Chapter 39

The next day, after unpacking and getting Sophie settled, Frannie took her laptop into her studio, and starting choosing the pictures she was going to print out. When she had about 30 she saved them to her flash drive and took it along with some photo grade paper to Jon’s office. She could hear him on the phone, so she just cracked open the door and poked her head in and waited. He looked up and motioned for her to come in.

She sat in a chair across from him and looked around. The office was totally him. The walls were painted an off white and there were framed posters of the Giants and the Soul hanging on the walls as well as a glass case with a signed football. The shelf over his desk held various awards for his humanitarian and philanthropy work and the desk itself was a cluttered mess of papers, files and the computer.

Jon finished his call and looked over at Frannie, “welcome to my mess, what can I do for you?” Frannie smiled, “can I use your printer?” Jon swiveled his chair to look at his computer and printer. “I haven’t even turned anything on yet. The damn phone won’t stop ringing.” Just as he said the words it rang again. Jon got up, “go ahead” he motioned for her to switch seats with him.

Frannie didn’t want to print out the pictures with him there, but she had no choice. She booted up the computer and frowned. She looked over at Jon, trying to get his attention. He glanced up at her, “what’s your password?” He held up his finger, “just a sec.” “Okay, no that’s fine. Thursday at 7:30. I’ll be there.” He closed the phone and let out a breath, “my brother is going to be the death of me I swear. Does he not understand that I am just one person?”

Frannie just shook her head, “well if you weren’t involved in so many projects you wouldn’t need to clone yourself.” Jon laughed, “I suppose but I just can’t seem to say no to anyone.” He set the phone down on the desk, “now what did you need?” She looked at the screen and then back at him, “your password.”

He hesitated and then decided just to give it to her, “don’t laugh.” Frannie looked at him, “why would I laugh?” He told her, “march21962.” She chuckled, “nice, why not just use your name or something?” He smirked and came around the desk, “I asked you not to laugh.” She looked up at him, “I couldn’t help myself, it was funny.” He started to laugh too, “I know its lame, but at least I’ll never forget it. So, what do you need my printer for?” Frannie shook her head, “oh no, I’m not telling. You need to get gone for about five minutes.”

“I need to get gone? You’re kicking me out of my own office?” He pouted and crossed his arms across his chest, “you can’t make me.” Frannie looked up and laughed, he looked too cute standing there with his bottom lip poking out. “Wanna bet?” He nodded his head, “it’s my office, I don’t have to leave if I don’t want to.” Frannie stood and nibbled on his bottom lip before sucking it into her mouth and then letting go, “I could not do that thing with my tongue again that you found so enjoyable last night.” His eyes widened and he raised his hands in defeat, “I’m going. Five minutes woman, I’ll be back in five minutes.” He strode to the door muttering something about evil women.

When he came back Frannie had retrieved her flash drive and was straightening the pages she had printed. She stood when she saw him in the doorway, “I’m finished so I’ll get out of your way now.” He crossed the room to her, “you’re really not going to show me?” Frannie shook her head, “nope. It’s part of my new project and I don’t want you to see it yet. She held out her hand to him, “I do, however, have something that I finished this morning that you can look at if you want.” He took her hand, “lead the way baby.”

They walked into her studio and Jon stopped and stared. She had finished the painting from the Philly Soul game she had started before they left for their trip. “You’ve got to let me hang this in their offices.” He spoke without taking his eye from the canvas. “This is amazing. They’re going to love it over there.” Frannie stepped next to him and laid her hand on his shoulder, “of course you can have it for the Soul offices. That’s why I finished it up today. You can take it with you the next time you go.” He turned and pressed his lips to hers, “thank you baby. This is great.” She opened her mouth to him and his tongue swept inside, sending her senses into overdrive. She dropped the stack of photos she had printed and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, giving herself over to the kiss.

Jon slowly eased back, nipping her lips as he did. He looked down and saw the photos scattered across the floor. Bring his eyes back to hers he smiled, “you dropped something baby.” Frannie’s eyes widened and she looked down, “dammit.” She bent to retrieve the pictures and Jon bent to help her, “getting started on your new project?” He glanced at the pictures he had picked up before handing them to her. She blew out a breath, “yes, but please don’t ask me about it. I’m still trying to figure it out before I put pencil to paper.” They stood at the same time and he handed her the last of the pictures, “okay baby, I’ll leave you to get to work.” He kissed her lightly again before leaving the room.

Frannie took the photos to the other side of the room and laid them out on the floor. She knew which one she wanted for the focal point of the drawing and it was just a matter of getting the rest fanned out around it so the drawing would flow right. Frannie looked down at the floor and decided she needed the pictures at eye level. She pulled her phone from her hip and called Jon in his office.

Jon had just set the phone on the desk when it rang again. “What?!” he asked a little harshly. “I didn’t mean to bother you babe but I have a question.” Jon ran his hand over his face, “sorry I barked at you. What do you need?” Frannie looked at the wall, “would you mind if I pinned a few things to the wall while I’m working?” Jon started scanning his e-mail as he was talking “no, go ahead, it’s your space now do whatever you want to it.” She bent to pick up a picture “thanks.” She clicked off and looked down at the pictures scattered around her, she was going to need a bigger sheet of paper.