Forever Friends

by Murray, Tamela Hancock

  She unfolded her arms and leaned toward him. “You’re kidding.”

  “No, I’m not. See? I told you I was a computer geek.” He laughed, but the sound was more nervous than he would have liked.

  “What was she like, this girl from high school?”

  “She was a nice girl from church. Pretty and popular. We were one of the known couples around school,” he said. “We thought we’d get married someday. But it didn’t work out that way for us.”

  “I’m sorry. What happened?”

  “I’d like to say I broke it off with her. But, to be honest, she broke it off with me.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He shrugged. “Thanks, but it was for the best.”

  “Let me guess. She met someone else.”

  Teague’s heart felt pain for a moment. How could Kassia have guessed so easily? “Yes. We went to separate colleges, and I must have seemed too dependable and too old hat for her once she met all those new guys. Thanksgiving break was the first time we saw each other after leaving for college. I was so happy to be going home and seeing her. But by then she told me she had moved on to greener pastures. I was heartbroken, but I couldn’t do anything.”

  “Wow! She didn’t waste much time.”

  He shrugged. “I wasn’t the only one in my dorm. The same thing happened to my roommate that year. Apparently it’s sort of a freshman tradition to dump your old high school boyfriend at Thanksgiving or Christmas break.”

  Kassia was silent for a moment. “Come to think of it, that happened a lot at my school, too. That’s one time I escaped hurt, though. I didn’t go to college with a boyfriend back home. But breaking up isn’t a very nice tradition, in my opinion.”

  “But maybe it’s a healthy one. If a woman doesn’t think she’s right for me, I’d rather find out before we’re married than after.”

  “True.” Kassia sighed. “Do you know what happened to your old girlfriend?”

  “I haven’t heard anything about her recently. She dropped out of school and moved to the West Coast. All I can say is, I hope she’s happy now.”

  “It’s good you can be so forgiving,” Kassia observed.

  “I have no reason to wish her ill. That was a long time ago.”

  “Maybe one day you’ll have the satisfaction of going to your high school reunion and showing her how successful you are.”

  “Yeah, right.” He knew his lack of enthusiasm was evident. He hadn’t been successful at all. At least not in the love department. Not with a relationship that was deep and meaningful, the type of relationship he wanted with a special woman.

  “What do you mean, ‘Yeah, right’?” she ventured. “Of course you’re successful. Think about it. You went to a great university, and now you have a wonderful job with what sounds like the ideal boss. She should be proud to know you.”

  Now that Kassia mentioned it, perhaps he was pretty successful. “You think?”

  “Yeah. I think.” She nodded.

  “Some people might disagree. I was upset when she broke things off, and I was tempted to go out and have a wild time. I admit it. I’m only human. I’m glad I didn’t succumb to temptation, though. I couldn’t have done it without the Lord’s help.”

  “So you had women throwing themselves at you every day once they found out you were back on the market, huh?” Her tone was only half-teasing.

  How could he tell her the truth—that many women had made him offers that were difficult to refuse—without sounding like a conceited jerk?

  “Um, well. . .”

  Kassia’s laugh tinkled like a small set of silver wind chimes caught in a gentle spring breeze. “I know you’re good-looking. You don’t have to be modest.” Her mouth set itself into a serious but gentle line. “You’re serious, though? You stuck to your principles in spite of all those women?”

  “Yes, I did. I’m keeping myself pure for my future wife.”

  Kassia’s mouth dropped open. “You’re joking, right?”

  Teague hoped his disappointment in her reaction didn’t show on his face. “I don’t know of any guy who’d joke about a thing like that.”

  “Good for you. Now I have a confession to make.” She leaned closer to him. “I took the ‘True Love Waits’ pledge when I was a teenager.”

  “You did? Then why are you so shocked about me?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe it’s because my parents insisted I had to take it,” she said.

  “Really?” Teague wondered what kind of parents would force their teens to make such a serious commitment under duress.

