TOUCH ME WHEN WE’RE DANCING
Pam of Babylon #17
by Suzanne Jenkins
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction
#17 of the beloved series, Pam of Babylon. The theme of life after a snowstorm is slow dancing, couples falling in love, or out. A new neighbor moves in next door to Pam, Lisa discovers love in an unexpected place, Tim finds comfort in someone who has always been there, and Sandra decides to appreciate what she has in her hands. In the city, a major shake up at Lang, Smith and Romney leads to the proverbial pot of gold for Sandra. Randy has a shocking visit, and in return, takes back a promise he made to Pam in Greece. In the background, Karen Carpenter sings. ๐
Chapter 1
Stuffing his billfold and money clip in his back pocket, Michael Bennett could think of only one thing that morning โ getting to work and tying up the loose ends that had dangled for weeks.
โIโll call you when I get in,โ he said, bending over to kiss Sandra. โDonโt forget, the window washers are coming today.โ
โOh yuck, I hate it when theyโre here,โ she said. โCan I cancel?โ
โNo. Theyโre so dirty, they look muddy.โ
โWhatever,โ she said, pulling the covers up to her chin. โI have a meeting downtown at two so I might be late tonight.โ
โOkay. Iโll talk to you later.โ
He left the bedroom, walking down the long, dark hallway. It was so dreary out, gray light on the gray carpet and gray walls. Everything looked dated, cold and uncomfortable. It might be time for a change. Pouring coffee into a thermos, he thought heโd keep his plans to himself. Sandraโs apartment was the most uninspired space. He wouldnโt ask for her decorating advice.
โIโm glad I caught you before you left,โ she called from the living room, pulling a white silk kimono around her. โI forgot to tell you that Lang is giving me the Dutch house to finish.โ
โThey are? Wow, thatโs an impressive coup, Sandra.โ
โLike you didnโt know,โ she said, smirking.
The Dutch house on First Avenue was owned by the medical center and housed their psychiatric offices, one of the few remaining structures left standing after the fire of 1845. Michael had come to Lang, Smith and Romney for help in its restoration. Sandra started the process, and although a silent partner bought her out, she was still doing work for the firm.
โI swear to you, I had nothing to do with it. But it makes perfect sense when you think of it. You started it, you should finish it.โ
She threaded her arms around his neck and kissed him. โIโll miss you today.โ
Reaching into her robe, he ran his hands over her bare skin. โIโll miss you, too. I canโt wait to get home tonight.โ
His phone beeped. โMy driver is here,โ he said. โGoodbye.โ
They kissed again, and he stepped through the elevator door while she stood watching. He willed her to open her robe but she didnโt, aware of the security camera that might catch a glimpse. After the doors closed, she went into the spare room she used for an office and leafed through papers, making notes and organizing. It hadnโt taken her long to win back the trust of her few customers sheโd taken on before the arrest. It appeared sheโd be busy for the next six months. A decision she had to make โ should she open an office of her own and become a truly formidable competitor to Lang, or stay there, using their resources, and taking their cast-off business?
Bigger and more difficult was deciding how hard she should fight for custody of her son Brent. The attorney had arranged the first supervised meeting. Timโs address was still being kept a secret from Sandra, which further infuriated her.
Compounding the anxiety, neither Pam nor Lisa returned her last telephone calls, convincing Sandra they were in cahoots with Tim.
The doorman buzzing interrupted her thoughts and she picked up the phone. The cleaning people were on their way up. She went back into the master suite and locked the door. The view from the door was straight shot to the Williamsburg Bridge, a beautiful structure, but leading to Brooklyn, a place she loathed. It reminded her of another project she was hell bent on acquiring.
Quickly dressing, sheโd go downtown and work from the Lang office until her appointment at two. She sent a text to her driver, Damon, to pick her up at nine if he was available. It would be like any other work day for her, with the nagging worry about Brent in the back of her mind. Dressing for the weather with tall boots and a long wool coat, she was past the age of caring how she looked in the cold, and somehow pulled it off, like a model doing a nonchalant stroll on an arctic catwalk.
