Author's notes.
The marriage continues to deteriorate as Jackie and George increasingly struggle with their relationship. Meanwhile Jackie, trying to get on with her life, makes an unexpected friend.
This chapter begins to develop this new relationship. It explores what the two characters are looking for, wanting, hoping for from each other. Questions are asked - is this new friendship a threat to Jackies marriage? Is it merely a distraction? Or is it giving Jackie the breathing space to evaluate who and what is most important to her.
No sex - yet.
***
Chapter Two: Stephen.
Jackie had gone by herself to the lunchtime political fundraiser, alone. She was furious with George, he had bailed on her at the last minute; deciding once again that he couldn't be bothered, this time because he would rather tinker with his Camero. Already feeling angry; Jackie was even more put out when she saw the seating plan. She had been seated at the same table as Stephen McCabe.
She didn't like Stephen McCabe. Eighteen months ago, he'd inherited McCabe's Real Estate from his father, it being a competitor and the family-owned business where she had started her career. She had left McCabe's over twenty years ago on good terms with old man McCabe. They had reached an unofficial accommodation, that in leaving to set up for herself she wouldn't encroach on McCabe's business and in return, he would steer clear of the low volume upmarket real estate market Jackie was taking aim at. Old man McCabe's thinking was that there weren't enough clients for two rival businesses in what was at that time a niche market, and the business that there was wouldn't make him that much richer.
She remembered Stephen, he was in the same year as her at High school, only they travelled in different circles. He had been a football jock, the kicker, a big star in a small-town school. She had been quieter, if it wasn't for her being a cheerleader she doubted they would have come across one another. On graduation he'd gone off to college on a scholarship, not that he needed it, while she, unable to afford college fees, had, ironically started working for his father as Junior trainee.
More recently, following the death of his father, they had become fierce competitors, he having made the decision to abandon his father's pledge. Stephen had already diversified into low rent housing and housing development. Now he was looking to branch out even further still by taking McCabe's into upmarket real estate - her forte.
She almost turned around and left.
***
Stephen McCabe was also attending the fundraiser by himself, although in his case he had intended to; for he had no significant other to take. Ambitious to continue to expand what had been his father's business, he had planned to use this political fundraiser to network, cement contacts and make new ones.
Comically, with the two spare chairs taken away the two business rivals found themselves unintentionally paired together as the de-facto fourth couple making up the allocated table. To Stephen this wasn't an issue - Jaqueline Rogers, besides being a rival, was also a bit of a looker. Setting eyes on her he recalled their time at High School, picturing her in her cheerleading squad uniform. To him it was fortuitous they'd been seated together because her business was one he would sorely love to buy.
Stephen McCabe intended to make the most of this unexpected opportunity, mulling to himself that perhaps he could finally get to screw her in more ways than one. He appreciated that Jackie had successfully carved out an almost monopolistic niche market for herself, one that he had been trying to expand into. He knew people who were interested in investing some of their ill-gotten funds in ways that could produce a legitimate return. He remembered Jackie Rogers from when she used to work for his father, when he was home on summer break he'd see her about his father's office, she'd become one of his father's protégées. If he remembered right, there had been a bit of a scandal, she'd got herself knocked up and married the guy and then a few years later left to start up for herself.
He'd already come round to the idea that buying her business, with its already established presence and reputation, made more financial sense than setting up a division from scratch. All he had to do was persuade her to sell.
***
Jackie considered Stephen McCabe to be a jerk, he'd been trying to undercut her and that wasn't good for either business. It wasn't until he stood to pull out her chair, like a gentleman, that Jackie decided, for the present, to temporarily put her dislike aside.
Stephen McCabe was successful, wealthy and unashamedly ambitious. From college he joined and had a successful career in the military, and since leaving the service he'd been involved in several successful business ventures. He was always looking for the next deal, knew what he wanted and went for it. In life he had the trifecta going for him, he was good looking in a swarthy Spanish sort of way, he was intelligent, and to Jackies delight he had a great sense of humour. It was while they were seated together that Jackie found to her surprise, that he was charming, interesting and funny. It also helped that he was easy on the eye - and she couldn't help but think he smelled good.
