“Good morning, sir,” Mrs. Cushing said as he entered the room.
“Morning, Mrs. Cushing. I have a guest for breakfast and we’d like something light—fruit, croissants, coffee and juice. I think we’ll be ready to dine in about thirty minutes on the patio.”
“Certainly, sir.”
“I’m expecting some packages from the boutique downstairs. Will you check and make sure they are here before breakfast?”
“I will. Anything else, sir?”
“I won’t need you for the rest of the day once you serve breakfast. I hope you will enjoy a free Saturday.”
“I enjoy all the free days you give me,” she said.
“I’m glad. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sir,” she said.
Nate went back into the bedroom and heard the shower running. He was tempted to join her in there but wanted her to have some time to herself. And if he joined her, it would be more than sleeping together. More than a one-night stand. Besides he wasn’t building a relationship with Jen no matter how much it might seem like he wanted to do just that.
While Nate showered, Jen sat on the rooftop patio of his home next to the lap pool looking out at the glittering Biscayne Bay. The view afforded by this condo was breathtaking but to be honest, it wasn’t the stunning vistas that were on her mind. It was Nate Stern.
She knew that yesterday had been tough—the International Ballroom Dancing Federation had denied her appeal. She’d never dance again. But to come home and spend the night with him…why had she done that?
She didn’t regret it. She tried not to have regret in her life because as Marcia said, regret was useless unless a lesson was learned from it.
Her BlackBerry pinged and she glanced down at the screen to see it was a text message from Marcia.
Are you okay?
She took a deep breath and thought about what she was going to say to her sister before she texted her back.
Fine. I’m at Nate’s. Sorry I didn’t call sooner.
There was no reply for what seemed like forever and then her phone rang.
“Hello, Marcia.”
“Jen, what are you thinking?”
Jen had asked herself the same thing more than once and she still had no idea. “I don’t know. I do know that my old life is completely gone and it’s time to try something new.”
Marcia sighed. “Sweetie, just be careful. Deciding to have a different attitude isn’t as painless as you might think.”
“Was it like that for you?”
“When Riley was born?”
“Yes,” Jen said.
“Sort of. I knew before he was born that I was going to be raising him alone and that wasn’t what you and I were taught was a good family for a child.”
“I know. But Riley has turned out great,” Jen reminded her sister.
“He has, but it was hard. And I had no choice with him. From the moment I learned I was pregnant I wanted him. This change for you is your doing.”
Jen didn’t point out that so was her sister’s pregnancy. Marcia was eighteen months older than her and thought she was always right.
“I am taking control of my life,” Jen said. “Yesterday when I got that letter continuing my suspension and realized that the old life I had was completely closed to me, I thought it’s time to figure out who I am.”
“And being with Nate is going to help?” Marcia asked.
“I have no idea, but I was impulsive for the first time in my life. You know I’ve never done anything that wasn’t to forward my dance career from the time I started dancing. Literally, Marcia, I can’t remember a time when dance wasn’t the focus of my life.”
“I know. I remember how dancing took up every second of our lives.”
“I’m sorry,” Jen said. “I know that wasn’t fair to you.”
“You're talented, kiddo. I forgave you a long time ago for being so good at it.”
Jen laughed. “Thank you.”
“For forgiving you?”
“No, for being my big sister and loving me.”
“Not a problem. Where is Nate?” Marcia asked.
“Showering. I’m on his patio overlooking Biscayne Bay. The view is incredible.”
Jen stood up and walked around the pool and sat on one of the padded benches next to the water. “It’s like I’m not even in the city.”
“Enjoy being in that different world,” Marcia said. “But remember that being impulsive always has consequences. And eventually you are going to have to come back to earth.”
“I will. I’m working at five today but will be home by ten tonight.”
“I’ll see you then. Are you off tomorrow?”