Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Taylor hoped to speak with Jameson when she returned to the office after meeting with Abigail, but he was headed out the door when she arrived. He paused to ask how it had gone, but he was clearly busy.
She told herself it was for the best. She needed time to organize her thoughts.
He didn’t return until shortly after Glenna had left for the day.
“What are you still doing here?” he asked.
She gestured to the papers and open laptop on her desk. “Just a little light reading.”
“You’ve been here by seven every day, and Glenna tells me you’re usually still here when she leaves at five.”
“And your point is?” She kept her tone light. Despite her vow to do things differently in her life now, she realized she’d slipped back into her workaholic pattern.
“Just an observation.” He glanced at her desktop. “Can that wait?”
Taylor hesitated, sorely tempted to stay longer but knowing it was time to stop. “Yeah, sure. You’re right. I should go home. ”
“I’ve got an alternative suggestion. One that doesn’t involve grabbing takeout or cooking once you get home.”
“You’ve captured my interest.” Taylor leaned forward. “Tell me more.”
“Are you familiar with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization?”
“Isn’t it an organization that matches adult mentors with kids?”
“That’s right.”
“Did you have a Big Brother?”
“In the MacDonald family, yes.” A slight smile lifted his lips. “In terms of the organization, no. But I’ve been a Big Brother to a boy who is now twenty-one. That he’s already that old is still difficult for me to believe.”
Taylor wasn’t sure where this conversation was going, but knowing Jameson, he would quickly get to the point. “How long have you been his mentor?”
“For the past five years. When I was on the force, civic involvement was encouraged.”
“And you took up the challenge.”
“I did.” He smiled. “Ajay, once a struggling student, is now an accomplished musician. He and his bandmates are playing tonight at Destiny. The club is relatively new to GraceTown, so I wasn’t sure if you’d been there…”
“I’ve heard of it, but I haven’t been there.” Taylor pulled her brows together. “Isn’t it kind of a bar/grill/dance club?”
“You got it.”
“They have bands on Monday nights?” Her tone reflected her skepticism.
“They have live music every night. The popular big-name bands are scheduled for weekends. But simply getting on the schedule is a big deal. Ajay is jazzed.” Pride filled Jameson’s voice. “If you don’t have plans, we could grab something to eat there and listen to him play. ”
Taylor opened her mouth to tell him she needed to review the information that Abigail had given her. Everything that needed to be included in a divorce petition was daunting, and she didn’t want to mess up.
Though Abigail had offered to oversee what she planned to file, Taylor would still do most of the work on this case.
As the silence stretched, Jameson took a step forward, his expression turning serious. “I know things have been strained between us, and that’s on me. I want to apologize for being dismissive of the notes from your dad.”
Taylor’s heart gave a leap. “Do you believe now?”
“It doesn’t matter what I believe. What matters is that I understand you have every right not to sell your half to me.” A slight smile lifted Jameson’s lips. “You’re not being stubborn or sentimental. You’re being Bob’s daughter, and I shouldn’t have doubted that.”
“I thought…” She paused, then decided that if he could be fully honest, so could she. “I thought you were merely being nice to me when I first arrived so that if my dad did leave his share to me, I would sell it to you.”
“I was nice to you because you’re Bob’s daughter, and I enjoy your company.” His warm brown eyes met hers. “I’d like us to be friends. No ulterior motives.”
Taylor thought of her life back in Chicago, when there was no time to cultivate new friendships because work was her priority.
Late nights at the office had left little opportunity for fun or friendships. And for what? Taylor had vowed that was not how she wanted her life to look going forward. Yet, she was falling back into the same old trap.
“Taylor?” Jameson prompted.
He’d extended an olive branch. All the cards were now on the table.
“I’d like to be friends.” Pushing back her chair, she stood, not missing the look of relief that filled his eyes. “How about I quickly run home and change? You can pick me up, and we can spend several hours listening to great music and becoming better acquainted.”
When Taylor got home, she dropped off a briefcase full of work and changed into her favorite sweater dress. The chocolate color perfectly matched the suede boots she pulled on.
