“AID’s …!” He choked on his lemonade and put it away. “Full-blown. He was cheating on me with some junkie and they were sharing needles.” He patted the sides of his mouth with the napkin. “You were always right about him.”
“Did you get tested?”
Jeff nodded as he poked at a potato. “I have tested positive for HIV.”
“That’s no longer a death sentence.” Athena forced herself to remain positive so that he could do the same. “There are treatments and you can live a very long life.”
“I cannot tell my parents.” He told her miserably. “It would only validate everything they told me would happen. I am their only son and such a big disappointment!“
“All right! To hell with this!” She told him firmly as she gestured to the waiter to come over. “A bottle of Bordeaux please!”
“What are you doing?”
“I am celebrating life and career. I just got a pretty lucrative contract and you just found out that the man who has been screwing with your head is now out of your life and you are alive. We are going to give thanks that you were not the one who end up dying. Do you have to pay for his funeral?”
Jeff stared at her for a moment, a smile hovering at his lips. He could always count on her to put things into perspective in her own inimitable way. “His father is claiming the body.”
Athena nodded. “So you dodged that expense. That prick cost you more than enough money already.” She sent the waiter a dazzling smile that left him rooted to the spot for a moment.
“Thanks darling. We will pour.”
“I can do it for you…. “
“It’s fine. We can manage.” She waved him away and he departed reluctantly.
“I love to see the effect you have on the male population.” Jeff said in admiration.
“Not all of them. Jason cheated on me.”
“Goes to show that he was a total loser.”
“My thoughts exactly.” She said with a grin. She handed him a glass and poured the wine into both glasses, lifting it towards his. “A toast!”
“What are we toasting?”
“Life and friendship and our careers…. To hell with everything else!”
*****
“You are quiet.” Rachel curled her feet beneath her and sipped her wine as she stared at the tall blonde man lounging at the foot of the bed, completely naked. She almost purred as she looked at the lean muscled strength of his body and the fullness of his sex. They had just enjoyed a rather satisfying bout of lovemaking and her heart was still racing from the orgasm that he had wrung from her. But she was wondering if he was satisfied. Alan McGregor was a beautiful man who could pretty much get any woman he wanted, and she longed for the day when he could and would be hers completely. But he always held something back, which was very frustrating.
Alan turned his head to look at her, admiring the curves of her body and the long dark brown hair. His parents were correct; she would make a suitable wife. He should be asking her to marry him so that they could start a family, but something was missing, and he had no idea what it was. He could not commit to her and he knew without a doubt that very soon he would have to call it quits.
“Work…!” He told her briefly.
Her finely arched brow lifted at that. “I could always tell you about the triple murder case I am prosecuting but I don’t want to ruin the time we have together.”
“I read about it on the news. It’s a slam dunk as far as getting a conviction is concerned.”
“You would think that” Rachel said wryly. “But the case is complicated with holes in the so-called eye-witnesses’ testimony, wide enough that I can put my fist through. Not to mention that the murder weapon is nowhere to be found and the scene was contaminated by the officers who were first to arrive there. All of that combined makes for a gigantic headache and frustration the size of Mount Rushmore.”
“If anyone can get a conviction, you can.” He told her with a slight smile.
“And your confidence in me is much appreciated.” Her light green eyes studied his handsome face. “What’s really bothering you darling?”
“We acquired a new ad agency and I am required to show my face at this launch party on Saturday.”
“I am free on Saturday.” She pointed out.
He rolled to his side and propped his head on his hand. “Are you trying to get an invite?”
“I thought I was being subtle.” She murmured.
“Far from it… Would you like to accompany me to this thing?”
“To possibly save you from an evening of boredom…?” She flashed a smile at him. “It would be my pleasure.”
“Then it’s a date.”
*****
“Darling why didn’t you call?” Debra stepped from behind the counter and came forward to wrap her arms around her daughter’s slender body, giving her a crushing hug before putting her away to take a good look.
“And ruin the surprise?” Athena asked her with an impish smile. Linking her arm through that of her mother’s she made the rounds into the store. “You went shopping.”
“I found this cute little place ten miles away from here. Sheryl told me about it, and we went together. It’s a rich neighborhood and they are always having a sale.” She led the way to the tiny back office after telling her assistant to take over. “Sit darling. Would you like a cup of coffee?”
Athena shook her head as she folded herself into the comfortable suede chair in front of the desk. “Nothing for me, thanks, I am quite full. I just had dinner with Jeff.”
Debra poured coffee and went to sit at the desk. I did not know he was back.”
“He came back last night.”
“How is he?”
Athena contemplated telling her mother what her friend had told her. Debra had opened her arms to Jeff when he had nowhere else to go and no one else to turn to, so he considered her more of a mother than his own. “He is sick.” She explained the situation quickly.
“Oh my goodness - the poor dear! But with the advancement of medicine these days, he can live a long and happy life.”
“That’s exactly what I told him.”