Despite my hopes, Jack says, “It must have been quite a party.” He also failed to imply that Eve had someone stashed in her bed. Shame. All right, anyway, he barges into Eve's apartment at 2 in the morning and tells Eve to put on a robe because, you know, sexual tension and whatnot. [Later in the chapter, I learn that it probably was 2 PM. You'll see.] Once she's done that, she comes back and starts talking. Jack interrupts her and starts ranting about this note that Lucie left him. It's a hastily written note, saying that she and Ted were going to be married in two weeks instead of the approximate year they'd said before. Hey, they are catching on! Jack doesn't give Eve a chance to explain again and says that she was involved with this because he told her he was going to wait it out. Clearly, Eve is a mastermind at fortune hunting or something.
Then Jack states that he and Eve will go to Stonegate now to figure this out with Ted and Lucie. He doesn't ask Eve anything, he just commands. Seriously, she says, “I'm not going anywhere with you.” Jack's response: “Yes, you are.” It's a family matter and Jack thinks women all have an innate knowledge of planning weddings. Then comes my favorite line: “If she continued to refuse, she was afraid he might actually use physical force.” Really? This is the guy you end up with. Eve, you have options. Tell him no and to get out. If he doesn't, call the cops. If that's too scary, then say you'll pack and lock yourself in your room. Then, if he threatens you, you can call the cops. I mean, really. You don't have to go on a plane ride with the rich asshole to his private estate. She totally does. By the way, while Eve's packing, Jane comes back and meets Jack. This might be important later. Maybe.
When they get to Stonegate, Jack sends Eve off to her room and says Lucie and Ted will be there in two hours. It's nap time! Eve comes back downstairs two hours later to notice a conspicuous lack of Lucie and Ted. Jack is snippy about his plan failing and Eve taunts him. He tells her not to be clever because it doesn't suit her. I have to ask again: Really? This is the guy you end up with, Eve?
Then Jack stops harshing Eve's buzz quite so much and disarms her with a smile. Eve accuses Jack of having women throwing themselves at his feet and he points out that she hasn't. Eve retorts that she never will. Really? I'm gonna hold you to that one, Eve. Also, I doubt women throw themselves at Jack. He isn't a famous rich guy and, as previously stated, he's kind of an asshole. He may be hot, but if the girls don't know he's loaded, they won't care as much. Does Jack even go to parties or other places where ditzy bimbos would have the chance to throw themselves at him? I don't think he does, but only Mrs. Barnes can answer that.
Jack and Eve go to dinner. Also, I totally got the timing wrong. Unless it takes forever to get from wherever Eve lives on the West coast to Boston-ish, then it was 2 PM that Jack barged into her apartment. That's slightly better, I suppose. Anyway, Eve feels less cranky after eating. She only had a sweet roll today, so that makes sense. For whatever reason, Eve starts to feel a higher sense of general well-being as dinner continues. When Jack's talking about impersonal topics and giving the hungry girl booze, he seems like a great guy. I assume Eve knows not to drink on an empty stomach, but it isn't specified.
After dinner, Jack leaves Eve alone in the library. He's going to try to reach Ted or Lucie again. Eve wonders if it's wise to feel so comfortable with Jack. But that's why it's so right! I'll answer your question, Eve: No.
Jack got a hold of either Ted or Lucie to find out they'd gone out for the weekend. Those scheming schemers! They didn't think he'd want to talk about this so soon, apparently. A two week deadline leaves plenty of time for mulling things over, so says Lucie. Then Eve says something that makes me smile, “This is getting to be a melodrama.” Getting to be?
Jack admits she's right, but he just wonders: what is love? Baby, don't hurt me. Don't hurt me no more. Well, part of that, anyway. Oh, important detail, Jack was not broken-hearted by being left at the altar. He was not madly in love. I'm guessing she got preggers and he felt marrying her would be the right thing to do, but Jack doesn't tell us any details for us to make sense of his story.
