A Girl Worth Waiting For (The Worthy Series Book 1)

by S. M. Smith

  “What are you drinking tonight, then?” I ask. She walks around the bar and pulls out a bottle of sparkling white grape juice. She giggles, all giddy with her glow, and her enthusiasm finally gets ahold of me, causing me to start giggling too.

  “Shall we make our rounds?” she asks as she loops her arms through mine.

  We spend what feels like a good hour mingling with everyone. Shaina introduces me to everyone I haven’t met as if she and I have been friends for years. I have to admit, her being so comfortable around me is putting me at ease, helping me to forget I’ve been left to myself again. That is until we finally get to the group of guys Caleb has been talking to since I was out on the balcony. We approach as one of the men finishes a joke and mid-laugh, Caleb realizes I’m standing behind him.

  “Hey, you,” he says as he pulls me next to him. He goes to kiss my forehead and I smell whiskey on his breath. “What have you girls been up to? All caught up on your gossip?” he asks, looking pointedly at Shaina.

  “You could say that.” She winks at me as she takes a sip of her juice.

  Lucas starts bragging about their trip to Fiji and the fun they had, just the two of them. I start to feel a little jealous again at the thought that Caleb and I haven’t had much “just the two of us” time since he has been back.

  Caleb’s hand starts playing with the fabric on my dress and I feel his fingers slip into the opening of my back, rubbing his thumb in light circles. Immediately I feel chills down my back and I shudder. He feels me move and gently pulls me closer to him. I look up at him, trying to show him some unease with where his hand has landed, but he doesn’t look at me to get my look. So I step away from him and down the rest of my glass.

  Shaina gives me a curious look, seeing I’m uncomfortable and she nods back toward the kitchen. I nod and try to get Caleb’s attention again, but he doesn’t look my way. So we excuse ourselves, as my temper starts to rise.

  “What’s wrong?” Shaina asks when we just get out of earshot.

  “I’m just frustrated with him,” I say after taking a few, unhelpful, breaths.

  “Yeah…I kind of got that already,” she encourages gently.

  “It’s just, he brings me to parties or dinners like these and then leaves me to fend for myself, totally forgetting that he brought me half the time.” A look flashes across her face. “Not to say that you’re not fantastic company or that I’m having a horrible time tonight. But I’m just tired of being his arm candy. I want him to choose to spend time with me. To find me as important or interesting as anyone else who captures his attention at these events.” I know I’m starting to sound like a spoiled brat, so I take a big drink and think before I say anything else.

  “He’s been distant.” She gives me an amused look. “Okay, not just because he’s been in London for over a week. But, take the night before he left, for instance. He stopped by my place to give me my gift, which by the way,” I throw my arm out to show her the bracelet, “is-“

  “Lovely! Holy crap, Jessie! That has to be-“

  “Too much. It’s too much! It’s not me and I don’t think that he truly gets that.” She gives me a look that says she agrees. “Never mind that. We were…having a moment, and then his phone rang and then he was all ‘I have to go.’ And wouldn’t tell me what was so important. He changed his plans last minute, which I get why and all, but then he doesn’t even try to make any time for me before he leaves. I am a quality time kind of person and the only quality time I get is when he wants to strip my clothes from me, which he knows isn’t going to happen any time soon. He hasn’t even met my dad yet.”

  I didn’t realize I was verbally vomiting that all out until I finish. Since Daphne’s so completely Team Stephen, I haven’t been able to talk to her about all this. So I take full advantage of Shaina’s question. By the look on her face, I don’t think she expected me to be so open about my relationship.

  “Wow….You are so gracious.” I don’t have a clue as to why she would say that, and apparently it shows on my face. She guides me over to a corner where a quaint, yet modern, boxy white leather loveseat sits and we take a seat.

