Her Leading Hero

by Maggie Dallen

  But when his stepmother’s smile widened and her eyes grew soft and teary, Tamara’s grip loosened slightly.

  “Oh, my dear. How good it is to see you again.” Elena pulled Tamara in for a hug that, by the looks of it, knocked the wind out of her. She whispered something in Tamara’s ear before releasing her. Whatever she’d said must have helped, because some of the fear was gone from Tamara’s face and she didn’t cling to his arm for support.

  He hoped the look he gave his stepmother effectively relayed how grateful he was. He’d known she would be an ally tonight, but it still warmed his heart to see her take Tamara under her wing.

  On cue, she tucked Tamara’s hand through her arm and led her off toward a group of women who were laughing near the bar the catering company had set up. “Come with me, my dear. There are so many people I’d like you to meet.” She threw Gregory a wink over her shoulder as she led his date into the fray. “I trust you’ll be all right on your own, my sweet?”

  He waved them off in reply and gave Tamara an encouraging smile when she gave him a wide-eyed look over her shoulder.

  He kept to the sidelines for most of the party, too distracted with keeping a watchful eye on his date to be much use at the small talk these events required. He needn’t have worried, it seemed. After the first introductions were made, the tension in Tamara eased away, and with some urging from his mother, she started to take part in conversation.

  By the time an hour had passed, Tamara looked like she was in her element. She still looked shy, but he caught glimpses of the mystery woman he’d first met. He grinned as he sipped his whiskey. By the time this night was over, she would be out of her shell. And he’d helped.

  “That arrogant smirk doesn’t suit you.”

  Gregory’s smile melted at the sound of his father’s voice behind him. “Father,” he said. “Merry Christmas.”

  “What were you thinking bringing her here?”

  And happy holidays to you, too.

  His father’s remark had an age-old anger simmering in his blood, adrenaline coursing through him as his body reacted to the harsh but familiar tone. He could hardly remember a time when his father didn’t use that tone with him—the one that screamed “you’re a disappointment” without him having to say a word. He should have known his father would react like this. Whatever had brought his father and stepmother together, it wasn’t a shared sense of compassion.

  “Is she your new girlfriend now?” his father demanded.

  Gregory glared at him, unable to think of the right response. Was she his girlfriend? They hadn’t discussed it, really, and he sure as hell didn’t want to have “the talk” with his father before they’d had a chance to make things clear.

  Apparently his lack of a response was answer enough, because his father sneered at him. “This is your problem right here.”

  Gregory looked around him before turning back to his father. “What problem? I don’t see a problem.”

  His father continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “You don’t think ahead to the consequences.”

  Gregory rolled his eyes. He knew this speech by heart, but the words rankled every time he heard them. “I know, I know. You want me to be more respectable. More responsible. More like you.”

  And that was the crux of it, really. His father wanted Gregory to be his spitting image, but he’d gotten more from his mother than just her dark hair and eyes. He’d gotten her temperament, too. And that was unforgivable in his father’s eyes. He would never approve of the man he’d become. He should have given up hope by now—Lord knew Gregory had given up trying to win his approval.

  “You’re not thinking this through, as usual,” his father said.

  Gregory’s jaw clenched shut. His father never approved of the women in his life. He should be used to it by now. He had gotten used to it to some extent. With Vanessa, his father’s snide remarks about her flighty ways had never really bothered him. Not like this. Maybe because Vanessa could stick up for herself, but Tamara was still fragile. The last thing she should have to face was his father’s disapproval. “In case you’ve forgotten, I’m a grown man. I don’t need your permission for the women I choose to date.”

  “Oh, grow up,” his father said.

  Gregory jerked back at that. His father’s tone held more frustration than contempt, but the words still stung. He was in his early thirties and had done well for himself by anyone’s standards. Anyone except his father, apparently. He forced back the anger—that would only encourage his father. Instead he kept his voice cool. “That’s my point exactly, Father. I am grown up, which is why your opinion on who I date is not only unwelcome, it’s out of line.”

  His father ignored him. He was too busy shaking his head. “You have to see that this is different, Gregory. For God’s sake, the girl is an employee of The Blanchard Group now.”

  The fact that his father had a valid point rubbed his nerves, and he found himself losing the cool, calm tone his father detested. “It’s not as though she’s my assistant. She’s running what amounts to a charity. And don’t try and make it out that her employee status is what you find fault with. We both know better.”

  He met his father’s stare, and the older man didn’t try to look away. “No, that’s not my only issue with you taking up with the Vanguard girl.”

  The Vanguard girl. Of course that’s how he saw her. His father probably looked at her and only saw the disgrace that her parents went through…. The scandal that turned a “good girl” into a runaway.

  His father leaned in and lowered his voice. “Do you really think you are good for her?”

  Gregory’s mouth fell open in surprise. A jolt of pain twisted his chest. His father had struck a nerve. Well done, Dad.

