Brenda sighed and closed her eyes. This was the third time she read the contract before her, and it still made no sense. She really had to stop having social obligations on nights when she had to get up for work the next day.

Who are you kidding? she thought to herself. She had gotten home at a decent hour from her father’s birthday celebration. It wasn’t the party that kept her tossing and turning last night, unable to sleep. It was Jax’s kiss that she kept thinking about. She couldn’t help wondering why he kissed her. Was he just being the polite gentleman that Lady Jane raised him to be?

{No way. Not when you kiss someone like that. There was nothing gentlemanly about it. It was carnal, and wild, and passionate…. and wonderful.}

"Miss Barrett, Mr. Jacks is here to see you," Keith’s voice interrupted on the intercom.

Be careful what you wish for, Brenda. "Send him right in, Keith."

Jax came into the paneled office, and whistled long and loud. "Verrry nice, Brenda," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

There was that warm feeling again. What was wrong with her? "Jax, I see you found your way to our side of the building." She thought she’d go on a little fishing expedition. "Was the suite OK last night?" At his surprised look, she stammered, "Well, you know Barrett Industries is a stockholder in the Port Charles Hotel. Just wondering if our investment is doing a good job by its customers." She looked down and pretended to fiddle with a paperclip. "Did you sleep well?"

Jax waited a beat before answering. "Like a baby. I guess the time change and the alcohol caught up with me. Didn’t hear a thing until the wake-up call."

Brenda looked up at him. Nope, he didn’t look like he was trying to put her on. {D*mn.}

"I hear you are also involved in a new venture with Ned’s wife – a record company, I believe?" he said.

"Yes, it’s called L&B Records, named after both of us, of course. You’ll have to come see our tiny operation sometime, or maybe I can get you tickets for a concert for one of our clients. Did you get a chance to meet Lois last night? She’s really something."

"I’ll say she is," Jax said with a deep breath. "She’s got the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen. Ned is one lucky guy. I couldn’t take my eyes off her last night."

{Double d*mn.}

"So, are you going to show me that new computer system, or did you just want me for my body?"

Brenda shook her head to make sure she heard clearly. But when she looked at him again, he was smiling at her in a social way, nothing physical or intimate about it. {Three strikes and you’re out, old girl.}

"Yes," she ground her teeth, "well, let’s go. We can take a tour of the systems room and then come back here and I’ll show you some of the print-outs." She led him down the hall, and there was his hand again, at the small of her back, burning right through the fabric. She managed to keep her wits about her for the tour, and then they returned to her office and both sat on the same side of the desk.

{Well, Mr. Jacks, I can play your game, too. Let’s see what’s going on.} Brenda took off her dark brown business suit jacket, revealing a cream chiffon blouse with a ruffled collar. It wasn’t very low-cut, but it was soft and definitely more appealing than the buttoned up suit jacket.

Just as she was sitting down next to him to review the print-outs, there was a single knock at the door and Harlan Barrett barged in. He had seen Brenda and Jax going down the hall together, and was not pleased. The Barretts and Jacks had been at business odds before, and he didn’t want Brenda inadvertently giving away any secrets. She was good at her job, but after all, she was a woman, and couldn’t be completely trusted.

"Jasper Jacks, I thought I saw you walking down the hall! I really didn’t get a chance to visit with you much at the party last night." Harlan looked askance at Brenda. She couldn’t understand what she had done to get "the look," but then realized that he probably thought she was being unprofessional taking off her jacket.

Jax shook Harlan’s hand. {Typical of him to notice me, but not Brenda, in the hall. What a guy!}

"Yes, Brenda’s been showing me your new automated payments insurance system. Very well thought out. She should be highly commended." Jax smiled warmly at Brenda, and her spirits started to climb for the first time that day.

"Yes," Harlan replied, relaxing as Brenda put the jacket back on. "Why don’t we go to my office and discuss it further?" As Brenda started to close the files on her desk and pick them up, Harlan turned to her. "Oh, Brenda, I need you to attend that benefits meeting in my place."

"But, Daddy, that starts in 2 minutes, and you know I was going to leave early today to work on L&B business!" Brenda felt like the small child being sent to her room again.

Harlan stared at her sharply. "Well, then, you’d better get going, hadn’t you?" Brenda dropped her head in disgust, but Harlan didn’t even see it because he had grabbed Jax’s arm and was guiding him out of her office. As they stood in her outer office, Brenda heard Harlan say, "So, Jax, are you coming to the Nurses’ Ball this year? It’s usually one of the top social events of the season."

Jax was slow to reply. "Well, Harlan, I’ve just gotten back in town and I’m still re-acquainting myself with people…"

Brenda caught her breath. He could sit at THEIR table, next to her!

But Harlan had other plans. "Well, I happen to know that George Brent and his lovely daughter Ashley will be attending and they have an extra seat at their table. Why don’t you give him a call? I’m sure Ashley would love to introduce you around."

That was all. Brenda couldn’t stand it anymore. She grabbed her jacket and stormed into the outer office, but the two men were gone. Just Keith remained, sitting back in his desk chair. He knew that look, and it was best to try to find a place to hide.

"Keith, if my father asks, I’ve gone for the day! I’ll be at L&B!"

Keith sighed with relief as she slammed the door on the way out. Poor Lois.

*~*~*~*

"Girlfriend, whatever is the matter with you this afternoon? You’ve been in a foul mood ever since you walked in the door!" Lois asked as they both ate a big bowl of Rocky Road and discussed talent.

