Episode 14

Time: Next day, Morning

Location: Jacobs House in LA

Pamela stood at the door saying bye to John.

“So do you have everything you need,” she asked.

“I think so.  But it doesn’t matter.  It all will be there on Friday,” he said lifting his hands to her waist.

“That’s true,” she said placing her hands on his shoulders.

“I guess I better get going.  I don’t want to miss my flight.  I have a meeting at 11.  My flight will arrive just in time for it.”

“Okay,” she said leaning in and kissing him softly on the lips.  She broke the kiss and whispered against his lips, “I’m going to miss you.”

“I love you Pam,” he said.

“I love you too,” she said stepping back from his hands.  He picked up his carryon luggage and walked out the door.

As soon as the door closed Pam opened her phone and dialed the number she had stolen from John’s phone the night before.

“Hello, Bell Communications.,” she heard a masculine voice say.

“Yes, this is Pamela.  The fiancée of your System Architect.  I am sure that you are aware that he is arriving this morning. “

“Yes ma’am.  I am aware.”

“Great. I will also be arriving prior to this weekend and I have a slight issue that has come up.  I was told that your owner/CEO would handle all our relocation personally.  I was wondering if you could put me through to him.”

“I’m sorry ma’am.  But all his calls must go through his secretary. I can connect you to her. “

“That would be great.”

“Can you hold please while I connect you?”

After a few minutes, she heard a feminine voice say, “Hello Pamela, this is Sherri.  I heard that you were having a problem.  Can you tell me what it is so that I can better help you?”

“Well, as you know, John and I have a 4 years old son.  We have a live in nanny but she will also be accompanying us to the gala Saturday night.  So I am sure you can guess the problem.  We will need a sitter.  I was hoping that the CEO could recommend someone to us?”

“I understand.  I can compile a list of possibly sitters for you this afternoon. That will give you time to speak with each one.”

“Yes, but it wouldn’t give me time to thoroughly get to know them.  Do you have any children Sherri?”

“No. I have not been blessed with any children.”

“Okay then.  So this list will not include anyone that you know personally.  That is unacceptable. One just can’t leave their children with anyone these days.  You understand, I am sure.”

“I do understand.  But, I am not sure this is an issue that can’t be handled without bothering Mr. Winters.”

Winters, Pamela thought.  The name sounded very familiar.  Did she know anyone named Winters?  Maybe in her past. Before her accident.  She wasn’t sure.

“Sherri.  Dear. Mr. Winters promised to handle any issues we had in moving personally.  This is an issue. I am expecting him to solve it to my satisfaction. I would hate to tell my husband that I don’t want this move after all.”

“Mr. Winters is not in yet.  But I will transfer you to our President.”

“Thanks Sherri.”

Location: Lily Winters House

Lily sat on the couch with Abby listen to her rambling on and on about Dru and how she worked at Jabot.  She didn’t know whether she was building up to something or was just there looking for Devon.  Lily was aware of her crush on him.  She wondered if Abby knew about his break up with Roxy and was there to see if she would tell her anything.  Of course, it was juvenile. But Abby was oftentimes juvenile.

“Yes, Abby.  I know my mother’s role at Jabot.”

“Okay then.  So, I have a job offer for you.”

“Job offer?”

“Yes.  We need a spokesmodel for these new products geared toward black women.  We are extending the Tuvia line.  Mom agrees that you would be a great fit.  It’s your legacy after all.”

“Wow, I am honored that you would think of me. But I will have to say no.”

“No. Why?”

“Abby, I vowed this year that I would finish my education. I just registered for school.  I have one more semester left and the term starts tomorrow.  If you can wait the 4 months it will take for me to finish that up then I would be delighted to do it.”

“I know this may sound selfish, but can’t you do both?”

“Maybe if I didn’t have the twins.  Yeah.  But with them.  I don’t think so.  Being spokesmodel will require traveling.  There is no way I can pull it off.  Sorry.  I can’t do it.”

“I can’t say that I am not disappointed.  But I totally get it.”

“I wouldn’t mind consulting though.  But being the full out spokemodel.  I just can’t right now.”

“Consulting would be great too.  I will talk to mom about it.”

Lily knew she was being a little bitch for what she was about to do, but Abby needed to be reminded sometimes that she couldn’t always have her way.

“Why don’t you ask Roxy?  She’s smart, beautiful, well educated, and well spoken.  I think she would make a perfect spokesmodel for the new products.”

“Hhhhm, I will give that some thought.  Well, I have to go,” she said standing.  “Thanks for hearing me out.”

“Thanks for stopping by.”

Location: Cold Winter Records Studio

Nate sat in Devon’s studio listening to his latest track.  He tried to concentrate but his mind kept drifting back to Tamara.  He didn’t necessarily believe in being in love.  He always thought that he would have a marriage of convenience where the relationship was mutually beneficial to both parties. But Tamara had changed all that because he was definitely in love with her. He checked his phone to see if she had responded to his text about meeting for lunch at his apartment.

“Nate,” he heard Devon say in a raised voice.

“Yeah.”

“What is going on with you today?  You have been daydreaming off and on since you got here.  Is it the stuff at the hospital?”

“No. Not that. It’s Tamara,” he said.  He felt himself blush and hoped Devon didn’t notice.

“Tammy.  What about her?”

“I’m in love with her man.”

“Oooohhh.  She finally gave you the goodies,” Devon said smiling. “Congratulations buddy.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Because you are daydreaming, blushing, and spouting off about love when just 4 days ago you said you weren’t in love with her.  The only thing I know that could make a man flip like that is really good pussy,” Devon said smirking.

“You must mean a man like you.  Someone who has only been with 3 women. “

“Whatever Nate,” Devon said dropping his smile. “I don’t need to sleep with a lot of woman to know a good one when I see her. Roxy is perfect.”

“Okay.  I’m just saying.  I have had plenty of pussy.  Some of it good.  Some of it not so good.  But some of it was great. And I never fell in love with any of it. So no, I wouldn’t be persuaded by that.”

“Uhm hum,” Devon said. “So why now?”

“I don’t know.  We were talking last night and the thought just popped into my head.  After thinking about it, I realized it was true.  I think I was just waiting for her to be ready.”

“Wait.  So Tammy is ready.  After 3 years, she is now finally ready.”