Though she reminded herself this wasn’t a date, Taylor freshened her makeup, added more color to her lips and brushed her hair.
When the doorbell rang, announcing Jameson’s arrival, she was ready.
The short drive in his Impala to Destiny took only minutes. When they walked through the front door without having to pay a cover charge, she realized this was what it was like to come to a club on a weekday.
“This is a new experience for me,” Taylor told him after they’d ordered at the bar and were told their food would be brought out.
“Don’t give me that.” He shook his head and chuckled. “A young, single, attractive woman in Chicago. I’m sure you’ve been to plenty of clubs.”
She wondered why she focused on the “attractive” part of his comment. Though she pushed that aside, a feeling of warmth remained. “Of course I have. Chicago has a robust club scene. What I was talking about was coming to one on a weekday.”
“This okay with you?” He stopped at a table with a good view of the stage but not in the direct line of the speakers.
“Works for me.” She paused momentarily at the table's edge, studying the boys—er, men—on the stage. They were all young, in their early twenties, playing with an intensity that told her this gig was important to them .
Sitting, she glanced around the bar, which was at most one-third full. “Not many here.”
Jameson didn’t get a chance to respond as a pretty server with hair as dark as midnight brought their drinks—a beer for him and a soda for her.
“This is a good turnout for a Monday.” The woman slipped the tray under one arm and gestured to the stage. “They’re the reason. The guys have quite a following in the area.”
“I love their sound. The band is the reason we’re here tonight,” Taylor told the woman, hoping she’d pass that along to management.
“That's good to know.” The woman turned and offered Jameson a flirty smile. “If you need anything, anything at all, my name is Mandi.”
The band Cosmic Chaos launched into a cover of a tune that had been popular when Taylor was in college. Maybe it was nostalgia or the beat, but it made her want to get up and dance.
From the couples taking to the dance floor, she wasn’t the only one.
As if he’d read her thoughts, Jameson pushed back his chair, rose and held out his hand. “Care to dance?”
She smiled. “Just try to keep me off the dance floor.”
Taylor and Jameson danced, ate and danced some more. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d had such an enjoyable evening.
She knew some of it was because she and Jameson had no expectations. They were partners, not potential lovers—merely friends here to listen to music and enjoy incredible burgers.
“I don’t eat much meat, but that burger was amazing.” Taylor finished off the last bite and heaved a contented sigh.
“The food has always been good here.”
Now that they’d settled that and the band had started a softer, slower set, Taylor seized the opportunity to talk to Jameson, an opportunity that had eluded her since they’d been either dancing or eating with loud music in the background.
“Why didn’t you tell me my dad was dating Abigail?” She kept her tone light. It wasn’t his fault her dad had kept the relationship from her. “That they were in love?”
Jameson took a long drink of his beer and set it on the table before speaking. “I thought you knew. That they were dating, that is. The love thing, well, that’s news to me.”
“He never even mentioned her name to me.” Taylor was glad she’d finished her burger, because her appetite had fled. “Why wouldn’t he have told me about her?”
“Would you have been happy about it?”
“Yes,” Taylor answered immediately, then paused and nodded emphatically. “Yes, because it would have meant he was finally over my mother.”
His curious gaze and lack of response had her continuing. “Even though my mom has been in California for years, they’ve remained in touch. I’m not sure how closely, but enough that he’d urged me to respond more quickly to her texts.”
“He’d talk about your mom now and then.”
Taylor straightened. “What kinds of things would he say about her?”
Jameson hesitated.
Taylor placed a hand over his. “Please tell me. Who else can?”
Jameson sighed and nodded. “It was mostly about him being glad that Lynda seemed happy. I guess she was dating some guy, and they were talking about moving in together.”
“Did he seem bothered by that?”
“Your dad was one of those guys who genuinely wanted those he loved to be happy.”
“Which meant you think he still loved my mom.”
“Maybe a part of him did. I don’t know.” Jameson shrugged. “I do know he wanted you to be happy, too. ”
She knew this to be accurate, even if her happiness meant that she lived in a city and worked at a job that made it difficult for them to see each other. She also knew that having his only child so far away couldn’t have made him happy.