Brenda put down the ice cream and looked up at Lois with sad eyes. "Lois, do you think I’m ….attractive?"

"What kind of question is that? Of course you are, Bren." She put down her ice cream and took Brenda’s hand. "Did horrible Harlan say something nasty again?"

"I don’t know, Lois. Do you remember meeting Jasper Jacks at daddy’s party last night?"

Lois nodded. "Oh, yeah. Gorgeous eyes, that one, and a body to match. In fact, you two looked really great out on the dance floor. I thought you were hitting it off. Something go down the drain?"

"No, it’s just he came by the office today, and … well, I guess I was reading more into his attentions last night than he intended. And then daddy was trying to fix him up with Ashley Brent for the Nurses’ Ball," she said sadly.

"Why would he do that? Jax appears to be the heir apparent to old man Jacks. Wouldn’t Harlan want him for you?"

"No, daddy wants me to go the ball with the guy at his party last night, Sonny Corinthos." Brenda shook her head. "I know I’m not exactly Jax’s type, but I hate being just thought of as some dull, boring business woman. I would love to make him eat his heart out!"

Lois sat and thought a minute. "Wait a minute," she said, as an idea formed in her head. "Have you picked out a dress to wear yet?"

Brenda nodded miserably. "Daddy’s already got one reserved for me at Windom’s. I have to go there today for the final fitting."

Lois jumped up off the couch. "Come on, Bren." She linked her arm through Brenda’s. "We’re going shoppin’."

######

As they stood in the dressing room of Windom’s, Brenda twirled to show Lois the view from all sides. The dress fit perfectly, but it was the usual type of thing Harlan picked out for her. It was black jersey, form fitting, with a turtleneck and long sleeves. No ruffles. No sequins. No glitz. It showed off her shape, but showed very little bare skin. "Well, what do you think?"

Lois opened her mouth wide and stuck her index finger down her throat.

"Very expressive." Brenda turned again to face the mirror. "Typical for the dresses daddy picks. Very dignified. Very boring."

Lois stood up, not to be dismayed. "Come on, Bren. They have to have something out there for you."

Brenda put her suit back on and followed Lois out of the dressing room. As she was looking desperately through the racks, she heard a feisty voice she recognized from the night before.

"What do you mean, there’s no more dresses? You have to have something left, doesn’t she, Jane?"

Brenda peeked around the rack to see a very irate Grandma Josie Jacks and a very embarrassed Jane Jacks. "Mother, you can’t expect them to do miracles at the last minute. We just should have planned on something as soon as we knew you’d be in town for the event."

Brenda stepped forward. Josie’s face brightened immediately. "Hello, dear, I remember you from last night. Harlan’s younger daughter, right? Brenda?"

"Right, Mrs. Jacks, I’m flattered you remember."

Josie sighed. "My dear, I know you probably think I’m older than the dinosaurs, but my memory seems to be better than yours. I distinctly remember telling you to call me Josie," she scolded. Brenda smiled. "So," Josie continued, "what are you doing here this afternoon? Shopping for this big charity shindig, I’ll bet. Have they got any dresses left for us foxy babes?"

Brenda giggled again. "That seems to be my problem this afternoon too, Mrs….. Josie," she corrected herself. "The dress I originally planned to wear just …. didn’t look right." {Not if I want to make your grandson insanely jealous.}

As if by divine intervention, the saleslady came out of the stock room with several other dresses over her arm. "Ladies, I think we’re in luck. I just found these designer dresses in an overstock box. I believe they were special-ordered but never picked up."

Josie snatched them from her, as Lois walked up to hear most of the conversation. Josie held them up, and then picked out one and handed it to Brenda. "My dear, my fantastic innate fashion sense tells me that this is the dress for you. Go try it on."

Brenda glanced back at Lois, and shrugged her shoulders. They went back to the dressing room, and Josie nodded her head in approval. "Now," she said quietly to herself, "if Jasper just doesn’t make a horse’s rear-end out of himself and pick the wrong sister, I think things will go splendidly." She chuckled to herself and went off in search of Jane.

In the dressing room, Brenda had put the dress on, and Lois was gasping in approval. "Oh, Brennnnda, you look absolutely gorgeous!!!"

Brenda twirled once again in front of the mirror. The dress was a full-length traditional ballgown, with a maroon paillette bodice and thin satin spaghetti straps. The bodice was completely split down the front, jacket style, and only a brocade frog closure held it together at a strategic place in the front. The skirt was mauve chiffon, flounced and flared at the hemline. When she moved, it swayed gracefully. There was a mauve chiffon scarf to wear as a stole, embellished with silver sequin sunbursts. The effect was dazzling, particularly with the scarf off.

"Well, Brenda, are you going to take it?" Lois asked expectantly.

Brenda smiled in response. "You bet," she said simply. {Watch out, Jasper Jacks. Here I come.}

To be continued…..

Fashion note: Brenda’s dress is really more of a jacket and skirt outfit than a dress. The bodice portion is not attached to the skirt. Paillette is a glitzy fabric, a thin foundation to which many small metallic circles are attached. It looks similar to fabric covered in sequins, but sequins are attached only in the center, and these circles are completely attached to the fabric. It shimmers when the wearer moves. A "frog" closure is a braid-type embellishment, kind of a sideways "figure 8", that loops through a braided knob on the other side of the garment.