“She said that she was holding off because she didn’t want to do long distance.  She thought that it wouldn’t end well.  She cared about me too much for that.”

“Really,” Devon said skeptically.

“Yes really,” Nate said. 

“Well I am happy for you.  Tammy is a great girl. A little too feisty at times.  But still a great girl. ”

“Yeah. She is.”

“Do you think she’s in love with you too?”

“She said she was.”

“What?  Tamara Davis said she loved you,” Devon said shocked.  He seemed even more surprised by her admission than Nate’s.

“Yes. Is that so unbelievable?”

“Are you sure you didn’t sleep with her?”

“I told you.  It has nothing to do with sex,” Nate said getting exasperated. Devon was starting to piss him off.  As if it was so hard to believe that their love wasn’t about sex.

“Okay. Okay.  Well, I am happy for you man. It’s about time that you settle down with one woman.  By the way, I was just messing with you.  Although I was wondering how long it would take you to admit to loving her.  I figured that out a while ago.  So I think you might be the last to know.  There is no way a man would chase behind a woman the way you did with her if he wasn’t in love.”

“Nah.  I’m just secure.  That’s all. And she is worth it.”

Location:  Glow worm

Chloe spotted Tammy sitting at a table.  She was looking off in space with this worried look.  Chloe rushed over concerned. Not only because of the panicky call that she had received early this morning, but also because the look was simply not Tammy.  She never really let anything get to her. 

“Tammy,” she said as she approached.  Tammy stood to embrace her.

“Chloe. Thanks for coming,” Tammy said frantically.

“Of course I came.  When your best friend calls sounding frazzled and says that she needs to talk.  You come.  What is going on chick?  This is just not you,” she said as they both sat down across from each other.

Tammy sighed. “I am dangling from a cliff by a fingernail and I need you to rescue me.  To pull me up to safety before I completely lose myself.”

“What happened?  Tell me what’s going on,” Chloe said concerned. 

“So you know I had a date last night with Nathan, right?”

Chloe looked at Tammy and noticed that certain glow to her skin.  There was only one reason for that.

“Oh my god,” Chloe said with a pause between each word. “You slept with Nate.”

“Yes,” Tammy said. “And been avoiding him all morning.”

“So, how was it,” Chloe asked excitedly.

“It was the best I have ever had girl. The best,” Tammy said with eyes wide.

“Nate.  Boring Nate,” Chloe said. 

“First of all, Nathan is not boring.  He is dependable okay.  There is a difference.”

“Okay. Dependable then. Just don’t get sidetracked. Back to the topic.”

“Yes.  Dependable and,” Tammy said pausing a few seconds.  “Blessed,” she finished raising her eyebrows.

“Noooooo.  How blessed?”

“Indescribably blessed.” 

“Nate,” Chloe asked.

“Intimidatingly blessed.”

“Your Nate?”

“Yes girl. My Nathan.”

“His feet aren’t even that big,” Chloe said.

“That’s the exact same thing I said to myself when I saw him,” Tammy said as they both laughed. 

“Tammy.  I don’t see the problem here.  You have this great guy.  A dependable guy,” she said smiling and stressing the word dependable.  “Who has been touched by God.  Whom you have had the best sex of your life with.  Who wants you.  Who likes you.”

“Correction.  Loves me,” Tammy said.

“What,” Chloe said shocked.

“Nathan says he loves me.”

“You must have really rocked his world Tam,” Chloe said laughing softly.

“No. I didn’t.  At least I don’t think so,” she said thoughtfully.  “He was very much in control of the entire experience from beginning to end.”

“Hhhmm.  That’s interesting.  Never would have thought that either. But then again, he usually does get lots of attention from women.  I thought it was because he was a doctor. But I guess there is another reason,” she said laughing.  “But still, why are you so upset about him telling you this.  The guy has chased you for 3 years.  Surely you knew that the possibility was there.”

“Because Chloe, after my third, or was it the fourth, orgasm, I told him I loved him too. I am not sure which because I lost count.”

“Whoa,” Chloe said.

“Tell me about it.  So now, I need you to talk some sense into me.  You know how I feel about the idea of love.”

“Oh my god,” Chloe said again.

“I mean really girl.  You know that I do not do love.  It is so overrated. Nothing good ever comes of anyone being in love. And especially telling a man you are in love with him.”

“Oh my god,” Chloe said for the third time.  She couldn’t believe it.  Tammy had told someone she loved them. And not just anyone.  Nate. The guy she had put in a glass box and sat on a shelf for three years.  Her emergency dick. 

“Is that all you can say?”                                         

“I have to ask. Is it true? Do you love him?”

“Yes. Maybe. I don’t know.”

“Hmmm,” Chloe said.

“Yes. I do okay. But whatever. That is not the point.  I shouldn’t have told him.  When men think you love them that is when they start to take you for granted. “

Chloe couldn’t argue with that.  Look at her and Billy. Her and Chance.  Then her and Kevin.  They were all about her until she let them know she felt the same.

“Well, you know I tend to agree with you about that.  But this is Nate here.  I doubt if he changes how he treats you,” Chloe said.

“Chance,” Tammy threw out.  

She didn’t have to say anymore because Chloe knew what she meant.

“That’s totally different.  I mean Nate is a bit of a boy scout too.  But Chance was a virgin so I think it was inevitable that he get curious about other women.  Nate definitely doesn’t sound like a virgin.  From the way you talk about last night, I think he has had his share of sex already.”

“True. But Nathan is a man. A very good man,” Tammy said smiling to herself.  “But a man all the same.”

Chloe looked at Tammy and that smile.  Her friend had done everything the right way.  Unlike herself, Tammy always made the practical choice.  She always led with her head.  Never the heart.  This was one time that Chloe wanted her to be impractical.

“Listen Tam, here is what I think.  Just give it a chance.  You don’t need me to pull you up.  Let go and just fall.  One of us deserves a happily ever after.  Clearly, my time has passed.  It probably won’t happen for me. But you have a chance here at the real thing with Nate.  I say go for it.”

“You think so.  Don’t you ever tell anyone this but I am a little scared.”

“What,” Chloe said with a smile. “Tamara Davis is fearless.  That’s one of the first things I learned about her.”

Tammy smiled in return.

