Time Changes Everything (2 page)

“There’s only so much pleasure you can get from work, if you know what I mean.” Chloe winked.

Amanda rolled her eyes. “Now I’ve no other commitments. I can concentrate on my dream job.”

Veronica raised her glass. “Cheers. To a new beginning and another birthday.”

****

Jake sat at the bar and stared out over the crowd. The atmosphere intrigued him. Since arriving in New York, he’d been to a different place every weekend, each one with something unique to offer. Happy hour
in New York differed from home--no doubt about it--where the same people and the same places bored him. This fast-paced city, with its steady hum of nightlife, seduced him more than any other place he lived.

Ryan nudged Jake in the stomach. “Look at that red-head over there in the corner. She’s hot!”

Jake twisted in his seat to look. “Yeah, she’s good-looking, but not my type.”

“Who is your type?” Ryan asked.

Jake shrugged. He didn’t want to get into this conversation again. 

“Better for me.” Ryan disappeared through the crowd toward the woman.

He wasn’t in the mood to find a woman tonight. After a long day at the office, he needed peace of mind from a tasty tall lager. Jake ordered another beer.

Ryan drifted back to the stool next to Jake. “She’s waiting for her fiancé.”

“And I thought she was perfect for you.” Jake chuckled.

The next minute, an emaciated woman in a black skirt and white silk blouse sat down on the stool next to Jake, tossed her long, black hair over her shoulder, and crossed her legs.

She smiled and he smiled back.

Ryan wiggled his eyebrows at Jake and leaned over him to speak to the lady. “Hello, beautiful.”

She flinched, then turned her head, looking in the opposite direction.

If that wasn’t a signal, Jake didn’t know what would be.

Ryan jabbed Jake in the shoulder and pushed him into the woman. Then he left Jake to fend for himself.  “Sorry about that.”

She accepted her martini from the bartender and faced Jake. “No problem.” She sampled her drink.

Hell, with her firm eye contact and slow smile, he wasn’t about to send her away. He scooted closer. “Enjoying your evening?”

“I am now.” She bit the cherry that she held in her fingers.

When Ryan returned, the woman sashayed away, and Jake waved a little piece of paper in Ryan’s face. “I got her phone number. Are you happy now?”

Ryan shook his head. “I don’t know how you do it.”

“Take notes, my friend.” The fact was, he really didn’t care if he got the woman’s number or not. He loved the idol-worship look on Ryan’s face.

“Will you call her?”

Jake tore the paper in half and threw it to the side. “I’m not up for it tonight.” He bit into his cheese stick, while Ryan scanned the bar for someone willing.

“Ryan, I have a theory regarding women. If you have the right moves, three dates are all you need. Then you cut them off. Otherwise you fall into the category of a rela
tionship, which means one thing--complications.”

Ryan smacked his empty shot glass on the table. “You’re messed up.”

“Well, commitment and I don’t mix.”

He faced that fact a long time ago. The truth was, he didn’t have to work hard at getting a woman. He enjoyed playing the field. He’d tried commitment once, but it bored him. And the one-sided, emotional-rollercoaster-ride aftermath was definitely not worth it. Why mess with a woman’s head when he only wanted to have fun? 

The D.J. changed the upbeat music to a calmer number, and a group in the corner sang Happy Birthday. One of the waiters joined the table and a blonde girl danced around him.

Ryan blasted out a wolf-whistle. “There’s a winner at the corner booth. She’s gorgeous.”

Jake glanced in that direction. It was only a waiter.

“Oh man, I’m asking that brunette out.” Ryan straightened his tie.

Brunette? Jake glanced over again--a knot tightening in his shoulder from his morning run--to the far booth in the corner where the dancing blonde now talked with a brunette.  Before he turned around, the brunette lifted her head.

Wait
--could it be?

His breath caught. Unbelievable. He grinned, remember
ing how Amanda Larson--his Mandy--always talked about living in New York. And here she was, sitting in the same restaurant, talking with friends. He’d never mistake those intense green eyes.

“What are you grinning at?” Ryan looked at Jake then to Amanda. “Nuh-uh. You can’t have her. I saw her first.”

Jake moved his stool in. “What are we? In first grade?”

“Give me a chance.”

“See you later.” Jake picked up his beer and headed in Amanda’s direction.

With a wide grin, Jake sauntered over to the corner booth.  His eyes never left Amanda. An adrenaline rush awakened his senses as he shoved past a throng of couples on th
e dance floor. His little Mandy--all grown up.

His mom had reminded him that she lived in the city, but he didn’t want to bother Mandy. They hadn’t spoken in years. In fact, the last time they hung out
, he acted like a real dick. He cringed inwardly at the thought. But, the hell with it. They were adults now.

When he reached the table, her two friends quieted down like nuns, although from the way one of them dressed, he guessed they were not from the religious order. Amanda eyes narrowed.

Jake placed his hand on the side of the booth and said, “Good evening, ladies.”

She straightened and he stared into her familiar, green eyes.  The world around him seemed to slow to a snail’s pace as he slipped into an almost-reverie. The look on her face made him smile even more, as her brow furrowed.    

The blonde pointed between them and asked, “Do you two know each other?”

He nodded and smiled. “Hey, Mandy.”

“Jake!” Amanda climbed out of the booth and hugged him around the neck.

He folded his arms around her, and trapped her against him, while he held his beer bottle carefully so he wouldn’t spill on her. After letting go, they stared at one another for a moment
-- a long moment. He observed her new look, starting with her glossy hair. His gaze lingered on her cleavage and the tantalizing glimpse of her breasts. The combination of the print skirt, pink sweater and tall boots made her stand out in the sea of black dresses.

