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see your mom since they rarely see each
other.  It’s just too bad that your family was leaving the day after we
arrived.  We didn’t get to spend very much time with you guys.”
    I
saw Arianna pout as Jake explained what really happened on their trip.  I don’t
think she wanted me to know the truth.  What he did just then, clearing things
up, was something the old Jake would have done.  I felt a light flutter of
butterflies in my stomach as I realized that the old Jake was still inside this
hardened person somewhere.  I just had to figure out how to get him to
re-surface.
    “It’s
been lovely to see you all, but I am exhausted.  I think the wine may have gone
to my head.”  Arianna really knew how to pour on the sugar when she needed to. 
She turned a very demure smile toward Jake.  “Jake, would you be a doll and
walk me to my room?”
    My
stomach churned as I watched her flirt so openly with him in front of me.  He
didn’t seem to mind the attention as he smiled at her.  “Absolutely, I’ll get
you all nice and tucked into bed.”
    He’s
being awfully flirtatious.  I bet Vivienne wouldn’t like to see this
if there even is a Vivienne.  If I was his girlfriend I certainly wouldn’t
want him flirting so openly with another woman.  His flirtatious behavior was
confirming my belief that Vivienne was a fictitious person he’d made up to hurt
me.  Jake and Arianna left the table and I felt so confused and sad at the same
time.  This man definitely was not the man I fell in love with years ago.  Amy
and Paul could see that I was upset and they tried to lighten the mood.
    “Since
we’re not lushes I guess we can stay and still enjoy each other’s company.” 
Paul didn’t say much but when he did it was always funny.  Amy and I started
giggling at the silly situation.  Adam went to catch up with some friends, and
Paul started talking about how long it took him to get there and that he almost
missed his flight.  He was from Alaska and we always thought it was so neat
that he lived there.  I think he still had a little crush on Amy.
              After
dinner, everyone kind of milled around and was catching up with each other. 
Amy was off chatting with one of her old friends and Paul and I were talking
when Jake returned.
              “Hey
Buddy!  I didn’t expect to see you back here tonight!’  Paul playfully punched
Jake in the arm. 
              “You
know me Paul, always the gentleman, even when tempted.”  His eyes smoldered as
they fixed on me.  My stomach flipped as I held his sexy gaze.  I could feel
the heat rising between my legs again and I wanted him to grab me and take me
right there.  But then I thought about the way he behaved with Arianna in front
of me and it was like being hit in the face with a pail of cold water.  I gave
him a cool stare not wanting to be a part of his little game.  I wasn’t going
to put up with him looking like he wanted to devour me every minute.  He had
been openly flirting with Arianna all night but directing his lustful looks toward
me.  I turned away from him to talk to Paul and he sauntered off to go get a
drink.
              “So
how is work going Paul?  I hear you opened your own law firm in Alaska.”
              “I
did, I have an office right in downtown Anchorage, and it’s going great.  I was
really nervous about doing it, but since I came from such a prestigious firm I
was able to really get my name out there while I worked for them.  So once I
opened my own doors I had former clients refer people to me.  I couldn’t take
any current clients with me so word of mouth really worked for me.  In the
beginning my clients were 100% referrals.  And what about you Lauren?  I read
in the alumni magazine that you made partner at your firm in something like 3
years.  Is that true?”
              “You
did?  Amy must have sent in my information.  Anyway, it is true.  What I