  “He puts you in a world that is totally foreign to you and leaves you there to fend for yourself. He keeps doing this and you keep forgiving him for it? Then he doesn’t value any extra time with you, all he wants is the one thing he knows you won’t give and you keep forgiving him?” She pauses to search my eyes as if to tell me that I need to wake up. “You need to stop. Put your foot down and tell him. What happened before he left? When he got the phone call; what did he say?”

  “The phone rang once, he checked it and said he needed to go. Then it rang a second time and he answered saying he was on his way and that he had an errand to run, but was on his way.” A new wave of anger runs through me as I remember what he said. “He called me an errand!” I say a little too loudly.

  Shaina’s eyes bug a little, but not because I’m being so loud. Recognition hits her and she tries to hide it, but I totally see it.

  “What?” I ask. I ask again when she doesn’t answer immediately, “What is it, Shaina?”

  “It’s probably nothing. It’s just that his ex, Amanda, well I ran into her before our trip. She said she had the chance to catch up with him the other day. She said he looked good,” she says with a disgusted look on her face. “She’s kind of nasty, actually. I don’t know what he ever saw in her really.” She side-tracks.

  “Shaina!” I pull her back from her rambling, snapping in her face. “Do you think he has been with her? Like recently?”

  “I don’t think so, but-“ she stops and plasters a fake smile on her face. I follow her gaze to see the boys, just a few feet away, head our way so I put on my best faux smile, too.

  “Hey, we are only thirty minutes away from the countdown!” Lucas says all excited as he scoops Shaina in a tight embrace, pressing a kiss into her. “Does anyone need a refill?” he asks as they come back for air. I turn to Caleb, seething with what Shaina just told me.

  “I need some air. Care to join me?” I ask, practically pulling him toward the balcony. We step out into the night air, but this time, the four glasses of champagne I’ve downed, plus the pile of new information I’ve acquired, has had the chance to warm my blood. Caleb tries to pull me into him to kiss me, but I push him away.

  “What’s wrong?” he asks.

  “Is something going on with you? Are you still interested in being with me? Because if you’re not then we need to just-“

  “Whoa,” he says gently. “Where is this all coming from?”

  “You have evaded meeting my dad twice now. You omitted being called away from your trip to London a month ago, then you get called into leaving for London a weekend early. A weekend, I might add, that you promised was supposed to be spent with me, doing what I want to do. Then the first thing you do when you get back is take me to another party where you leave me to hang out with your best friend’s wife while you go hang with the guys. I haven’t even begun on that shady exit you made the night you gave me my Christmas gift. I am losing the ability to see how I fit in your life as something other than arm candy, and to be quite honest with you, I’m not looking for some expensive fling.” I stop to take a breath and he takes the opportunity to swoop in.

  He puts his hands on my hips and pulls me into a firm embrace. He hugs me tight, causing my muscles to relax, but my insides are still crashing around as if they are in a hurricane.

  “And I-“ I start up again.

  “Stop. Jessie, just calm down and stop.” He loosens his arms just a bit so that I can look up at him and he kisses my forehead. “Next Saturday night.”

  “What about next Saturday night?” I ask, sniffling. Again with the dumb tears betraying just how frustrated I am with the whole issue. He pulls a hand up to wipe a tear from my cheek and replaces his arm back around me immediately.

  “I want to meet your dad next Saturday night,” he tells me gently. “As long as he leaves his shotg
un in his safe,” he jokes as an afterthought. A chuckle escapes my chest.

  “I’ll let him know. But no guarantees on the shotgun.” I nuzzle my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat for a moment. He lays his chin on the top of my head. We just stand there, facing the beautiful nighttime sky.

  “I know I keep saying it, but I truly am sorry,” he says after a few minutes.

  “You’re not forgiven,” I tell him soberly.

  “Good.” I pull back to look curiously at him. “I don’t need to be let off the hook. You’re right. I did promise you time that I didn’t give you. I always keep my promises, but I haven’t with you. I don’t deserve to be let off so easily. But I’m done putting you on the back burner.” It is relieving to hear him say that, but a part of my heart wonders if he is just blowing smoke again.