Chloe cleared her throat. “Want to sit down?”

“Of course.” Jake escorted Amanda into the booth then squeezed his tall body next to her. He always had trouble fitting into booths, but he didn’t mind since he sat next to Mandy.

Amanda opened her mouth to talk, then closed it. She placed her fingers against her lips and shook her head in disbelief. “What are you doing here?”

“Well, I was searching for you, believe it or not. I heard you were in the city, and I needed to know if this tie went with my shirt. What do you think?”

Her friends laughed. Amanda, on the other hand, remained wordless, biting that full lip of hers.

What the hell did she think? He looked at her, that damn lip calling his name. Shit. Since when did her lips entice him? He stiffened. Why did she have to look so damn good?

“I’ve been here a month already.” He pressed his body against her side, one arm along the back of the booth behind her head. His nerve endings stirred and tingled with the desire to touch her, so he grazed her shoulder with his fingers.

Chloe offered her hand.  “I’m Chloe, and this is Veronica.”

Jake sat up straighter, having to move his arm away from Mandy, and shook the girls’ hands. “Excuse me. I’m Jake, an old friend of Mandy’s.”

Amanda blushed. “Jake and I grew up together.”

“We were neighbors.” He smiled at her and then picked up a bruschetta piece, smelled it, and put it back down.

“Why didn’t our moms tell me you were headed this way? I could’ve shown you the city. How long are you here?” Amanda’s voice bubbled. He remembered this Mandy: talking non-stop, even with her hands.

He fingered his beer bottle. “I told them not to. I didn’t want to take up your time and my firm handled everything, anyway.”

“You moved here?” Her eyes widened. “I can’t believe they didn’t tell me.”

“Well, I found you all on my own.” Then he cocked his head to the side. “I’d love to get together and hang out.”

Veronica inched Chloe out of the booth. “We’ll leave you two alone for a moment. Chloe needs the bathroom.” 

“I do?” Chloe arched an eyebrow.

Veronica shot Chloe a hard stare. “Yes. You do. Now move.”

The waiter delivered another martini to Amanda. “Oh, I said no olives.” She smiled at him.

He nodded and walked away.

Jake studied Amanda.

In high school, Amanda was someone special. Hell, even before then. Their parents were best friends, which had forced Jake and Amanda together. At first, he’d thought it was a hindrance. Later, when she developed longer legs and a bigger bust, he found himself around her more. After discovering her quirkiness, her love of art and her sense of humor, he actually enjoyed being around her. But he never touched her.

He contemplated running his fingers through her hair like he did his first year of college
--the last time they were alone--the night he left town and never saw her again.

Did she remember the night he left? Of course she did. Seven years ago, he’d ruined their friendship.  He knew Amanda almost as well as he knew himself. Well, he’d known her. Now she was a different woman.

Jake leaned in closer, running his hand down her arm. “Know what I’m thinking?”

Amanda fiddled with her coaster and smiled at him. “I’m not sure I want to know.”

“I’m thinking we should spend a lot more time together.” He reached over and held her chin. “It’s been way too long.”

Amanda licked her lips, and damn it, it actually turned him on. Sweet little Mandy Larson wasn’t so sweet anymore. She was driving him crazy.

She moved closer bridging distance. “Why wait? There’s no time like the present.”

“Exactly.” He drank the last of his beer as the waiter returned with her martini sans olive. 

Jake leaned on the table with his elbows, folded his hands together and studied her.  “Look at you, drinking a martini, living the life in New York City.” He examined her from head to toe. “A sexy skirt. Tall boots.” He ran a finger down her cheek. “A beautiful face.”

Amanda hiccupped and put down her glass. “Now, wait a minute. I know it’s been a while, but some things never change, including you.” She wagged her finger at him. “No smooth talking with me. Don’t forget I used to know you better than anybody.”

Because his fingers actually ached with the need to touch her again, he reached over and held her hand. “Yeah, but things have changed, Mandy. We’re two different people now, and I can’t wait to get to know who you are now.”

AMANDA FINISHED HER SECOND
martini and watched Jake over the glass rim. Up close and personal, she couldn’t miss how gorgeous he still was. Hell, even from far away there was no mistaking that. He’d always been gorgeous. No wonder he was her first crush.

“
What exactly are you doing in New York?”

“Well, my company transferred me here.” He bit into a bruschetta, made a face, and put it back down.

“That sounds promising. Doing what?” Amanda asked, pretending her mom didn’t already report Jake’s career moves. 

“You’re looking at the newest athletic contracts attorney at Snell, Marlow, and Grimes.” 

Amanda smiled as the waiter placed a new beer in front of Jake and another martini in front of her.  She probably shouldn’t have another drink, but her nerves kept transmitting conflicting signals and she needed to control all the quivering body parts.

“Why are you smiling?”

She took a deep breath. “I always knew you’d end up doing something sports related.”

Jake’s physique suggested he’d continued his active lifestyle after high school. Back then, he ran track and all the girls lined up along the fence to catch a glimpse of the best view of all –– his butt. His eyes came in at a close second though.

“Yeah, except I’m behind desks far more than I’d like. It’s rewarding, though.  I represent some top athletes and I get tickets to their games.” He grinned. God, that grin tempted her. Goose bumps popped up on her arms. 

“Your mom told me you worked at Macy’s. You’re still into fashion?” Jake leaned forward on the table and rested his chin on his palm.

She nodded. Before she could continue, her friends returned and picked up their drinks. “Where are you off to?”