"Good morning, Mr. Frame." The perky new secretary jumps up with a large smile from her desk as she sees Jackson walk in the door of the office building. "I like your tie."
Jackson doesn't respond as he briskly walks past her desk toward the elevator seeming to not even notice her presence or voice.
"Oh sweetie. Don't waste your breath on that one." Another female associate says as she walks past the counter. "He is nice to look at but is hard as stone on the inside."
As Jackson exits the elevator arriving to the tenth floor, the office buzzes with workers chatting and phones ringing. "Jackson!" A tall dark handsome man with black hair begins to walk with Jackson through the office. "I made us plans this weekend. Me, you, and two of Columbus's finest women."
"No Tommy." Jackson says plainly as he turns to enter his office that overlooks the city.
"Come on. Just one drink. Sunday night. Or even dinner." Tommy begs as he follows Jackson into his office.
"No." Jackson places his briefcase on his desk and removes his coat boldly staring at Tommy.
"But this girl is the one for you. I swear, she has eyes that will make your heart stop beating. And the body of an angel." Tommy bounces with excitement as he places his hands in his tan dress pants pockets moving closer to Jackson.
"I already had the one Tommy." Jackson sadly looks out of his window briefly before turning back to Tommy. "Stop trying to set me up and focus on work."
"August was great but it is time to move on Jackson. It has been almost two years." Tommy's tone is compassionate because he had known Jackson since high school and witnessed the unique relationship Jackson and August had shared.
Jackson sits down at his desk as he shakes his head at Tommy. "It has only been a year and a half. I have stuff to do Tommy."
Tommy moves towards the door to exit but pauses, "All weekend? Sitting alone in your apartment drinking and being depressed doesn't count Jax."
"Bye Tommy." Jackson turns his focus to his computer as he sits down at his desk.
"Yeah." Tommy waits at the door for a moment seeming like there is more he would like to say but he refrains and disappears back into the busy office.
Soon, Jackson gets lost in his work.
The intercom buzzes on Jackson's office phone as a girl's voice begins to speak, "Mr. Frame your 1:00 pm is here."
"Send him in Josie." Jackson stands up buttoning his grey dress jacket as he moves over towards the office door just as an older simple looking gentleman enters. "Hi dad." Jackson nods to his father as he moves further into the room followed by a woman. "I see you brought mom."
"How terrible is it that we had to call your secretary just to schedule an appointment to see you. Our own son." Jackson's mother hugs him tightly as she scolds him.
"Oh, don't nag the boy Rachel. He is busy being successful." Jackson's dad shakes his hand.
"I am not nagging him Henry. I am being a mother and a son should never be too successful for his mother. I don't care how old he is." Rachel adjusts Jackson's collar as she speaks, "How have you been sweetie?"
Looking slightly annoyed Jackson replies, "I am fine mom. Would you like to sit down?" Jackson's dad makes himself comfortable on the couch as Rachel seems to not even notice his offer.
"You look so handsome honey. Brock says you have been working out. Has that been helping take your mind off things?" She looks at Jackson sympathetically.
YOU ARE READING
Returning Hearts
RomanceJackson Frame lost everything a year and a half ago in a tragic accident. He has struggled with the pain of his loss since the horrific day as his friends and family attempt to help him recover. It isn't until his hurtful past resurfaces that he fin...
