Someone To Love

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“The first Monday in May.”

“Less than a month to get everything done.” J.D. shook his head. “You’re going to be very busy.”

Laughing, Shae nodded. “Yes, I am. But I asked for it, right?”

“That you did.”

“So how about you, J.D.? What kept you?”

J.D. scoffed. “Amir Jonson, the client from hell.”

Frowning, Shae said, “Mmm. That sounds scary. Why is he the client from hell?”

“Because Amir stirs up more crap then all my clients put together.” J.D. swallowed a sip of wine. “The young man has talent, but his friends know more than I do.”

“That can be difficult.”

“Yes, it can. I like Amir a lot. But he’s beginning to get on my nerves,” J.D. said.

“So what’s his story?”

“No father in the home. Mother trying to be both parents and failing at both. He’s got so much talent. I want him to have everything he’s dreamed of. But he’s so obstinate. Unless he changes his attitude we’re not going to be able to work together much longer.”

“Why are you putting up with him? I’m sure there are a lot of kids who’d like to have his opportunity,” Shae pointed out.

“I grew up in a home with two parents. They loved us and were always available. They gave us what we needed, not what we wanted. There’s a part of me that believes that Amir would be a different guy if he’d had the benefit of a father. Amir needed a male figure to care about him, give him guidance and spend time with him.”

“J.D., that’s not always true,” Shae whispered softly, thinking back to her life in her parents’ home. Having two parents in the home doesn’t always mean that the child will turn out perfect. She remembered all the disappointments and pain that her father caused by his broken promises. “My pop lived with us, but he wasn’t truly in the home. There’s got to be more.”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” J.D. reached across the table and took her hand, holding it between both of his. “You’re right. What I’m trying to say is that people have disappointed Amir so much in life that he’s unwilling to trust anyone. I want to break through that and help him.”

“I understand the need to help, J.D. I just don’t want you to be disappointed,” she squeezed his hand.

“It’ll be okay. I’m going to do everything I can to help him,” he promised. “Thank you.”

She smiled at him, feeling warm and happy at the closeness developing between them. Shae wanted to comfort him. J.D. seemed so concerned and sincere about the well-being of his clients. Somehow Amir had touched a chord in J.D.’s heart and he wanted to help the young man reach his dreams. “In the car you said you had something you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Yes. There’s something I want to talk—” His cell phone rang and J.D. sighed, glancing at the LCD. “Excuse me,” he turned away as he answered the call. “Hello? Yeah. Call me in the office tomorrow,” he stated. “This is a bad time.”

Shae blocked out the rest of his conversation, instead concentrating on trying to figure out what J.D. wanted to say to her. She hoped he didn’t plan to stop seeing her. She really liked him and didn’t want to lose his friendship or the budding romance they were establishing.

He seemed nervous. His hand constantly played with the silverware and he folded and refolded the napkin several times.

“Sorry about that,” J.D. said, shoving the phone into his pocket. “Normally, I don’t get a lot of calls after hours. Lately, it’s been really busy.”

“What do you want to say?” she asked, redirecting his thoughts back to their previous discussion.

“I know that we haven’t known each other very long. And that you’re used to a very different kind of life.” He swallowed loudly, picking up her hand and linking their fingers. “You’re new to town and there is a lot that you have to see and do before you get completely settled in, but I want to be part of your life. I want us to see each other and for you to know that I’ll be available when you need me.

“I don’t know how to say this. I’m embarrassed. These feelings are new to me.” J.D. held her gaze with his own. “I like you. Hopefully we’ve got time to get to know each other better. But I want to let you know how I feel.”

Shae blew out a nervous breath of air. “J.D., I was worried that you wanted to end our relationship. To put some space and time between us. I like you, too, and I want to get to know you better.”

Separating after a series of good-night kisses that had her weak in the knees and her head swimming, Shae said good night and closed the door after J.D. left. She danced through the suite on her way to her bedroom. Nothing could bring her down after the evening she enjoyed with J.D. She couldn’t wait for their next date. Being with him just seemed so right. They had made plans to go car shopping tomorrow evening after work.

Shae sat on the bed and removed her diamond earrings, while she reached for the ringing telephone. “Hello.”

“How’s my princess?”

“Pop!”

“The one and only. Hi, sweetie.”

“Hi, Pop. It’s almost been a week, I was wondering when you would get around to me,” she muttered.

“Princess, you know you’re my number one girl. I’m sorry things got out of hand for a bit.”

“Mmm. That’s nothing new.” She shook her head, putting her misgivings away. It was good to hear from her father and she craved news about her family. “So how are you? Or rather how is the business?”

“Everything is good. How was your first day of work?”

“How did you know today was my first day?”

“Just because I haven’t talked with you doesn’t mean I don’t know what’s going on,” he reminded.

“So it seems.” She twisted the telephone cord around her fingers.

“So how did it go?”

“Good. I think I’m going to be happy here. There’s a lot of work ahead, but that’s not a bad thing. I like to work.” She chuckled. “I think I received that trait honestly.”