Gina and Paul (Last Chance Program Book 2)

by Malone, Misty

  “If you love her you’ll do it now,” Cheyenne said. Silence told her she had both men speechless, which was quite a feat with these two. She took advantage of the situation and explained further. “Jason, think back to us. I trusted you, which was very unlike me.”

  “That’s true,” he said.

  “The reason I could trust you is because I loved you. But I was so worried. I couldn’t say anything for a ton of reasons, so I had to try to ignore my feelings and go on with the program. Do you know how hard that is to do? I mean, I don’t know if you guys are aware of this, but feelings and emotions are strong and hard to ignore.”

  Both men had to chuckle a little.

  “But it was really hard. I couldn’t say anything. Not only are women not supposed to be that forward, but in this case I was afraid if he didn’t have similar feelings he’d quit the program and send someone else in to finish it. I didn’t want anyone else; I wanted him.”

  “But didn’t you have a pretty good idea how I felt about you?” Jason asked.

  “No, I didn’t. Keep in mind, from the woman’s perspective, we may fall in love with you, but we’re thinking all along that you guys are professionals, and I was sure you made every woman you worked with feel that special, as part of the program. So how embarrassing would it be to bare your soul and confess your feelings, only to find out you were just doing what you do for every lady you work with, and had no similar feelings for me?”

  “I hadn’t thought of it in that light,” Jason admitted. “You really thought I acted that way with every woman?”

  “Yes. I mean, you were making me feel so much better about myself, but I was afraid to hope it had anything to do with me. I figured that was part of your job.”

  “Wow,” Paul said. “That gives me something else to consider. I hadn’t thought of that possibility.”

  “Why else do you think she trusts you? Love really is a strong emotion, and it can do some powerful things. I didn’t normally trust people back then, but I trusted Jason from early on in the program. I even questioned that. I knew it wasn’t like me to trust anyone that quickly, and I couldn’t explain it, or at least not until I finally admitted to myself that I fell in love with him. Then I tried to talk myself out of it because I was sure he didn’t love me.” After a bit of a pause she added, “Or was afraid to hope.”

  “Again, Cheyenne, I hadn’t considered that.”

  “Well, think about it, both of you. I’ll be quiet now and let you two professionals talk, but keep one thing in mind. When I said if you love her you’ll talk to her now, I meant it. I know Jason was afraid after we had our talk I wouldn’t be able to focus on the program, but the opposite happened. It was a lot easier for me to focus, since I wasn’t so worried about my feelings for him, and how to fight them.”

  “This is the first time I’m hearing this, Paul, but I can’t deny what she’s saying. I was concerned about our budding relationship being a distraction to her, but it certainly was not. She was progressing wonderfully before we made our feelings for each other known, and nothing changed.” He looked over at her and smiled. “Except she seemed to smile more, which was wonderful for me because it eased my mind. I was so afraid I’d made a big mistake by talking about it before she was through the program. Those smiles were very reassuring to me. I think she’s right, that it was better for us that we talked when we did.”

  “So maybe I should go ahead and have a talk with her?”

  “Well, how far along in the program are you?” Jason asked.

  “She’s doing much better now that she’s got her feet back on the ground. She’s looking at things a lot more realistically now, no longer feels she’s better than everyone else. We have a little more work to do yet, though.”

  “Like what? The further along you are, the better I’d feel about having the talk with her.”

  “Total honesty, regardless of possible consequences, is something we’re still working on. We’re still having a bit of an issue with her temper, but that may take longer to get under control.”

  “We’re still working on that with my last client,” Jason said with a chuckle, “and as I told her boss that hired me, we may still be talking about that occasionally when she’s eighty, so as long as you’re getting a handle on it so it’s at an acceptable level, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. If things work out between you two, get used to it and keep your right arm in shape. That’s about the best advice I can give you.”

  “Ha, ha, ha,” Cheyenne said. “Seriously, I know I said I’d let you professionals talk now, but can I say something?”

  “You will anyway, so go ahead,” Jason said.

  “Thank you. Someone has to stand up for Gina. With all due respect to both of you, I don’t really think it matters how far into the program you are. I mean, I know you’re a month into it. I know they don’t last for a set time, and most certainly are longer than the six weeks, so I don’t know if you have another month or six months left, but I really don’t see that it matters. If you’ve developed feelings for her in the month you’ve been working with her, it’s entirely possible that she has developed similar feelings for you. Asking her to keep working on this program, which is not easy, I might add, while trying to deny painful feelings is asking a lot.”

  “I understand that,” Jason said.

  “It was much easier for me after I knew I no longer had to try my hardest to hide my feelings. Instead, it gave me incentive. I loved knowing you were proud of me, and that can be a powerful incentive.”

  Jason thought back and nodded. “I could tell it was important to you when I praised you. I thought maybe it was because you hadn’t gotten enough praise in your life.”

  “I hadn’t,” she admitted, “but seeing the pride on your face when I did something good meant more to me than I can explain. I don’t know if it’s the same for her, but I just want to point out that it could be. Now I’ll try to be quiet and let you guys do your thing.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  She listened carefully to their conversation, and was glad to see they were giving credence to what she’d said.