“I wish I would have been here for him.”
“Regrets are a waste of energy.” Jameson’s gaze remained on her as he leaned back in his chair. “So is worrying about the future. I read somewhere that eighty-five percent of what we worry about never happens. Which is why we need to focus on the present.”
“Okay, so let’s talk about the present. Abigail Moyer.” Taylor thought of the scrap of paper that had appeared in the coat pocket. “After keeping her a secret all this time, why would my dad want us to meet now?”
“First, I don’t think he deliberately kept her a secret. She was a part of his life, more in the last year than before, but it wasn’t as if they were heading off to a wedding chapel in the next month.”
“A wedding announcement would have been a shock,” Taylor admitted.
“Bob would never do that to you.” Jameson’s expression turned serious. “If he decided to propose to Abigail, he’d have told you his plans long before taking that leap.”
“I’m glad he had someone special.”
“She was good for him,” Jameson said, splaying his hands on the table. “They were busy with their careers, but they still made time for each other. Abigail has a large practice. She’s the best family law attorney in the region and in great demand.”
Her dad appeared to have gone from one driven career woman to another. “I’m surprised she works solo.”
“From what I understand, she has a team of paralegals who work for her. We handle—or rather, handled—a lot of her investigations. She has all the help she needs.”
Picking up on the nuance, Taylor arched a brow. “You don’t think she’ll continue to send business Elite’s way? ”
“I think it will depend on whether we can promptly handle what she needs.” He smiled. “When Abigail wants information, she wants that information yesterday.”
“Yet, you knew she’d help me.”
“You’re Bob’s daughter. She’d have done anything for him, so I knew she’d step in to help. Plus, being involved in this case is a way for her to get to know you and for you to get to know her.” He inclined his head. “Did you tell her about the note?”
Taylor nodded. “I thought about not saying anything. After all, we’d just met. I didn’t want her to think I was crazy.”
“You think believing that the notes come from your dad makes you sound crazy?”
“I absolutely do.”
“You simply believe they are from your dad. Nothing wrong with that.”
Taylor expelled a long breath. “Abigail confirmed the handwriting on the note is his.”
“I’m glad you showed it to her.”
“I’m sorry about holding on to his share of the business. I can’t bring myself to?—”
He waved away the apology.
“I realize I’m putting you and the company in a bad spot,” she went on. “In the interim, I promise I will find a way to scrape up the money so you can hire another investigator full-time.”
“It's not just that I’m worried about the business or am thinking of myself. I’m thinking of you, too. I know you believe these notes are his way of directing you, but your father never tried to tell you how to live your life, right? So why would he try to influence you now?” Concern filled his eyes. “How long are you willing to stay in this holding pattern before moving ahead with your own life?”
“I don’t know,” Taylor answered honestly. “It’s early days yet. Right now, there’s so much to do…”
She thought of the items Mel had asked her to gather so he could have them shipped to her mother. She needed to make that a priority.
“Just to be clear.” Jameson’s gaze met hers, and she felt the punch. “Neither Glenna nor I are in any hurry for you to go. It’s nice having you in the office.”
Heat rose up Taylor’s neck, making her glad for the dim bar lighting. “That's good to know.”
For a second, Taylor found it hard to breathe. Then the invisible web of attraction that had trapped them both shattered when the drummer took off on a high-octane solo.
She reached for her glass, took a long drink of soda and changed the subject. “It’s nice that you and Ajay have stayed in touch even after the Big Brother thing ended.”
Surprise skittered across Jameson’s face. “Big Brother is about offering support, guidance and encouragement. That doesn’t end just because a milestone, like a high school graduation, is reached. I’ll be there for him as long as he needs me.”
“He’s lucky to have you,” Taylor said softly.
“It goes both ways.” Jameson’s eyes shifted over her shoulder, and he smiled broadly before pushing to his feet. “Ajay.”
Only then did Taylor realize the music had stopped, which meant the band was on break.
She shifted in her chair to see a gangly young man with shiny dark hair boasting a streak of orange striding toward them.