  “They’re pillars of my church back home, and I think they thought it would look bad on them if I didn’t go along,” Kassia explained, as if she had read his mind. “They made my sisters, Deidre and Mona, take the pledge, too.”

  “They made all of you take it whether you meant it or not?”

  “You could say that.” Kassia grinned wryly. “How many brothers and sisters do you have?”

  “Just one sister, Tabitha. She’s the light of Dad’s eye. She’s younger than I am, but she makes more money. She started her own business.”

  “Good for her. What kind of business?”

  “She owns a trendy little boutique.”

  “Oh, sounds like fun. What does she sell?”

  “Her favorite description is ‘an eclectic selection for today’s woman.’ ” He recalled the last time he’d visited Tabitha’s store. “She even has matching outfits for moms and daughters.”

  “That sounds sweet.”

  “Yeah, if you like that sort of thing.” Teague shrugged. “She sells funky jewelry, too. Each piece is one of a kind, handmade by artisans.”

  Kassia’s eyes widened. “Sounds neat.” She touched her ear and revealed a red hoop. “Earrings?”

  “Lots of them. And things like pins and hair barrettes. Oh, and she carries trinkets. Gift items and collectibles.”

  “That sounds like a fun place to shop.”

  “Yes, but it’s a lot of work. She wants to open a second store in either Old Town Manassas or Old Town Fredericksburg.”

  “You must be proud of her.”

  “I am. And you know what? I attribute some of her success to her taking the pledge many years ago.”

  “Really?”

  “I sure do. That’s because she concentrated on her schoolwork and stayed focused on her academic career instead of getting involved with a boyfriend too early.”

  Kassia thought for a moment. “I can see what you mean. At first I didn’t want to take the pledge, but after I got in the program I could see it was a good idea for a lot of reasons. It had some immediate benefits, as you said. I didn’t have as many troubles and worries in high school since I limited my involvement with guys. Except I wasn’t as popular as some of the other girls.” She set her chin in her palms.

  When she moved, a whiff of floral perfume wafted his way. As the evening progressed, Teague had noticed the scent was reminding him less and less of his grandmother.

  “That kind of popularity is false. And it’s temporary at best,” Teague pointed out.

  “I can tell you’re a youth leader.” She chuckled.

  “I try, but I can’t promise how well everyone listens.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “But I’m glad you listened, and I’m glad you’ve kept your pledge.”

  “Me, too. But isn’t it harder for guys?” she wondered aloud. “Don’t you have a lot more pressure?”

  “Maybe. Sounds like a good excuse anyway.”

  “I don’t regret not having as much experience as the rest of my single friends. I call myself ‘Queen of the Dumpees.’ ”

  “Queen of the Dumpees? What kind of name is that?”

  “Can’t you guess? I find a guy I like, he acts interested for one or two dates; then when he doesn’t get what he wants, he dumps me. That’s what it means.” She let go of his hand and patted her lips with her napkin. “I shouldn’t have said that. Now you’ll think I’m a loser.”
>
  “I don’t think you’re a loser.” Teague wasn’t lying. Though Kassia was no loser, clearly she suffered from low self-esteem, caused no doubt by the trouble she’d had in past relationships. He cut his glance to Brad’s table on the other side of the room. “That Brad guy is the loser in my book. He could only talk to you for a few minutes, but I have you for the whole evening.”

  He was rewarded by her smile.

  “Your smile is so pretty. Were you ever in any beauty pageants?” he asked.

  “Me? No way.” She snickered.

  “Too bad. You would have won. Seriously.”

  “Thanks for the compliment, but there’s no way my parents would have let me prance around on a stage in a bathing suit.”

  “I have to admit, I can see the wisdom of that,” Teague said, “especially since they made you take a purity pledge.”

  “I never was much of a performer anyway,” Kassia informed him.

  “Still, I’ll bet you’re the pride of your family.”

  “I wish.” Her face fell slightly. “We’re not that close. At least, not anymore.”

