Chapter 4

“I saw you on the entertainment news last night, Mom,” David said to Nikki over the phone.

“Really?” she replied. “How did I look?”

She chuckled at her own question.

“Are you kidding? In that little black dress? You were a total knockout. I thought your arms looked amazing on TV, until I saw your legs. I’m just sorry I wasn’t your escort to that event.”

“Well, I do have to attend some things with Jake. He is the star of the show and my boss.”

“You’re the star of the show, Mom. You attend a lot of things with him, don’t you?”

“I suppose. It’s business, you know. People like to see us together.”

“Is it all business, Mom?”

“What do you mean, David?”

“You know what I mean. As if you don’t know about the rumors regarding you two.”

“Of course I know about them. Wait a minute ... Are you jealous, young man?”

“Maybe a little.”

“Oh David, that’s so sweet.”

“Yeah, sure. So, did he kiss you goodnight at your hotel room door last night?”

“David, are you really asking me that? Or you just joking around.”

“I’m just trying to understand my competition. Maybe I should be asking if he even went back to his own room.”

“David, I really don’t know if you’re teasing. So I’m not going to give you serious answers. I’ll just say this. You and I are both still married. And I’m not asking about what you may or may not do with your wife.”

“You’re not married to Jack, Mom.”

“Same idea. Besides Honey, you know you have absolutely no competition with me.”

“That’s nice, Mom. I’d just like to know if your boss shared your bed.”

“Last night, you mean?”

“Yes, last night.”

“OK, I’ll tell you. No, he did not. I spent the night alone.”

“Wait ... what about before last night?” Mom?”

“Topic for another time, David. I have to run to a meeting. I’ll be here another night. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Bye!”

Before he could protest, or even say goodbye in return, Nikki was off the phone.

David was at most, mildly jealous. He and his mother led independent lives and he respected that, even if they were charting some new territory and blurring lines. He knew he had no say over who might end up in her bed, just as she had none for his bed. But, he did want to make a case for her arriving in his bed in the near future.

That evening, Nikki and her co-host/boss Jake were having drinks in her hotel suite. She had no specific plans for Jake to spend the night with her. Although it would hardly be the first time if he did.

When there came a knock at the door, Jake answered as a gesture of courtesy. Moments later he returned to the sitting area with a long box bearing a red bow.

“Flowers, I’ll wager,” Jake said.

“Really?” Nikki replied. “They’re not from you, are they?”

“I wish I could take credit. You want me to open the card? Should I be jealous?”

Nikki noted the irony of Jake asking her the same question her son had asked.

“No, I’ll open it,” Nikki replied. “And you decide for yourself if you should be jealous.”

She said the last part with a sly smile as she opened the card. It read, Nikki, The roses in the box include specific instructions. If you’re not alone, you’ll want to be when you start on the things I want you to do. Love, D

“Whoa,” Jake said. “By the look on your face, maybe I should be jealous.”

“Hmm?” Nikki murmured. “Oh, no, no. They’re from my son.”

“Really? Let me see the card.”

“No, sorry Jake. I swear, they’re from my son, but the message is private, between him and his mom.”

“If you say so.”

“I do. And, I’m being honest. But, I do have some things to do, so I’m afraid I have to call it a night, Jake.”

“Really? Our flight out in the morning isn’t until 10. I was hoping we could spend a little extended time together.”

“I’m sorry, not tonight. Go down to the bar and see if you can find a doe-eyed college girl who’s seen the show and is ready to melt right into your bed.”

“If I’m not mistaken, I’m not the only one who has persuaded the occasional college student into their bed on the road. Of both genders, I might add.”

“You know if you ever spill a word of that, I’ve got plenty of stories you don’t want to appear in the news.”

“Hey Nikki, your secrets are safe with me. OK, goodnight Sweetheart.”

Jake kissed Nikki on the mouth before heading toward the door.

“Nite, boss.”

When she was sure Jake was out the door, Nikki nervously picked-up the long, white box. Her heart was beating rapidly. She knew the flowers were from David. She also knew he had instructions for her placed in the box. And she had an idea of what the nature of the instructions might be.