Location: Bell Communications

Chris was in his office going over his schedule for the day when his phone rung.

“Hello,” he said.

“Chris.  This is Sherri.  I have John Jacobs’ fiancée on the line and she is threatening to cancel the move here if she doesn’t speak with someone about a sitter for her son.”

“Really,” Chris said. “Put her through.”

This should be interesting Chris thought.  The woman sounded like a real diva.

After a few seconds he heard a cultured voice say, “Hello.” 

The voice sounded familiar.

“This is Chris, the president of Bell.  How can I assist you?”

“Well, as I am sure the secretary informed you of my issue.  However, I don’t mind repeating it.  Since Bell wants John in attendance at this gala, we will need a sitter for Saturday night.”

“Oh. I’d be happy to help.  Bell is a family friendly company.  Our CEO has an infant son and small grandchildren.  They all use the same sitter.  I am sure that it would be no hardship at all to add your son to her charge. How old is he?”

“Thank you.  I think that will work.  He just turned 4.”

“That’s a great age. There is a set of twins that are almost 2 and a baby that is 6 months.  How about I give you the number to his wife.”

“Thank you Chris,” she said.  He listed the number for her.

“You’re very helpful.   Do you have children?”

“No.  I haven’t been that fortunate.”

“Maybe it will still happen. Do you have a wife or partner?”

“No.  I am single.”

“Really? I know this is prying but, do you have a date for the gala?”

This woman was very nosy, Chris thought.  But he didn’t mind at all.

“No. I do not. Do you have someone in mind,” he asked teasing her.

“As a matter of fact I do.  She is the live in nanny for my son.  A really sweet person.  She is single and won’t know anyone in Genoa City.  She will need an escort.”

Chris gave this real thought.  He was leery of any woman who was touted as a sweet person.  This generally meant unattractive with a heart of gold.  But he did have his bet with Justin to think about. And this was just one night.  He wouldn’t have to marry the woman.

“I’d be delighted,” he said.

“So, let me give you her number,” she said.  Chris wrote the number down.

“Her name is Calista. And thank you Chris.  You have been most helpful.”

“Anytime.”

When Chris hung up the phone he picked up his cell and sent Sophia a text that said:

Our System architect needs a sitter for Saturday night.  Expect a call from his fiancée soon to discuss arrangements.

Location: Genoa City Athletic Club

Sophia was just finishing up her breakfast with Neil.  She sat silently waiting for him to bring out the annulment papers for them to sign.  But Neil had not mentioned them once.  He seemed content with idle, mundane conversation.  It was starting to grate on her nerves.

“How was your breakfast,” he asked.

“Fine Neil.”

“So what other plans to do have for the day,” he asked. 

She was saved from having to answer when she received a text. 

“Excuse me.  This could be important.”

She read the message.  It was from Chris.

“It seems your new System Architect will need a sitter for the gala Saturday night. His fiancée should be calling me about it.”

“Oh. Speaking of the gala.  I was wondering if you wanted to attend with me.  I know that we are no longer together but we are still friends.  Right,” he said.

“Yeah.  We are friends.  And sure.  I’d love to attend with you.”

“Thanks.  You’re doing me a great favor.  Maybe being seen with such a beauty like you at a big time event will boost my status around here,” he said with a smile.

She laughed then said, “Neil, I know that you are stalling.  Trust me.  I am fine with our annulment.  Moses will be fine too.”

“I know. It’s hard to go to being a weekend dad after having him every night.”

“He will be down stairs.  You can come by and see him anytime you choose.  I promise, I won’t stand in the way.”

“I know that,” he said.  He picked up his briefcase and took out the papers.  He passed them to her.  Just as she reached for her pen, her phone rang.

“I think this might be the fiancée.  I need to answer this. Hello,” she said.

“Good day. May I speak with Sophia?”

“This is Sophia.”

“Hello.  This is Pamela.  The fiancé of John Jacobs.  I was told that you would be expecting my call.”

“Yes.  So you need a sitter for Saturday I hear.  Well, we generally use the same sitter.  We have done all the necessary background checks and have known her for 2 years.  I trust her.”

“This is good news.  I was beginning to despair that we wouldn’t find anyone acceptable.”

“Oh I understand exactly how you feel.  You can’t just leave your child with anyone.  Let me give you her number so that you can speak to her and get comfortable with the idea.”

“Thank you so much,” she said. 

Sophia relayed the information then said, “If you have any other questions, just give me a call.”

“Thank you.”

“So what we will do is bring the children to one of our respective houses and have her watch them there.”

“I like that idea better than it being in her home.”

“Oh, I totally understand.  I will let you know what we decide.”

“Thank you. I will give the lady a call today.”

“Trust me.  You won’t be disappointed.”

“Okay.  Thanks again.”

“Uhm hum. Bye.”

“Thanks Sophia. I appreciate you handling that,” Neil said.

“It’s a mother thang,” she said laughing.

She picked up the papers and signed them feeling happy to be free.

Location: Lily Winters House

Trevor stood outside of Lily’s house waiting for her to open the door.  He had been out of town the last couple of days on a case he was working on.   He had arrived back late last night and had wanted to see her then but he decided to wait.  She wasn’t just some booty call that he could pop up at her house at random times of the night.  He respected her.  Besides, she had children too.   They had spoken over the phone so often the past couple of days.  They had talked about anything and everything.  He had told her about his biological mother dying of cancer when he was 9 years old, his step mother and father, and how they met. And she had spoken about her own cancer story and mother who had died in a freak accident a few years ago.   The more they had talked, the closer he felt to her. 

She opened the door and smiled at him.

“You’re back,” she said.

“Yes, I’m back.  And I brought you, Charlie, and Maddie breakfast,” he said holding up a bag as he walked in.

“Thank you.  That was thoughtful. Why don’t I go into the kitchen and get plates,” she said turning to leave.

With his free hand he grabbed her hand and pulled her roughly to his body.  He released her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist to hold her tightly against him.

“So are you just going to act like nothing has changed,” he said looking down at her upturned face.

“What do you mean,” she said.

“Meaning, that I didn’t get a kiss or a hug or anything,” he said looking into her eyes.  Such expressive eyes, he thought.

