The tightness around Bethany’s mouth started to subside. Flicking a snowflake from her coat as if it were a speck of dirt, she strolled into the parlor. “That would be lovely.”
“Great. Make yourself at home, and I’ll go put the kettle on.”
Jack watched as Ally hurried toward the kitchen before he followed Bethany into the parlor. He admired Ally’s tact in handling what could have been an explosive situation.
Bethany was lounging comfortably on the sofa. She patted the cushion next to her. “Come here and sit with me, love. The girl’s quite charming I have to admit, although a bit old fashioned, don’t you think? I’ve never heard anyone use the word ‘kettle’ before.”
Jack was used to Bethany’s sharp tongue, but he wouldn’t let her belittle Ally. He sent her a warning look and sat beside her.
She smiled seductively and wrapped her fingers around his hand. “She’s lovely, really.”
He knew she only said that to placate him. Anyone who threatened her spotlight became her prey, and with Ally’s classic features, she was sure to be a victim. Bethany’s icy looks were the complete opposite to Ally’s dark smoldering beauty. With champagne hair and pale blue eyes, Bethany turned heads wherever she went, but there was a hardness to her that kept her from being truly beautiful.
“Beth, what’s up? Why are you here?”
She leaned in so that her lips brushed his ear. “I’ve missed you,” she whispered, then with teeth as perfect as a strand of pearls, she began to nibble his lobe.
He pulled back, and she looked up.
“What’s wrong, love, you don’t desire me?”
“What’s wrong with you? It’s over between us. I thought that was made perfectly clear when I moved away.”
“Oh, darling, you know the phrase, ‘Distance makes the heart grow fonder.’ Well, that’s certainly been true for me. Hasn’t it been for you?”
Before he could answer, she pressed her lips against his and wrapped her arms around his neck.
The clatter of dishes enabled him to break free from the she-devil who’d held him captive.
Ally stood in the doorway clenching a tea tray. Her face was as white as her knuckles. At her feet lay shards of glass from a broken cup. “I-I’m sorry,’ she stammered, “I didn’t mean to interrupt, but the cup…well, it fell and…oh, never mind. I’ll clean it up later.” She set the tray down on a side table and raced from the room.
“Ally, wait.” Before Jack got up, Bethany grabbed his arm, keeping him firmly seated on the sofa.
“Let her go. Don’t go running after her like you’re her lover who’s just been caught cheating.” She raised one thinly penciled brow at him. “Unless, of course, there’s something I don’t know?”
Jack looked hard at her. “Why are you here, Bethany? What exactly do you want from me?”
“That’s simple. I want you, of course.”
“But why? We were over a long time ago.”
“You don’t really believe that. If that were true, you wouldn’t have kissed me back just now.”
“Kissed you back? Are you insane? I certainly did not!”
She looked at him coyly through a fringe of artificial lashes. “You don’t need to play hard to get. I know what I felt, and that kiss didn’t come from a cold fish. You want me, and I know it.”
Jack simmered. The woman had always been intolerable.
* * *
Bethany was everything Alice wasn’t. Worldly…elegant. She could have stepped off the pages of any fashion magazine. Next to her, Alice felt like a church mouse—drab and boring. How could she ever expect to compete with someone like that? Was it any wonder she’d found Bethany in Jack’s arms?
She leaned against the kitchen counter and blinked back the tears that burned beneath her lids. Despite Jack’s protests, it was evident he wasn’t over Bethany. How could she have been so stupid as to think Jack might fall in love with her? Beneath this young, attractive exterior, she was still the same old Alice—a pitifully shy, self-conscious recluse.
“You’re not giving up, are you?”
“What?” Her startled gaze scanned the kitchen, but the voice seemed to come out of nowhere.
“You don’t have much time left. You should use it wisely.”
She recognized the tin angel’s lilting voice. “Where are you?”
“Over here.”
The sound came from the direction of the pantry. She ran across the room and yanked open the door.
