Page 50 of An Unexpected Love

Until recently, Jill had found communicating with her mother difficult. After her husband’s death, Elaine had withdrawn from life, hidden herself away in hergrief and regrets. In many ways, Jill had lost her mother at the same time as she had her father.

“Mom, it’s all right,” Jill said in an attempt to reassure her. “It’s only for the next little while. Once this project’s under control everything will be different.”

Jill knew better. She wasn’t fooling herself, and she sincerely doubted she’d be able to fool her mother.

“I warned you,” Elaine said, walking to the white leather sofa and sitting tensely on the edge. Setting the cup and saucer on a nearby table, she turned pleading eyes to Jill. “Didn’t I tell you? The day of the wedding—”

“Yes, Mother, you warned me.”

“Why didn’t you listen?”

Jill exhaled slowly, praying for patience. “I’m in love with him, just like you loved Daddy.”

It seemed unfair to drag her father into this, her much-grieved father, but it was the only way Jill could explain.

“What are you going to do about it?”

“Mother,” Jill sighed. “It’s not as though Jordan’s having an affair.”

“He might as well be,” Elaine replied heatedly. “Here it is, Saturday afternoon and he’s working. One look at him told me he had the same drive and ambition, the same need for power, as your father.”

“Mother, please… It isn’t like that with Jordan.”

The older woman’s eyes were infinitely sad as she gazed at her daughter. “Don’t count on that, Jill. Just don’t count on it.”

* * *

Her mother’s visit had unsettled Jill. Afterward, she tried to relax with a book, but couldn’t concentrate. Thephone rang at six, just as it had every night that week. One of Jordan’s assistants had called to let her know he wouldn’t be home for dinner.

One ring.

Walking over to the phone, Jill stood directly in front of it, but didn’t pick up the receiver.

Two rings.

Drawing in a deep breath, she flexed her fingers. Twice in the past couple of weeks, Jordan had phoned himself. Maybe he’d be on the other end of the line, inviting her to join him for dinner. Maybe he was phoning to tell her he’d unscrambled the entire mess and he’d be home within the next half hour. Perhaps he was calling to suggest they take a few days off and vacation somewhere exotic, just the two of them.

Three rings.

Jill could feel her pulse throbbing at the base of her throat. But she didn’t answer.

Four rings.

Five rings.

The phone went silent.

Her entire body was trembling when she turned away and walked into the bedroom. She sat on the bed and covered her face with both hands.

The phone began to ring again, the sound reverberating loudly through the apartment. Jill slapped her hands over her ears, unable to bear it. Each ring tormented her, pretending to offer hope when there was none. It wouldn’t be Jordan, but his assistant, and his message would be the same one he’d relayed every night that week.

Making a rapid decision, Jill got her jacket and purseand hurried toward the penthouse elevator, purposely leaving her cell phone behind.

Not having any particular destination, she wandered downtown until she passed a movie theater and decided to go in. The movie wasn’t one that really interested her, but she bought a ticket, anyway, willing to subject herself to a B-grade comedy if it meant she could escape for a couple of hours.

The movie actually turned out to be quite entertaining. The plot was ridiculous, but there were enough humorous moments to make her laugh. And if Jill had ever needed some comic relief, it was now.

On impulse she stopped at a deli and picked up a couple of sandwiches, then flagged down a taxi. Before she could change her mind, she gave the driver the address of Jordan’s office building.

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