Ignoring the other tenants who got on the elevator after she did, they were curious about the beautiful young woman who stayed in the penthouse. But her head was down, looking at her phone with a frown. Texting her attorney to find out if there was any news, he replied that he was just about to call her with information for her.
Hold off, she wrote. Iโm in an elevator.
He asked her to call him as soon as she was able.
Damon was at the curb holding the door for her. Nodding at him, she pointed further downtown.
โExchange Place,โ she said, when she was inside.
Dialing her attorneyโs number, it angered her that she had to go through the switchboard instead of getting his direct number. Sheโd make a point of letting him know her dissatisfaction.
โWhatโs happening?โ she asked when he finally got on the line.
โYour husband is holed up in Smithtown with your sonโs aunt.โ
It took a minute to sink in. โHeโs living with Lisa Smith?โ she said astonished, leaning forward to shut the divider between her and Damon.
โIt appears that heโs in the guest house,โ he replied. โDo you want the whole rundown?โ
โYes, what are you waiting for?โ
โHeโs dating his literary agent.โ
โThat prick!โ
โYes, well since youโre not divorced or even legally separated, that will definitely work in your favor.โ
โWhat about my son?โ
โBrent is in preschool at the public school. He appears to be happy and well-adjusted according to the investigator.โ
โI donโt know what to do now,โ she said. โDoes he have a restraining order out? Iโd like to just show up there.โ
โWhy would he have a restraining order? You havenโt even seen the man in a month.โ
โJust answer my question.โ
โYou know Iโm lining up supervised visitation. It would probably be better if you stayed away for now. Donโt even let him know that youโre aware of his location. Iโd limit your contact with any of your in-laws for now.โ
โI wasnโt married to my sonโs father,โ she reminded him. โThose people that Tim is living with are Brentโs fatherโs family, not Timโs.โ
โIs that right,โ the lawyer said. โThat is even more problematic for him. Why would he be in collusion with your sonโs family unless he was trying to purposely hurt you? I think I will be able to do something with this information.โ
โWell hurry up, please,โ she said. โIโm getting tired of waiting.โ
The truth was it was easier not having Brent around. It also gave her and Michael a chance to get reacquainted. There was a little angst about Tim, however, that she was working around. He wouldnโt answer her calls or text messages, she even sent a messenger around to his agentโs office. They wouldnโt take the package which confused her at the time, but now it made perfect sense. He was screwing that pig face Elizabeth, pretending she was just going to Paris because of the available ticket. Bullshit. It certainly made things easier for Sandra if he was having an affair with Elizabeth before the police saw Michael leaving her apartment on the night Tim went to Paris.
For being less that a two mile ride, it was taking them long enough. โWhatโs going on Damon?โ Sandra asked, sliding the window back open.
โUsual traffic,โ he said. โWeโre almost there.โ
โI should have walked.โ
โItโs ten degrees out there,โ he said, frowning.
Traffic finally started to move and he pulled up at Exchange Place.
โDonโt get out,โ she said. โIโll text you later.โ
โBe careful. It looks icy. Iโll be around until eight tonight. I have an airport run at nine.โ
โOkay, talk to you later,โ she said, slamming the door.
After sliding through a two foot high snowbank with a narrow opening of solid ice, she was at the office. As she walked through the familiar brass framed door, for the first time she didnโt think of Jack. His importance in her life had diminished with the buyout. She no longer sat at his desk, or looked at his black silk umbrella hanging on the coat rack. There was really little of him left in her life, apart from Brent. Suddenly, she missed her son. Moving off to the side of the foyer, she dialed her attorney again.
โWhat can I do to get my son back as fast as possible? Iโm getting anxious.โ
โYouโre already doing everything,โ he said. โIโll make a notation that youโre starting to despair. I take back my warning about contacting your childโs family. Go ahead and call and tell them how anxious youโre getting but donโt let on that you know heโs there.โ
โIโve been leaving messages and they donโt return them.โ
โThatโs what voice mail is for. Use that to your best advantage then,โ he said. โI trust you to be discreet.โ
โOkay, thanks,โ she said, the wheels turning.
When she reached the office, she didnโt go in back like she owned the place, but stood in line at the receptionist desk. When it was her turn, Jennifer gave her a big, false smile.
