Page 13 of Vincent
"Precisely." Jacklyn grinned. "And he was great in bed. But unfortunately, he lacked conversational skills. If only I could keep him in bed, everything would be fine. And there was the fact that he was always asking for money. Always had this scheme going on.
"He wanted to invest in a recording company, or at one time it was an acting gig. It started to become a pattern, and that was when Vincent stepped in." She dug into her salad and found the olives. "He sat me down and told me that he was my brother and as such, he was responsible for my wellbeing, and he loved me enough to tell me that the asshole, his words mind you, that Michael was using me." She shrugged elegant shoulders.
"He was right, of course. But I wanted him to be wrong. That was husband number two, and I didn't want to think that I had failed miserably again.
"I confronted Michael about it, and he screamed at me, saying that I had a bucket load of money and I was selfish. Was pretty nasty as a matter of fact, calling me names and putting hands onme-" She sputtered to a stop when Althea reached over to grip her hand.
"He hit you?"
Jacklyn laughed breathlessly. "Oh darling, I love the fact that you're outraged for me. But there's no need. That was his final mistake, and it cost him. I was in shock for like two seconds before the adrenaline set in. I kneed him in the crotch. I think he was unable to walk for near a week.
"Then he had the added bonus of Vincent beating the shit out of him. He started making noises about going to the press and all that, but we set our lawyers on him and that was that. He did not contest the divorce and never got a penny." She popped another olive into her mouth and grinned. "My brother always insisted on a prenup anyway."
"Where is the asshole now?"
Jacklyn's grin widened. "I'm beginning to remember why I liked you. He's shacked up with some drugged-out actress somewhere." Her gray eyes twinkled. "Now that I've aired my rather dirty laundry, how about showing me yours?"
Althea shrugged. "Nothing much to tell."
"Oh, come on. You've lived in France and Italy, two of the most romantic cities in the entire world, and you happen to be a beautiful and talented woman. Of course there's something to tell."
"I was studying. I did have an affair with my French tutor."
"Was he hot?" Jacklyn asked eagerly, leaning forward.
"He was ten years older and very moody. The affair lasted three months, and then we decided that it was more prudent to be teacher and student. Then there was Francois." Althea stirred the lemon in her water absently. "He was sweet, kind, and handsome. Typical French male. He wanted marriage. I wanted my career. So, stalemate. We parted as friends."
"And that's it? Nothing more?"
"No. I wanted to be the best at what I do, and I was single-minded about it. There was no space in my life for a relationship."
"Unless it was with my brother."
It took a supreme amount of willpower for her to remain casual.
"I don't know what you mean."
Jacklyn snorted. "You know exactly what I mean. You're forgetting that I was at the same high school and college with the two of you. You were in love with him. You even admitted it one night when we got drunk and were dishing on men. I asked you why you never said anything to him, and you told me you did not want to ruin the friendship. When I saw the two of you last night, my suspicions were confirmed."
"What exactly do you mean by that?" Althea demanded.
"Don't worry, darling." Jacklyn touched her hand lightly. "Your secret is safe with me. He doesn't suspect a thing. Which brings me to my next point. Are you going to step back from him again? You did it before."
Althea contemplated telling her to mind her own damn business or denying the entire thing, but she needed an in. And Jacklyn was his sister. She knew him better than anyone else. "He fell in love."
Jacklyn nodded. "He did. And it turned out tragically. I liked Lizzie. She was good for him, but she's no longer here. He's barely alive. For the first time since she died, I saw something on his face: emotions. When he saw you, he reacted and could nottake his eyes off you. So, tell me you're going to fight for what you should have all those years ago."
She started to tell the other woman to mind her own business again, but the words could not be uttered.
"I'm going to fight for him," she quietly said instead.
"Good," Jacklyn exclaimed with a pleased smile.
Chapter 4
He didn't call and she refused to be the first to do so. He had her number and besides, she did not want to push anything. Not right now. Besides, for the past two weeks she had been incredibly busy. The orders kept pouring in.
Her brother had taken matters into his own hands and hired her an assistant, which was turning out to be very good. The woman was a middle-aged, retired teacher who also loved to bake, and she did not get in the way. Within a week, she had sorted out files, made even more, and took over the ordering for supplies and such. She had taken over the paperwork completely, leaving Althea to concentrate on her baking.