“I must have overshot the kitchen,” the angel said with a chuckle. “Why are you in here when Jack is in the other room with that woman?”
Ally shrugged. “I can’t compete with someone like that.”
The angel floated nearer. “Of course you can.”
She shook her head sadly. “Jack seemed to like me, but now…now that his ex-girlfriend is here…well, it looks like she won’t be his ex much longer.”
“Then what are you waiting for? You’ve been given a second chance. A chance to experience all the things you missed the first time around. Go after what you want. You’ve nothing to lose.”
She paused for a moment. “But how can I compete with Bethany?”
“You don’t have to. Just be yourself.”
“If I could only figure out who that is.”
“I have faith in you. Now don’t waste any more time wallowing in self-doubt.”
Alice looked toward the parlor, where Jack and Bethany were probably locked in each other’s arms. “I don’t know how to get him to want me more than her.” She turned back to the angel, but she spoke to an empty room. The tin angel was gone.
“Why do you always leave like that, with no warning, and when I still have so many things to ask you?”
Alice thought back over her life, past the decades of loneliness to a time when she’d been filled with love and happiness…to those few short years she’d spent with Tom. She’d forgotten those feelings, having buried them long ago in an attempt to relieve her grief, but she was starting to remember… Jack was making her remember, and she liked that feeling. She recalled the tin angel’s words: “Go after what you want.” Maybe she was right. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to fight for love. Besides, how else would she know what Jack’s real feelings were?
When she entered the parlor, she was surprised to see Jack standing by the window, staring out at the snow-covered lawn. Bethany sat on the sofa, scowling at Jasper as he attempted to rub against her black wool pants. Hardly the picture of a loving couple.
She crossed the room to stand beside Jack, pretending not to see Bethany’s pointed stare. “What’s up?”
He gritted his teeth. “I’m going to show Bethany my apartment, then get rid of her.”
“Really?”
“Of course. What you saw…well, it’s not what you think.”
Bethany sashayed over, placing a possessive arm about Jack’s waist. “Come on, love, I’m ever so anxious to see that apartment of yours.”
Jack glared at Bethany, then turned to Alice. “I better get going. I’ll talk to you later.”
Sure you will. The thought of what Bethany would do once she got Jack alone made her wrinkle her nose in distaste. What could she do, though? Jack needed to handle this situation in his own way.
She heard the front door open, then footsteps out on the porch.
Well, Alice, you certainly lost that round.
* * *
Jack needed a miracle. One that would send Bethany back to Boston. No matter how many times he told her things were over between them, she refused to believe it. As warped as it might be, his disinterest turned her on. There was nothing Bethany liked better than a challenge. But no matter how hard she tried to seduce him, he was not going to give in. She turned him on about as much as a can of split-pea soup.
“Nice place. A little small, but nice.” Bethany stood in the center of his living room, surveying her surroundings.
Although warm and homey, his apartment was by no means her taste
. Most of his furniture had come from Alice’s attic: a couple of overstuffed chairs, a few small tables, a wooden rocker, and an old sofa. By the look on her face, she wasn’t impressed. No surprise there. He didn’t own a leather sectional or a piece of chrome.
“Have a seat,” he said.
She hesitated a moment, then perched on the edge of the rocker, as if its age alone might dirty her clothes.
“Beth, I appreciate you making the drive here…and with the snow and all—”
“How sweet of you, but you don’t have to thank me.”
Thank you? I wish you hadn’t come. He raked his fingers through his hair in frustration.
She prowled across the room to stand in front of him, then curled her arms around his back, pressing her body close to his. “I wanted to be with you,” she purred. “I’ve missed you. We were good together. I want that back.”
How differently she remembered things. He couldn’t think of a time when he wasn’t miserable, but then he wasn’t the one doing the nagging and complaining and trying to turn her into something she wasn’t. No, she’d been the one doing that to him, and there was no way he was going to get sucked back into her manipulative trap.
