Darlene Gardner - Twice the Chance

“I learned from the best,” Matt said, turning his head to address Jazz. “Carter just resigned as A.D.”

“I’m leaving the athletic program in good hands.” Carter gave Matt a hearty slap on the back. “Matt’s a golden boy who gets things done. He probably even managed to talk some people into showing up today for my party.”

An uneasy current ran beneath the smooth words. Callie fidgeted, appearing even more uncomfortable. Jazz wondered what was going on.

“Of course people will come,” Matt said.

“People from my golf league,” Carter countered. “Good thinking inviting them.”

“No problem,” Matt said. “If I ever want to join, I’ll have an in.”

“The league doesn’t play in the summer, buddy,” Carter said. “If you get the A.D. job, that’s the only season you’ll have time to breathe.”

“Excuse me.” Jazz didn’t need to stick around and listen to more evidence that Matt was a responsible person. “These hors d’ouevres have to go in the oven.”

That was the truth. Once the guests started arriving, her plan was to provide a steady supply of warm appetizers.

“Hey, Matt. Before I forget, can you show me that new putter you got?” Carter asked. “I’m planning to play a lot of golf in Florida.”

“Sure,” Matt said. “My golf bag’s in the shed out back.”

“I’ll come with you.” Carter turned to Callie. “Honey, will you be okay for a few minutes without me?”

“I guess,” Callie said.

Carter kissed Callie on the lips before heading with Matt for the French doors that led to the backyard. The town house was situated perfectly for a party, with a deck overlooking a good-sized yard flanked by evergreens. The temperature was in the low seventies and the sun was shining; ideal outdoor weather. Yet Callie stayed in the kitchen with Jazz.

“The food looks great,” Callie said in her soft voice when the men were gone. “But if I don’t watch, my butt blows up like a hot-air balloon.”

Jazz laughed. “I doubt that. But there’s fruit, if you want it.”

“Not my thing. Unless the fruit’s covered in chocolate.” Callie sat down on one of the tall stools beside the breakfast bar and Jazz got a whiff of perfume. Callie remained quiet for long moments before drawing an audible breath. “Can I ask you something, Jazz?”

The way Callie phrased the question made Jazz long to say no. She hesitated. “Go ahead.”

“Did it seem like Matt didn’t know about me?”

Oh, yeah.

Jazz lowered the oven temperature. She wanted the food warm, not overdone. “Why do you ask?”

“Carter’s the best boyfriend I ever had.” Callie rolled her eyes. “I mean, moving to Florida’s not costing me a dime. But I had to fuss up a storm before he’d agree to bring me today.”

The doorbell rang again, a timely interruption.

Callie rose from the stool. “I’ll get it.”

Jazz wasn’t about to fight her for the honor. She opened the oven door and removed the cookie sheet. Using a wide spatula, she transferred the food onto the pretty serving trays she’d found at a yard sale, the way she’d acquired most of her better kitchen supplies.

She heard voices, some belonging to children. Brooke and Robbie? Don’t panic, she told herself. The party was for Matt’s friends, not his family. One of the guys from Carter’s golf league probably had children.

“Uncle Matt! Look what Dad bought me!” Robbie dashed into the kitchen carrying a soccer ball draped with netting.

Jazz’s heart thudded so hard she felt nauseous. Inside the house, Robbie’s hair didn’t look as red as it had in the sun but his skin appeared more pale, his eyes greener. His coloring reminded Jazz of a photo her grandmother had kept of herself as a child.

The young boy scanned the kitchen. “Where’s Uncle Matt?”

Brooke followed her brother into the kitchen, humming an unrecognizable tune and doubling the visual punch. Jazz braced a hand on the counter to steady herself.

“Your uncle’s out back with Carter.” Callie had reentered the kitchen, although Jazz hadn’t noticed until she spoke.

Brooke stayed in the kitchen, peering at Jazz. “Aren’t you the lady from the park?”

“What lady?” asked a plump brunette who must have been their mother. Her curly brown hair was pulled back from a round, pretty face. She looked nothing like the children in either coloring or stature.

“I remember you,” Robbie said to Jazz. “You’re the lady who fell!”

“Hi, I’m Terry. Matt’s sister.” Terry’s dark eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled, exactly like her brother’s. “Matt didn’t tell us he was dating anyone.”

“We’re not dating,” Jazz said quickly. “I’m Jazz, the caterer.”

“Then you didn’t meet Matt at the park?” Terry asked.

“Well, yes,” Jazz said.

“After she fell down,” Brooke supplied.

“Is that when you told him you were a caterer?” Terry asked.

“You’re asking too many questions, darlin’.” A man with a wiry build, boyish features and thick blond hair that looked expensively cut joined them. He was dressed in crisp khaki slacks and a shirt with an alligator over the pocket. “I’m Kevin Pinckney, Terry’s husband. I’m sorry she’s freaking you out.”

“I am not,” Terry declared. “Jazz, am I freaking you out?”

Kevin held up a hand, but he was laughing. “Enough. Cut the woman a break, will you, Ter?”

“I’m simply trying to figure it all out,” Terry said. “So, Jazz, are you into my brother or aren’t you?”

Just like that, Callie’s problems took a backseat.

Jazz had enough of her own.

MATT WATCHED Carter line up an imaginary putt and slowly pull back the golf club, stroking through the short blades of grass in the backyard.

“Yep, I could do some damage with this baby.” Carter tossed the club a foot or so into the air and caught it in the middle of the shaft. “I’ll definitely have to get me one.”

“You know it,” Matt said, his mind still on the woman in the kitchen. Not Jazz this time, Callie. How long had Carter been seeing her? The other man had never mentioned her. “But you’re going to do more than golf in Florida. You have a job lined up, right?”

Carter’s face changed, his usually affable expression growing dark. “Yeah. As an assistant A.D. at a private school. I would have taken some time off if the bitch wasn’t being so vindictive.”

“What bitch?” Matt asked.

“Lilly,” Carter growled. “She’s trying to rob me blind.”

Lilly was Carter’s soon-to-be ex-wife, a pleasant woman with a great laugh who’d been married to him for twenty-seven years. Matt had never heard Lilly say an unkind word. Even though the backyard was secluded, Matt looked around to make sure nobody had overheard what Carter had called her.

“That’s pretty strong, Carter,” Matt said.

“Yeah, well, Lilly found out I was seeing Callie before we separated. Except she never uses Callie’s name. She always says that child. She’s jealous, I tell you. Just because I’m fifty doesn’t mean my life is over.”

Matt remembered the good-natured ribbing and gag gifts the coaches at school had given Carter last spring when he’d hit the milestone. The track coach even had a wheelchair waiting in Carter’s office, although Carter hadn’t thought that was funny.

“I almost didn’t bring Callie along today because I know how things get twisted. Look what happened with that teacher.” Carter sounded as though he expected Matt to commiserate with him.

“You never told me the details,” Matt reminded him. “You only said the story wasn’t true.”

“Damn right it’s not true.” A warm wind blew through the yard, wreaking havoc with Carter’s comb-over. “That teacher, who doesn’t even work at Faircrest, came on to me. She emailed me first. Yeah, I emailed back, even met her for a drink. But that was it.”