She lifted her hands to his shoulders and slid them slowly around his neck. He lowered his head and their lips connected.  He licked the seam of her lips and she opened her mouth.  He pushed his tongue inside and rubbed it against hers.  She tasted sweet. And innocent. So innocent, he thought.  He decided to end their kiss before it became something that he didn’t think that she was ready for. He slowly pulled his lips from hers.

“That was nice,” he said.

“It was nice,” she said blushing.

“Where are Charlie and Maddie,” he asked.

“They are gated in their room,” she said stepping out of his embrace.

“Oh no, not the jail,” he said laughing. “How about you fix the food and I release them from captivity?”

“Okay,” she said taking the bag from him. “The second room on the left.”

Trevor walked down the hall and didn’t have to guess which door.  Both Charlie and Maddie were standing at the gate.  They were such beautiful children.

“Hey guys,” he said smiling down at them. Charlie smiled in return as Maddie extended her hands to be picked up. 

He picked her up and she leaned her head on his shoulder. His heart melted at the gesture.  He opened the gate and Charlie came running out and headed in the direction of the living room.  Trevor followed him.

They found Lily setting plates on the table. 

“Hey look at who I found,” he said approaching her.

“Look at you two.  I think that she has crush on you,” she said reaching for Maddie.  Obviously Maddie was not ready to leave his arms because she pulled back from Lily and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Can you believe this girl,” Lily said jokingly. “After all I went through to have her.  She abandons me for a handsome face.”

“So you think I am handsome,” he asked.

“Are you fishing for compliments?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sure you have plenty of women complimenting you.”

“I don’t care about plenty of women.  I only care what you think.” And it was true.  He found that he didn’t want to date anyone but her.

“That remains to be seen,” she said.

“Oh, did I tell you.  My father is arriving today.  And my mother is coming Friday. I am so excited.”

“I am sure you are. I am excited for you.”

“So, I would love for you three to meet them.”

“Of course,” she said.  “I would be honored.”

 “Great. Now let’s eat before our food gets cold”

 “If Maddie will release you long enough.”

Location: Cold Winter Records Studio

Devon was happy for Nate.  It seems that things were coming together for him.  He just wished things would come together for himself and Roxy.

“So, Nate.  I accepted a job offer from my dad.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.  You are looking at the new president of the family’s new productions company.”

“That’s great.  It’s still in line with what you want to do with your life.  And I am sure it comes with a big salary. “

“It does.”

“And a ring for Roxy I hear.”

“Yes. You know.  When my mother collapsed at church it kinda reminded me of what is important.”

“I feel you on that.”

“How about this though.  Roxy broke up with me last night before I could even buy her a ring. She has no clue that things are different.”

“Ah,” Nate said waving his hand. “When you give her the ring, that argument will be water under the bridge.”

“That’s what everyone keeps telling me. And I hope it’s true.  But she and Tammy have one thing in common if nothing else.   Stubbornness.  Look at how she strung you along for 3 years for no real reason. And Roxy says she wants to see other people. “

“Nah.  I doubt that.  She loves you.  She just thinks that you won’t give her what she wants so she is forcing herself to attempt to move on. Just get her a ring. It will be fine.”

“I had planned on going ring shopping today. Do you want to come? Help me pick it out.”

“Yeah.  I need to pick out one for Tamara anyway. But I will hold off on asking her.  Give you a chance to patch things up with Roxy first.  Because if I don’t, it will be that much harder for you.”

“Thanks cous.”

“No problem. I have waited 3 years.  I can wait a little while longer.”

“You sure,” Devon asked skeptically.  Nate seemed very patient for a man newly in love who wasn’t getting any.

“Yeah.  By the way, I did sleep with Tamara last night,” he said with a grin.

“You are such a liar,” Devon said laughing. “I knew it.  Was it worth the wait?”

“Hell yeah. If I had to, I would wait 3 more years. ”

“That good?”

“It was that damn good,” Nate said as his phone beeped.  He read the text and smiled broadly. It was from Tamara and stated:

I will see you then

Location: Genoa City Athletic Club

Tucker sat at a table eating omelet thinking about whether he wanted to go through with his plans for Bell or not.  He had made progress with his Songbird and Devon.  He wasn’t sure how either one would take him buying into Bell. Devon, more than likely, would understand it was just business.  But Harmony would take it personally.  And she would be right.  The only reason he had set this all in motion was because of her. He had been wrong about that.  Yet, he really didn’t feel the need to back out now that he knew the truth.  McCall still needed Bell and this was the way to get it.

He looked up as he saw Sophia approach.  She sat down across from him and said,” Morning Tucker.”

“I see you have found your vibrancy again?”

“Yes. I just signed annulment papers.”

“Good for you.”

“Tucker, we really need to discuss some alternatives to Bell.  I have a list of companies that might-“

“We don’t need to do that,” he interrupted. “You are looking at the new partner for Bell.”

“What,” she said shocked.

“They took out a loan and I bought the debt.”

She sighed deeply and Tucker knew what was coming.

“This is not a good idea Tucker.  How do you think Devon will take this?”

“It’s business.”

“Really,” she asked skeptically.  “Or is this the Tucker can’t stand to lose thing.”

“Both.”

“Harmony won’t take this well either.  For some reason, she and Neil have this loyalty to each other.  I don’t know why.  But it’s there.”

Tucker acknowledged the truth in that and he didn’t like it.  He had also noticed how loyal Harmony was to Neil and Chris.   And how protective of her that both cousins seemed to be. 

“I appreciate you looking out for me.  You know that.  But I can handle this.  Don’t worry about me.”

“It’s not you I am worried about,” she said.  “I will see you at the office.”

Time: Mid- Morning

Location:  Bell Communications

John sat in a meeting with Neil and Chris Winters discussing new ideas.  He had noticed Chris secretary Harmony fidgeting in her seat a few times.  He was sure she had something she wanted to say but probably felt like it wasn’t her place.  John disagreed with that.  He had found that the best ideas came from the least expected places.

“Harmony,” John said. “If you have an idea, please let us know.”

She looked at Neil, who smiled at her in return.