  Was he good for her? Lord knew, he’d try to be. But Vanessa’s words were plaguing him. She’d seemed so convinced that he would hurt Tamara, and Vanessa had never even met her. She had no idea how vulnerable Tamara really was. And now his father was saying what amounted to the same thing.

  That he couldn’t be trusted to be there for her. That he’d bail at the first sign of trouble. Yes, maybe he’d done that in the past. But this was different. Tamara was different.

  Like a dog with a bone, his father kept going, his voice filled with scorn and disapproval. “What do you honestly think will come of this? Do you really believe that you are this poor girl’s white knight? That you with your notoriety and your flashy ways can provide the stability that she needs?”

  The words so closely echoed his own doubts that he couldn’t ignore them. The fact that his father had touched on the truth only made his anger more intense. Rage flooded through him at his father’s lack of faith in him and in his presumptuous statement about Tammy. As if this man had any idea what Tamara needed.

  “It’s just like you to want to play hero,” his father continued. “But how long will it last this time?”

  The words stung, but there was no way he would give his father the satisfaction of letting him see how accurate his aim had been with that barbed comment. The old urge to strike back came swift and strong.

  “Don’t act like you care about Tammy.”

  His father’s lips tightened. He knew that look. Disappointment. “Of course I care about her. I remember her from when she was a little girl. Such a sweet young thing.”

  And what about me? His father had known him since birth, but that didn’t automatically mean he cared about him. What about what he needed? What about what was good for him? Had his father ever cared about that?

  “She was always such a good girl,” his father continued. “Obedient. Dutiful.”

  Ah, there it was. That was what it all came down to. Tamara was the golden child in his father’s eyes. She was everything his father had hoped Gregory would be. Until she’d caused a scandal.

  His father’s mind seemed to be going down the s
ame track. He scowled off into the distance. “Such a shame she turned out to be quite troubled.”

  The urge to defend Tamara was nearly as strong as his disgust with his father. Now it all became clear. It wasn’t concern for her that had his father balking at the idea of them as a couple. He just didn’t want his precious family name associated with her scandal.

  Of course, he should have seen it right away. He was attacking Gregory, making him doubt his ability to make Tamara happy…and why? To keep his precious pride intact. Heaven forbid his son’s happiness take precedence over the family name.

  The rush of age-old bitter anger was familiar and blinding. How many years had he heard his father say that he should be dating someone from within their circle? Well now he finally was and even that wasn’t good enough. Oh no, not for the almighty Blanchards. It must be killing his father to know that he’d found the only upper crust debutante with a scandal. Well, too freakin’ bad. His father might have an issue with her past, but he sure as hell wouldn’t let family pride get in the way of true happiness.

  His voice was gravelly with rage when he finally trusted himself to speak. “You’re just pissed that I’ve finally done as you’ve asked—I’ve gone and found myself a sweet girl from a good family—and she’s damaged goods.” Gregory barely recognized his own voice. It was filled with years’ worth of cynicism and hurt.

  His father’s brows lowered and his scowl intensified. “Gregory—” he started, his voice filled with warning. But Gregory didn’t want to hear it. This was the last time his father would stick his nose in his personal business. The last time he’d speak of Tamara as if he knew her. Knew them.

  The irony of it was too much, and it was the perfect weapon to throw in his father’s face. “Admit it, Dad. It’s driving you nuts. I found the perfect girl like you asked me to…and it turns out she’s crazy. That’s why you don’t want me with Tammy. Admit it.”

  In his anger, his voice had gotten too loud. The ensuing silence felt equally loud. He nearly winced along with his father at the harshness in his tone, the bitterness and spite he hadn’t even tried to hide.

  But before he could say something to dispel the tension and salvage the conversation, they were interrupted by a voice behind him. A soft, sweet, unbearably sad voice.

  “It’s not Tammy anymore, actually. I prefer to go by Tamara now.”

  Chapter 10

  Tamara surprised herself by how much she enjoyed the party. This was her worst fear come to life, yet somehow…she found herself having fun.

  With the help of Gregory’s stepmother, Tamara had met everyone who was anyone, or at least that was how it felt. Several she remembered from her childhood, and they greeted her as warmly as Elena had. Whether their words were sincere didn’t matter—they’d made her comfortable. Best of all, they didn’t bring up her parents and her rift with them.

  Thank God. It was hard enough seeing reminders of her family. If she’d been forced to talk about them, she might have broken down. Each time she saw someone she recognized, she couldn’t help but wonder if they would tell her parents they had seen her.

  Did she want them to? That was a question she was hard-pressed to answer. On one hand the thought terrified her. She had no idea what they thought of her at this point, or if their relationships were even salvageable. But, at the same time, the thought that they would get word that she was here in New York and doing okay…well, maybe it would be the opening they all needed to bridge the gap.

  Thanks to years of practice, she didn’t allow herself to dwell on her family issues too long, firmly shoving those thoughts out of her mind as she focused on the task at hand.

  Besides, the majority of the people Elena introduced her to were strangers, and with them she was very nearly comfortable. Elena managed to steer the topic to the theater and their work there and stepped back as Tamara took over, explaining the theater’s history, its mission, and the type of support they were looking for.

