Page 61 of Jack

The meetings went over his head. For thelife of him, he could not concentrate on anything. In fact, he wascalled out several times because his mind was wandering. He blamedher for his lack of focus and the fact that he could not get the hurtand pain on her face out of his head. He kept seeing her in front ofhim. Not to mention the ache that accompanied his wandering mind.

"Would you like something from thekitchen, sir?"

"What?" He looked up with a frownas his assistant stood just inside the doorway as if afraid to comefurther inside the room. He could not very well blame her, he thoughtbitterly. He had not been easy to deal with since he walked in thismorning.

"Lunch?"

"No. Cancel the rest of myappointments for today. I am heading to the club for the weekend."

"You have that trip scheduled-"

"I will leave straight from the club."He rose, sweeping the contracts and reports from the variousdepartments into his briefcase.

"Would you like me to have someonepack your bags?" she asked politely.

"No." He shook his head as hesnapped his briefcase shut. "I have to make a stop at the manoranyway." He looked up. "That will be all. Schedule theconference call and forward it to my mobile."

With a jerky nod, he dismissed her.

Picking up the phone, he stared at it andconsidered calling her. With a shake of his head, he grabbed his caseand jacket and left.

*****

"I thought you weren't leaving untilnext week." Millicent hurried after him as he made his way intohis den. He had called ahead and had them pack a bag for him. He justneeded to check some emails and conclude the call that had startedwhile he was on his way home.

"I changed my mind." Gettingbehind the desk, he sifted through some papers, before looking up ather. "Why?"

"Jason has his debate this afternoon.You promised to be there."

"I can't." Sighing harshly at thelook of reproach on her face, he wondered where the calm andcontrolled area of his life had gone to. "Give him my apologiesand tell him I will be there next time."

"Darling-"

"No." He shook his head, feelingthe tension spreading. "I don't have time for this right now. Idon't need you telling me that I am shirking my responsibilities. Iam trying all right? I am doing the damn best I can with what I have.I am not father or husband material and it's time everyone realizethat." He stopped, taking a deep breath as he felt thefrustration building. "And I am done with this conversation. Ihave a phone call to make and afterwards, I am leaving. Close thedoors, please."

He withstood her gaze for a few minutesbefore she withdrew. Sinking down in the chair, he sat there fightingto regain his composure.

*****

She kept busy. Filling every minute was notdifficult, considering the workload. She tackled the paperwork as ifit was her favorite pastime and within a few hours, she had clearedher small desk. Her filing was up to date, and she had made a quicktrip to the bank to sort out the accounts. Payroll was done and theorders had been dealt with.

She intercepted several anxious looks fromher brother but was determined not to dwell on them. She accompaniedJazmine to the store to purchase linens and curtains and told herfirmly that Jack Hadley was off limits.

"We talk about anything else. Theweather, the ball game, economy, but not that. Please."

Her friend had honored her wish.

She was dealing with a habitual drunk whenshe heard her phone pinging. Taking it out of the pocket of her denimjacket, she felt her heart doing a flip when she realized who it was.The temptation to ignore the call was so strong, she had to take afew seconds.

Then taking a deep breath and handing thestumbling man to Gary, she went to an empty table to answer.

"Jason, is everything okay?"

"Yes. I'm sorry to bother you, but Iwas hoping you would come to my debate. It's this afternoon and dadpromised, but he is going away."

Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyesbriefly. "What about your grandmother?"

"She will be here, but I would reallylike you to come."

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