80

BONUS EPILOGUE
James
Happiness didn’t even begin to describe what I felt as I sat and watched my son commit to the mother of his child. Ryan was the unexpected light of my life. His mother and I hadn’t been planning on being parents and then the universe had other plans for us. We hadn’t done everything right, in fact we’d done a lot of things wrong, but I was so grateful to be his father.
His mom and I had been a wrong fit from the start. I wasn’t cut out to be a married man. She needed more from me than I was able to give and when we had Ryan unexpectedly, she was on birth control, things had imploded.
Now that I was older, I thought that maybe things could have been different if we’d just worked harder, you live and you learn but I hadn’t found anyone that special in quite a while.
I was envious of Ryan and the life he’d made. He had a chance to do things right both with his son Lucas and with Tinsley. Sure, their relationship was unconventional but hell, who was I to judge.
I made my way to the bar set up on Ryan’s back patio and ordered a beer. One of Tinsley’s bridesmaids made her way up to me and sat down. I was taken aback when I saw her, she could have been Ryan’s mom’s doppelganger when Janie had been younger. I wondered if Ryan noticed the resemblance when he looked at her.
“Hey there, I’m Alex,” she introduced casually. Wow, even her mannerisms reminded me of Janie, smooth, controlled and sexy. “Are you Ryan’s dad?”
Ugh here I was lusting after a girl that looked at me as someone’s father. “That’s right. I’m Jake Jacobs,” I replied, offering her my hand.
“It’s so nice to meet you. I had a feeling it was you. You have the same gorgeous eyes,” she said, staring deep into my eyes. I got lost for a second.
“Oh thanks, he got his mom’s hair but my eyes. It made for a great combo,” I replied.
“Oh, is your wife here today?” she asked.
“My wife? Oh no, we’re not together. Unmarried,” I remarked, laughing and showing her my empty ring finger. Was she hitting on me, or just being friendly, I couldn’t tell anymore. “But Ryan’s mom lives overseas with her husband so she couldn’t make it back.”
“So, are you in the industry too?” she asked.
“Me, not really. I’m a lawyer so I’ll do occasional entertainment law but that’s more to help Ryan and his friends out if they have questions.
“Very cool. I’m actually a paralegal but I got an internship which led to a job, which got me working for Tinsley. So now I’m in PR. I like it but I always saw myself as a lawyer. I still think I might go back to the dark side one day,” she said teasingly. “Listen I have to run and go take pictures but save me a dance later. I’d love to pick your brain about law a bit.”
“Absolutely,” I said with a smile. Damn, I think she really was hitting on me.
“Dad, are you hitting on Tinsley’s assistant? She’s half your age,” he teased.
“Is it just me or does she not look exactly like your mom when she was younger?” I asked, wondering if he would recall the resemblance.
“Dang, you’re right,” he replied. “I always knew she reminded me of someone, I could just never quite put my finger on it.”
“She’s quite a lady,” I commented.
“She really is,” Ryan remarked. “When shit hit the fan with Tinsley and the studio, Alex really had her back. She’s got a law background, so she helps Tinsley a lot with the legal side of things. She just passed the bar and is going back to school soon, so Tinsley is bummed to be losing her.”
“Yes, she mentioned something about going back to the dark side,” I said laughingly.
“Come to think of it dad, this might be a fortuitous meeting,” Ryan said. “Alex needs a job during law school, and you are always looking for someone to help you out. You should totally hire her.”
“Really? You think she’d really want to leave Tinsley and come work for an old geezer like me? It can’t be nearly as exciting as what she’s doing now.”
“She needs experience that can help set her up for the next part of her career. Even if she goes into entertainment law, she needs more experience in a law office. Tins is going to keep her on until she finds the right thing, but you might be that right thing she’s looking for dad,” Ryan implored.
“She did seem smart as a whip. Hell, why not?” I said. “I’ll talk with her when she gets back from pictures.”
“Thanks dad! Tinsley is going to be thrilled,” he said. “Crap speaking of pictures, I think I’m needed too. I’ll catch you later. Love you dad.”
We did need a new paralegal and the partners all trusted my judgement. Plus, Ryan had told me what a hard ass Tinsley was about hiring. She had standards as high as my own if not higher. This might work out great.
–
Later that evening I watched as Alex scanned the crowd. She was so striking. I wondered who it was she was searching for. I averted my gaze as she started to turn in my direction. I didn’t want her to catch me staring.
A minute later she walked up to me. “Hey there, I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“Me?” I questioned.
“Yes, you. So, I wasn’t’ fully up front with you earlier. I actually am getting ready to start my degree. As I said before I’m a paralegal and even though I love working for Tins I need to find something more in line with my future. If you know of anyone looking to hire someone, do you think you could put in a good word for me?” she asked sweetly.
“I can do you one better,” I replied. “Really, what’s that?” she asked.
“I can hire you. My partners and I need a new paralegal. Ours is getting ready to have a baby and she won’t be coming back after maternity leave. We were going to start advertising for the position next week but if you want it, it’s yours.”
She stared at me for a full ten seconds. I had to admit, it wasn’t exactly the reaction I’d expected.
“I don’t know if that’s the best idea,” she finally replied.
“Wait, why? What do you mean?” I asked, somewhat shocked. “Trust me, I’m flattered by the offer, it’s just,” she stammered. “What is it?”
“I knew who you were before I went to the bar and started chatting you up,” she admitted.
“Well that’s not a big deal, it’s not a crime to know someone. That’s how half the people in Hollywood get jobs right, it’s not what you know but who you know,” I said.
“Right, but,” now she was blushing. “I just don’t know if I can work for you. I mean I’d love to, but I just don’t know.”
“Have I done something wrong? Done something to offend you? Have we represented someone or something you’re opposed to?”
“No nothing like that, you know what, I’m a big girl, I’m just going to say it,” she replied.
“Okay,” I said, waiting.
“I’m not sure I can work for you, because I’m attracted to you. I just don’t know if I could keep it professional,” Alex said.
“Well, knock me over with a feather,” I said, startled. “Me?”
“I know, I know, you’re older. I’ve always been attracted to older men,” she traced a finger along my arm. I felt heat pulsating across my body. Damn she had been hitting on me.
“Oh, well, I’m sure we can find some way around a little hiccup like that,” I said. “Once you get to know me better that will probably fade quickly anyway. Just ask my ex-wife.”
“Something tells me that’s not the case,” she said leaning in closer whispering in my ear.
“I can keep it together if you can,” I suggested.
“Does that mean you’re attracted to me too?” she gazed into my eyes, and I felt my lust building.
“Alex, I haven’t met a woman I’ve been this attracted to in years. We’re both adults. There’s no reason we can’t keep things professional when we need to,” I said suggestively.
“Do we need to right now?” she asked with a seductive poutiness in her voice.
“I don’t see why we would, you’re not even technically my employee yet,” I replied.
“Good, then meet me in the upstairs guest bathroom in ten minutes. I want to make good use of the time I’m not working for you,” she purred in my ear. “But just so you know when I do work for you, I’ll do whatever it takes to satisfy you.”
“That’s very efficient of you,” I said, adjusting myself slightly. Holy hell what was I getting myself into?
James and Alex are ready to give you a very hot and Christmasy reverse harem romance. That’s right – Jake and his two more friends. What’s a girl gotta do?
Next series coming soon!