Stroke of Midnight Read Free Page B

Tina. The tousled bed she saw through the open bedroom door was a testament to how new their marriage was.
    “I hate to ask you this Tina, but may I borrow a suitcase? All I have are my backpacks and…” He’d seen them, already knew she wasn’t one of the wealthy collectors who came to these auctions. “Never mind, it isn’t as if I’d be hiding anything.”
    “Like?”
    “Like who I am. Where I’m from.”
    “You don’t need to hide anything from Alex. You’re a wonderful person. Someone I’ve always looked up to.”
    Warmed by the praise, Jaye flushed. She, David and Tina had been kids together and when Hayden was born, Tina had been another pair of willing hands. “I never thought you would look to me as a role model.”
    “I want to be the kind of mother you are.” Tina shrugged and opened the double doors of the closet to a full array of clothes. “We don’t have time to shop. Take whatever you need.”
    She pulled out sweaters, skirts, slacks and jackets and set them on the sofa. Jaye saw labels that didn’t belong to any department store she’d ever been in.
    “Oh, Tina. This is too much. Really.”
    “Jeans, tee shirts and sneakers are great for sightseeing in New York, but Paris sets a different standard.”
    Tina was right. Jaye wouldn’t hide who she was from Alex, but the population of Paris and London needn’t know she was playing dress up. “How can I thank you?”
    “You just did.”
    “I won’t know what forks to use.” The heat she’d felt at first sight of Alex turned to dread.
    Tina wagged her fingers. “Start at the left and work your way in to the plate. Try not to order an unfamiliar dish or anything difficult to eat.”
    “Gotcha.” She brushed her fingertips across a skirt the color of butter rum candy, the suede soft and warm to the touch. “I love this but I’d spill on it for sure.”
    “Nonsense. Take it. It’s fabulous with this blouse.”
    Jaye palmed her belly to still the nerves that jumped at every thought of Alex. “I shouldn’t do this.”
    Tina assessed her. “You’ll be fine. Alex is one of the good guys, although he’d never admit it.”
    “I don’t think I can go. Hayden—”
    “Is sixteen, not six,” Tina interrupted. “Besides, he’s already gone home.”
    Jaye grinned. “Right.” She let her doubts go. “And he’ll learn more about responsible independence if he knows I trust him to get himself home safely.”
    “You’re right. Besides it’s only a two hour drive. He’ll be fine.” Tina walked to the bedside table and opened a drawer.
    When she turned back she had a box in her hand. “And speaking of safety…” She held out the box.
    Jaye chuckled. “Condoms.” She thought of Alex. And sex. And sex with Alex.
    “Extra large.” She held up a hand. “Not that I have personal knowledge, of course.”
    “Of course.” But Jaye had already discerned there was nothing more than friendship between Tina and Alex. “I’ve never taken a vacation before. Pretty pathetic, huh?”
    She was no martyr, but whatever money she’d saved had always gone to Hayden, never for something as frivolous as a vacation. Especially not one for herself.
    “All the more reason to take what Alex is offering. Enjoy yourself. And him.” Tina hugged her, patted her on the back. “You deserve this.”
    Jaye still hesitated.
    “Does Alex make you uneasy?” Tina asked with the unerring discernment of a long time friend.
    “Yes.”
    “Does he watch you? Really watch you?”
    “As if he wants to see inside.” She palmed her thighs to quiet the inner quiver. It didn’t work.
    “He makes you hot,” Tina said with a knowing smile that made her eyes glow with a teasing light.
    Jaye gave a half laugh, half sigh. “He makes me boil.”
    Tina hugged her. “Then act on it. Make this the best two weeks of your life.”
    “I will. It isn’t often an opportunity like this comes along for a woman like me,” she whispered, hating that she felt that