Chapter Four
Jackson had been lying awake for quite a while when his alarm went off.
He hadn’t thought much about the many nights he and Park had spent in their old bed, wrapped up in each other, making love or talking about the future. Instead, he’d remembered in vivid detail the many nights after Park had left when Jackson had lain in bed and ached, missing Park as if he were asevered limb.
He spent most of his shower mentally rehearsing exactly what he’d say to Park when they confronted each other, oscillating between having it out and delicately skating around the old conflicts between them. Professional distance. Maybe that was the best approach.
Jackson stepped out of the shower and toweled himself off, thinking that his gut told him Park hadn’t killed thatgirl, that no matter how much time had passed or what had happened in the interim, Park was still the guy who used to scoop up the occasional pest that had wandered into their apartment and walk it outside because he didn’t have it in him to squish a bug, no matter how gross it looked.
Jackson took his favorite Tom Ford suit out of the closet. It had been a splurge, but it looked expensive,and it made Jackson feel sexy and confident. A part of him just wanted to show up the fancy men in Park’s entourage, but a part of him wanted Park to know what he’d missed out on by leaving. He agonized over which tie to wear, eventually settling on the purple Hermès with little white deer printed on it, whimsical but still classy. He had a little rainbow lapel pin that he added to his ensembleas well, because he wasn’t Park’s lover anymore and could therefore be as openly gay as he wanted to be. And fuck Park if he disagreed.
Armor in place, he picked up the phone to call Park.
“I’ll take the case,” Jackson said as soon as Park answered.
“Oh, thank god.”
“On one condition. I need you to understand that I am acting as your lawyer. We are not friends. There will be norekindling of anything.”
“Yes. Of course.” Park’s response was eager, instantaneous. “Are you still coming to breakfast at my hotel? I can buy us a little time before the powers that be will want to meet with you. To discuss the case, I mean.”
“All right.”
Park gave Jackson the hotel’s address and his room number and added, “I’ll tell Dee and Dum you’re coming, so bring ID to be letinto the room.”
“Dee and Dum?”
“As in Tweedle. My bodyguards. They have actual names.”
“Okay. I’ll be there in a half hour.”
“That’s perfect.” Park paused and added, “I’m grateful, Jack. I know this was a big ask, but I can’t thank you enough for agreeing to take this on.”
“Don’t thank me yet. You haven’t heard all I have to say.”
* * *
An attendant wheeled in a cartfull of Jackson’s favorite breakfast foods. Park gazed at the plates full of fluffy eggs and thick French toast and glistening bacon, the elegant carafe full of coffee, the bowl of fruit, and the cups of yogurt. Park tipped the attendant and then went about putting everything on display on the coffee table. He moved chairs around, threw the covers over the bed, poured coffee for Jackson. When Marthawalked through the adjoining room door, Park leaped toward it and said, “Nope, I need time.”
“You’re meeting with Kane, aren’t you? Shouldn’t I be here?”
“No. Not at first. I need to talk to him alone. When we’re ready, we’ll bring in the whole team.”
Martha frowned. “You never ordered a breakfast like that for me.” She pointed to the coffee table.
“I’ve never tried to kiss yourass.”
Martha backed into her room with a mock glare at Park. “Maybe you should try. I work very hard for you, you know.”
“You do, Martha. And I appreciate it. But let me get through this meeting first.”
Park caught Martha’s pout as he closed and locked the door. He sighed and leaned against the door for a moment before resuming his fretting. He didn’t have time to worry much more beforehis phone rang. “Jackson Kane is here, sir,” said Dum when Park picked up.
“I’ll be right there.”
When Park opened the door, Jackson stood sandwiched between the two bodyguards, eyeing Dum skeptically. He looked spectacular, his dark hair neatly combed, his suit expertly tailored. Some men looked uncomfortable in suits, but Jackson always wore one like other men wore a T-shirt and jeans.
“Come in,” Park said.