  “I’m serious. I am going to try harder,” he says after watching me process his words. Before I can respond, the crowd inside starts chanting the countdown. I start to move inside, but he holds me in place. When everyone yells “Happy New Year,” he leans down and gently kisses me, holding me firmly. I wish I could say I thought he wanted more out of that kiss, but everything about his posture says he is just fine with what he gets. And while part of me is satisfied that he can show that, another part of me wonders if he doesn’t want more from me, who does he want it from?

  Chapter Eighteen

  We spend several nights the next week just the two of us. I have seen Caleb in jeans more in this week then the entire time we have been dating. We go ice skating and shopping, spend some time at his place just watching movies or talking about art. The entire week it’s just the two of us, I feel completely at ease and feel like I can be me again. Guilt rides at the edge of my mind, reminding me that I am hiding a single kiss from Caleb. I try to justify my silence by saying it didn’t mean anything and isn’t going anywhere, so it’s not important. But the guilt is still there.

  The day comes for Caleb to meet the most important people in my life and I’m a bundle of nerves. Stephen and I haven’t really taken any time to talk and he seems particularly determined to avoid talking to me today. We’ve been sitting on the couch with a basketball game on TV, him as far away from me as possible, with his arms crossed protectively and a hard stare at the screen. His dad sits on the love seat on my other side, cheering the Bulls on like he’s sitting at the stadium instead of our living room. I’m not much of a basketball fan, and I don’t think Stephen is either, but apparently today he plans to be.

  “So guess what Dad got me for Christmas.” I turn to him for the fourth time, trying to get him to converse with me. I have already tried asking him about his Christmas and how work is going, but I can’t get anything other than “good” out of him.

  “What?” he says, sighing.

  “A Beretta Px4 Storm, it’s sub-compact and it fits like a charm.”

  “Awesome,” he says without taking his eyes of the screen. I’m trying hard not to get angry with him, but he isn’t making it easy on me.

  “Would you like to take it to the range with me tomorrow after church?” I ask, trying one last time.

  “Sure,” he says, getting up and leaving the room. Now I’m mad. I mean I am really trying to put everything behind us regardless of how hard it is, and he is just acting like I killed his puppy or something. I get up, too, and grab my phone to check the time.

  I haven’t heard Caleb call, but my phone shows a missed call anyway. I call him right back. He should be arriving any minute now. Maybe he got lost. I step into the foyer as the phone rings, in case I need to go wave him down.

  “Hello?” he answers, sounding like he is in the middle of something.

  “Hey. Are you close?” I ask.

  “Actually…” he pauses.

  “Caleb? Please tell me you are not cancelling again.” I see Stephen walk into the room through my peripheral view, sensing something is wrong. I turn my back to him as I listen to yet another work excuse.

  “I’m so sorry, Jessie. Mr. Tamazaki is a huge client, and I couldn’t ignore his call this morning.”

  “I can’t believe this.”

  “Listen, Jessie, I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

  “No, don’t! You can’t keep your promises to me, remember?” I try not to yell, but I feel my blood starting to boil and my throat start to tighten.

  “Jessie, that’s unfair. I’ve been trying to spend more time with you-“

  “No, what’s unfair is you cancelling not just on me, but on my family, yet again.”

  “Jessie, I’m really sorry-“

  “Just, stop, Caleb. I’ll talk to you later.” And before he can respond, I hang up on him.

  I just stand there, trying to control my breathing again, almost ashamed to turn around and face my family. I don’t know if Stephen is still standing in the hall until I hear him breathing just behind me.

  “Is everything okay?” he asks firmly. He sounds mad and that just makes me even angrier, so I don’t turn to face him just yet.

  “Everything is fine. Caleb had an emergency at work and won’t be making it to dinner.” I regain my composure to turn around until I hear him huff and stomp off.