He disengaged himself from her embrace, and, keeping her at arm’s length, looked her straight in the eyes. “This is not going to work. I don’t love you.”
She stared back at him, disbelief written all over her face. She opened her mouth, but the ringing of her cell phone delayed her reply. Grabbing the phone from her purse, she looked like she wanted to hurl it across the room.
“Hello,” she growled into the mouthpiece. “Randolph, this is really bad timing.” She was silent for a moment while listening to what her boss had to say. The only sound that came from her was the drumming of her perfectly manicured nails against his table.
Jack hoped this phone call meant she had to go back to Boston. He leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms over his chest while he waited for her to finish her conversation.
“Are you crazy? I only just got here.” Her voice was high-pitched and very close to a screech.
A few more seconds went by while she listened to Randolph. She chewed her bottom lip, twisting her mouth to the side in an unattractive shape. “But I’d planned to ring in the New Year with Jack.” Her tone had changed to a spoiled-child whine.
He hated to get too hopeful, but it was beginning to look like he just might get his wish.
“Yes, Randolph, I’ll be careful driving.” She dropped the iPhone back into her purse and looked up at him. Her eyes glistened with tears. He wasn’t sure if that was due to disappointment or annoyance at not getting her way.
“I’m so sorry, Jack, but I’m not going to be able to spend the holiday with you after all. Randolph needs me back at the station. I’ve got to fill in for my replacement who’s suddenly come down with the flu. How ridiculous is that?”
Looked like someone did hear his prayer. “When are you leaving?”
“Now,” she said flatly, straightening the coat she hadn’t bothered to remove. “Maybe this has worked out for the best.” She took both his hands in hers and squeezed. “I think you need to take some more time to think about us; then maybe you’ll realize how much I really do mean to you.”
It didn’t even occur to her that she might not be what he wanted, he thought dryly. He kissed her cheek with the same amount of passion a brother would a sister, then walked her out to her car. When he turned back toward the house, he caught a glimpse of a lace curtain falling across Alice’s parlor window. Had Ally been watching?
He climbed the steps to the front porch and rapped on her door. She opened it immediately, almost as if she’d been expecting him.
“Where’s your girlfriend going?” Sarcasm laced her words.
“Home. And she’s not my girlfriend.”
Ally raised a brow. “Does she know that?”
Jack shivered without his coat and folded his arms across his chest. “Can I come in please, or are you going to let me freeze out here while we play games?”
“I’m not the one playing games. You’re the one who kissed the peroxide queen—” Ally slapped her hand over her mouth, obviously embarrassed by her outburst.
A smile twitched the corners of Jack’s mouth. He liked that spunky side of her. Sidestepping her, he walked into the house. “I can explain—”
“No, no. You don’t have to.” The fire had left her eyes, and her shoulders sagged. “I had no right to behave that way. No right to care who you kiss or where.”
He wiped his boots on the doormat. “Of course you do, and it’s not what you think.”
“I know what I saw,” she said flatly.
“No, you know what you think you saw.” He moved into the parlor and flopped down on the sofa. “Bethany’s tough, and she doesn’t give up easily. She comes on strong and is really good at catching me before I can defend myself.”
She eyed him suspiciously. “So you’re trying to say that you were just an unwilling victim?”
Jack leaned his elbow on the arm of the sofa and rested his chin in his hand. “Yes.” He watched Ally’s defensive pose, her arms across her chest, her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “I care about Bethany, and I don’t enjoy having to hurt her,” he continued, “but I don’t have romantic feelings for her.”
“I see.” Ally’s eyes sparkled again. “So then I’d be correct if I were to assume you’d let Bethany or any woman kiss you in order to spare her feelings?” She moved across the room and sat down next to him. She leaned in closely. “You wouldn’t want her to feel rejected.”
Her lips were full and moist and just inches away…
“Is that what you’re saying Jack?”
