The Biggest Part of Me by Malinda Martin Read Free Book Online Page B

their junior year of college was coming.  Jane was flying to Oxford, England, to study marketing for the semester then returning to Princeton University to finish her degree.  After that, she was hitting New York.  She already had an internship in mind and if her plans succeeded, she would be offered a position following completion.  Jason would be returning to the University of Florida to complete his degree in engineering.  From there he didn’t know.  Jason was always busy with his prototypes, his dream being to have his own company.
    This could be the last time that they walked the beaches of Little Talbot Island together.  Each knew that, and it saddened them.  They had been best friends for years.  Living in the same neighborhood, they had grown up together. 
    Jason knew he was in love with Jane when he was thirteen.  It had taken Jane longer.  She was fourteen when she let Jason steal that first kiss.  They had dated others in high school until the end of their junior year when Jason had flown into a jealous rage over the debate captain that took Jane to the junior prom.  Jane had been equally mad about the cheerleader that Jason attended with.  After that, they were always together.  Through summer jobs, through study sessions—that inevitably turned into make out sessions—through graduation.  Then came college.  They had talked frequently during the first two years, sharing all the details of their separate lives.  Now things were different.  Each knew things would never be the same.
    Jane grew colder and colder as they walked, in part because of the weather but also because of the emptiness she was already feeling.  “Jay, I’m really cold,” she said letting a few tears slip down her cheeks.
    “I’ve got you, baby,” Jason whispered as he swung her up into his arms.  He took her back to the car and gently set her in the front seat of his old brown Thunderbird.  Turning on the heat, he pulled her close to him and kissed her with his whole heart.  They continued kissing until the cold was forgotten.  In fact, everything was forgotten except for the touch of their lips and the sound of their hearts beating together.
     
    Jason was no longer jogging.  He was in a full run.  His breathing was fast and furious as the sweat poured from his brow.  Exhausted, he headed back to his office to take a shower in his executive suite, feeling, if not more relaxed, at least more decisive.
    There would be no personal contact with Jane.  He couldn’t risk it.  CARL was the biggest goal of his toy making career. If they decided to go with Patterson, he would simply make sure his meetings with her would always be at an office, preferably with a dozen or so people.  For goodness sakes, he almost kissed her the first time he was alone with her!  He didn’t want the opportunity to repeat his past mistakes, kissing her, holding her, feeling her soft body against his . . .
    Damn!  Now I’m going to have to forgo my hot shower for a cold one!
     
    The call came one week later.  Jane was busy working in her office when Terry called asking her to step into the conference room along with her marketing team.  Although not an unusual request, somehow Jane knew that this was about CARL.  By Terry’s tone on the phone she really couldn’t gauge if the news was good or bad.
    With butterflies flittering around her stomach, Jane stepped into the conference room.   She was met with the sound of corks popping, champagne flowing, and people laughing.
    “There she is,” Terry said laughing.  “We got the deal, Jane.  It’s your project now.  Congratulations.  Good job.”
    Jane was dumbfounded.  Everyone gathered around her shaking her hand, patting her shoulder, expressing encouragement.  All Jane could do was smile and murmur, “Thank you,” as she enjoyed the champagne and the excited chatter of her co-workers.
    Sally stuck her head into the conference room later and said, “Jane,