โMrs. Hornby! How nice to see you.โ
โKnock it off, Jen. Please ask Peter if he has a desk I can use today.โ
โSure,โ she said, giggling, โCome on back.โ
Sandra followed her and waited off to the side while she checked with Peter. He came out with a cat-that-ate-the-canary look on his face.
โYou can use Ryanโs old office,โ he said.
โMy old office, you mean,โ Sandra said. โThanks. Iโd better see about renting a space.โ
โThereโs no need,โ Peter said. โYouโre welcome here anytime.โ
Not when you find out what Iโm up to, thinking of her plan to compete with him.
โI thought I heard a familiar voice.โ
She looked back at Peterโs office door and who walks out but Randy Braddock.
She sifted through reasons that he would be there, forgetting the television program Randy was doing about saving old New York architecture. Pulling out all her energy to be gracious, she smiled and extended her hand to the guy who didnโt try to hide his animosity to her. Sandra figured he was taking sides in her battle with Tim that had not yet started. If that was the case, she was going to prepare herself.
Who was Randy Braddock? Nothing but a reality TV host. She didnโt care how much money he had, she would make sure he didnโt interfere with the outcome of the impending custody battle. It was at the moment that she walked past Jackโs old office now occupied by Ryan, that their subterfuge became clear to Sandra. She spun around the looked at Randy, lurking in the doorway of Peterโs office.
โYou bought me out,โ she said, a triumphant smile on her face, pointing at him. โHa! You spent all of that money to get rid of me, and Iโm still here! Loser.โ
โItโs not over yet,โ Randy snarled.
โYou threatening me?โ she asked, walking toward him. โYou have no idea who youโre messing with. Iโve already got a bald spot because of that goon, Clint. You know Pam refers to him as a goon, right? Ask her.
โLet me tell you something, Randolph. I donโt scare easily, in case you didnโt know that. Youโll have to kill me to get rid of me. Tell your step-daughter that, too. Tell Lisa that if she doesnโt want me to see Brent again, sheโll have to kill me. Iโm not gotten rid of that easily.โ
โYouโre a lunatic,โ he said, but she noticed a tremor in his lower lip. She was on to him, the knowledge filling her with energy, and she laughed out loud.
โMaybe. But crazy people donโt stop. Test me, if youโd like. Ask Peter,โ she said. โItโll take more than what youโre willing to dish out to get rid of me. Iโd love to show you how we do things downtown.โ
Peter put his hand on her shoulder. โEnough drama,โ he whispered, following her back to her old office. โWe donโt want this to get ugly.โ
โItโs too late Peter. That small time punk just declared war. I donโt care how much money he has.โ
โYou have a lot to lose,โ Peter said, standing in the doorway.
โNo, I really donโt. Iโm taking advantage of what youโre offering me here, Peter. But if it gets rough, Iโll go out on my own. Finally, youโll have the competition youโve missed.โ
โThereโs enough business for both of us,โ he said, but the words lacked that confidence Peter usually blabbed. He felt the threat.
โAre you in on the two oโclock meeting?โ she asked, unbuttoning her coat.
โDo I need to be?โ he asked.
โDonโt trust me, Peter. Iโm telling you right now, Iโm not watching out for you. If youโve invited that snake into this company, it wonโt end well. Youโd better stay on your toes.โ
He shook his head and snickered. โSandra, your arrogance is astounding.โ
โJust wait,โ she said, smiling, self-confidence surging. โYou have no idea.โ
She went behind him, shutting the door, and then got up in his face. He took a step back, not expecting the intrusion. He saw the whites of her eyes, how clear they were, her left eye had a green dot in the iris, surrounded by a pool of dark brown. Her eyelashes were so long, her skin ivory and clear.
โPeter, I wonโt stop,โ she whispered. He could smell her breath. Taking it in, the sensation skipped from his olfactory nerve and traveled to his balls and he felt for the doorknob behind him, scared to death.
โIโm not trying to stop you from doing anything,โ he said. โI donโt know what youโre talking about.โ
โYouโre fucking with me,โ she said. โStop it.โ
It pleased her, seeing him fumbling to get away from her.
