Wine, Tarts & Sex

Nine

It took a few moments for Liv to calm herself after his invitation to stay for breakfast, delivered as it was in that low, sexy tone. Not to mention his done-deal certainty that conjured up in her mind delicious images that had nothing to do with food. But calm herself she did, because sex was sex. It wasn’t the Taj Mahal in moonlight. Particularly with a perennial bachelor like Jake.

It helped that one of her favorite songs came on the radio, diverting her attention from her body’s much too eager-beaver desires. Thank God for Terri Clark reminding her of what bad-ass men could do to your peace of mind. By the time she turned into the Hilton Hotel drive, she was more or less in control of her emotions.

Fortunately. Because the second Liv pulled up to the front door, Janie came flying through the double doors with little Matt in tow. She was red-eyed from crying, waving frantically. But however stressed, she’d managed to put herself together in a colorful Narciso Rodriguez slacks outfit that was screamingly out of place at an airport Hilton.

“The drama queen,” Jake murmured, reaching for the door handle. “Take a deep breath.”

“Gotcha.”

As they exited the truck, Janie cried out in a voice that would have carried to the last balcony at La Scala, “Jake! Liv! You’ve saved my life!”

The few other guests getting cabs for early flights swiveled around to stare, Janie’s ringing words delivered with soap opera histrionics.

Running toward them on jeweled sandals, Janie mustered up a quivering smile that would have been labeled as one of quiet desperation in drama class. “You don’t know how absolutely grateful I am to have you both come and get me! How perfect!”

As she reached them, she hugged them both with the fervor of someone rescued from a desert island, while her son stared up at Liv and Jake with the caution children afforded strangers.

Taking note of Matt’s uncertainty, Liv bent down and murmured, “Hi, I’m Liv. I’m a friend of your mother’s. What’s your name?”

“Sweetheart, say hello to Liv!” Janie prompted. “He’s only three, don’t expect much,” she added in a murmur. “His nanny can barely speak English. Leo wanted Matt to learn French.”

And sure enough, little Matt said, “Bonjour,” with a toddler lisp.

Squatting down so he wasn’t intimidating, Jake smiled. “Bonjour, mon ami,” he said and was rewarded with a wide smile.

Matt nodded and smiled as Jake continued speaking in French, and before long he allowed Jake to pick him up. Turning to his mother, Matt lisped, “We’re doing to det toys.”

“That sounds like fun.” Running her hand down Jake’s arm, Janie softly purred, “You always were such a darling.”

“My brother has a boy about Matt’s age,” Jake said, ignoring Janie’s seductive purr. “I know Toys ‘R’ Us is a hit for any kid.”

“Is that so. I’m sure Matt will enjoy the experience.” Janie was more au courant on couture design than toy stores, but in her wronged-woman frame of mind, her husband became the arch villain apropos toys as well. “Leo insisted on nothing but educational toys. He was such a control freak about everything, including Matt.” She exhaled a little plaintive sigh. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you being here for me.” She offered them a small, wounded smile. “I don’t know what I would have done without you coming to my rescue.”

“Hey, what are friends for?” Liv said kindly. And Janie’s drama aside, Liv knew she’d do the same for her.

“Why don’t we get out of here?” Jake suggested. “And let these people get on with their lives.” He nodded toward the silent crowd that had assembled to watch the drama.

Janie immediately posed for imaginary cameras. “My goodness. Where did everyone come from?” If there was a spotlight, Janie liked to be center stage.

“They’re probably catching early flights.” No way was he going to mention the scene she’d made, when making scenes was one of her favorite activities. “Do you have luggage? ”

“Over there.” She pointed at a bellman standing beside a cart piled high with green Hermes luggage. “Leo hadn’t discontinued my charge cards yet, so I did a little shopping before we left New York. Thank heaven you have a big truck, Liv. Really, it must be fate, although my astrologer said as much this morning when I called her. She said today would be a very good day for me. And sure enough, I have my two dearest friends with me,” Janie added in a little breathy voice. “Actually, you never did say how you two happened to be together”-her suddenly narrowed gaze flicked from one to the other-“so early in the morning?”

“Business,” Liv quickly replied. “I was delivering my wines to Jake’s restaurant.”

