Yours Seductively

Chapter 11.1 (Part 2)

      James held out her chair for her, then took his own again. A ponytailed blond teenager who'd been in both their classes shyly approached to take their orders. James ordered coffee, and Jane requested a strawberry milkshake. When James confessed that he'd always had a secret ten to try acting, she immediately started trying to recruit him to audition for the play. So far, not many men had expressed interest in the group, and she needed to round up some likely prospects.

   Someone put money in the jukebox and selected several rocking Elvis Presley numbers. Jane and James scooted their chairs closer together so they could hear each other over "Jailhouse Rock."

   "You really should try it, James," she urged, leaning encouragingly toward him. "It's a lot of fun."

   "I'm afraid I'll make a fool of myself." James responded.

   She reached out to pat his hand, giving him a bracing smile. "As director, I can assure you I would never let that happen."

   "Hi, Jane!"

   She recognized the eager young voice immediately. She turned in her seat, spotting Tom a few feet away. "Well, hi, Tommy. How's it going?" she asked, opening her arms.

   He launched himself into them for a hug. "I'm getting ice cream. Chocolate," he announced happily.

   "Yum. Where's—oh, there you are, Ty. Hi." Jane gave him the warm smile she reserved just for him.

   He didn't smile back at her. He glanced coldly from her to James and then back again. And then he nodded, as if she were someone he didn't know all that well. "Hello, Jane." he greeted back curtly.

   "Where's Amy?" she asked, eyeing Tyler thoughtfully.

   "She's at Grandma's house," Tom volunteered. "Daddy and me are having a guys' night out."

   "I'm sure you're both enjoying that. James, have you met Tyler Hamilton and his son, Tom?" She mused at her companion.

   "No, I haven't." James smiled politely and held out a hand. "James Tucker. Nice to meet you."

   It might have been the briefest handshake in history, Jane thought, surprised by Tyler's behavior. His acknowledgment of James' greeting was only marginally civil. "Well leave you two to enjoy your desserts. Come along, Tom."

   Jane was still frowning after Tyler in bewilderment when James spoke again. "Good friend?" He asked casually.

   She turned her gaze back to him. "Yes."

   "He, Uh, didn't look too happy to see us together."

   Forcing a smile, she shook her head. "He's probably just had a rough day. So, are you going to audition for the play or not?"

   "You really think I can do it?" James said hesitatingly.

   "I'm sure you can." Jane reassured him.

   They continued the conversation for a few minutes more, and then Jane surreptitiously glanced around in search of Tyler and Tom. She didn't see them. Apparently, they had gotten their ice cream to go.

   She wondered what Tyler's problem had been. He couldn't really have been annoyed that she'd been having ice cream with James, could he? If so, they needed to have a long talk.