“Well, when I was working at Restless Style, I noticed that we would have a hard time keeping track of assets.  Like which equipment was being used and which conference rooms were being booked.  And I have noticed a similar problem here.  I know that Microsoft Office has certain features but it is not very user friendly and it is only for conference rooms.  It doesn’t do asset management.  I did some research when I was trying to get Billy to update the office and there is scheduling software available.  But it’s not real time and it’s not online either. And certainly nothing that can be accessed via a smart phone with an App.”

“I like this idea,” John said.  And she was right.  There was nothing out there like this that he was aware.

“So do you think it is worthwhile to pursue,” Chris said.

“I think so.  I can create a preliminary development schedule today and have the conceptual design by the end of the week.”

“Are you sure about that,” Chris asked.

“Yes, it’s more than enough time.”

“Well, let’s get working on it then,” Neil said.

John rose from his seat to leave.

“John, by the way.  I had the pleasure of speaking to your fiancée this morning.  I hope she is satisfied with the sitter.”

“Sitter,” John asked.

“Yes.  She wanted a sitter for your son for Saturday night.  And a date for your nanny.”

John smiled and said, “I am sure that she got both.  Pamela can be very persuasive.  She usually gets what she wants.”

“I can tell,” Chris said. “If you don’t mind me asking, how did you two meet?”

It was a long story. One that Chris did not feel like telling right now. He had found over the last couple of years that people would often wonder about him and Pamela.  They wanted to know how someone like him was able to get with a woman like her.  He wasn’t unattractive.  He knew that.  But he wasn’t very outgoing nor was he a snazzy dresser.  And Pamela was both these things.  When he told the story, people had a tendency to think that he took advantage of her isolation in the hospital and her amnesia to forge a bond with her.  And there was just enough truth to that to make him leery of telling the story too often. Especially to these two.  Successful black men like Chris and Neil were the worst when it came to questioning his relationship with Pam.

“That’s a story for another day.  I had better go and get to work,” John said with an edge to his voice and walked out.

Location:  JKrupp’s Jewelry

Devon and Nathan both looked at the engagement rings as the associate waited for them to make a choice.

“So many choices,” Nate said.

“Yeah, but I think I see the one,” Devon said. “Can I see that one?”

The associate opened the case a pulled out the ring.  “Nice choice sir.  It’s classic and elegant.”

“This is it.  What do you think Nate?”

“Well Roxy is a classic beauty and she is very elegant.  I think it looks like something she would wear.”

“Yeah,” he said as Nathan walked off to look in another case.

“Can I also get those earrings,” Devon said to the associate.

“Of course. She’ll love those, I’m sure.”

Devon walked over to Nate.

“You don’t see anything at all you like?”

“Yes, I do. I like this bracelet. Tamara looks ravishing in pink.”

“As long as I have known Tammy, I have never seen her in anything pink.”

“Well I have,” Nate said smiling to himself. “And trust me, she looked very sexy in it too.”

“Can I see this bracelet,” he said to the associate.

“Of course sir,” he said taking it out.

“It’s nice,” Devon said.

“I think so too.  And I think she would love it.”

“If you like that, we do have a ring that compliments it really nicely.”

The sales associate went to another counter and pulled out a ring.  He brought it back and Nathan smiled.

“Wow, it’s pretty. I like the three stones too.  It took me three years to win this woman. I think it is fitting.”

Location:  Jabot Cosmetics

Ashley sat in Jack’s office with him and Abby discussing her new products.

“Bad news mom.  Lily has declined being the spokesmodel.  But she would like to consult.”

“Oh no.  Really.  Why did she decline,” Ashley asked.

“She wants to finish her degree and school starts soon.  She says that she just can’t do it all right now.  But school will be over in 4 months so she would be available then.”

“We can’t wait that long.  I think that we better think of someone else,” Ashley said.

“Maybe we should just advertise,” Jack said.

“We could, I suppose.  But I’d rather it be someone we know.  Oh, I have another idea.  What about Roxanne,” Ashley said.

“Mom.  No.”

“Why not? She’s pretty.  She knows advertising and –“

“No,” Abby said cutting Ashley off.

“I think Roxanne would be a good candidate,” Jack said.

“Uncle Jack.  No.”

“Why are you so against this Abby,” Jack said.

“Because Abby here has a little crush on Devon.”

“What? This is business.  And in business you have to put all your personal feelings aside. So you will go to her and ask her.”

“But-“

“Not buts.  Ask her,” Jack said.

Location:  Fenmore’s Offices

Chance stopped in the door to Roxy’s office and just watched her.  She was so beautiful.  He wondered if she was aware of just how beautiful.  He knocked on the door and she looked up.

“Hello,” she said with smile.

“Hi.  I just happened to be in the building. Thought I’d stop by and see you.”

“Just happened to be in the building,” she said smiling. “Hhhmm.  That sounds suspect.  But come in and sit down anyway.”

“Okay.  I was looking for you,” he said sitting down in the chair in front of her desk.

“So, how have you been?  We haven’t spoken since our lunch,” he said.

“I’ve been good and really busy,” she said.

But she didn’t sound like she had been good at all and he doubted she had been that busy.

“You don’t sound good,” he said smiling. “Is something wrong?”

“Well, you could say that.  I broke up with Devon.”

“I’m sorry,” he said.  He wasn’t sorry at all.  He was happy about it actually.

“Don’t be.  I think we were just in two different places.”

“Well then.  I am happy for you.  You really can do better than waiting on some guy to decide to be with you.”

“Yes,” she said sadly.  “I know.”

“You know what I think.  You need to get out and have some fun.  Forget about him and just enjoy yourself.”

“You’re right. I do.”

“Good. So, let me take you out to dinner tonight. It’ll be fun.  And there will be no talk about he whom shall not be named.”

She laughed and said, “Okay.”

“Great.  I’ll pick you up at 730.  Text me the address to your house,” he said standing and walking out.

Location:  Bell Communications

Neil looked at Chris who was smiling at John’s retreating back.

“I must have struck a nerve,” Chris said.

“I think how he met his fiancée is a touchy subject,” Harmony said.

“It seems so.  Maybe they met on the internet.  He seems just the kind of guy to do that,” Neil said.

“No.  I think it is because his wife is Black.  And I bet she is a real beauty. He’s probably threatened by me.”

“His wife his Black? Never would have guessed that. What makes you think that she is a looker,” Neil said.

