by Kassandra
I just wanted to thank everyone for the compliments...it means a lot to me! Anyways, here's the next chapter...Please let me know what you think!
-- Kassandra
"You Were Meant For Me" -- Part 2
Brenda looked up at Jax, and found herself staring. He was still as handsome
as ever, his hair was
cut a little shorter, and Brenda was starting to get lost in those deep
blue-green eyes of his. Brenda saw that
he, too, was staring. "Hi," she finally managed to say.
"Hi," he responded in an almost-whisper. Then, realizing that she was still
in his arms, Jax cleared his throat and helped her to her feet. He still,
however, kept a hand on her arm. "Are you alright?" he asked again.
Jax’s touch was getting to her. She casually removed her arm from his.
"I’m … I’m fine, Jax. Thanks for catching me …"
Jax was still gazing at her. He couldn’t get over how beautiful she
looked. Finally, he realized that she asking him something. "I’m sorry,
what did you say?"
Brenda giggled, that trademark giggle, and Jax felt his heart speed up. "I *said*, how are you doing?"
"Oh … I’m fine," Jax said. "So, you looked like you were in a hurry …"
Brenda sighed. "Not really. The airline lost my ticket information … the woman was rude … *and*, to top it all off, Lucy will kill me if she finds out I’m not in Paris."
"You’re going to Paris?"
"Yup, as part of my promotional tour, " Brenda explained. "You know, for the new "Brenda" line."
Jax nodded. He had seen the ads. "Well," he said uncertainly, "I’m actually going to Paris, so …"
"Oh, I couldn’t do that," Brenda said quickly. But as soon as she said it, Brenda wanted to kick herself. Not only would she get the ride she needed, she would be with Jax! Jax, the guy who had saved her from falling on her butt and being run over by the passerbys. Jax, the man who was now offering her a ride to Paris, where she obviously needed to be. Jax, the man who after all these years could make her heart skip a beat just by looking at her.
Jax looked disappointed. "Look, Brenda," Jax took a deep breath. "I know that with everything that has happened between us …" He trailed off, not really want to reopen old wounds. He had put it all behind him, and there was really no anger left. Just sadness. "Still," he continued, "You need a ride, and it just happens to be exactly where I’m going. It’s no big deal."
Brenda looked at him with sad eyes. She knew what he meant to say, but she, unlike him, still carried around all the hurt and pain. He was, however, right about one thing. She needed that ride. "Alright," she relented. "I just have to get my luggage back from the airline."
***
The doorman held open the door as Brenda walked in carrying a small makeup
case. Behind her, Jax and the bellboy were piled down with five heavy suitcases.
They finally caught up with her by the main desk.
"Brenda, how long did you say you were going to be here?" Jax asked sarcastically. "A century and a half?"
Brenda threw him a look as he tipped the bellboy. "No," she responded curtly. "Two weeks."
"Oh, in that case, you’re missing about four more suitcases."
His face was dead serious and Brenda couldn’t help laughing. She went to hit him, but Jax grabbed her arm. "Hey!" he said, not letting go of her and gazing at her thoughtfully.
His stare was making her uncomfortable. "So!" she broke the silence. "Thanks for the ride, Jax. At least the hotel has my reservation, right?" Brenda tried to laugh, but Jax’s face was too serious for her to be making jokes.
"Jax?" He finally heard her and snapped out of his trance.
"Umm, yeah," Jax mumbled, not really sure what she had asked. "Listen, I gotta run. Have a good time, Brenda."
"Bye …" Brenda whispered as she watched him walk out the door.
****
Brenda let herself into her hotel room and looked around. "Not bad," she
said to herself. "Not bad at all." She proceed to the bedroom where the bellboy
had put her luggage. Plopping onto the bed, Brenda decided that packing could
wait. She was about to pick up the phone to order dinner when it rang.
"Hello?"
"Brenda!" The accent was strangely familiar. "How are you darling?"
"I’m … fine …" Then she realized who it was. "How are *you*, Contessa?"
"Wonderful, just wonderful!"
"And your husband?"
"As fine as ever!" The Contessa laughed. "Anyway, the reason I’m calling
is to invite you to a party."
"A party?"
"Yes, it is our five year anniversary, and I just happened to hear on the news that you were in town. So I called around, and found out where you were staying! What do you say?"
"I … I don’t think it’s a good idea," Brenda said reluctantly.
"Nonsense! You and I are friends. That doesn’t change, regardless of whether or not you and Jax are married."
Brenda sighed. "Alright, when is it?"
"Tonight. I’ll send a driver to pick you up at six, alright?"
"Yes, I’ll see you then."