by Dyanne Davis
“We are doing good. I don’t think we have a problem.”
“No?” He ran the pad of his finger over her body them moved behind her pressing his hardness into her rear end. “So tell me why I’m not ripping your dress off right this second and making love to you.”
“Because you don’t want to be late for the client.”
Chase tilted his head back and began slowly licking the side of her neck. “I want you Rebe in the worst way. I can’t take much more of being celibate.”
“Then why don’t you rip my clothes off. We can make love right now and make an excuse to the client.” Rebe turned around to face him and cupped him. She saw his jaw clench, saw the lust in his eyes but the moment he closed his eyes she was aware he was deciding which was the most important, his lust being slaked or the customer.
“We have to go. This will be the biggest case we’ve brought to the firm, if we can land it.”
“I know Chase. I promise when we get home tonight we’ll make love. I’ve missed you too.” And she had. She wished they would have done what came naturally to them. A few months ago they would have at least had a quickie. What had changed she wondered? Were they both looking for more?
Sam was standing in Kandi’s hot pink and lime green kitchen staring at Kandi in shock
because of the scheme she’d just asked Sam to take part in. “You want me to do what?”
“I want you to call Rebe and tell her you need her.”
She’s on a date with Chase, another one of those dinners where Chase tries to use Rebe’s body to close the deal. You told me about it a couple of days ago. So why are you all of a sudden wanting me to call her?”
“Your family’s in town. Do you realize in all the years we’ve been friends they’ve never met Rebe. They’ve met me, Jamie, my family and even Rebe’s family. But they haven’t met the woman you’re in love with.”
“How the hell would I have even gone about introducing her?
“Don’t you want her to meet your family?”
“There’s only one way I want her to meet them, and I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
“It’s not going to happen unless you make it happen.”
“You told me this meeting was important for Rebe, that she was really excited that Chase asked her to be on the case with him. Is that true?”
‘Yes, it’s true.”
“Then tell me why you want me to interfere.”
“If you don’t you’re going to lose her. She’s trying to convince herself that Chase is the man for her. We both know he isn’t. Come on, Sam, you have to make a move before it’s too late. Call Rebe and tell her you’re desperate, that you need her to go with you to dinner with your family. Tell her they’re determined to set you up and she’ll be saving you. Even if she says ‘no’ call her on it.”
“But if I tell her I want her to meet my family she might not come. She might think…”
“That you’re in love with her and want her to meet them.”
“This could blow up in my face. I’m trying to think of what other name she would call me beside a frog.”
“What does it matter if she shows up? If she does you know what it will mean.”
“Yeah, that she’s keeping her word about being my last minute date if I ever needed her. And that Chase will be sitting somewhere pissed at the both of us. He’d be pissed at you also if he were aware of your meddling.”
“Sam, come on, don’t be a coward. Rebe needs an out. This is your chance to give it to her. You can play it off like it’s no big deal if you want to, but do it. Your family needs to meet the woman you’re going to marry.”
“Or the woman whom I’ve told them to keep bail money, for the time when I’m going to kill her. Besides, I’m not sure I want to give Rebe an out. Why would I want her that way? Why can’t she just be honest with me and with Chase?”
“Because she’s nuts. And because she still thinks real life should happen in the same manner as the books she writes.” She needs you to rescue her.”
“She likes alpha males.”
Kandi laughed. “Believe me Sam, you are the alpha male. You just practice restraint. It’s time for you to make a bold move, if not Chase just might marry Rebe and you’ll have to wait a few years for both of them to admit they’ve made a horrible mistake. Think of it like this, you’d be saving a member of your sex from marrying a woman who doesn’t love him. You’d be doing Chase a tremendous favor.”
They laughed together and Sam thought harder about it. “I’m supposed to pick my family up. I made reservations for eight. What time is Rebe and Chase meeting their client?
“Seven thirty.”
“Kandi, that doesn’t give me or her much time. I told my family I was bringing you.”
“Which only means you won’t have to spring for more money. I’m assuming it’s your treat.”
“Of course. My father will attempt to pay and both of my brothers, but my mother will smile and hand me the check. She’s the only one who seems to understand I’m really not starving. By the way, you could still come.”
“And if I did it would take away the significance. It would reduce Rebe to being just another one of your female friends. That’s not what you’re going after.”
”You’ve got this all mapped out in your head. I didn’t agree to do it.” Sam began pacing as he thought the matter over. “This is going to be beyond risky.”
“Then I’d say go for it. Rebe’s not going to disappoint you, Sam. You may have to do a bit of begging to get her to leave Chase and their client, but I’m counting on her doing it.”
“I have no plans on begging Rebe.”
“Then don’t beg, but for God sake, call her.”
Sam paced about Kandi’s apartment. “If I decide to go along with you hair brain scheme, I have to time this right. I need to pick a restaurant that’s not too far from where she will be. I want her to be sitting down with the client, maybe even having a drink. I want to interrupt her at the moment she will be most invested in the client and in Chase. I want her to choose.”
“Sam.”