โHow much is Braddock into this?โ she asked. โDid you sell out to him, too?โ
โNo. He wanted you out for Pamโs sake,โ Peter admitted.
โI donโt get it. She said she loved me,โ she replied, staring out the window. Then she turned back to her desk. โWell, he wasted his money. Are you in at two or not? If Iโm doing this alone, Iโd like to know.โ
โIโll attend the meeting,โ he said, finally turning the door knob.
Trying to get out of the office, he backed into Betty, Sandraโs old secretary.
โOops, pardon me,โ she said, stepping around Peter. โHere are your files, Sandra.โ
While Peter ran off, Sandra reached for the stack of paper. โI guess I lost you to Ryan,โ she said.
โI can still work for you,โ Betty replied.
โIโll check with Peter about that. Thank you,โ Sandra said, dismissing her.
Her heart still beat wildly in her chest. As much as she acted like she was in charge, that kind of confrontation with Peter frightened Sandra. Their yelling arguments were legendary at Lang. But no one expected them to be at each otherโs throats now, after the buyout.
A tap at the door increased her heart rate. โDamn it,โ she hissed. โCome in!โ
It was Ryan.
โClose the door,โ she mumbled.
โJeesh, whatโs going on?โ
โDid you know it was Randy who bought me out?โ
โNo! No way. Are you sure?โ
โPositive. Peter just admitted that he was did it purposely to get me out of Pamโs hair. Frankly, Iโm stunned. It feels like such a betrayal.โ
โLook, fuck Braddock. Heโs a nothing. You have to remember that Jack brought you in because he trusted you.โ
She looked up at him, her eyes glistening. The notion that she was finished with Jack just flew out the door.
โIt doesnโt have anything to do with him anymore. At least not for me.โ
โAre we still on for the weekend?โ
Theyโd made a tentative plan to get together for a meal.
โNo. Iโm back at Michaelโs. He wouldnโt appreciate it.โ
โOkay, no problem. I guess I have to make amends to Jennifer.โ
โRyan, sheโs a nice girl.โ
โYeah, but she wonโt want to deal with the baby mamas.โ
โUgh, gotcha. Well, Ryan, you sort of brought that on yourself. Didnโt you ever hear of a condom?โ
โAre you going to marry this dude?โ he asked, ignoring the comment.
โNo. Iโm not getting married again. Actually, Iโm still married to Tim, but as soon as thatโs resolved, Iโm finished. Michael is my equal in many ways. I can make some sacrifices for him.โ
โLike monogamy?โ
โYes,โ Sandra said. โThatโs a starter.โ
She rifled through files on the desk for a moment. โIโm not supposed to bring this up, but you know Brentโs at Lisaโs, correct?โ
โI donโt know that,โ Ryan lied.
Sandra looked up at him, and he had no expression on his face. โYouโre as bad as Pam with your damn poker face. Well, it doesnโt make any difference. My attorney found out heโs there. Donโt run and tell Lisa now.โ
โI wonโt. Sheโll barely talk to me.โ
โIs she sleeping with Tim?โ
โNo. Tim made the biggest mistake of his life. Heโs sleeping with his literary agent.โ
Stay Tuned for More Pam #17!
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If you like romance series with twists and turns, then you’ll love the Pam of Babylon Series. When Jack has a heart attack on the train from Manhattan, Pam and Jack’s two lovers discover secrets and lies, and each other, in this contemporary romance with a touch of noir.
In a tale of marriage and betrayal, Pam’s friendships and sisterly love are stretched to the limit. At what point does a relationship cross over from abuse to choice? And does forgiveness always come with exceptions?
Suzanne Jenkins Bio Suzanne writes page-turning contemporary romance, mystery, and women’s fiction with passionately gripping characters that stay with readers long after they turn the last page. The Detroit Detective Stories, beginning with The Greeks of Beaubien Street are a reflection of American fantasy with historical reality. Pam of Babylon books consistently rank in the Top 100 Best Sellers in American Drama with over 500,000 downloads. A retired operating room nurse, Jenkins lives in Southern California.
Prize: $10 Amazon gift card
A fabulous sounding romance, Jacquie.
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Suzanne is a true sweetheart. I just love this cover!
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