  Teague wondered what she meant. Based on her descriptions, Kassia’s home sounded like the idyllic picture of a Christian family. Her admission bothered him. What had happened? He wished he could ask, but Kassia’s closed lips and the cold light in her eyes told him not to.

  When he pictured the woman of his dreams, Teague thought of someone close to God, not just in her past, but in her present and future. He’d wondered how pure Kassia could be when she seemed so worldly.

  Lord, I know Kassia and I have seen each other only at Theo’s wedding and now at dinner tonight, but I still feel a strong connection with her despite my doubts. Could this be the woman You want me to see?

  The uncertainties left him searching for direction. He knew that waiting on the Lord was not acceptable for most people in this modern world. They wanted quick answers measured in Internet terms of microseconds. Teague was more patient. He knew in his heart he had to stay on good terms with Kassia until God showed him His purpose.

  After dinner, they waited in the hotel lobby for the valet to bring Teague’s car. Standing with her, a beautiful vision scented with gardenia, he discovered he hoped she would be in his future for a long time.

  Four

  The following Monday, Kassia was surprised when Brad stopped by her office. She had thought surely her unenthusiastic reception toward his impromptu visit and Teague’s brusque good-bye at the restaurant the previous weekend had been enough to discourage him, but apparently she had been wrong.

  Brad worked in a different department from Kassia, and his duties never necessitated a trip by her desk. Obviously he had made a special trip to see her. What could he want? An uneasy feeling coursed through her. He hadn’t noticed her since their breakup, at least, not until he saw her at an upscale restaurant with another man. She had the distinct impression that if their chance encounter hadn’t happened, Brad wouldn’t have sauntered into her small gray office as though he were her supervisor, and he wouldn’t be leaning over her desk at this moment.

  Although she felt his presence in the room, she didn’t look in his direction.

  “Hi, Kassia. What’s the latest news with you?” he asked.

  She glanced up long enough for him to know she noticed his presence, then returned her attention to her paperwork. “Nothing much. I’m just busy with all these papers.” She chewed on her pencil with her front teeth, the yellow paint and soft wood easily giving way to the pressure.

  He leaned in closer to her. She became conscious of his cologne. She enjoyed the pleasant musky scent, but she preferred the citrus fragrance Teague had worn on their date.

  “It was nice seeing you the other night.” Brad placed his palms on the edge of her desk and paused as though awaiting a response.

  “Hmm.” She moved her chair as far away as she could then tapped her pencil on her desk. The phone rang, and she answered it without excusing herself.

  He was still there after she transferred the call to accounts receivable, still leering at her. “A couple of the guys at my table remarked about how beautiful you looked, and I have to agree.”

  She did her best not to respond favorably to the seductive purr in his voice. To that end she kept staring at her paper. “Thank you. Um, I hate to be rude, but I’m really busy right now.”

  “I’ll make it quick then, if I can have your attention.”

  Kassia sighed to show her exasperation and leaned back in her seat. She deliberately crossed her arms to indicate her lack of receptiveness to whatever he had to ask.

  Undeterred, he gave her his most charming smile. “I was wondering if you might like to get together for lunch one day this week.”

  She didn’t want to admit, even to herself, how tempted she was by his offer. Maybe going out to eat with him wouldn’t hurt anything. After all, it was only lunch, and she would have to grab a midday meal somewhere. She looked into Brad’s eyes and saw a sparkle of genuine interest.

  She glanced quickly back at her paper then set her gaze on her black cylindrical pencil holder filled to the brim with writing implements, emery boards, and scissors. No. She couldn’t go. This was a man she couldn’t trust. Another call interrupted her, so she didn’t have to answer right away.

  “We could have a nice time,” Brad persisted after the call was finished. “Unless you’re too tied up with that guy you were with. What’s his name—Teak?”

  She looked him full in the face, keeping her tone cold. “I think you mean Teague.”

  He stood upright and snapped his fingers. “Oh yeah. I knew it was some off-the-wall name like that.”