“Yeah, I know she might choose me because of the agreement. But that will be a start.” Instantly the horror of what he was about to do hit him. I’m manipulating her. I’m as bad as Chase. Neither of us are heroes.”
“There is a difference in you and Chase, Sam. Do you love Rebe?”
“Yes, I love her. You already know that.”
“And are you in love with her?”
“Hell yes, I am. But still, this isn’t right. I sort of promised Chase that I’d stop interfering in their relationship. Besides, in their own insane way I do believe they care about each other. I don’t think I can go through with it.”
“Look at it this way, you’ll only be making the call. Rebe has a choice.”
“Maybe if I don’t pour it on so heavy. And maybe if I leave off the nonsense about my family trying to find a wife for me. I could just tell her I’d like for her to meet my family.” He smiled. “I think I can handle that. Where is she having dinner with Chase?”
“Juseppia.”
What’s the closest restaurant to, Juseppia, that’s nice?
Immediately Kandi went on the internet and showed Sam more than a dozen restaurants that were within a few miles radius. “Take your choice,” she announced.
“Okay let me call and see if I can get reservations some place on such short notice.”
Sam had been pacing for twenty minutes, ever since he’d made new reservations. His family wouldn’t remember which restaurant he’d said he was taking them to so he wasn’t worried about that. He was worried about Rebe’s coming and at exactly what moment he would tell her what he’d done. Because there was no way he’d end the night without telling her. He knew he should have left to pick up his family but he wanted to call Rebe first. He rubbed his hands feeling nervous.
“Make the call,” Kandi yelled.
Turning in Kandi’s direction
Sam sighed and took another breath before taking out his phone. “I’ll text her and ask her to call me.”
“Coward.”
“Yes, this time I am.”
The three tables surrounding theirs had diners who were talking loudly enough to be overheard. Rebe hated people who carried their phones with them and talked during dinner with others. She thought it was beyond rude. But still she kept her phone close to her and kept it on vibrate. She had parents who might need her. There was no way she didn’t want them to be able to reach her.
When the pulsation of her phone vibrated against her body she smiled. It seemed if you thought about something it always happened. She just hoped it wasn’t anything too serious. She saw SOS from Sam and tilted her head wondering what could possibly be wrong.
“Excuse me,” she said to Chase and their client. “I have to take this call.” There was little need to explain it was merely a text, that would take much too long, and she didn’t want to get into anything with Chase about calling Sam. No, it was better this way.
As soon as she was in a private area she placed her call. “Sam, are you okay? What’s going on?”
“Rebe, I have a huge favor to ask. I know it’s a lot, but I would really appreciate it. Forgive me for the timing, but…”
“What is it?”
“My parents and my brothers are in town. I think I mentioned it to you.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“Sorry about that. Anyway, I intended to.”
“What’s the problem, Sam? Why an urgent SOS?”
“They’re leaving tomorrow. I’ve been telling them about you for years and promising that I’d introduce you. I know this is last minute. Anyway, here goes. I’m taking them out to dinner tonight. I have always wanted them to meet you, and they’d love to meet the woman who called me a frog. Would you be available to have dinner with us?”
“Sam, I’m having dinner with Chase and a client. We’ve already put in our orders. If I’d known sooner─”
“Thanks, anyway, Rebe. I shouldn’t have waited until the last moment to ask you. Good night, enjoy your dinner.”
Clicking the phone off, Sam turned toward Kandi, “She said no.” The moment the words were out of his mouth his phone rang again. Seeing it was Rebe he mouthed the word to Kandi
“Yes,” he answered doing his best to sound nonchalant.
“Sam, where would you like for me to meet you?”
“You’re coming?”
“Of course I am. I owe you.”
“Forget it, Rebe. This was a really bad idea. Thanks anyway.” Sam clicked the phone off and turned toward Kandi and glared at her.
“I shouldn’t have listened to you. This is so wrong and definitely not the way I want to get her.”
When his phone rang for the third time Sam groaned and released a breath. Closing his eyes he answered. “I don’t want you to come because of a debt, or because you promised you would.”
“I get the feeling this is something that’s important to you. Is it Sam?”
“Yes, it’s important to me that you meet my family.”
“I would like to meet your family, Sam
“What about Chase and your client?”
“Chase, will be ticked off, royally so. And the client will be disappointed. But they will both survive. Your family is important to you.” Rebe took in a deep breath and released it knowing full well what she was about to do. “And, Sam, you’re important to me. Where are you taking them for dinner?”
“Carter’s Steak House.”
“I’m at Juseppia, so that’s not too far away. What time?”
“Eight.”
“Eight! Are you crazy, Sam? You really did cut this close. Like I said, I’m not too far from there, but I don’t have my car. I’ll have to catch a taxi. There is no way I’ll arrive in time and I have no plans on taking the hit for being a flake who doesn’t arrive places on time. You, Kandi and Jamie all thought I was a flake and I’m sure one of you relayed those thoughts to your family. You make sure you tell them you didn’t ask me to come until the last second.”
“How about I tell them, you’ll be meeting us about 8:20.”
