Page 6 of Bold Encounter
"Who was that guy?"
"That was Jason Thornton," Genevieve said."He really is harmless, just annoying."
She might believe that he wasn't dangerous, but Abe was not convinced."Is there more to that?"
Genevieve sipped her latte."I'll give you the highlights.A few years ago, I was in his band.It didn't work out and he wasn't happy about that."
Abe waited, knowing there was more to the story.
"He came on to me," Genevieve said."Only I wasn't interested, which offended his grand ideas of himself."
"I know the type."
"It got worse."Genevieve studied her coffee for a moment."At the time, I was dating Alton, who became my second husband.Jason didn't consider that relevant and asked me out anyway.Not only did I reject him, but I proceeded to get married to another.That was the final insult, I suppose."
"Obviously he hasn't forgotten about you."
"I thought he had."Genevieve shrugged."That marriage was tumultuous and short-lived.But I didn't hear from Jason, even to gloat.In the interim, my career has taken off."
"Interesting," Abe said."You mentioned Alton was your second husband?"
"Yes, Nat Dumas was my first, and I kept that last name," she said."It works as a stage name and differentiates me from my sister, who is also well known in her field."
"And Jason surfaced today for the first time?"
"I guess so," Genevieve said."I've been focused on my career, although I date.But it's not easy to find the right guy."
He smiled.
"I've probably told you too much," Genevieve said."The tabloids print a lot about my personal life.My failed marriages are no secret."
"Listen, I have no room to talk," Abe said."I botched my marriage, so I've been a bachelor for the last fifteen years."
"Any kids?"
He shook his head."I wanted kids, but divorce is tough on families.It was just as well that we didn't have any."
"Considering my luck with relationships, Brooke is more likely the one who will have a family."
Abe thought that she was being too hard on herself, but he didn't know her well enough to offer opinions.After hearing more of her story, he was concerned.Stalkers meant trouble, so he wasn't willing to let Genevieve go.
He preferred to keep an eye on her but wasn't sure what excuse to use.Asking her for a date seemed inappropriate.Jason's intrusion had set a different mood.But Genevieve solved the problem for him.
*****
Genevieve preferred Abe's company to being alone.Truth be told, she liked being with him more than she was willing to admit.Brooke was off on a wonderful honeymoon, and she was left with a disastrous love life.She missed her sister and felt adrift.
Yet she had taken the whole day off because of the wedding.And it was only late afternoon.Without thinking it through, she said, "Wanna hang out?"
Abe instantly agreed, then said, "What do you have in mind?"
"If you were one of my girlfriends, I'd suggest browsing the antique shops."She smiled."No doubt you'd be asleep within the hour."
He laughed."Make that…asleep within minutes."
"Instead, we can walk in the park for a while," Genevieve said."It's a beautiful day and I could use the fresh air.There's been a lot going on recently, with wedding planning and all."
"A stroll in the park sounds good to me."Abe stood and offered her his arm."If we're going to stroll, we might as well do it properly."
