Unexpected Destinies. Constance Ruth Clark
of them. Steve had no problem checking her out and eyed her with appreciation.
“Hi ya, Jayne,” he said with a grin. “So you’re the model friend of Nick’s little sister, hun?”
Was that the story he was telling?
“Apparently,” she said dryly.
“Jayne, your wings.” She turned to find her assistant and another man holding a giant pair of white wings covered with feathers. She knew from experience the harness was going to pinch, but they would look fantastic.
“If you boys will excuse me.” She lifted her arms so Shelley and her helper could attach the wings to her arms.
This was the reason she’d worked out like a she-devil for the past three months. She grunted as the weight of the wings settled on her shoulders.
“Damn, that has to be at least forty pounds,” Steve sounded impressed.
“Wanna try it on?” Jayne offered what she hoped was a saucy grin. She watched Nick out of the corner of her eye to see if he was impressed with her flirting. Nope.
“It looks better on you, sugar than it ever would on me,” Steve grinned back. “Besides I doubt I could get that harness get up over my big ass shoulders.”
“I love big muscles on men,” Jayne batted her eyes, laying it on thick.
“Steve, did you have any luck interviewing the other models around here?” Nick cut in, looking annoyed.
“Uh…yeah, yeah I did,” Steve didn’t stop grinning at Jayne. “Good stuff, should really help a lot in our investigation.”
“So did I.” Apparently Nick was going to pretend she and Steve weren’t flirting. Maybe he knew his partner wasn’t really her type.
“Hey Nick!”
Charlene, a hot redhead who Jayne knew was recently single, came up behind him and tapped his shoulder.
“Oh, hey,” he turned toward her with a smile and Jayne’s jaw clenched. “You look amazing.”
Charlene twirled around in front of him, showing off her hot little black and gold costume complete with gold heels and wings.
“What do ya think?” she asked, looking at him from underneath her eyelashes.
“You’ll knock ‘em dead out there,” Nick said. “Thanks for helping me earlier, by the way.”
“Anything for you, Nick,” Charlene blew him a kiss as she minced away.
“Relax doll, he’s not into her,” Jayne startled at the whisper in her ear from behind and turned to see Steve grinning at her.
“It wouldn’t matter to me if he was,” she snapped. “I knew coming here to ‘interview’ girls was just an excuse to meet chicks.”
“For me maybe, but Nick? Nah.” Steve shook his head.
Jayne watched as Nick chatted with a few more of the girls. He was easily one of the best looking men there, even if he wasn’t a model. Something about his rugged looks were far more appealing to women than the polished look of the male models. He seemed completely unaware of the effect he had on them even though they flocked around him like bees to honey.
“Whatever.” Jayne decided she’d enough of watching him make a fool out of himself, and turned away.
“What have you got against Nick?” Steve was staring at her like she was an idiot.
“I just know what a pig he is, that’s all.”
“Wow, lady, you may be beautiful, but you’ve got a serious chip on your shoulder.” Steve shook his head and backed off.
Jayne turned her back on them and focused on getting ready for the show. Shelley stepped up behind her to help her adjust her wings.
“Seriously Jayne, what’s with you?” she said softly, her voice difficult to hear amid the chaos. “I’ve never seen you act like that before.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jayne denied, upset to think that her feelings about Nick were that obvious.
“Places everyone!”
The chaos intensified as the models lined up, ready to go out and strut the catwalk.
“I’ll see you later.” She turned from her place in line when she felt a touch on her shoulder.
“Aren’t you going to watch the show?” Jayne’s heart was pumping from the adrenaline rush she always got just before a big show. “You have front row tickets.”
“Oh I’m going to use them.” Nick grinned. “I just wanted to say thank you now, in case I don’t get a chance to see you later.”
“I’m sure someone here will love to see you later.” She couldn’t believe she’d just been so rude, but years of almost hating him for the pain she’d gone through when she’d found him naked underneath her former best friend found a way to the surface. She ignored the confusion in his eyes and the hurt that followed as he understood her meaning.
“Bye Jayne.” His tone was considerably harder and he turned abruptly and walked off.
As she stomped the runway, flashing her smile and personality with the best of them, Jayne told herself she didn’t care. But during the entire show she looked for Nick everywhere. When she finally saw him, he was with another girl, smiling and obviously having a great time. He hadn’t changed at all.
Chapter 7
Island of Forever, Palace Gardens
Agatha was getting desperate. It was obvious that Jayne was being much too stubborn about her hatred of Nick and it was foolish. Jayne just needed a push in the right direction.
Agatha shook her head in half amusement and half frustration as she turned back to enter her home. This couple was going to find happiness together, no matter what it took. But, it was going to take some work.
Damn Cupid for interfering.
It was too bad about Jayne’s father’s illness, but there must be some way it could be used to help the cause because Jayne was visiting him so often. The hospital where he was confined was only about half an hour from where Nick’s parents lived.
Tapping her finger on her bottom lip, Agatha considered the situation in her viewing pool. Jayne had to drive right past the exit to her old hometown on her way to visit her father in the hospital. She’d kept in touch with her best friend Nicole, who just happened to be Nick’s younger sister. It was just after Thanksgiving and Nicole and her family were visiting her parents, and Nick stayed there on the weekends he came home from the city. This could work out after all.
Agatha peeked at Nick’s location and saw him planning his journey home, right on schedule. He was planning to be home to share the rest of the holiday with his family since he’d been unable to come down on Thanksgiving Day because of work. Agatha knew nothing would deter him since family was important to him.
Changing her view to the Graham homestead, she smiled at the family atmosphere. A few thoughts planted in Elaine Graham’s head and Agatha was pleased as she saw how easily they took hold. Going back to her view of Jayne driving down the highway, she wiggled her fingers over the scene before her. Snow began to fall, starting slowly, but quickly increasing.
“That ought to do it,” Agatha said, satisfied with the events she’d set into motion. “Sorry Cupid, your plan isn’t going to work after all.”
Chapter 8
Jayne was driving to Connecticut alone. As usual, she hadn’t listened to the weather report and was now regretting it. Sheets of white blasted her windshield, swirling around