Four Shades of Recovery: Boxed Set by J. S. Luxor Page A

to the condos we sold in Miami. Portland’s ripe for our kind of product. I’m here to develop some contacts,” he explains.
     
    “Well, good luck with the contacts.”
     
    Jacob nods but then continues to the more crucial issue before us. “Little did I know that you’d be settled here with a boyfriend, already.” Jacob’s not easily diverted from his mission and his voice drips with derision.
     
    “Yes, Jacob, he’s my boyfriend. We’ve been together in the past and known each other for a long time, though.”
     
    “Michael won’t be pleased to hear about your new career nor about your renewed relationship with an old boyfriend,” Jacob grows very serious and somewhat threatening as we speak. I want to run from our conversation but know it can’t be avoided.
     
    “So, I hope you haven’t mentioned anything about me to Michael yet?”
     
    Jacob nods in agreement. I’m just so relieved that Jacob hasn’t yet called him.
     
    “I wanted to find out exactly what you were doing in Portland and who this dude from last night happened to be. He looked quite possessive--hanging all over you like a coat.” Jacob spits out the last bit with annoyance.
     
    “I’d appreciate it if you’d not mention to Michael that you saw me on your trip,” I request knowing that it’ll certainly not happen. At least I’m putting Jacob on notice that I have no interest in sharing my whereabouts with Michael Kingsfield.
     
    Jacob snorts before responding, “That is so NOT going to happen, Megan. I’m Michael’s assistant now. He pays me to know who does what with whom. If he discovered that I kept information about you private, he’d have my job and my head.”
     
    “Can you at least keep from mentioning that I have a boyfriend?” I look at Jacob with big innocent eyes and bat them for all I’m worth.
     
    He swallows and caves in a bit, “Yeah, I’ll avoid mentioning the boyfriend. Michael would go ballistic if I described what I actually saw at the restaurant last night.”
     
    I swallow as I recall how handy Matt and I became at the pub. We pawed at each other like two sex starved teenagers before heading out to our great night in his bedroom. I clench as I recall how great our hookup felt last evening.
     
    I nod in gratitude, “Thanks for being tactful, Jacob. It means a lot to me. I’ll ask my mother to give you a few leads in Miami.” He nods his head in agreement and smiles at last.
     
    We talk a bit more then head off in our separate directions. My appetite has vanished. I return to the office and throw myself into my editing work. I need to avoid thinking about my discussion with Jacob or I’ll lose it completely.
     
    My dinner with Matt at Le Pigeon goes well. We drink a light and fruity D’Asti while eating a green curry scallop risotto and a medley of seafood with the most amazing hollandaise sauce. It’s scrumptious. Matt’s still in his romantic mood from last night as we talk about our respective workdays. I’m going to return to my condominium tonight to change clothes and catch up on cleaning it.
     
    He gazes into my eyes as we finish eating. “Are you going to tell me about your luncheon date with Jacob today?” He’s friendly and calm as he asks the question.
     
    “Matt, it wasn’t much of anything. We just caught up on real estate issues. He’s trying to develop contacts in the Portland area. He’s interested in selling the sort of condos that appeal to young up and coming professionals. The same type of units that he and I sold in Miami, Florida,” I explain lightly.
     
    “The kind of condominiums that you sold with your mother?” I nod.
     
    “He told me how shocked and surprised he was to see me in town. It really threw him to learn that I’m no longer selling real estate. I guess I never told him much about my college degree and job experience with newspapers and journalism,” I explain carefully.
     
    Matt strokes his chin and observes, “Then, I guess