Second Chances

Chapter 26

The words coming out of Jerry's mouth made Casey's world spin. "Jasper Jacks – I'd like to present the man without whom the docks project would have failed – Sonny Corinthos."

Carter's booming pleasantry only made Casey feel more nauseated. "Mr. Corinthos! After all this time, it's a pleasure to finally meet you in person." He extended a hand to Sonny. "My brother has been singing your praises so loudly for the past few weeks that I thought he was going to disown me and adopt *you* as his younger brother!"

Sonny's broad grin and display of sparkling white teeth reminded Casey of a Steinway baby grand piano. "Mr. Jacks, the pleasure is all mine," he crooned, shaking Carter's hand firmly. "And believe me – Jerry has been telling me a lot about you, too......" He paused a few seconds and then winked at Jerry. "........Jaaaaaaasper." He drawled out the short "a" sound until Casey's teeth ached, but the three men just laughed all the more loudly.

{Well, God, I've gotta hand You this – You've got some sense of humor. Of all the people in Port Charles that I could have run into tonight, Sonny was the last one I was expecting. And the one that could cause me the most trouble.} Casey tried to shrink back away from the three men to observe Sonny more furtively. He looked happy – and healthy. He certainly wasn't losing any weight or spending any sleepless nights missing her. {Of course, if it's true that he tampered with the brakes on the car, then of COURSE he wouldn't be missing me!!}

Suddenly she was brought out of her reverie when Carter put his hand under her elbow, drawing her into their group. "Mr. Corinthos, this is my wife, Casey." He smiled down at Casey, who was trying valiantly to keep from breathing like a racehorse just after the Kentucky Derby. "Casey, this is the man who managed to cut through a lot of the garbage that was keeping the docks project from getting off the ground – Sonny Corinthos."

She was afraid that Sonny would make a comment about the coldness of her hand, but apparently he just attributed it to nerves or the strong air conditioning in the private dining room. "Mrs. Jacks, it's a pleasure to meet you." He winked at Carter. "Of course, it's *always* a pleasure to meet a beautiful woman, if you ask me!"

{You haven't changed a bit, you dirtbag. You always were a shameless flirt.} Casey managed a weak smile. "Mr. Corinthos," she nodded. "You certainly know how to boost a new mother's ego with your compliments."

"Sonny......please," Sonny drawled in reply. His eyes traveled up and down Casey's body in a way that used to excite her, but now just turned her stomach. "And you look better than any other new mother I've seen lately." Carter cleared his throat audibly, reminding Sonny that his enthusiasm was getting a little inappropriate. "So......I understand that you two just had a son a few months ago?"

"That's right." Carter slipped his arm protectively around Casey's waist and she was glad for his support. "We had to leave the baby at home since he's really still too young to travel."

Suddenly, Jerry put his hand to Carter's elbow. "Carter – that banker I wanted you to meet is at the bar alone. Why don't we seize the opportunity to make our pitch?"

Casey's breath caught in her throat at the thought of being left alone with Sonny, but Carter was in an "all-business" mode. "Great!" he replied to Jerry, then looked down at Casey. "You'll be OK here with Mr. Corinthos for a few minutes, won't you, sweetie?"

"She'll be fine," Sonny interrupted before Casey could answer. "I'll take good care of her." Casey smiled her agreement as Jerry pulled Carter in the direction of the bar. When Casey turned back to him, Sonny moved closer and turned on the charm that she recognized from their time together. "So......have you had a chance to see much of our fair city, Mrs. Jacks?"

"Not really. Carter and I just got in earlier today and we spent most of the time in our room – after all, this IS the first time we've had to ourselves since Jon was born," Casey replied with a smug smile. {There. Don't come on to me, you louse. Now you know I have a strong marriage and I love my husband.}