The Henson Brothers: Two Complete Novels (50 page)

He suddenly stabbed his sausage and took a bite. "How long?"

"A month."

He nodded. "So are you free Saturday?"

"Eric, didn't you hear what I just said?"

"Yes, but what do you expect me to do? Eat Haagen Daz and watch soaps?"

"Don't be silly."

"I'll try not to sleep with you, but I still want to see you. Or is that against the rules too?"

"There are no rules. This is fact. You're on the rebound."

"I'm not expecting a relationship."

She hesitated. "You're not?"

"Just a nice fun-filled affair. I think we can handle that."

"I still think you need a month."

He raised his hands. "Fine, I surrender." He rested a hand on his chest. "I'll try and heal myself."

"Good."

"Next Saturday we'll go to the museum. The Hirshhorn."

"But that's a modern art museum."

"Yes, I know. I think I need to get used to being around interesting figures I can't touch."

Chapter 5

Nothing could alter his good mood. Not even the cryptic call from his ex-business partner, Carter. No, he was going to enjoy today and the memory of last night. Eric whistled his way through the lunchtime rush at the Blue Mango Restaurant his brother owned. He passed by the waiters, through the low roar of voices, and the sound of clinking utensils that filled the elegant room. He headed toward the manager's office, but halted when he saw his brother smiling at a group enjoying the Blue Mango specialty—chocolate desserts. He shook his head in amazement. Marriage had really changed his brother. Until Cassie had come into Drake's life, Eric hadn't even been certain
he knew how to smile.

"Did two buses stop by?" Eric asked as his brother approached him.

Drake glanced around the restaurant, satisfied. "It's been a great year. Our name's really getting around." He patted Eric on the back. "So how was your birthday?"

"Have you seen Jackie?"

He fought a smile and headed to a far wall out of view of the customers. He ran a hand through his graying hair. "No. What did she send you this time?"

"A stripper."

Drake raised a brow. "Not bad."

"She sent her to my office. I had a client."

He winced. "Ouch."

"Yes, that's exactly what she'll say when I'm through with her." Eric glanced around the restaurant again. If Jackie was there he would find her. She was definitely hiding from him. He'd checked his place and hers already. His brows furrowed when he spotted a young waiter with a black ponytail reading a letter.

Drake followed his gaze and frowned. "Cedric."

The young man looked up, guilty. The expression made him look younger than his nineteen years. He came toward them. "Yes, Mr. Henson?"

Drake snatched the note and carefully folded it. "Am I paying you to read?"

"No. I'm sorry, sir."

"How's Pamela doing?"

His face lit up at the mention of his girlfriend's name. "She misses me." He colored violently, a harsh contrast to his olive skin. "I mean she loves New York. She's fine."

"Tell her I said hello." Drake handed him the note. "On your own time."

"Yes, sir." He walked away.

"Amazing that relationship is still going," Eric said.

Drake shrugged. "They're young."

"You don't think it will last?"

"College changes things. She's going; he's not. We'll see." He folded his arms. "So aside from the unexpected striptease you had a good day?"

"I enjoyed the striptease, but Adriana was there."

Drake swore.

"She took it in good fun. We went to a play, then a club."

"You went to a club with
Adriana?"

"Yes. It was educational."

"Educational?"

"I saw Lynda there with another man."

Drake narrowed his eyes. "I would say I'm sorry, but you don't look concerned."

He shrugged. "I'm not. It's always good to know when you've made a mistake. I realized I was with the wrong woman." He leaned against the wall looking smug. " I changed that."

"How?"

"I went to Adriana's place last night—"

Drake's face changed. "Oh no, you don't."

"What?"

"You're not allowed to get involved with Adriana."

Eric took off his glasses and cleaned them.

Drake stared at him, amazed. "You've slept with her already?"

He put his glasses back on and grinned. "Last night was—"

Drake held up his hand. "I don't want any details."

"I wasn't offering any."

Drake pinched the bridge of his nose. "How?"

"My regular MO. She felt sorry for me."

"That doesn't bother you?"

"We had sex."

"But she felt sorry for you."

"Let me reiterate: we had sex. It doesn't matter the reason, just the outcome. It was great."

"How can pity sex be great?"

Eric raised a brow. "Get Cassie to pity you one day."

Drake waved his hand in disgust. "Pretend I didn't ask."

"We're talking about sex."

"No, we're talking about my wife's best friend. You two have nothing in common."

"When has that stopped me before?"

"Adriana is not like your others."

"I know."

"What does she think about this?"

"She's a little worried." Eric rubbed his chin. "She thinks I'm suffering from a broken heart, but I'll handle that."

Drake covered his eyes as everything came together.

"You slept with her
after
you found out your girlfriend was cheating?"

Eric paused, then nodded. "That's basically it."

Drake let his hand fall. "What are you going to do when the pity wears off?"

"I always leave before then. No worries, we're just having fun. She's sweet."

"A dangerous temptation for a man with a sweet tooth."

Eric grinned. "Exactly."

Jackie entered the restaurant. She ducked behind a wall when she saw Eric.

"Too late," he said.

She came out of hiding. The top of her head reached her brothers' shoulders. She had large brown eyes and straight black hair that swept her chin.

Eric folded his arms. "I'm waiting for a reason."

She pushed her hands in the back pockets of her jeans and swung from side to side. "I thought you would like it."

"You wouldn't be hiding from me if that was true."

Her hands fell to her side. "It was fun. You like women, right?"

"Yes, but not dancing half naked in my office. I had a client."

Jackie began to smile. "Didn't he enjoy it too?"

"It was a she."