“You should have heard her on the phone.  Her voice was oddly familiar which is interesting.  But beyond that she seemed to be used to getting her way.  Like she doesn’t hear no very often.  Only the truly fine women have that kind of confidence.”

“Oh really,” Harmony said rolling her eyes. “I don’t think confidence has much to do with looks at all.”

“So says the prettiest woman in this building,” Chris said winking at her.

She blushed and looked down at her notes.

“And who might just be the smartest too,” Neil said smiling at her. “Thanks for the ideas.  I knew that hiring you was a great idea.

“You two are really stroking my ego today,” Harmony said laughing.  “Well, I think that we will get to see his fiancée soon enough.  She will be in town Friday and at the gala.”

“Oh by the way, Justin owes me money.  I have a date with John’s nanny, whom his fiancée has described as a sweet person,” Chris said.

“Uh oh,” Neil said.

“What’s so wrong with that,” Harmony said.

“Because sweet girl is code for unattractive,” Neil said. “Why did you agree to it?”

“Have you ever known me to be able to tell a beautiful woman no.  And trust me, this Pamela is a beauty.”

“You guys are something else.  But I have work to do so I will leave you to your boy talk,” Harmony said standing and walking out.

“Cous, if you don’t believe me, I will call her back so you can hear her voice,” Chris said to Neil. "She called to speak with you anyway.  I only got the opportunity because you weren't in yet. Call her Neil."

“Not necessary,” Neil said laughing. “And please, when she does arrive, do not flirt with her no matter how fine she is.  It will only piss John off.  We can’t afford to alienate him right now.”

“I would never do that Neil,” Chris said in mock disgust.

“Harmony. Tucker.”

“I do not flirt with Harmony to piss off Tucker.  I flirt with her because I like her.  And Tucker doesn’t deserve her. So if he gets his underroos in a bunch, then all the better. That guy is just all wrong for her. He is such a short little weasel.”

“Oh, I totally agree.”

Time: Lunch

Location:  Genoa City Memorial Hospital

Olivia was sitting in the cafeteria eating lunch when her son walked in and sat down in front of her.  She had expected him to be still upset about being on administrative leave but he seemed happy.

“You seem unexpectedly happy,” she said.

“That’s because I am happy.”

“Really,” she said slowly.

“Yes.  Okay so. There’s this girl that I want you to meet.”

She was pleasantly surprised.  She didn’t know anything for sure but she had heard rumors around the hospital about her son seeing many women. She had never seen him with any of them so she took it with a grain of salt even though he seemed very popular with the nurses.

“This is surprising,” she said smiling.

“Why?”

“Because as long as I have known you and known that you were interested in girls, you have never wanted me to meet any of them.”

“Well Tamara is different.”

“Tamara?  Why does this name sound familiar?”

“She’s Roxy’s sister.”

“Ah.  The young lady that Lily and Devon have been teasing you about for years now?”

“Yes,” he said looking uncomfortable.

“The one that lives in New York.”

“She’s moved back now.”

“Yes, I knew she was in town because I saw her at Delia’s party. At least I assumed that was her.  I didn’t get a chance to meet her though.  She’s very pretty.”

“Yeah, she is.”

“So tell me son, why is it important that I meet her?”

“Because I want to marry her.”

These were the words she had been waiting to hear for years now.

“Awe,” she said standing up and extending her hands to Nate for a hug.  He stood and embraced her. “My son is ready to get married. I am so excited about this.”  She released him and sat back down. “So, have you bought a ring yet? Have you asked her?”

“Slow down.  I haven’t asked her.  But I did get the ring.”

“Can I see it?”

“Mom, I wanted Tamara to be the first to see it.”

“I understand. I’m so excited. But does she know about what’s going on at the hospital?”

“Yes.”

“And?”

“She says that there is no way I made a mistake.  I am too thorough for that.”

“I love this girl already.”

Location:  Genoa City Athletic Club

Abby sat smiling watching Devon eat his lunch.

“So what did you want to discuss Abby,” Devon said.

“Okay. So. We offered Lily a job at Jabot being a spokesmodel but she turned it down.”

“Really.  That’s surprising. Why?”

“Because she is starting school and she can’t travel right now.”

“Makes sense.  She told me that she had plans to go back to school this semester.  I just didn’t think she would place that over a job at Jabot.”

“Well, I was wondering if you would talk to her and see if you can convince her.  The alternative to her are unacceptable to me.  I just can’t work with the person every day.”

“I can’t do that Abby.  I agree with her decision. She has the twins to consider too. It would be too much.”

“Fine.  I understand.  So how have you been?  I haven’t seen you out at the clubs the past couple of nights.”

“I haven’t felt like going out lately.”

“But what about your music?”

“I have other things going on.”

“Like what?”

“Well, for one Roxy broke up with me.”

Abby tried her best not to smile.  Not to show that she was ecstatic at this news.

“Why?”

“Because she is ready to get married and she doesn’t think that I am.”

Abby didn’t ask whether he was ready or not because she didn’t want to know the answer.

“Well, if she loves you then she would wait.  Besides, you have your career that you are trying to get off the ground.  You really don’t need the responsibility of a family.”

He smiled at her and her stomach fluttered.

“It’s easy for you to be understanding because you are a third party.  Not so close to it.”

“True.  But I am still right.”

“To an extent.  Either way, now I have to convince Roxy to take me back although she wants to see other people.”

“Are you sure that you want to do that.  Maybe you should just let it stay this way for a while.  See what happens.  There might be someone out there that you are more compatible with.”

“That’s possible,” he said. “Only thing is I wouldn’t love them and they wouldn’t be Roxy.  So it would never work. She’s who I want.”

Time: Late Lunch

Location:  Nathan Winters Condo

Tammy had just finished eating with Nate.  He grabbed her hand, pulled her out of the dining room chair, and led her over to the couch. He sat down and pulled her onto his lap.  She wrapped her arms around his neck. 

“So,” he said rubbing his fingers up and down her spine with the other arm resting on the back of the couch.  Just that small gesture was getting her aroused. “What time do you have to be back at work?”

“I have some time still,” she said.

“I was wondering if you had any plans for tonight.”

“No. I don’t,” she said.  She was wishing that he would want to see her.

“I was hoping that you would go to dinner with me and my mom so that I could introduce you two,” he said.

