"Wait!" I sputtered, but Corinne was already gone to do Jackson's bidding. "I'm the one wearing this stuff. Shouldn't I be making the decisions? I don't need shoes or a clutch."
Jackson turned his gaze towards me, looking enigmatic. "Emma, why are you fighting me about spending money on you? It's just sitting around collecting dust."
"It just isn't me," I implored. "I like beautiful things, but I'm not used to spending so much money. It seems almost indecent."
Jackson came close, tipping my chin up to look me in the eyes. "Sweetheart, you need to get used to it. I'm going to spend the rest of my life spoiling you. One of the perks of being an actor is that they pay you an obscene amount of money, just for pretending to be someone else. I'm finally really enjoying spending it. Because it's on you."
It was hard to refuse Jackson's generosity so I decided to stop protesting. When Corinne came back with several pairs of shoes and clutches, I didn't look at the price tags, instead choosing which ones I wanted purely on aesthetic value. I was hesitant about the five-inch platform heels, even though I loved them.
"Do you think I'll break my neck in these?" I asked Jackson as I wobbled across the dressing room.
"Don't worry. If you fall, I'll be there to catch you."
Despite Jackson's reassurances, I settled on nude heels that were just shy of four inches with a bit of a platform. The color made me legs look longer than normal and a silver clutch completed the ensemble. I gulped when Corinne rang up the purchases and the total was well over $8,000, but Jackson just nonchalantly handed over his credit card.
Corinne handed me a business card as Jackson lifted the bag off the counter. "Here's my business card. Feel free to call me personally if you need anything else."
I smiled and nodded my thanks. Now that I had bitten the bullet and let Jackson buy my expensive outfit, I was giddy at the prospect of wearing it tonight. Craig reached for the bag when we stepped out of the store, turning to stow it in the trunk of the SUV.
"Now what?" I asked after we had climbed back into the vehicle. "I didn't think shopping would be over so quick. We have the rest of the day free."
"I can think of some things we can do to pass the time," Jackson said suggestively.
"You have a one track mind!"
Jackson didn't respond because his cell phone started ringing. He routinely turned it off when we were together because he said he didn't want to be constantly interrupted, but he had turned it back on at Ferragamo because he was anticipating a call from Marcie. I stilled when he answered the phone and I heard his greeting.
"Hi, Mom. What's up?"
I had met Jackson's mother a few times and we had gotten along well. His mother had an easy grace and was much more laid back than Jackson was, but I didn't know how she would react to us being back together.
Jackson ran his thumb over the back of my hand absentmindedly as he spoke.
"Yes, we are." Jackson paused, listening to his mother. "She's here with me now."
I tensed at Jackson's words but he just glanced at me and smiled. "Yes, I know, Mom." Jackson sounded a little exasperated and I was desperately curious as to what his mother was saying. "We'll try to make it out there soon, I promise. Okay, I'll tell her. I love you too. Bye, Mom."
I looked at Jackson expectantly as he disconnected the call. "Well?" I said impatiently when he didn't say anything. "What were you two talking about? Was it about me?"
Jackson nodded, looking a little rueful. "She asked me if we were back together, and when I told her yes, she instructed me not to mess it up again. Despite not knowing the details of our relationship five years ago, she's convinced I did something to drive you away." Jackson smirked. "So much for being on her son's side."
I bit my tongue, wanting to blurt out that he did drive me away by cheating with Claire, but technically that wasn't true. I had pushed him away before I found out about his unfaithfulness.
"What did you mean, 'we'll try to make it out there soon?'"
"She wants us to come visit. We'll have to make it out to Westchester one weekend. She wanted me to tell you that she's looking forward to seeing you again." Jackson smiled at me. "She also told me that my brother Ryan made her promise to let him know when we would be visiting so that he could come too."
I was pleased that Jackson's mother approved of the rekindling of our relationship. It was one less thing I had to worry about. I had never met Jackson's father but I hoped he shared his wife's sentiment. I was also eager to meet Jackson's brother since he had never visited from Miami while we had been together before.
We went back to my apartment and ordered in Thai food. I had enjoyed shopping with Jackson, but I had been acutely aware of the stares in the store and even on the sidewalk and was happy to have some privacy. It was a relief that there had been no one trailing behind us, taking pictures. Maybe Marcie's solution was actually working.
She called later that night to discuss the joint interview she wanted Jackson and me to do. I asked if it was still necessary since the fervor had already died down, but she informed us that she had gotten wind of Candace's camp preparing a counter statement that would be released soon. Marcie advised that it was smart to strike while the iron was hot. The interview would be with Vanity Fair and Marcie promised that the questions would be prescreened and all elements controlled. Marcie seemed to know what she was doing so I agreed and she promised to call with the date of the interview.
Jackson and I watched The Way We Were for the millionth time, and it was a bit surreal to be cuddled next to Jackson again, watching Hubbell and Katie drive their relationship into a ditch.
"Second chances," Jackson whispered against my hair at the closing scene where they painfully parted. I nodded, understanding what he meant. I was grateful that we had been given another chance to become more than a memory of the way we were.
Chapter Twenty
I was feeling a mixture of nervousness and excitement when we pulled up to Hydra, Marc Bradley's new lounge. I glanced at Jackson, who looked perfectly calm and collected. I couldn't get over how gorgeous he looked in his dark elegant suit that fit him like a glove. His grey shirt was unbuttoned at the collar and paired with his dark single-breasted jacket, Jackson looked effortlessly sophisticated and urbane. His eyes had lit with approval when he had seen me in my dress, commenting that it was going to be a long night because he was going to be constantly undressing me in his mind. I had flushed with pleasure at his words, but now I was flushed for a different reason. I could see a million flashes going off in a sea of cameras.