Page 15 of Jack
And he was sick to death of the house—ofhis rooms. He could not get in touch with his damn friends, and theywere away for spring break anyway. His heart was racing and his palmssweating. For a few minutes, he thought his grandmother could seethrough his bland expression and his statement that he was going towatch something in the theater room and have his meal there.
"I might take a swim before going tobed. I'll probably be asleep when you get home. What time would thatbe?" he asked casually.
She glanced at him in the mirror as shesecured the diamond earrings in her lobes.
"Possibly around midnight." Shestared at her image and nodded in satisfaction. "It's a benefitfor disabled veterans and usually takes a while. I'm sorry to leaveyou on your own, darling."
He laughed ruefully. "We have azillion servants. I am not exactly alone."
"That's not what I meant."Reaching for her cashmere wrap, she joined him on the love seat andwrapped her arms around him, bathing him in her subtly expensivescent.
Her son had not called to even say he hadreached his destination, but she was used to that. It hurt and shewas angry on her grandson's behalf but had resigned herself to hisbehavior.
"I'll be fine, grams." He leanedinto her and closed his eyes. He knew she was trying, but he yearnedto have a relationship with his dad and that was not going away."Enjoy yourself and have fun."
*****
She was just descending the steps fromtrouncing a couple of cocky truckers at dart throwing and enjoyingthe endearing way Jazmine was listening intently to Zach teaching herto draw a pint, when her quick eyes saw him slip from the family hehad walked in with and into a booth away from the door. He was cleverand had chosen somewhere he was partially hidden by a potted plant.
Sending a quick glance to make sure herbrother was still occupied, she sashayed over to the booth and slidin.
His smile was impish and endearing and hadthe ability to tug at her heart. Forcing a stern expression on herface, she eyed him.
"You're not supposed to be here again.And it looks like I am going to have to fire a very good man who hasa wife and a newborn baby. Will that make you happy?"
"It's not his fault," he saidquickly. "There was a crowd coming in and I waited for the rightmoment to sneak in."
"Why are you here again?"
"Would you believe if I said it wasfor the ambience?" he asked with a winsome smile. His beautifulgray eyes glowed, giving them a luminous quality. His thick brownhair was endearingly tousled, with a heavy lock hanging over hisforehead. He was dressed like a typical teenager, with the fadedjeans and black hoodie, but his had quality stamped all over them.
"Kid, my brother is going to tan yourhide and boot you out."
"Please, can I stay?" His voicewobbled a little and for a moment, he looked younger than his age.
"No."
"Just for a minute? I could use acoke." His charming smile came again, and she felt the tug ather heart.
"One coke and then you go. Is thatunderstood?"
He nodded. "Will you have a drink withme?"
She sighed softly. "Okay, one drink."Sliding out of the booth, she went to get the drinks herself,skirting the area where her brother was drawing a pint and issuinginstructions to the servers. Jazmine was busy laughing with acustomer and handing him his drink.
"Here." She slid back in andhanded him the ice-cold drink. Popping her cork, she studied him fora few seconds. "Aren't you afraid of being kidnapped?"
His thick brows lifted as he stared at her.
"Kidnapped?"
"Kid, I know who you are. JasonHadley, your dad is Jack Hadley of Hadley Industries. Shopping mallsand real estate." She took a sip of the icy coke and eyed himover the can. "Where's your grandmother?"
"At a function." His mood hadturned mutinous. "Why?"
"Because I am getting ready to callher."
He reached out to grab her hand. "Pleasedon't."