  “Okay,” Jason said eventually, “I think we’re pretty much agreeing on everything. I think you’re going to have to play it by ear, and tell her when you think the time is right. I sincerely wish you the best, Paul, and feel free to call if you have any more concerns.”

  “Call us when you talk to her, too,” Cheyenne said. “I gotta know what happens.”

  “Mrs. Jenkins, have we talked about my feelings on gossip?” Jason asked.

  “Yes, we have, and we don’t need to discuss it again,” she assured him, “especially if you’d listen to what I keep telling you. It’s only gossip if I repeat it, which I have no intention of doing. Wanting to know what happens is simply being concerned for a good friend. There’s a big difference.”

  Paul laughed out loud at the same time he heard Jason address his wife. “Cheyenne!”

  “I’ll let you go now, boss. It sounds as if you have something you want to attend to. Thanks for the advice, both of you.”

  “No need to be in a rush,” Cheyenne said. “We aren’t doing anything special this evening.”

  “You just don’t know when to stop, do you?” Jason asked. “Good night, Paul.”

  “Call me,” Cheyenne yelled, though it sounded like she was leaving as she said it.

  “Night, boss. Good luck, Cheyenne.”

  “Don’t encourage her,” Jason said before he disconnected.

  Paul had to laugh. His boss was very fortunate indeed. Cheyenne was a great lady; very caring, smart, and had just enough spunk in her to keep Jason’s life interesting. He was sure there were times she kept his life extremely interesting. His mind wandered to Gina. Was it possible he and Gina might some day find that same happiness? As he thought about it, there were a lot of similarities between the two ladies.

  He went to bed thinking back over the conversation he’d had with Jason and Cheyenne. They
were right; he would just have to trust himself to know when the right time presented itself to have this all important talk with Gina.

  * * *

  The next day, Saturday, brought an unexpected chain of events. John and Nancy Jamison stopped by to visit shortly after breakfast was over. Paul had been thinking about them lately. Gina’s parents had left them alone so far in the program, and Paul was glad. He wasn’t sure how their influence would affect Gina, but he was beginning to worry about that. He’d been thinking that he needed to get them back in the picture before long.

  After hearing some of her stories from her growing up years, he was afraid their influence would cause a bit of a relapse, but he had to find out for sure. There was no way he was going to leave without watching the interaction between them all, especially if she planned to move back in with them while she did at least a year at a community college.

  They said they missed their only daughter, and invited the two of them to their house that evening for dinner. Gina quickly accepted, then looked at Paul. “I’m sorry; is that all right? Should I have checked with you first?”

  He did the only thing he felt he could do at that point. “That’s fine, Gina. I’m sure you’ve missed your parents, as well. Of course we’ll be there.” He turned to her parents. “Thank you for inviting us.”

  Her parents went back to the main house, and he got busy preparing Gina for dinner. “How do you feel about having dinner with them tonight?”

  “I’m excited,” she said immediately. “I’ve missed them.”

  “Have you?”

  “Why would you ask that?”

  “It seemed to me you weren’t really happy with them. You practically ignored your mother.”

  She was quiet, but just for a couple moments. “Yes, I did, and I feel bad about that now. She saw me as most people did, and she would no longer give me whatever I wanted. I wasn’t happy about it. Now I think I should have thanked her.”

  “You’ve come a long way from the lady you were the last time they were around you, Gina. I’m sure they’ll notice the difference. Are you ready for that?”

  “Of course. I’m sure they’ll be surprised, but happy with the change. I’m excited to hear what they have to say about it.”

  “So can I count on you to be on your best behavior tonight?”

  “Of course.” A thought hit her, and she paled. “If I mess up on something, you won’t—”

  “I have no desire to embarrass you in front of your parents or anyone else, Gina. If you mess up on something, we’ll discuss it when we get back here afterward. It would have to be something extreme for me to address it there.”

  “Thank you, Paul. I’ll try to be careful.”

  “You’re doing so well, Gina, I think you’ll be fine. There are a couple things I want to go over with you this afternoon, though, before we go. I’ve wanted to do this anyway, so this would be a good time. I just kind of want to review a few of the things we’ve talked about and make sure your feelings haven’t changed any from the last time we talked.”

  “Okay.”

  “Quick answer time again. Do you think you’re better than most people?”

  “No.”

  “Do you want to expand on that?”

  “I’m not saying most people are better than me, but I now feel like there are a lot of people who are pretty equal. Everyone has something different to offer, which is a good thing.”

  “That answer sure has changed from the first time I asked you that question. I’m proud of you.”

  “To be honest, I am, too. But I’m really proud of you, because I felt pretty strong about that when I first met you.”

  “I know you did.” They spent a couple hours going over things they’d covered previously. He wanted to be sure her feelings were solid before going on to anything else new. He planned to wait now until Monday to start their next undertaking, which was going to be to pick her classes at the local community college, which is where she’d decided she wanted to start attending. He wanted to talk about what kind of job she may or may not be looking for some day, and pick classes accordingly.

  He felt confident now that she was comfortable with all the work they’d done so far, so he felt they were ready to start this next new endeavor.