“Of course.  I would like that.” She tried to contain her smile but she couldn’t.

“Alright. So, I just wanted to also make sure we were on the same page. We didn’t get a chance to do much talking last night or this morning,” he said smiling as he continued to lightly rub her back.

“That’s true. So go ahead. I’m listening.”  She was starting to feel breathless from his touch. 

 “I only want to see you and no one else. I want an exclusive relationship with you. But it seemed that you were a little shaken earlier.  I barely heard from you all day. What’s going on?”

Leave it to Nathan to read her and call her out.  He knew her too well. It must have been the three years of friendship that did it.

“Okay. I can’t lie.  I was a little thrown.  I didn’t expect us to take it there,” she said breathing hard. His hand on her back was so distracting, but he didn’t seem to be affected at all.

“You mean the sex,” he asked

“No, I am actually surprised it took us this long to have sex.  I meant the I love you.” 

“I’m going to be honest. I didn’t expect to love you the way that I do.  I didn’t. But now that I do, I am embracing it.   Because it’s true.  I love you,” he said looking into her eyes.

“I believe you Nathan.”

He titled his head to the side as if he was studying her.

“And I notice you didn’t say it back. I know that when you said it last night, we were,” he paused then  smiled and continued with “in the throes of passion.”

She laughed out loud at his description.

“But I felt that you meant it when you said it,” he said.  “If you didn’t, I will understand,” he said.  His smiled turned sad. “But I want to know now since we are not in bed. Did you mean it? Do you love me?”

“Nathan,” she said breathlessly smiling at him. “We may not be in bed.  But your hand on my back right now has me very much in the clutches of your passion.”

“Really,” he said slowly.

“Yes. I am so wet right now. And I know that you know it.  So stop with your really.”

“Okay.  I know it. I was trying to cheat,” he said taking his hand from her back.

“You don’t have to cheat. I want to be with you. I don’t want to see anyone else because I am in love with you.  And it scared me shitless.  I was avoiding you this morning. But I had a very calming conversation with Chloe. Conclusion. Grab you with both hands and never let go.”

“I like the sound of that,” he said grabbing her face in his hands and kissing her softly on the lips.

The kiss was sweet but it wasn’t enough for Tamara.  If he had gotten her aroused intentionally, the least he could do was finish it.  She tilted her head to side and opened her mouth.  He opened his in response and she slipped her tongue inside swirling it against his repeatedly. She broke the kiss and stood in between his legs. 

She stared down at him.  He looked so sexy sitting there looking up at her. He really was the man of her dreams. At that moment, she knew that the fingernail she had been holding onto the cliff with all morning had broken. 

She stepped out of her shoes.  Then unzipped her dress and let it fall to the ground.  She took off her bra and dropped it next to her.  The entire time Nathan didn’t move.  He continued in the same pose he had been in when she stood.

She stood before him with her hand on her hip staring in his eyes.  Most guys would have pounced on her by now.  But not Nathan.  Once again his self-control amazed her.  And excited her. It was a silent challenge.  “Break me,” it screamed.  She gave him a sexy smile sure that he didn’t know what she was thinking.

“Go ahead Tamara.  Finish. Take off you panties,” he said in a deep voice that let her know that he was affected by what she was doing. 

“Okay. But when I do, you can’t touch me.”

“Okay.”

She turned around with her back facing him and bent over with her legs straight and slightly spread apart.

“Damn girl,” he said on a growl.

She grabbed the waistband of her panties and slowly pulled them down.  When she got right below her butt, she felt his hand squeeze her right butt cheek.

Yes, she thought to herself.  A crack in his self-control.  She pulled them off and turned around. 

“Do you like these,” she asked saucily.

“Hell yes,” he said.

She placed one hand on his arm on the back of the couch and leaned forward and pushed her panties in the pocket of his dress shirt. “Then you can keep them.”

As she was standing back up he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her down to lie on the couch beside him.

She was surprised to hear herself giggle.  That was something she hadn’t done since she turned 14.

He lifted her legs up and bent them at the knees.  He opened them wide and pushed them back.

“I have a gift for you,” he said looking down at her folds.  He pulled out the drawer of table next to the couch and picked up the box.  He passed it to her.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Open it. I want you to wear it while I make love to you,” he said as he rubbed one hand over his stomach and the other over her folds.

She opened the box and sighed.  “Nathan it is beautiful. Thank you.”

He took the bracelet out of the box and placed it around her wrist. She held her wrist up to the light at looked at it.  Tamara was used to Nathan buying her things.  But he had never given her anything this expensive before.

“You’re welcome.  It’s commemorative of our first night together. A night I will never forget. Pink diamonds for pink thongs.”

“Nathan,” she said getting up and straddling him as he cupped both her butt cheeks in his hand. He looked him in the eyes and said, “You’re just so perfect you know that. A girl would be crazy or stupid not to love you.”

She kissed him again as she unbuttoned his shirt and took it off. She trailed her lips down his neck to his chest and licked his nipple. At the same time she unbuckled his belt and unzipped his pants. She released him from his underwear and he was just as big today as he was last night.

“Mmmm,” he moaned as she rubbed her hands up and down his length.

He reached over into the drawer by the couch again and pulled out a condom.  He opened it and held it out for her.

“You put it on,” he said challengingly.

She took it from him and rolled the condom on his length.  She placed her hands on his shoulders and leaned up preparing to slide down on him but he stayed her with his hands on her thighs.

“Baby, are you sure you want to ride?  I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t hurt me. Besides I get to control the depth anyway,” she said sliding slowly down on him.  She was a little sore from last night but he still felt great inside of her.  His size would definitely take some time to get used to. 

She lifted up tightening her muscles around him then relaxing as she slowly slid down again

“Tamara,” he growled.  “I like that.”

“I like it too,” she said repeating the motion.

She began to pick up pace and found a rhythm she liked as she rolled her hips. She felt her orgasm building.

He wrapped both arms around her waist and sucked her right nipple into his mouth.

“Nathan,” she screamed as she came around him. She stopped moving to enjoy it wash over her.  When it was done, she unwrapped her arms from around his neck and cupped his face.  She lifted it to look into his eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he said lifting her up and pulling out of her. 