Taking every opportunity to engage with her, Stephen soon had Jackie feeling as if she was the only other person there. It was a nice feeling. It was how George used to make her feel, and how George should make her feel.
To his relief, Jackie, unlike most of his dates, and his ex, had something between her ears. Namely brains, intellect, wit, and a very dry sense of humour. She had a powerful presence about her, oozed confidence, she clearly wasn't a pushover. But he wasn't as much intimidated by Jackie, as captivated, he was physically drawn to her, she was a very attractive and she had one hot body.
Jackie hadn't really known what to expect from her business rival as he sat himself down next to her. She had heard through the gossip grapevine that he had got himself a bit of a reputation as a ladies' man and had been involved in more than one altercation with an unhappy husband. She knew he'd been married, then divorced, she guessed his wife hadn't approved of his philandering. He was now a confirmed bachelor as they say.
As they chatted, they both began to realise, that business rivalry apart, they actually liked each other's company. Conversation between them was easy, and although there was a little sparing, they were mostly reminiscing about their days in High School and her fond memories of his father.
When the time arrived it was natural, if only out of politeness, that with arm extended he ask her to accompany him onto the dance floor. Jackie taking up his invite soon realised the two of them had something else in common; they were quite good dancers - dancing with her husband being another thing that Jackie now missed. She smiled to herself, Stephens presence it seemed was turning into an unforeseen blessing.
As Stephen held her, he enjoyed her curves and her scent, the way she moved, her breasts... She in turn enjoyed the comforting assured feel of his arms around her - and that he took no liberties. She hadn't intended to, but as they danced, she found herself comparing her new dance partner to her husband. Stephen was good as was George or was it George was as good as Stephen. Had George been here would he have objected if Stephen had approached and taken the gentleman's prerogative for an 'Excuse me', whisking her away. In this scenario she pictured Stephen being akin to the swarthy dashing Antonio Banderas character from Zorro, well he already had the looks with the charm, He would of course casually smirk at her hapless husband, there had to be a smirk. She couldn't quite make up her mind who would play George's role as he was left behind to watch his wife disappear in the arms of another, feeling embarrassed, despondent, lost for words. Then she pictured Steve Martin.
Jackie laughed when Stephen confessed that as a hormone fuelled teenager, she had been 'the cheerleader' of his 'dreams'. She thanked him and smiled, "I think there's a compliment in there, somewhere? But as I recall, several of my girlfriends fell for your charm." Following up with a wry grin, "But you've certainly painted a picture".
He playfully apologised, saying that he meant to say 'She was the one that got away, and she was as hot now as she was then'. She felt herself blush at how forward he was being, it had been a long time since she'd been talked to like this and she experienced a weird flutter of tummy butterflies.
"Wow" was her chuckled response. Then said how she remembered him chasing all the young female office staff...
Stephen laughed, "To my eternal shame I never caught a single one."
Jackie laughed, "Not for the want of trying?"
He leant in to whisper in her ear "Perhaps I should have chased you."
Jackie felt he was definitely making a move on her. "I was married, had a young daughter, so I doubt you'd have had any success."
Stephen acknowledged her response. "Well, that was then... By the way, how is your family?"
With George's retirement turning into the disaster that it was, and because of the increasing antagonism and distancing between her and her husband, Jackie had been forced into thinking ahead. She had been praying, hoping, banking on, everything settling down and that George would come round to her way of thinking - but that wasn't happening. Fearing their relationship was being irreparably damaged Jackie was feeling an increasing pressure to acquiesce and prematurely retire, to sell up. She knew that if she was to retire, she had decisions to make, decisions she had been hoping she wouldn't have had to make for a long time. For example, should she just shut up shop, or should she sell up. Either option brought with it worries about would happen to her employees. Her choices seemingly to be between putting them out of work, or handing them over to goodness knows who. Despite the market being good margins were tight, and a buyer for the business might not be there. and even if she found a buyer, they would likely want to cut costs, streamline.
She half smiled. "George, my husband... He's retired."
Stephen nearly choked, "Fuck me - he really is an old man! I mean the rumours at the time were that you had married someone older than you, but I thought a year or two."
Jackie raised an eyebrow. "Rumours?"
