Content? I felt so sad for Joshua that he almost settled on being content for the rest of his life rather than in love!
“I don’t know that he felt he deserved more. But it didn’t matter because mother could not stand her. We never knew why. Shortly after he brought her home to meet mother, he broke things off. She was probably a bit snarky with you when she met you because he’s never brought anyone with him on these long trips, and she knows that it means something that you are here with him. So you, my dear, are somewhat of an anomaly. You seem to have captured my brother’s heart.”
I slowly shook my head in protest. “Jake, Joshua just sees me as a business colleague. He has taught me so much, and I am very grateful, but I don’t think it’s any more than that for him.”
“What about for you, Sarah?”
I was tongue-tied and wanted to shift the conversation away from me, so I turned the table on him.
“I could ask you the same thing. What does the future hold for you and Vivienne?”
He, thankfully, let me off the hook.
“Vivienne is a wonderful person.”
I raised an eyebrow and did not mean for him to see that.
“Oh, you didn’t like her.”
“No, no, it’s not that. She just was not extremely friendly when I met at her dinner the other night.”
“She really is a kind person. She gets a bit possessive and jealous when there are other beautiful women in the room.”
I blushed at his compliment, it was sweet.
“We have been together for two years and we have a nice time together. We are very comfortable with each other.”
“Hmmm, what are you not telling me Jake?” I cocked my head to the side, with a slight smirk dancing at my lips, giving him a playful inquisitive look. I knew he was leaving something out because he was not gushing about the woman he had been with for two years! There should have been more emotion there if she was special.
He smiled. “You seem to be able to read me pretty well.” He sighed and took a deep breath. “I don’t really talk about this much, but for some strange reason I feel I can trust you. I don’t know what it is about you Sarah, but I feel so comfortable with you, like you’re my big sister, even though you’re only a few months older than me.”
That made me feel good. “I know, it’s weird, isn’t it? I feel the same way. I think we connected instantly.” I reached out and grabbed his hand. “I can see that what you’re about to say is difficult. Of course, you can trust me. My lips are sealed.” I gave him a quick wink.
“Thank you. Okay, well when I was in college, I met the love of my life, Lauren. It was an all- consuming love. The kind you only read about in romance novels. We came from two completely different backgrounds.” I could definitely relate to that. “We met freshman year and by the time we graduated I was ready to ask her to marry me. She ended up getting into law school in Chicago and New York but chose to go to school in Chicago. She said it was the better of the two schools. I was being groomed to run the company with Joshua so I had to stay in New York. I was devastated when she chose the Chicago school. I wanted to leave the company and be with her but she knew that the best thing for me to do was go to New York. She didn’t want me to throw my future away. She was extremely driven, like you, and she said she had to concentrate fully on law school which meant we had to break up. Sarah, I couldn’t eat for days. I was so heartbroken.”
“Did you ever try to reach out to her?”
“She wouldn’t return my calls.”
“Have you thought about trying to contact her now?”
“She’s probably married with kids by now. I wouldn’t want to ruin anything for her.”
My heart broke for him. He looked so sad.
“I didn’t date anyone for a couple of years. There were a few casual dates here and there but nothing special. Then I met Vivienne a couple of years ago. On paper we make sense. Her family probably has as much money as we do. We both went to Ivy League schools and we have a lot in common.”
“But?”
“You know there’s a ‘but’ coming huh?” He chuckled at my perceptiveness. “Like I said, Vivienne is a lovely woman, very sweet. But that spark…that feeling, is missing. I keep hoping it will come and it never does.”
“I’m not telling you what to do, but just be sure to be honest with Vivienne about how you’re feeling.”
“Oh, she already knows. I’ve been very upfront with her. She doesn’t care. She believes you can learn to love someone.”
“Do you?”
He hung his head as he looked in his empty coffee cup. “I just don’t know.”
We sat there in silence for a minute and then decided we should get back to the office before they sent out a search party for us. Just as we were about to step off of the elevator onto our floor, Jake lightly touched my arm.
“Thanks for listening to me Sarah.”
I gave him a quick wink and a small smile. “Anytime.”
CHAPTER SIX
It was the day of the meeting with Jameson Industries and we were wrapping things up. The client was very happy with our analysis and suggestions on how to grow their company in the future. They felt very confident with our presentation and that meant Joshua and Jake were happy. The mood was jovial and light-hearted in the office. We were enjoying a late lunch that had been catered when Conrad came over to me.
“You know, I’m a bit disappointed that we were never able to connect for dinner.”
“I know. I’m sorry Conrad. I was completely swamped with work.”
“Well, there is the charity event tomorrow night. Do you have an escort?”
I hesitated because I was sure that Joshua would be upset if I went with Conrad. But then I thought about it and got irritated at him. If he wanted to go with me, he should have asked me!
“No actually, I don’t.”
Conrad beamed and didn’t hesitate to ask me to be his companion. Just as I was about to say yes, Joshua was standing beside us.
“What kind of mischief is brewing over here?” He tried to sound light-hearted, but I could see the annoyance written all over his face.