Her face fell. "Oh no. I'm sorry."

Eric shook his head. "No, not yet."

"Oh, come on, Eric. I was trying to give you something special. You didn't want us to plan anything and I thought you should have a few festivities while you're alone in your office. I'm truly sorry you didn't enjoy it." Her big brown eyes gazed at him with sincerity.

He immediately forgave her. He always did. He turned away, disgusted with himself. "Spoiled brat."

She grinned at them. "A result of the two best brothers in the world."

Eric glanced at a lamp. "What do you want?"

Drake looked at him. "How do you know she wants something?"

"Practice."

Jackie looked appalled. "I don't want anything."

"See?" Drake said.

"Except—"

Eric flashed a superior grin. "Except what?"

She turned to Drake. "I want to borrow Marcus."

He frowned, suspicious. "For what?"

"A photographer is doing a hunger campaign and I thought he'd be the perfect model."

"No."

Jackie kissed her teeth, irritated. "Hear me out."

He held up his hand. "No. I will not have my son's face plastered all over the city for a hunger campaign. Think of the hypocrisy. His father owns restaurants."

"No one needs to know he's your son."

Drake's voice hardened. "The answer is no."

She sighed and held up her hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, withdraw the fangs. Could I borrow some money then?"

"Why? You going to bribe some parent to hand over their child?"

"No, it's for something else."

"What?"

Eric opened his wallet. "Why ask? The reason will just make you crazy." He handed her some bills. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, made a face at Drake, and raced out.

"You spoil her," Drake mumbled.

He shrugged, putting his wallet away. "I know. It's a weakness."

* * *

"What the heck is that?" Cassie demanded as Adriana dumped two bags from Nordstrom on her kitchen table.

The house was unusually quiet since her two kids were napping. The sun flooded the yellow kitchen, passing over the pine table and polishing the copper pots hanging above—baby bottles dried in the sink next to little plastic utensils. Adriana looked at her best friend since childhood. She wore jeans and a sweater with her hair pulled back in a braid. Her dark eyes reflected concern behind glasses.

Cassie glanced into the bags, then looked up. "What happened?"

She fell into a chair. "I'm not sure. I went into the mall to relax and the next thing I knew I'd left with these."

"I thought you were going on a budget."

She rested her arms on the table and held her head. "I know, I know. Don't remind me."

Cassie removed the bags from the table. "How did you end up with Eric?"

She stared down at the table. "I took him out for his birthday. He had a miserable time."

"How miserable?"

"He lost his tie, got confused for an adulterer, and found his girlfriend tongue-wrestling another man."

Cassie bit her lower lip, trying not to grin. "Yes, that would qualify as miserable."

"I tried to make it up to him. I bought him a cake and took him to my place. We watched TV, then..."

Cassie leaned forward. "Then..."

"It happened."

"We're not talking about the Big Bang.
How
did it happen? Did he suddenly jump on you? Did you rip your clothes off?"

"He kissed me."

"He kissed you first?" Cassie sat back and shook her head, confused. "Then why are you blaming yourself?"

"Because I didn't move. A part of me wanted him to. I encouraged it. I was leaking pheromones and after being rejected he just fell for my trap." She sighed. "Our hormones got the best of us."

"What did he say this morning?"

"He said he'd had the best birthday of his life."

Cassie raised her brows, impressed. "Congratulations."

Adriana glared at her. "It's not funny."

"I'm not trying to be funny. He could have said nothing. That would have been worse."

"It shouldn't have happened."

"But it did. It was fate."

"It was hormones. He's on the rebound."

Cassie stood and got a drink. "That's not for you to decide."

"Someone has to think rationally. He wants to have an affair."

"Then don't worry." She pushed a glass toward her. "He's pretty good at those."

Adriana glanced at her glass, distracted. "This is gorgeous. Is it crystal?"

"Hand-cut. Kevin bought a set for us."

"Does Drake know?" she asked. Drake disliked Kevin.

"He pretends ignorance."

Adriana ran her hand over the intricate design. "Do you know how expensive these are?"

"Who cares? To Kevin they're equal to the prize you find in a Cracker Jacks box."

"It's so nice to have rich friends." She took a sip and sighed, her mind returning to their original topic. "You think this is funny, don't you? Eric and me."

"I think it's about time."

Adriana ignored the hint. "He is taking me to the Hirshhorn Museum."

"You love it there."

"I know," she said gloomily. "I just know we're headed for disaster. Nasty breakups are such a pain."

"We're talking about Eric. A nasty breakup would require some passion."

Of which he definitely had some.

"I think it will be a nice change for you. It will run its course, then end. It's no big deal unless..." Cassie's eyes widened. "Uh-oh."

Adriana stiffened. "Uh-oh what?"

She chewed her bottom lip. "I know what the problem is."

"You're only now figuring it out?"

"You like him."

She pounded the table. "I do not!"

"Shh!" The warning came too late. Ericka let out a wail from her crib.

Adriana swore. "I'm sorry."

Cassie stood, brushing away the apology. "It was time for her to get up anyway."

They entered the nursery with its raspberry wallpaper and the calming scent of baby powder and lotion. Cassie lifted the baby and quieted her, then looked at the bed where her two-year-old son slept. "That one could sleep through an earthquake."

Adriana looked at Cassie holding Ericka, whose tears had begun to dry. She touched her soft dark curls and then stared at Marcus, hugging his pillow of a giant ice cream cone. Cassie was everything she'd tried to be but couldn't—a good wife and mother.

"How's Cassandra doing?" Adriana asked.

Cassandra Graham was Cassie's alter ego, a celebrated speaker and self-help author.