  Dinner that evening didn’t exactly go as he’d hoped, however. There were several small but awkward moments, like when they’d finished dinner. Gina stood and picked up her plate and silverware and started for the kitchen. Nancy gave her a rather odd look. “Gina, let those go. That’s what we pay Maria for.”

  “Absolutely,” John confirmed. “Come on in the living room. We’re anxious to hear how it’s been going, what your plans are. How long do you suppose you two will be working together?”

  Paul watched Gina’s face, but he couldn’t really read it. She put the plate back down and turned toward the door. Once they sat down in two chairs across from her parents, who sat on the couch, Gina answered her father’s question. “I’m not really sure how long we’ll be working together. As far as plans, I’ve applied at Twinsburg. Hopefully I’ll get in there and can start taking classes next month. I’m anxious to get started.”

  Nancy’s question surprised Paul. “Twinsburg? What’s Twinsburg? I’m not sure I’m familiar with that. Where is it?”

  “Twinsburg Community College, right here in town.”

  Her parents were both appalled. “You’re seriously thinking about going to a community college?” John asked.

  Paul was shocked by the question, but Gina was upset. “Yes, Dad, I am,” she said, putting her hands on her hips, looking ready for a fight.

  Nancy tried adding tact. “But, Gina, honey, how would we explain that to our friends?”

  Gina was getting angry. “What do you mean explain that to your friends? What’s wrong with going to a community college?”

  “Nothing, if that’s all you can afford,” John said, trying to placate her.

  Paul was going to jump in and help her, but he wasn’t sure exactly how would be best to handle it. He was becoming concerned, both from hearing John and Nancy’s comments, as well as watching Gina’s reaction. He didn’t blame her for being upset, but he hoped she was able to control her temper.

  “Dad, it’s not the money I’m concerned with,” she said, in way too loud a voice for Paul’s liking. “In case you’ve forgotten, I flunked out of college. I can’t go back there again, and probably several others would say no, too. My plan is to go to community college and concentrate on grades, like I should have before. Once I prove I can do the work and get decent grades for a couple years, then I can apply to another bigger college.”

  “If that’s all you’re worried about, tell me where you want to go and I’ll go talk to them. I’m sure with a little contribution they’ll accept you.”

  “Dad, I want to earn what I get. If you go buy my way into college, it’ll be something else just handed to me. I want to earn the right to go there.”

  John looked from her to Paul, with a concerned expression. Paul was proud of Gina, but worried about the expression John was giving him. A quick glance at Nancy showed what was almost a mirror reflection of her husband’s face.

  Before he could say anything to either of them, John spoke. “Paul, surely this isn’t the kind of thing you’ve been teaching her; how to dishonor her family values?”

  Now Paul was a little upset himself. “Before I answer that question maybe I need to ask, what are your family values, Mr. Jamison?”

  “Perhaps we should have had this conversation before this program started,” John answered. “The Jamison name is well respected in this area. I can get her into about any college she wants to go to because of our good name. I’d be happy to speak to whichever one she chooses to attend.”

  “Dad, does the respect the Jamison name commands include getting things for nothing? Because Grandfather thought I should earn what I get. That was a new concept for me, but Paul has been explaining it and working wit
h me, and you know what? Grandfather was right; you do feel good when you earn what you have. I’m happier now than I was when I started the program, and I think Grandfather would be proud of me.”

  Paul was proud of her. He wasn’t sure what John’s response would be, but he was proud of her, and he caught her eye and hoped his smile relayed his thoughts to her. Just that quick, though, the moment was gone, when her father responded. “Jamisons don’t take things for nothing, Gina. We are very generous. We make a lot of donations, help a lot of causes. That’s given us a good name, and that name will help get you into a college.”

  “That and a nice donation,” Gina said in a rather quiet, subdued manner. That quiet, subdued manner worried him.

  “What do you mean by that?” her father asked.

  “Exactly what I said,” she answered. She was talking louder now and he could see the anger building. “Giving the college a nice donation in exchange for me being accepted is buying my admission. I would rather go somewhere where I deserve to go.”

  “You never minded things our name got you before, Regina,” John said, clearly not happy.

  “I know, but luckily, you can change. I am. You should consider it, as well.”

  She got up to leave, but her father’s words stopped her. “Stop right there. I will not allow you to talk to me like that and then walk out on our dinner. Sit back down.”

  “Dad, I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. Are you aware that you hurt my feelings, as well?”

  “I certainly don’t know how I could have hurt your feelings. And if you’re sorry you hurt my feelings, you’ll get this crazy idea of community college out of your head and go to a respectable college and make your mother and me proud.”

  She turned to look straight at him, again with her hands on her hips. “Are you saying you and Mom wouldn’t be proud of me if I want to earn my way in this world and go to a community college while I work to get my grades up, but you would be if I allow you to buy my way into some other college?”

  He sighed. “Gina, what you’re saying is good in theory, but that’s starting at the bottom of society, and you don’t have to do that. Jamisons don’t go to community colleges. There are a lot of colleges out there that would welcome a Jamison as a student. It would make your mother and me proud if you would accept your place at the table as a Jamison and go to a college with a good reputation.”