More Nights With Kate (Jack Ryker) Read Free Page A

out for the night.
    Tuesday Jan 31, 8:00am
    Kate
    Tuesday morning was better than Monday had been, but there
were still a lot of conflicting thoughts running through my mind.  After getting
ready, I grabbed my designs and began focusing on what needed to be
accomplished in the morning meeting.  As the driver opened the door to the
limo, it felt as if Jack should be on the other side to greet me.  It was
incredibly strange to be living in his world, with him nowhere in sight. 
It was as if I had somehow switched lives with him or something.  It was a
feeling that’s hard to describe.
    Things became even more awkward when Jayne and Brandon
immediately ceased their “hushed” conversation as I entered the conference room
at Ryker Fashion Merchandising.  After briefly exchanging greetings with
one another, Jayne was the first to hit me with a question.
    “Did you talk to Dad last night?” she asked, as Brandon
distracted himself by looking through his notes.
    “Yes, he called.  How did you know?” I asked, wondering
if she had access to a surveillance camera in her old place.
    “I just thought that he might have called you after we
talked.”
    “You talked to him last night, too?”
    “Yeah, I felt bad after seeing him leave so hastily
yesterday afternoon.  I wanted him to tell him that I’m fully aware of
what’s been going on between the two of you.  I’m fine with it.”
    “Okay,” was my only reply as Brandon chimed in, agreeing
with his sister on the issue.
    “I’m glad both of you are okay with things, but Jack left
because he didn’t think that it was in my best interest in the long run. 
I want to build my dream business and raise a family.  He claimed that
he’s not interested in either of those things anymore.  Apparently that’s
why he thought that I should date you,” I replied smirking at Brandon.
    “Yeah, I was actually embarrassed for him yesterday.  I
didn’t know what to say.  It was like… alright, Dad, I’ll look after your
girlfriend for you or whatever.”
    We all needed the laugh that followed Brandon’s
comment.  The expression on his face was priceless.  None of us had
any idea what was going to happen next, but at least it seemed like our
business relationship would be all right regardless of how things played out.
    “I don’t know about you two, but I’m ready to get busy
building a business,” Brandon declared once our laughter had again transformed
into awkward silence.
    Jayne and I both agreed as she called the receptionist to
have her send the manufacturing director, Brenda Dickson, back to the
conference room.  Once Brenda joined us, we all settled in and began
working though each phase of the plant retooling.  Noon arrived quickly
and with no lunch in sight, we all agreed that Kristen and her organizational
skills would be sadly missed. 
    “If she were still here, we would be eating already,” Jayne
said while scrolling through delivery options on her phone.  “What are you
guys hungry for?”
    “Chicken Kebab’s, Lobster bites, and Crab cakes” Brandon
replied.  Jayne and I immediately knew that he wanted to go to Jack’s old
haunt.
    I couldn’t get myself to even look in the direction of the
St. Regis, so I told the three of them to go ahead without me and excused
myself from the meeting.  “I’ll grab a quick sandwich downstairs and meet
you guys back here at 1:30,” I told them as I made my way to the door.
    It was a good thing that Brenda went with the other two
because tears were streaming down my face by the time I reached the
restroom.  I took a deep breath as I looked in the mirror and tried to
collect myself.  Everything is just fine.  It will all work out
for the best.   I tried in vain to reassure myself and keep moving
forward, despite the growing pit in my stomach.  I’m just hungry.

Chapter 2:  Lunch With Kristen
    12:58pm @ The Modern
    Jack
    A familiar smile spread across Kristen’s lips as I entered the