  The guests were receptive and warm—whether it would lead to any money remained to be seen, but it was a start.

  Best of all, Tamara had overcome a hurdle, and a massive one at that.

  The funny thing was, after six years, this party marked the first time she actually felt like she’d moved forward in her life. As she listened and smiled as one of the guests regaled her and Elena with a story, Tamara found herself marveling at her own progress.

  How crazy to think that after all this time, she’d finally taken a step in the right direction, and she’d done it by going backward, essentially. Because this was exactly the type of function—including some of the same people—her parents would have dragged her to.

  She’d run away from all of this in the hopes that she could start a new life, but in reality she hadn’t really been living at all. Oh, she’d had a job and she’d made some dear friends, but she’d kept herself so cut off from everyone. She’d hidden huge parts of her life, and there was no way to hide your life without cutting off a piece of your soul. She’d gotten so accustomed to it that she hadn’t even realized what she’d been missing.

  Not until Gregory.

  She glanced over and saw him talking to his father. Not a terribly pleasant exchange, if Gregory’s dark scowl was anything to go by.

  Sneaking glances, she tried to look like she was paying attention to the elderly woman who was talking, but her eyes kept coming back to Gregory as if they had a mind of their own.

  God, he was hot. And he was hers! Maybe. Sort of.

  Way to jump the gun, Tam. They hadn’t had “the talk”; nothing was official. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t hope. It had been so long since she’d let herself dream about finding love again—it was almost too terrifying to think about. But if there was anyone who could help her move forward, it was Gregory. Her hero. She bit back a goofy grin at the thought. But it was the truth. Until he’d come along, she’d been living in a bubble, isolating herself with her fears and her insecurities.

  Taking a deep breath, she waited for a pause in the conversation before making her excuses and sidling toward Gregory. After everything he’d done for her, the least she could do was save him from an unpleasant chat with his father.

  She’d nearly reached his side when his words struck her. She jerked back as if he’d slapped her across the face. Damaged goods.

  Freezing in place, she struggled to catch her breath as the words ricocheted through her brain. Maybe he didn’t mean it, maybe he wasn’t talking about her, maybe—

  But he kept talking, and she couldn’t pretend he was talking about someone else. “…I found the perfect girl like you asked me to…and it turns out she’s crazy.”

  The ground shifted beneath her feet as her stomach went into a free fall. Everything she’d been running from, it was all right here in front of her. The words coming out of his mouth mocked her for thinking that she’d moved forward, that her past mistakes hadn’t followed her.

  Hearing those words from anyone would have been painful…but coming from Gregory? The pain was brutal. His derisive tone cut her heart as surely as a knife. And then came the paranoid thoughts she couldn’t bear to face.

  Was that what this had been about from the beginning? Had Gregory been using her to spite his father? Because that was exactly what it sounded like. Gregory might not be able to take off in his father’s car these days, but he could do much worse. He could date society’s pariah.

  He could pretend to care for her. He could make her think that he loved her.

  He could make her fall in love with him.

  A sob choked her and made breathing impossible. Tears welled up behind her eyes, but before she lost it completely, she saw Gregory’s father watching her over Gregory’s shoulder, and some semblance of pride had her swallowing back tears.

  Pity. She’d seen it clear as day in his gaze. That was one thing she couldn’t bear. A second later
Gregory turned and saw her. Guilt was written all over his face the moment he spotted her.

  But she didn’t want his guilt—that was one step above pity. He felt sorry for her. Sorry for hurting her.

  Pride had her straightening her spine and finding her voice. She said the first thing she could think of, latching on to the anger she felt whenever she heard her old nickname.

  “It’s not Tammy anymore, actually. I prefer to go by Tamara now.”

  Stupid. It was a ridiculous thing to say given what she’d overheard. She should shout at him or slap him, even. But either option meant making a scene, and that meant drawing attention to herself. It meant whispers, rumors, and gossip.

  She wouldn’t give them the satisfaction.

  So she ran away.

  Turning and weaving through the crowd, she ran back toward the front door, shaking off Gregory’s hand when he tried to stop her and blocking out the sound of his voice as he called after her.

  * * * *

  Gregory was in hell. Or rather, he was in a booth in the back of a dive bar sitting across from his best friend—but it might as well have been hell.

  “It’s been twenty-four hours,” Gregory said, holding up his phone to Ben for proof. “I’ve texted, I’ve called, I’ve staked out the theater… I’ve done everything short of sending smoke signals, but she’s avoiding me.”

  Ben didn’t look at the phone. He nodded and shoved a handful of bar nuts into his mouth. “Yeah. Sounds like you really messed up, buddy.” He didn’t even pretend to flinch in the face of Gregory’s glare. “You know it’s true.”

  Gregory sighed and let his head fall back against the back of the booth. “Of course I know it. Why do you think I’ve been stalking her? I need to apologize.”

  Ben took a swig of his beer. “Yeah, you do.”

  He narrowed his eyes on his friend. “What do you know?”