Chapter Three

"Come on in." Jamie said gesturing to Lance.

"Thanks." He said.

"This is my fiancé Jason Patterson." Jamie said introducing the two men.

Lance shook Jason’s hand.

"Nice to meet you." He said.

"Likewise." Jason replied.

"Why don’t you two go into the living room? I’m going to call Chloe and see what’s keeping her." Jamie said.

"Sounds good. Come on Lance." Jason said leading the way into the other room.

Just as Jamie was about to pick up the phone, Chloe burst through the door.

"I’m so sorry. The sitter was late and Emma was crabby and…" Chloe said practically panting.

Jamie put her hand on Chloe’s shoulder.

"Calm down Chloe. Everything’s okay. He just got here like two seconds ago." Jamie said.

Chloe nodded.

"I’m probably quite a sight. I’m going to go freshen up a bit. I’ll be down in a second."

"Alright." Jamie said.

Chloe headed towards the staircase to the upstairs bathroom. She turned on the sink and splashed some water on her face. After she re-applied her make-up and her breathing pattern became normal again she headed down the stairs. Chloe could hear Jamie’s voice coming from the living room. She was just about to walk in the room when her cell phone rang. She set her purse down on the counter and rummaged around for her phone.

"Hello?" she asked.

"Ms. Anderson, it’s Jessica."

"Is something wrong?"

"Emma says her stomach hurts and I think she may have a fever."

"Okay, I’ll be there in five minutes." Chloe said clicking off her phone.

Jamie walked into the kitchen.

"There you are. I thought you got lost or something."

"Please it’s been over a month since I’ve gotten lost here." Chloe joked. "Actually the baby-sitter just called. Emma’s not feeling well so I’m going to head home. I’m sorry."

"It’s not your fault. Go on, I’ll call you tomorrow." Jamie said.

"Okay, I want to hear everything about the evening."

"Deal."

***

Jamie walked back into the living room.

"Where’s Chloe?" Jason asked. "I know I heard her."

"She was here, but now she’s gone." Jamie explained.

"Is everything okay?" Lance asked.

"Hmm hmm. Why don’t we head into the dining room?" Jamie suggested.

Lance and Jason stood up and followed Jamie.

"Wow, everything looks great." Lance commented.

"Thank you." Jamie said taking her seat at the table.

The group passed around the wide array of food and settled into a conversation.

"So." Lance said after they had gotten all the business talk out of the way. "You listed your friend Chloe as a reference, is that why you invited her over tonight?"

Jamie nodded.

"Yes. I figured having her here for moral support would help."

"Plus she’d probably talk Jamie up." Jason said.

"Jason!"

Lance chuckled.

"I completely understand. What does Chloe do for a living?"

"She’s actually in school right now. She’s studying early elementary education." Jamie said.

"Chloe’s a natural with kids." Jason added.

"Have you two been friends since you were young?" Lance asked. Jamie shook her head.

"Actually I met her four years ago…right when she moved to LA." Jamie explained.

"Oh, where’s she from?" Lance asked.

"Chicago, originally. But she had just moved from Florida, Orlando I think." Jamie said.

Lance was about to ask another question when the phone rang.

"Excuse me." Jamie said walking into the kitchen and picking up the phone. "Hello?"

"Jamie did I leave my purse…" Chloe started.

"On the kitchen counter?" Jamie ventured.

"Guess so."

"How’s Emma?" Jamie asked as Lance and Jason walked into the kitchen.

"She’s sleeping right now. I think she may be coming down with something." Chloe said.

"Oh, poor baby. Do you want Jason to come over?" Jamie asked.

"What are we volunteering Jason for?" he asked.

"Chloe left her purse here." Jamie said pointing to the bag.

"You want me to go all the way over to 51st at 9:00 at night?" Jason whined.

"Yes." Jamie said.

"Actually my hotel is near 51st. I could drop it off." Lance suggested.

"Hello? Are you still there? I can just wait until tomorrow. I only called to ask if it was there." Chloe said.

"My new boss can bring it by." Jamie said.

"New boss? You got the job?!" Chloe exclaimed.

"Yes I did."

"Oh, I’m so happy for you!"

"Thanks."

"Ummm…your boss doesn’t have to bring it over. I can wait, I don’t want to trouble anyone."

"It’s not a big deal if that’s what she’s worried about." Lance said.

"He’s says it’s okay Chloe." Jamie said.

"Alright then. Hey, what’s his name? I just realized I have no idea."

"His name is…" Jamie started.

"MOMMY!" Emma called.

"Gotta go." Chloe said quickly hanging up the phone.

***

Lance looked at the address Jamie had given him.

This was the house.

He turned off the car and when he got out he was greeted by the cold December air. Even the normally warm LA weather seemed to know that Christmas was just around the corner. He made his way up the drive and to the front door. He raised his hand and knocked.

"Coming!" he heard a voice call out.

Chapter Four