'I had work commitments and I couldn't see a place for you in the schedule I had planned. But it was worse this time. I couldn't keep you out of my mind. You haunted my nights.' Days and nights for me, she recalled, especially after learning a baby had been conceived. 'Jasmine... look at me!' he commanded. Her head snapped up. The angst in his eyes begged her belief. 'The women I took to the award ceremonies... they were just window-dressing. I didn't have sex with them. Didn't want to. In fact, it was after barely tolerating the model I was with at the BAFTA Awards that I called you to meet me in L.A. You were the one I wanted to be with.' A wave of sadness rolled through her at the memory of her miscarriagein Los Angeles. It had thrown a black cloud over everything. Though before she'd told him she was pregnant... 'You still didn't see a place in your life for me, Collins. It was just for a week.' 'That was the plan,' he conceded heavily. 'I don't know that it would have
Favour opened the door and they stared at each other for a while until Jasmine spoke. 'Can I come in?' she asked. 'Sure' Favour replied and stepped out of the way. 'How are you?' Jasmine asked her. 'Doing good' 'And the baby and Leonard.' 'They are both fine, and Leonard is out' replied Favour, walking slowly to take a seat on the couch. 'It's one of the things that I don't like about pregnancy... Sometimes I'm just too tired to move around' Jasmine smiled at her and sat down too beside her. 'You are doing great' she said, 'And it will be over soon' There was a brief hesitation before she added, 'I'm sorry, Favour. I behaved so horrible towards you that night. I was frustrated, but it was still no reason to say the things that I said to you. I hope that you can forgive me'. Favour began to cry. 'I'm so sorry' she said. 'About your baby... I can't believe that I didn't know, and every time I saw you, I just rambled on and on about mine. And you had to sit there and listen'
Favour clapped her hands. 'Oh, this is marvellous! How far along?' 'Almost four months.' Sheer astonishment. 'You can't be! You're not even showing.' Her gaze dropped critically to Jasmine's stomach. 'Luckily the long cowl on this dress hides a very definite mound.' She lifted it. 'See?' Favour pointedly examined the vital area. 'That's a very small four months. Trust you to keep nice and slim. I had a positive pot belly by then.' She frowned. 'How come you haven't told any of us before this?' 'I am older than you, as you've frequently mentioned,' Jasmine answered carefully. 'I wanted to make it through the danger period first before letting anyone know there's a baby on the way.' Favour shook her head chidingly. 'You've got a very secretive nature. No doubt about it. Honestly. Jasmine, you could be a bit more forthcoming.' 'Oh, I don't know.' Her eyes were deliberately leasing. 'You do have a habit of telling me how to live my life, little sister.' Favour humphed and plan
Timothy Kavell-Packard hurried to his father's office like he was being chased. He was actually driven there... Driven by surprise and anger that his father had made such a big decision about their company without telling him first.Actually, he had been told, but he just didn't think that giving the account to Golden gate promotions was a good idea when there were better Ad agencies to consider, and he couldn't believe that after making it clear that he hadn't made up his mind yet, his father had gone through with it without notifying him.His father, Jensen Packard was strong willed and determined, but it was still unlike him to make a decision like this without making sure that they were both on the same page. Which was why he was heading to his office to make his displeasure known.He was greeted by some of the staff as he walked by, and he responded to their greetings with series of nods and handshakes, although he wasn't even really listening to what any of them said. He was so
Jensen relaxed in his chair. "I did tell you about it" he said simply, tapping his fingertips on the arm rest of the chair."Yes, you did, but I told you that I was still thinking about it. We agreed that we wouldn't go into this hastily since we had other agencies to consider. I hadn't decided and you signed the papers already.""Hmmm" Jensen said, almost absent mindedly and stopped tapping his fingers. "I decided that there was no need to hesitate. It is the best option for us. We also have a lot to gain from them. Why wait?"Timothy wasn't satisfied with that explanation at all. He honestly couldn't understand why his father was acting this way because he never behaved like this before. This was the first time that Jensen had done something like this since Timothy had become an active partner in their company, and from the look on his face, he could tell that his father had something else that he wasn't telling him, but what ever it was, he didn't appreciate being exempted from the
Now, as she sat in her car, she tried to remind herself that there was absolutely no need to feel so nervous. It was ridiculous in fact. She was good at her job. Why else would Evan trust her to do this if she wasn't? If she could convince Jensen, then she could certainly do the same with Timothy. All she needed was to be professional. Whatever happened between them happened years ago and there was no way Timothy would still be upset about it. She just needed to do her job, convince Timothy and get the hell out. How hard could that be? And maybe luck would be on her side and Timothy Kavell wouldn't need much convincing.Chloe hurried into the impressive building and headed straight for the blond receptionist who was sitting behind her desk."Hello," she said.The young lady lifted her head and smiled cheerfully at her. "Hello," she said sweetly. "Good morning ma'am. How may I help you?""Ermm, I'm here to see Mr Packard. I have an appointment with him. I'm sure he's expecting me right
Finally he understood what his father had been up to. He understood that smile he had seen on his father's face that day at his office. Jensen Packard had loved Chloe as if she were his daughter when they were in high school, but this.... This was the last thing he could have guessed that his father would do.Timothy didn't turn to look at his father. There would be a lot of time to let him know that he didn't appreciate being taken by surprise this way, so instead, he focused his gaze on the woman who had just walked into the spacious office.She effortlessly projected an ingrained confidence and inner strength that Timothy had envied for a long time before finding his own rightful place in the world. He watched Chloe Gilbert saunter towards him, that heart-stopping smile curving her luscious lips. He stayed put, let her come closer, looked deeper into her stunning dark eyes and tried to hide his confusion.Three feet from him, she stopped. "Hello, Tim. Good morning" she said in a vo
"No" replied Timothy, finally moving away from the wall, and stepping a little closer. "I have other things to do and I would rather make out some time so we can talk properly, Is that okay? How long are you going to be in town?"With her seated and him standing, he seemed much taller than he actually was, and more intimidating. Chloe didn't like that at all. The last thing she wanted was to lose her nerve in front of this man, but that was beginning to look really difficult. Timothy Kavell Packard had aged well, and as far as she was concerned, no one should be allowed to look that attractive because he was doing a damn fine job of stealing her breath without even trying.Chloe placed her hands on her laps and told herself that she was an idiot for feeling lightheaded. He was just a man, flesh and blood... But...what a man!He was tall, with wide shoulders, long muscular legs and what had to be a washboard stomach under the mint green button-down shirt tucked into a pair of plain bla