“That will work.”
“Good, then problem solved.”
“Sam, don’t think I didn’t notice that you didn’t say you hadn’t told your family I’m a flake.” He laughed and suddenly Rebe was floating on air. She hadn’t admitted it even to herself, but she’d felt a bit hurt and maybe a tad bit jealous that everyone had met Sam’s family but her. Meeting them felt right.
“Thanks, Rebe.” Sam pocketed his phone then turned toward Kandi, his heart bursting with joy. It was past time that his family met the woman he loved. Swinging Kandi up in his arms he laughed. “Thanks.”
Rebe cringed when she returned to her table. Some of her joy was tamped down. Chase would be livid, and he had every right to be. She didn’t blame him, but this was something she had to do. She couldn’t believe that her parents, and even Kandi’s family had met Sam’s family and she never had. How could that be possible?
Taking in a breath she smiled at the client and then looked at Chase noting his annoyance, not concern. That triggered something within her. He didn’t know if she’d left the table because of a medical emergency. He should at least wait until she told him what was going on to be annoyed with her.
There was no way around it. She had to tell him. Taking in several breaths hoping they would fill her with courage she nervously bit her lips before turning her gaze on Chase.
“Chase, I need to speak to you in private for a moment.” Turning slightly to her left she held out her hand. “Mr. Stone, I’m so sorry about this. I promise I’ll make it up to you after you’re a client with us. But right now I have to leave, please forgive me.” She pulled on Chase’s hand and he reluctantly followed her
“Rebe, this had better be good.”
“It is,” she said and continued walking toward the door of the restaurant. She was stalling. She didn’t want to tell him.
“What is it? Who’s ill?”
“It’s Sam.”
“Sam! Damn it, Rebe, he’d better be dying.”
Rebe’s mouth fell open and she stared at Chase. “I hope you didn’t mean that.”
“Rebe, we’re with a client. You know how important this is to us, to our careers, to the firm. I didn’t even make love to you because of this meeting. And you and I both know how much I wanted to. Now you’re here, and you’re leaving because of Sam.”
Chase was angry, no doubt about it, but suddenly Rebe wasn’t feeling so badly about it. “Look, I can give you a key to my apartment and you can let yourself in when you’re done here.” Chase didn’t answer, he merely glared.
Rebe opened her purse and fished inside for a spare key which she handed over to Chase. “I’m sorry, Chase, I have to go.”
“What’s wrong with Sam?”
“He wants me to meet his family.” Rebe didn’t dare look at Chase. She walked to the curb and stuck her hand in the air waving for a taxi. For the first time in her life she was able to grab a taxi in the blink of an eye. Once inside she heaved a sigh of relief. “Drive,” she said to the driver, wanting to get away from Chase’s scowling face as quickly as she could. Once the driver pulled away she calmed down enough to tell him where to take her.
Relaxing a bit Rebe did a bit of soul searching and realizing it, admitted the truth. She wanted to meet Sam’s parents. She wanted to finally do something nice for Sam. And she was telling him the truth. It wasn’t because of the promise she’d made to him when he’d taken her to the romance dinner. It was because since they’d returned from her parents she’d barely seen him. He’d been avoiding her and she missed him.
Rushing into the restaurant Rebe spotted Sam immediately. He was standing, scouring the restaurant, watching for her. The smile on his face made her stop in her tracks and her heart pounded. Suddenly her entire body was overcome with emotion, joy, happiness. She began
walking toward Sam and smiled as his family turned toward her. But it was not them she was interested in. It was the look in Sam’s eyes, the pure wonder, and love.
Ah, she thought would it be too corny, too much of the romance writer in her to say it was adoration on Sam’s face? But who cared about that? It was total and complete adoration. No one had ever looked at her in that manner and she was drowning in it. She could barely wait to reach him. Sam came forward and held his arms open and she went into them easily, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. With her head pressed against his chest she could hear his rapid heartbeat.
“Rebe, thank you,” Sam whispered.
“Thank you for asking me.”
She brought her head up slowly and their gazes collided. A moment before Sam’s lips touched hers, she whispered to him. “I promised Chase, I would stop kissing you.”
After the kiss was over Sam laughed and said, “Did you now?” Then he took her by the hand and introduced her to his family.
Her family a voice whispered to Rebe. This was how it was meant to be, Sam was who she was meant to be with.
They sat for hours laughing and talking as though they were all old friends. It appeared his family already knew a lot about her from Sam and Jamie and even Kandi she learned. She glanced toward Sam. “Why didn’t you ever introduce me to your family before?”
Sam shrugged. “Timing,” he finally said.
Before Rebe knew it, it was after one and Sam’s Parents were saying they had to leave. For some reason she didn’t want the night to end. She thought about Chase. She’d told him to wait in her apartment for her, that they would make love when she returned. But she’d turned off her phone and had no desire for the evening to end. When Sam’s brother asked if they’d like to continue talking in their hotel room, considering Sam had to take his parents back to the hotel and would be Rebe’s ride back to her apartment. Sam looked to her