allowing me to put off job hunting. I had yet to move into the beach house, still slowly furnishing the kitchen and living room, leaving the master bedroom untouched. I had yet to enter the room formerly known as Luke’s office and studio. I dragged my heels in regards to making major purchases, because in my mind I hoped Chase would be living there with me and I wanted his input.

I stayed away from Facebook, mostly because it hurt to see the green dot by Chase’s name, knowing he was not available to me. Sandy had asked me to go dress shopping with her, and I couldn’t wait to help her pick out the perfect wedding gown.

Days flew by, and I taught myself more and more about creating an online presence to promote my book. I started a blog, and continued to craft the novel I planned to get published.

I had arranged to meet Marcello at his house for lunch and to return the car. I purchased another vehicle, but instead of getting a red Honda Accord like I had before, I went with the Honda Insight hybrid. The name appealed to me, as did the frosted silver metallic with a bluish hue. I considered going with a less practical vehicle with a convertible top, but wanted the money I regained from the divorce to sustain my writing habit until I generated enough income through book sales.
At least that was the dream.

For my lunch with Marcello I dressed in a short denim skirt and a green T-shirt with the number five on it. Driving his Camry one last time, I couldn’t help
but
recall all that he did to help me. I worried our lunch together might be awkward, and that our easy rapport would have vanished. However, once I stepped out of the car and Marcello opened the door for me, I knew it would all be okay.

He gathered me up in a bear hug, lifting me off my feet.

“
Damn,
bella
, I have missed you,” he said.

I kissed him lightly as he lowered me to the ground. “I missed you too. It feels like months have passed.”

“
Because they have. Between my stay in New York and you moving, time waits for no man. Beautiful as always.”

“
Thank you,” I said. “Are we going to the restaurant?”

“
Yes, but first I’d love to introduce you to my mother.”

“
I’d really like that,” I said. It touched me that he still wanted me to meet her.

Marcello led me into the kitchen where his mother sat at the small table while the cook went over the meal plan for the week. I could see Marcello in her warm dark eyes. She wore a fitted light blue dress, buttoned to the collar, with a colorful chiffon scarf draped around her shoulders. Her silver gray hair was styled in an elegant chignon.

“
You must be Jane,” she said, and stood. I went to shake her hand, but she hugged me instead.

“
Hello, Mrs. Ricci,” I said, smiling over her shoulder at Marcello.

“
Well, I can certainly see why my boy was smitten with you. I’m pretty sure that’s a first for him.”

I blushed in embarrassment, more for Marcello than me.

“
Mother, must you always do your best to embarrass me?”

“
Dear, I don’t think this is news to Jane, and I have tremendous respect for anyone who can sustain a friendship after a romance.”

“
I’m sorry,” Marcello mouthed over his mother’s head.

I smiled slightly, and shook my head that I didn’t mind.

“
We’re going to have lunch at the restaurant,” he said to his mother.

“
Would you like to join us?” I asked Mrs. Ricci.

“
No, I’m sure you kids have some catching up to do.”

“
Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you and to see how well you’re doing. Marcello is thrilled to have you here.”

“
Most of the time anyway,” she said with a wink.

I liked her immediately and hoped I would age with the same beauty
and grace
.

* * * *

Once at Marcello’s Ristorante, I followed Marcello to the back so we could eat in the privacy of his office.

“
Still the best Italian food I’ve ever eaten,” I said as I took another bite of the spinach lasagna.

“
But of course,” he said.

“
So how’s Janice getting on?” I asked.

“
Have you heard from her?”

“
No, I haven’t.”

“
She moved out to Seattle, something you set in motion, it seems.” He wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin, awaiting my response.

“
I wouldn’t go so far as to say that, but … I thought they needed each other and maybe they both had changed enough to make it work. Is she living with Luke?”

“
No. I helped her get settled and find a job as an assistant manager in a restaurant out there. Last I heard she and Luke were taking things slowly.”

“
That seems wise,” I said, and placed my fork down on the plate.

“
She left you something she asked me to give to you,” Marcello said, handing me a wrapped, narrow rectangular box.

Not thinking, I opened the box in front of Marcello and exposed a glass phallus with a raised blue swirl wrapped around the shaft. I turned the box upside down and a note slipped out.

Dear Jane,

Thank you again for all of your kindness and support. I miss you. Hope to see you when I’m in town for a visit. This particular novel apparatus helped me squirt for the first time. Try it anally for an explosive orgasm. ;)

Smiling as I write this and remembering our great times together,

Janice

I busted out laughing and probably blushed at the same time, intrigued by my new toy. After regaining my composure I said, “What about you? Any new women in your life? What about the woman whose picture I found in your drawer?”

“
My mother has been a full-time occupation.”

“
She seemed rather self-sufficient to me,” I said, raising my eyebrows in question.

“
You can’t fix everyone up with a tidy bow.”

“
Yes, I know that. Of course I do. I just want you to be happy.”

“
Are you?”

“
I have my days and mostly I am.” I leaned into the chair, rearranging the napkin on my lap.

“
And Chase?”

I glanced up and said, “I’m starting to think that won’t happen. I haven’t heard from him in a while.”

“
May I ask why?”

“
Well ...
I had sex with Luke the night I saw him, and Chase can’t get past it.”

“
And how did you leave it?” Marcello said. He took my hand in his and I felt the warmth of his caress.

“
He asked for space, and I’ve been giving it to him.” I glimpsed at his large hand dwarfing mine.

“
Can I give
you
a piece of unsolicited advice?”

“
Yes, I could use some,” I said, seeing the compassion in his eyes.

“
If you want to be with him, let him know.”

“
He knows.”

“
Tell him again. Let him see you so he can realize what a stupid, and I mean colossally stupid mistake he is making.”

“
I’ll be sure to tell him,” I said, laughing. “I’m not sure that will help my case.”

“
Trust me; it’s a lot easier for him to think he doesn’t need you if he doesn’t have to see you standing right in front of him.”

“
I do trust you, and thank you, Marcello. I don’t know if this is hard for you, but I so appreciate your staying open to friendship.”

“
It would be much harder for me if we lost touch.”

“
Thank you,” I said, tears pooling in my eyes as I threw myself into his arms, hugging him tightly.

“
I will never forget our time together,
bella
.”

I pulled away, smiled through my tears and said, “Neither will I.”

Although Marcello’s love wasn’t a long-term answer for me, I had found good love with him, unlike with Luke.

Would Chase give me the chance for the long-term love my heart longed for? Would he continue to push me away? I decided to trust Marcello
’s
advice and give it another shot. I had nothing to lose.

After Marcello drove me back to Parker’s
,
I dropped my purse in
the
car and ran into the house. I prepped myself for sex, shaving my pussy smooth but leaving the pathway I had let grow in over my mound. It might be wishful thinking but I even used a fleet to clean myself out. I prayed Chase would take me back and then do all the sexy, kinky things I had fantasized about and he’d alluded to.

Hopping into my new car, I headed straight over to Chase’s place. Halfway there I realized I had no way to get into his apartment without an elevator key. Undaunted, I knew I could just text him from downstairs. It would be harder to turn me away if he knew I stood downstairs waiting.