Jake shot Liv a look but didn’t blow her story. “Liv gets up early, and I didn’t sleep last night. It worked out well.”

Janie’s perfect brows arched upward. “You’re a long way from L.A.”

“I’m opening a new restaurant here. An experiment of sorts.” There was no point in going into the circumstances that had brought him to Minneapolis. “Are we set to go?” Without waiting for an answer, Jake moved toward the truck with Matt.

After setting Matt in the backseat of Liv’s crew cab and buckling him in, Jake helped the bellman load the luggage, and before long they were on their way to Toys “R” Us, Janie and Liv in front, Jake squeezed into the backseat with Matt.

When Jake and Matt returned to the truck after shopping, Matt was all smiles, Jake was carrying three large bags, and all was right in one little three-year-old’s world.

Meanwhile, Janie had filled in Liv on the travails of married life, particularly about how the needs of a rich, temperamental, egocentric husband always had to take precedence.

The recital made Liv appreciate the blessings and virtues of her single life.

The Bakery on Grand where two young chefs offered one of the better breakfast menus in town was their second stop. Jake ate as though he hadn’t eaten in days, Liv not far behind in terms of putting away food. Matt was content with pancakes in the shapes of bunnies and hot chocolate. Janie picked at her frittata and drank espresso. Maintaining a size two figure did not allow overindulgence.

After breakfast, Liv dropped off Jake at his restaurant.

“Let me know if you need any help,” he said, standing at Liv’s open window.

Janie leaned forward so she could offer him a sultry smile. “What kind of help, darling?” she murmured in her best femme fatale voice.

“Not that kind, Janie. You’re married.”

“Since when did you get scruples?”

Jake nodded at Matt. “Bring Matt down sometime, and we’ll play video games.”

Her brows drew together in a faint frown. “If you’re worried about Matt’s psyche, I’ve already talked to my lawyer about the divorce. He said if Leo isn’t obstinate, I’ll be free in a couple months.”

Jake smiled politely. “Good for you. Thanks for driving, Liv. I’ll give you a call with my next order.” He had a feeling he’d be buying more Minnesota wines than he’d planned.

“Okeydokey. Have a good day.” Putting the truck into gear, Liv drove away quickly before something was said that might make Janie suspicious. Not that Liv felt she had to hide anything; it was just simpler not having to explain last night. Not that there was anything to explain. They’d had sex, and that was that. It wasn’t a federal case.

Fortunately for Liv’s mild unease, Janie was focused on herself, as usual. She kept up a running commentary on Leo’s numerous faults as they drove through downtown, although she was careful to speak in a muted tone. And since Janie was in the mood to vent, not listen to advice, Liv was required only to nod from time to time or murmur a consoling phrase.

By the time they’d reached the suburbs, Matt had fallen asleep. After tucking her jacket under his head for a pillow, Janie sat back down and really began giving up the dirt on her philandering husband.

Wow, Liv thought, after the twentieth exposé of Leo’s marital misconduct. Not that she wasn’t aware of how the rich and famous lived their lives. Rules weren’t made for men like Leo Rolf; they were pretty much self-centered pricks. From the sounds of it, he’d grown tired of his fourth wife and was in the market for number five. Not that Janie had known how serious he was about it until it was too late. “You had a few good years anyway,” Liv offered sympathetically. “And you have a darling little boy. You always wanted a child. Look on the bright side, sweetie; you’ll end up with enough money so you won’t have to work again if you don’t want to. That can’t be all bad.” What could she say? Certainly not the truth. Like, I never would have married the shit in the first place-money or no money.

“I know. I keep telling myself that.” Exhaling softly, Janie added, “There is a little something I haven’t mentioned. ”

Here it comes, Liv thought. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she’d figured as much. She hadn’t heard from Janie for years. “How little?” she asked, not that she didn’t already know the word little was a major euphemism.

“It depends on whether he finds us or not.”

“He-meaning Leo?”

Janie nodded. “I called you because I’d heard you’d gone back home, and I knew you lived in some small town out in the middle of nowhere. I need to hide out until all the divorce details can be worked out.”

“Hide out?”

“Leo’s going to want custody of Matt.”

“You don’t have a prenup?”

“Hel-lo.”

“Yeah, I figured you did.”