His mind whirled…the scent of her cologne…her hair tickling his neck… “No, well, not exactly,” he sputtered, not knowing quite how to respond or exactly what she was up to, but he did know he wanted her to kiss him. Now!
“Maybe, maybe. Yes,” he said, playing along with her, hoping he’d feel her soft body pressed against his.
“Okay. I’ll remember that if I ever need a quick boost to my ego,” she said smartly as a big, smug smile spread across her face.
Touché, Ally. Before she could say anything else, he pulled her into his arms. “You’re the only woman I want to kiss,” he said, bringing his mouth down on hers.
* * *
Alice had wanted desperately to initiate the kiss, but that would’ve been too bold. She was only just learning to flirt. And doing a darn good job at it, too, she had to admit. So when Jack kissed her, she didn’t resist. A tingle of excitement ran through her. Maybe New Year’s wouldn’t be so bad, after all.
“Is all forgiven?” he whispered against her hair.
She rolled her eyes and snuggled against his chest. “Only if you can forgive me for acting like a jealous girlfriend.”
“I liked that.”
She wrinkled her brow. “What? The jealous part or the girlfriend part?”
“Both.”
Her insides jangled with excitement. Had she heard him correctly? Could he possibly mean he wanted her to be his girlfriend? “I don’t understand—”
He silenced her with another kiss. She melted against him, momentarily forgetting her worries. All that mattered was that she was in his arms. His kiss deepened, arousing such passion that she thought she might explode with desire.
But her happiness was bittersweet. She had just a little over twenty-four hours left; then her miracle transformation would end. She’d had a wonderful taste of youth, the way it should be lived, and she’d found love again. But in order to have a real second chance at life, she had to tell Jack the truth. True love wasn’t based on secrets and lies.
She opened her mouth to speak. No words came out. Her courage evaporated with one thunderous beat of her heart. If she told him now, she could ruin the time they had left together. He might not believe her, or worse, he might think she was nuts. A chill raced up her spine.
<
br /> “You’re shivering,” he said, holding her closer.
“No, I’m fine.”
“You can’t fool me.” He drew back to study her. “I can see that you’re cold. I’ll get you a blanket if you’ll save my spot.” He rose from the sofa.
“Only if you’re back before Jasper takes it,” she teased. The cat sat by the Christmas tree ready to pounce onto the sofa so he could curl up next to her.
“I won’t be long.”
Jack left the parlor, returning a few minutes later, carrying a winter coat and a pair of boots. Alice’s coat and boots! Oh Lord, he must have found them at the back of her closet while he was looking for a blanket.
He stared at her in confusion; then his blue eyes darkened into cold, hard rage.
A long, uncomfortable silence stretched between them. She turned her gaze away, unable to bear the look of wounded fury burning in his eyes.
“What are these?” he demanded.
She stared back at him, digging her nails into her palm until it hurt. “Alice’s clothes.” Her shaky voice betrayed her distress.
“Exactly! Why are they here and not with her? I would think she’d be awfully cold traveling without them.” His voice was cool, but it was his expression that bothered her the most. Gone was the loving way he looked at her. His mouth was taut with disapproval, and in that moment, she believed he hated her.
Her heart thudded wildly against her chest, making it difficult to breathe. She inhaled small gulps of air while she tried to think of a reasonable explanation to offer him. “I-I think Alice was wearing a parka when she left.”
He unclenched his jaw and spoke with forced civility. “Her suitcases are in the closet, and so is her purse. I don’t think she’d go anywhere without those.”
She plucked at the armrest, pulling loose the old threads that barely held the worn fabric together. A horrible pounding beat against her head. “I’m sure there’s an explanation,” she said wearily.
“No more stalling. I want the truth, and I want it now.” He leaned against the doorframe as if using it for support.
She closed her eyes against the terrible feeling of dread that washed over her. There was no way out of it this time. She would have to tell him the truth. He would either believe her or not. She opened her eyes slowly and took a deep, steadying breath. “I’m afraid I haven’t been completely honest with you.”
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