Location:  Jacobs House in LA

Callie stood at the sink washing dishes as Pamela dried them and put them up.  They only had a few out that they hadn’t packed so it was easier to do it by hand than use the dishwasher.

“So Callie, I found you a date for the gala,” Pamela said.

Callie’s stomach dropped.  “Pam, I told you that it wasn’t necessary.”

“I disagree.  Everyone at this gala will be with a date.  I refuse to have you as the lone puppy.  Besides, it is just a faux pas to attend something like this alone.  Societal suicide.”

“I don’t mind societal suicide.” And she didn’t because there was no way that she was attending some event with a man she didn’t know.  Blind dates were dangerous.  Women ended up hurt doing things like that.

“Let me tell you who he is first.  Then decide.”

“Okay.  His name is Chris Winters and he is the President of Bell.”

“And,” Callie asked.

“And what?  That’s all I know.”

“You want me to go out with a perfect stranger?”

“He is not a stranger.  John knows him. And your uncle probably knows him too.  And your friend that works for your uncle.  That town is not that big and he is a prominent businessman.  So it is only reasonable that they know each other.”

“Now that you mention it.  Sophia is probably married to a relative of his.  The guy she married has the last name Winters,” Callie said drying the last dish and passing it to Pam.

“Sophia Winters?  I spoke with her today about a sitter for Walt.  If we can trust her word with someone who cares for Walt, then surely we can trust her with someone who will take you on one public date. You should call her and inquire.”

“I think I will ask Sophia,” she said.  But definitely not her uncle.  She had learned a long time ago that any man she dated would never live up to his standards.

“And you should do it soon,” Pam said placing the last dish in the cabinet.  “I gave him your number so he might call at any moment,” she finished as she floated out of the room.

Location:  Nathan Winters Condo

Nathan was fighting for his self-control with Tammy.  He didn’t know whether it was intentional or not, but she was pushing him to the edge.  The strip tease had cracked it.  And the way she had gripped him as she rode him had it almost in pieces.  He had not lost control since he was a teenager.  And he certainly didn’t want to lose it with Tamara Davis.  He didn’t want to scare her off.  He realized that he had a big dick.  And many women were intimidated by that.  He had seen the way she looked at him last night so he knew that she could possibly be in that category. 

He positioned her on her knees with her legs spread wide facing the back of the sofa. Then he took off the rest of his clothes. He got on his knees in between her legs.  He placed himself at her opening then slowly pushed into her.

“Mmmm,” she moaned.

He made love to her with slow thrusts. She began to sway her body back and forth with his rhythm and clenching and unclenching her muscles around him.  He wanted so badly to slam into her as deep as he could go but he was not about to lose her over some wild sex. 

“Tamara, don’t do that,” he said squeezing her hip to stop her movements.  “You’re going to make me lose control and I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Nathan,” she said. “Look at me.”

He stopped moving and let his eyes slowly travel from his hand on her butt up over her back to her face.  She looked breathtaking with her hair hanging down the on the other side of her face.

“I am not some fragile doll.  I won’t break. I can handle your needs.”

“But you’re so small. So tight,” he said pulling out of her slowly and pushing back in.

“Mmmm,” she moaned. “Listen to me.  If you hurt me I will let you know. And if you do something I don’t like or I think is disrespectful, you know I will stop it and slap the shit out of you.”

“True,” he said sliding slowly in and out of her again.

“Mmmm,” she moaned again. “So don’t be scared to let go,” she said slowly in a sultry voice. “Lose yourself in me because I damn sure plan on losing myself in you. I’m yours. My body is yours. It was made for your pleasure. So if you want to pull my hair,” she said smirking then finished with “or spank me then do it. Claim your pussy Nathan.”

He leaned over her and growled in her ear, “You’re intentionally provoking me because you know I love your hair.”

“I do know,” she said chucking softly.

He had grabbed it last night before he had realized what he was doing which is why he had changed positions so that he could force himself to let it go.   But now since he had free reign, he gathered it in one hand and wrapped it around his hand the way her did last night. He tugged on it and her head went back forcing a deep arch in her back.

He pulled out of her and slammed back in hard rotating his hips when he was fully inside.

“Aaaahh,” she screamed loudly.

He pulled out and slammed back in again. Then began to surge in and out of her with powerful, hard, deep strokes.  The arch in her back forced him deeper inside of her than he had ever been.  She began to sway her body to meet his thrusts as she clenched and unclenched her muscles around him. His pelvis slapped loudly against butt as he picked up the pace of his thrusts.  

After about 5 minutes he felt himself about to come and didn’t want to leave her behind. He released the tight grip he had on her butt then spanked it lightly.

“Come for me baby.”

“Nathan,” she screamed.

The sound of her his name on her lips brought him even closer to the edge.  He spanked her butt once again.  Not quit as lightly as before. Then he reached around to part her folds to press his finger against her clitoris.

He pulled her hair a little harder and then vigorously rubbed her clitoris.

“I’m coming,” she said she screamed.

When he felt her pulsate around him, he let go too. He wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned his chest against her back as spasm after spasm went through his body.

After a few minutes he rose up from her and stood up. 

“Come here baby,” he said and she stood up in front of him.  He wrapped his arms around her waist as she placed her arms around his neck and kissed him softly on lips.

He broke the kiss and leaned back as he looked down into her eyes to see if he could figure out what she was thinking.  She had a self-satisfied smug look on her face.  Like she had achieved her mission in life.

“I told you that I wouldn’t break,” she said against his lips

“Be honest, did I hurt you?”

“In a very good way.  Did you feel how hard I came?”

“I felt it.”

“I loved every second of what we just did,” she said in an erotic whisper.  “Don’t doubt it. I told you that my body was made for your pleasure.  Maybe now you will believe it.”

He felt himself getting aroused again.  She obviously felt it too since she looked down at his erection and laughed.

“I’m sorry Nathan. But I don’t have time right now.  I have to go back to work.  Later okay,” she said pecking him on the lips then pulling out of his embrace and walking towards the bathroom. “I’m going to take a short soak before I go.”

It took every ounce of will power that he had not to follow her into the bathroom with the engagement ring. He needed to let Devon know that he wasn’t as patient as he thought he was earlier today.  He needed to fix his disagreement with Roxy as soon as possible. Because Nathan knew that for the first time in his life, he was sprung.