  I end up waiting a few more minutes before facing my dad, Mark, and Janine. I don’t really want to show them how upset I am about Caleb cancelling. As far as Mark and Janine know, this is only the first time he’s actually committed to making an appearance. But my dad was supposed to meet him at Christmas. Since he wasn’t too thrilled with Caleb’s previous cancellation, I’m positive that Dad’s response to Caleb’s absence today will not be received well either.

  “Dinner’s ready!” Dad announces. I know I’m out of time to prepare myself for what’s coming. So after a couple of deep breaths, I straighten my posture, holding my head high and enter the dining room, sliding my phone in to my pocket. Everyone is already sitting in their spots.

  “Dad. Mark, Janine, I just spoke to Caleb and he isn’t going to be able to join us tonight. He sends his apologies and I apologize-“

  “Don’t.” Stephen looks up from the white knuckles that are propped up on the table with a hard look on his face. “Don’t apologize for him.”

  Not knowing what to say, I press my lips together and take my seat. Dad takes my hand, ready to say grace. I fear what I will see in his eyes, but when I finally look, his face is blank. The lack of emotion almost scares me, so I bow my head and let him say grace.

  “Dear heavenly Father. We thank you for this food and for the opportunity to fellowship around it. We thank you, Lord, for your many blessings and just ask that you would use our time together tonight to be a blessing to one another. We ask that you guard our hearts, showing us what is right and true and steer us away from what isn’t. We love you, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

  Food starts shuffling around and Stephen isn’t being inconspicuous about his feelings as he flings potatoes onto his plate. Janine and Mark each give him odd looks, probably wondering what his problem is. I’m wondering the same thing.

  “Jessie,” Mark starts to ask, “how is business going? I hear you guys are looking to bring your intern on full time?”

  “Yes, we voted a few weeks ago and Jason will be joining our team on a permanent basis, effective Monday.” I smile, thankful for the distraction.

  “That’s great! Does this mean that you won’t be taking any further interns, then?” Janine asks.

  “Well, with spring semester starting next week, it’s a little late to accept anyone new at this time. However, talk has started on a possible second studio. So it looks like All of Creation Studios could very well be a reality soon,” I tell them excitedly. Stephen looks up at me with a semi-shocked look on his face, but it’s quickly covered up by anger once again, and my excitement dies.

  Dinner carries on with more talk about things to look forward to throughout the year, and everyone pipes in except for Stephen. When Mark starts to brag on him that he’s up for review and possibly f
or partnership this year, Stephen just nods through the accolades without really acknowledging anyone in particular.

  I haven’t heard this news yet and I now understand his earlier look. We haven’t talked like we used to since before Christmas. If he hadn’t have kissed me, then I’m sure we would know all the good news in each other’s lives. But he did kiss me; then he tried to blow it off like it was nothing, and now gets angry with anything I try to tell him apparently. He’s acting like he’s an angry fifteen-year-old, and I’ve had just about enough.

  After everyone has had their fill, Janine and I stand up to clear off the table. We take our first load of dirty dishes into the kitchen and I stay behind to start loading the dishwasher and finding Tupperware to put away the left overs. Janine brings in another load of dishes, followed by Stephen with the remaining plates of food. Janine slips out of the kitchen and I take the opportunity to corner Stephen.

  “What’s your problem?” I ask, stepping in his way.

  “I don’t have a problem, Jessie,” he tells me emotionlessly.

  “Really? Because you’ve been throwing a temper tantrum that could rival a three-year-old all through dinner. Not to mention, you barely said five words to me before dinner. Something is up, and as your best friend, I demand to know what it is.” He gives me a bewildered look before trying to step around me. I block him again, planting my feet so that he can’t move me.

  “Fine,” he starts, seeing he’s not getting out of confessing. “I don’t like him. I don’t like how he treats you and I don’t like that you’re willing to make excuses for him.”

  “So that means you can’t talk to me? When were you going to tell me about the possibility of becoming partner?”

  “I don’t know. Later.”

  “This isn’t about Caleb and you know it. What is your problem, Stephen?” He shakes his head again, looking at the ceiling this time.