“Not that it matters. Leo’s threatened to fight for custody, prenup or not. He did that with his second wife and won full custody of their daughter. Lisa not only lost her daughter but was left practically penniless after she paid her lawyers.”

“You talked to her?”

“I ran into her at a charity fund-raiser, and she made a point of warning me. She’s married again.”

“Someone with money, I presume, if she was at a charity fund-raiser.”

“Of course.”

Janie’s reply was couched in the don’t-be-stupid tone of a woman who hadn’t married for love. Silly me, Liv thought. “What makes you think Leo won’t find you at my place?”

“Matt and I have false passports. Our housekeeper despises Leo, and she has a friend who has a friend-you know, that sort of thing. It was simple. I called her the instant I found out that Leo had locked me out, and she gave me the address of this person in Queens. Naturally, she couldn’t let me into the apartment, or she’d lose her job, but she packed up my jewelry and sent it out with the houseboy. Anyway, we used the passports to buy our tickets, so we’re completely incognito.”

Liv was thinking she was getting into a whole lot of trouble with talk of false passports and vengeful husbands. Not to mention, she’d seen Leo Rolf throw his weight around once at a dinner party in New York. It had not been a pretty sight.

“You talked to your lawyer about this, and he’s on board?”

“Well… sort of.”

“Sort of how?”

“I told him I was going home to stay with my mother.”

“The mother you haven’t spoken to in years?”

“I thought it sounded sensible. I gave him your number, though, in case he has to get in touch with me.”

Great. It wasn’t that she wouldn’t help, but she could already see all the machinations in play that were so Janie. Her perceptions weren’t always in line with reality. In fact, rarely. “Let’s hope your lawyer can handle Leo if he decides to play hardball.”

“Brad is one of the best”-Janie smiled-“and he’s really sweet, too. He said not to worry about a thing. He’s in the ring for me. Did I say he just got divorced?”

“No. Is that good?”

“Possibly. I’m not ruling out anything. He’s handsome and much younger than Leo. I don’t plan on marrying an older man again.”

Not unless he’s really rich, Liv silently reflected. But she wasn’t going to be judgmental just because they had divergent views on life. They’d been friends a long time. “Well, let’s hope that Leo doesn’t figure out where you are, and everything will be copecetic.”

“Minnesota is outside Leo’s radar. It would never cross his mind that I’d come here.”

“No doubt. Most of our visitors come to fish or hunt.”

“Eeewww. Well, for sure that’s not Leo. He doesn’t even eat fish. You know, I feel very clever having thought of such an out-of-the-way locale,” Janie smugly noted. “What do you do all day in a place like this?”

“I have a small vineyard, so I work.”

Janie’s brows lifted high. “Really. You actually, like, dig in the dirt and whatever in your vineyard?”

Liv smiled. “Actually, yes. I like it.”

“That explains why you were talking about delivering wines to Jake. He’s gorgeous as ever, isn’t he? There are times,” Janie murmured, “when I wonder if I made a mistake walking out on him. Is he hooked up with anyone here?”

“He just arrived last week. I don’t know about his women.” It wasn’t a lie; she didn’t have a clue.

“He’s going to be enormous fun to have around. Jake is always up for anything. Nor do I believe for a minute,” Janie said with a soft snort, “that a woman’s marital status is a deterrent for him. In Hollywood, the land of revolving-door marriages, he was up to his neck with offers from all kinds of women. He was probably just being polite because he doesn’t know you very well.”

Actually, in some ways he did know her well. Not that Liv was about to parse words when they were more or less strangers. Although, certainly, those circumstances could change, she thought, smiling.

“What are you smiling about?”

“I like this song,” she lied. The radio had been playing softly in the background.

“Me, too. Leo had that band play at my birthday party last year. The lead singer is sooo hot. Leo almost went ballistic when I flirted with Richie.”

It appeared there might be more than one side to this divorce story, Liv decided. She’d seen Janie in action more than once when she zeroed in on some guy. And men like Leo who purchased trophy wives didn’t like to play second string to some sexy, young, hired-help rock star.

There were rules in the cash-for-beauty game.

And the person with the money held all the cards.

Not that she had to involve herself in Leo’s problems.

She had plenty of her own now that Janie was moving in.