Free Wine, Tarts, & Sex by Susan Johnson Page A

her favorite songs came on the radio, diverting her attention from her body’s much too eager-beaver desires. Thank God for Terri Clark reminding her of what bad-ass men could do to your peace of mind. By the time she turned into the Hilton Hotel drive, she was more or less in control of her emotions.

    Fortunately. Because the second Liv pulled up to the front door, Janie came flying through the double doors with little Matt in tow. She was red-eyed from crying, waving frantically. But however stressed, she’d managed to put herself together in a colorful Narciso Rodriguez slacks outfit that was screamingly out of place at an airport Hilton.

    “The drama queen,” Jake murmured, reaching for the door handle. “Take a deep breath.”

    “Gotcha.”

    As they exited the truck, Janie cried out in a voice that would have carried to the last balcony at La Scala, “Jake! Liv! You’ve saved my life !”

    The few other guests getting cabs for early flights swiveled around to stare, Janie’s ringing words delivered with soap opera histrionics.

    Running toward them on jeweled sandals, Janie mustered up a quivering smile that would have been labeled as one of quiet desperation in drama class. “You don’t know how absolutely grateful I am to have you both come and get me! How perfect !”

    As she reached them, she hugged them both with the fervor of someone rescued from a desert island, while her son stared up at Liv and Jake with the caution children afforded strangers.

    Taking note of Matt’s uncertainty, Liv bent down and murmured, “Hi, I’m Liv. I’m a friend of your mother’s. What’s your name?”

    “Sweetheart, say hello to Liv!” Janie prompted. “He’s only three, don’t expect much,” she added in a murmur. “His nanny can barely speak English. Leo wanted Matt to learn French.”

    And sure enough, little Matt said, “Bonjour,” with a toddler lisp.

    Squatting down so he wasn’t intimidating, Jake smiled. “Bonjour, mon ami,” he said and was rewarded with a wide smile.

    Matt nodded and smiled as Jake continued speaking in French, and before long he allowed Jake to pick him up. Turning to his mother, Matt lisped, “We’re doing to det toys.”

    “That sounds like fun.” Running her hand down Jake’s arm, Janie softly purred, “You always were such a darling.”

    “My brother has a boy about Matt’s age,” Jake said, ignoring Janie’s seductive purr. “I know Toys ‘R’ Us is a hit for any kid.”

    “Is that so. I’m sure Matt will enjoy the experience.” Janie was more au courant on couture design than toy stores, but in her wronged-woman frame of mind, her husband became the arch villain apropos toys as well. “Leo insisted on nothing but educational toys. He was such a control freak about everything, including Matt.” She exhaled a little plaintive sigh. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you being here for me.” She offered them a small, wounded smile. “I don’t know what I would have done without you coming to my rescue.”

    “Hey, what are friends for?” Liv said kindly. And Janie’s drama aside, Liv knew she’d do the same for her.

    “Why don’t we get out of here?” Jake suggested. “And let these people get on with their lives.” He nodded toward the silent crowd that had assembled to watch the drama.

    Janie immediately posed for imaginary cameras. “My goodness. Where did everyone come from?” If there was a spotlight, Janie liked to be center stage.

    “They’re probably catching early flights.” No way was he going to mention the scene she’d made, when making scenes was one of her favorite activities. “Do you have luggage? ”

    “Over there.” She pointed at a bellman standing beside a cart piled high with green Hermes luggage. “Leo hadn’t discontinued my charge cards yet, so I did a little shopping before we left New York. Thank heaven you have a big truck, Liv. Really, it must be fate, although my astrologer said as