The smile on his face told Taylor that Jameson being here tonight meant something.
“You came,” Ajay said.
The two exchanged a half hug and a back slap. “Wouldn’t have missed it.”
“You brought your lady.” Ajay’s dark eyes shifted to Taylor.
He surprised her by sticking out his hand. “Ajay Gubser.”
Taylor took it and stood. “Taylor Higgs.”
Ajay cast Jameson a questioning look .
“Yes,” Jameson confirmed without the question being voiced. “Taylor is Bob’s daughter.”
“Wow.” Ajay raked a hand through his silky hair. “You’re a lot better looking than your dad.”
Taylor chuckled. “Thank you, but I think my dad was pretty wonderful.”
“Oh, Bob was a great guy,” Ajay concurred. “Just not much to look at.”
Taylor inclined her head. “Will you join us?”
When he hesitated, she added, “I know you don’t have much time, but I’d love to hear more about how you knew my dad.”
Ajay shot a look at Jameson, asking for what? Permission to join them? Or permission to walk away?
“Sit.” Jameson pulled out a chair. “Leave whenever you need. We won’t be offended.”
Ajay dropped in the chair and glanced at the half-filled red basket of fries. His hand hovered over the basket. “Mind?”
“I’m done.” Taylor glanced at Jameson.
“Knock yourself out.”
Ajay stuffed a handful into his mouth and chewed, but when he reached for Jameson’s beer, Jameson held up a hand.
Taylor slid her water glass toward him. “I haven’t touched it.”
“Wouldn’t care if you did.” Ajay gave her a wink. “Kind of be like kissing you.”
Taylor laughed. “Tell me how you met my dad.”
“He hauled in my dad. D&D.” Ajay reached for more fries. “I drove my mom to the station. She was a mess, so I had to handle stuff.”
Taylor recalled what Jameson had said about when he’d become Ajay’s Big Brother. Had the kid even been old enough to drive?
She slanted a glance at Jameson, who shook his head ever so slightly.
“Anyway, your old man was cool. He asked me all sorts of questions about my life and mentioned this Big Brother thing.” Ajay shrugged. “It sounded lame, but I went along since I’d had some trouble at school, and agreeing made it look like I was trying.”
“Then you got stuck with Jameson.”
Taylor’s light, teasing tone had Ajay grinning.
“Ya get what ya get.” A sound from the stage had Ajay straightening. “That’s my cue to get my ass back onstage.”
“I like your band,” she told him.
Ajay turned to Jameson and grinned. “I like her. She has good taste—well, except in men.” He cracked up and then swaggered toward the stage.
“He seems like a good kid,” Taylor said.
Jameson nodded. “He had a rough couple of years, but he’s solid now.”
“Thanks to you.”
“Naw.” Jameson brushed the air with his hand. “That’s on him. I just showed him a different path. He’s the one who did the heavy lifting.”
Jameson didn’t drive off until she was inside the house.
Taylor watched his car turn the corner and the taillights disappear from view before shutting the door.
“He didn’t even kiss me good night.” The instant the words left her lips, Taylor wondered why that thought had even briefly crossed her mind.
Of course, she knew why. He’d been wearing one of her favorite scents, Dior Sauvage. She hadn’t noticed it until they were in the car. The blend of amber and cedar never overpowered, and she loved the hint of pepper and lavender.
Her former boyfriend had loved the scent, but she didn’t hold that against Jameson .
The scent, yes, that had definitely sent her mind wandering into territory best left unexplored. But Taylor knew it was more than Jameson simply looking and smelling good.
It had been how he’d given her his attention during the evening. No looking around to see if there was someone more important to converse with, no flirting with the server or other women in the club.
It had been his pride in Ajay’s accomplishments and his obstinate refusal to take credit for them. She didn’t care what Jameson’s parents had done. Her father had chosen the right man to become his partner and friend.
Her dad should have given Jameson his part of the business. For some reason, it appeared her dad meant for her to be Jameson’s new partner.
For now, she told herself, not forever.
When the time was right to make changes, she would know. Then she would act.