  “I happen to think it’s a very nice name,” she blurted with more emotion than she intended.

  He held up both palms as if trying to hold off an angry lion. “Okay, okay. I didn’t mean to offend your boyfriend.”

  “He’s not my boyfriend.” She nodded to the ringing phone and answered it.

  No matter how many calls interrupted his invitation, Brad didn’t seem to give up. “Well, then, he shouldn’t mind if we have lunch together.” He put a hand in his pocket and struck a pose. “So what do you say?”

  Out of politeness she pretended to mull over his invitation. Then she braced herself by putting on an unsmiling expression to show she was serious. “Thanks for the offer, but not this week.” She stared at the papers. The words blurred into a mass of gray.

  “How about next week?” she heard him say.

  “I can’t,” she said without looking up.

  “You can’t?” His tone was not unlike that of a top student expressing shock at receiving a failing grade. Then he curled his lips into a knowing line. “I get it. You’re still mad because movie night didn’t work out that time. Look—I’m sorry about that. I have to say, that friend of yours, what was her name—something like the car—Lexus?”

  “Lexie.”

  “Yes, that’s it. Lexie. Anyway she always stared at me like I was covered with anthrax or something. She’s not still living with you, is she?”

  “No, but that doesn’t change anything.”

  He leaned closer. “Are you sure you can’t forgive me?”

  “Forgiveness is not the question here. The fact is I just can’t see you right now.” She kept her expression and tone firm as she returned her attention to his face. “I just can’t. In fact I’m tied up for the next few months. Work has gotten crazy.”

  “Oh, really?” he scoffed, folding his arms. “That excuse might hold water with someone outside the office, but this is me you’re talking to. I know the quarterly reports aren’t due for two more months.”

  “But I make it a policy to stay on top of things rather than push through a mad rush at the last minute.” She shrugged and flashed him an innocuous grin. “That’s just the way I am.”

  For emphasis she straightened a wayward stack of papers and placed them in her “in” box, all the while fighting to ignore the pers
onal magnetism he exuded with little effort. No matter how attracted she felt to Brad, she refused to reignite any relationship with him.

  “I’m glad to hear you’re such a conscientious worker. The company is mighty lucky to have you.” Sarcasm dripped from his voice.

  “Thank you.” Her sarcastic tone matched his. “If you’ll excuse me.” She cleared her throat and looked toward the door.

  “Okay. I can take a hint. See you around.” He exited without further objection.

  Content that she had finally gotten the message across to him, Kassia allowed herself a sigh of relief and returned to her work in earnest.

  ❧

  That evening the phone rang as Kassia was finishing a meal of leftover Chinese takeout consisting of a few morsels of sweet-and-sour pork and a half container of fried rice. With a hurried motion she wiped her lips with her paper napkin and rushed from her dining room table to answer the phone in the living room.

  “Kassia?”

  The voice was unmistakable. Her stomach flipped like an Olympic gymnast. “Hi, Teague!”

  “I’m glad I caught you at home. I hope I didn’t interrupt your dinner or anything.”

  “You didn’t interrupt anything important.”

  “Good. Hey, I want you to know I’m looking forward to the ski trip, if you haven’t changed your mind about going.”

  “Of course I haven’t chickened out. Once I make up my mind, you’re stuck with me.”

  “Good. I wanted to fill you in on the details.”

  “Great. Let me grab a pencil.” She leaned over and fumbled through several bills waiting to be paid and a letter from an old chum, finally discovering a pen at the bottom of the stack. She found space on the back of the water bill envelope to write down the information. An image of Lexie popped into her head. She would have already paid the bills and filed them away long ago.

  Kassia smiled and concentrated on her caller. “Okay. Ready.”

  Somehow Teague could make the mundane minutiae of planning a trip seem intriguing. She wished he’d called to ask her out again before they were scheduled to depart, but she could appreciate that he didn’t want to seem too eager or move too fast. He was proving himself a gentleman, and she found herself wanting more of his company.