Jack admits that Eve has “a softening influence” on him as he brushes some hair off her face. Oh yeah, this is a romance novel and not just a book about people bickering. Eve replies that he's always angry with her, but “there was no anger now in the way the tips of his fingers were tracing the curve of her cheek.” Remember when she was worried he'd use violence to get his way earlier this same day? Just wondering if I'm the only one who does. Jack asks why Eve didn't tell him she'd been gone a week, then immediately starts kissing different spots on her face. Finally, she tells him he didn't give her a chance to respond. Wait, which time? They keep talking until we get to a description I think sums up their whole relationship: “moulding her body against the hard line of his.”
Then they kiss and Jack gets to second base! To be clear, I mean he totally gets to touch girl-boob. Jack says they have a problem that they won't solve tonight, then kisses Eve again. Then he sends her off to bed, “...with a twisted smile, 'before I forget to be wise!'” I'm worried about Eve. Even if Ted and Lucie show up later, she's still falling for someone who's a couple of ranks below Edward Cullen on my creep-o-meter.
The next day, Eve is enjoying a lovely, tranquil breakfast alone on the terrace, enjoying the spring delights of the garden when Lucie runs out of the house and throws herself on Eve. Lucie is bubbly, Ted is standoffish and Eve reveals Jack started talking about planning for the wedding. Then Jack shows up and says Eve totally didn't change his mind. He wanted to change it! Although, he still doesn't understand why they're getting married so early. Ted, with remarkable poise, explains that his fieldwork got moved up. It would be terrible for him and Lucie to be separated for so long and unacceptable for her to come along if they weren't married. Eve is shocked at her brother's social graces enough that I wonder if she really knows him. He says “sir” in all the right places and everything!
Also, Ted and Lucie had discussed how they'll feel after “the novelty wears off.” Ted admits that Lucie is too cheerful for most men, but he's totes okay with it because he's been alone and he likes the warmth and enthusiasm. Ted also admits that he has some “scholarly idiosyncrasies” but Lucie's had to be adaptable her whole life, so why stop now? Yes, Ted, but it is so strange that you call every date a mating ritual.
Jack is convinced that because they've talked about it, they'll be fine (probably true, if their communication stays that sincere) and throws in that he couldn't stand either of them for long. Thanks, Jack. You just said that to your sister and your future brother-in-law. What a jerk.
Jack folds and dictates some terms. He'll announce their engagement properly and then they'll have a wedding at Stonegate. It won't be a formal wedding, but it'll be, “in good taste and properly done...” So, does “formal wedding” mean it involves a Catholic mass? I'm a little lost. Either way, it means that a Star Wars themed wedding is probably out of the picture. Damn.
Lucie points out that kind of wedding (whatever “that kind” means) is a lot of work and Jack offers up Eve's services...if she's willing of course! Or, ya know, there are people one can hire. Either way. In closing, Jack promises his continued emotional and monetary support and Ted assures him the second is not necessary, but welcomed anyway. Jack says the equivalent of “whateves” and leaves.
Well, that went well. Lucie thinks they opened a wound because Jack's wedding got called off at the last minute and blah, blah, Eve will you just ask for details already? Jack said he didn't really care, but I know it's going to keep coming up until we get his side. Anyway, then Lucie and Ted start saying that Jack totally digs Eve. Eve denies it, despite substantial evidence, more of which is provided by Lucie and Ted including the bullet-proof: “I've seen the way he looks at you, the way he watches you.” “Every Breath You Take” by the Police just started playing in my head.
Anyway, Eve totes likes to spar with Jack, even if she won't admit it. She and Jack can meet as equals, and there's not many men about whom that's true. Because, you know, he's so different and whatnot. Eve says she's never met anyone like Jack before and, “He's far too domineering and autocratic for my taste.” Just to be sure, I looked up domineering and dictionary.com said it means “inclined to rule arbitrarily or despotically; overbearing; tyrannical”. That sounds about right. Tyrants rule by force or threat of it. So, I guess if Eve realizes this I can't yell at her too much for hanging out with Jack. She's not blind, just stupid.
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