by Lori Foster
“I’ll pick up something for lunch and come over to the shop after I finish my rounds today. We can chat.” There was a moment of silence, then Josie winced. “Susan, I’m sorry. Really. I didn’t mean to make you worry. No, I’m sure he really is a terrific man.” She grinned at Nick. “I suppose I can think about giving him another chance, but let’s talk about that later, okay? Yes, Susan, I’ll honestly think about it. I have to go now. No, I really do. I’ll be by later. Love you, too.”
She hung up and then began giggling.
“What’s so funny?”
“She came to the automatic conclusion that I stood you up. You should have heard her. She sounds half in love with you herself. You’re intelligent and conscientious and you have a good mind for business. Strong praise coming from Susan.”
Nick remembered his promise to Bob. Given the way the two of them echoed their appreciation of each other, it shouldn’t be hard to fix them up together. It might not even take the entire month he’d allotted to the project. “Is that what Susan likes? I mean, are those the qualities most important to her?”
“Yes, but in some ways, she’s a fraud. Susan pretends to be all seriousness, but she’s a sucker for a box of chocolates or a mushy card. I think deep down, she’s hoping for someone to rescue her from herself.”
He slowed the truck and glanced at her as Josie directed him at a turn. “What do you mean?”
“She rents every mushy movie in the video store. She’d never admit it, but I’ve found romance novels by the dozen hidden in her house, under couch cushions and her bed pillows. Of course, I’ve never said anything to her. It would embarrass her to no end. But I think she’d really like some guy to come along and share a little of her load. She’s had to shoulder so much responsibility at such a young age.”
Intrigued, Nick wondered if he could ever get Bob to sweep into Susan’s life. Already, he was forming plans in his mind. Maybe this would be even easier than he’d thought. “So you think Susan would be impressed with a man who treated her gently? That wasn’t the impression I got. If I remember correctly, I—that is, Nick tried to show her some old-fashioned courtesy and she bristled up like a porcupine.”
“You’d have to understand Susan and all she’s struggled for. She was only nineteen when our parents died, just starting college herself. The authorities wanted to take me away from her, to put me with someone more established, more mature. She had to fight to keep me with her. It made her angry, the inequality between men and women, and it wasn’t just because she was young, but because she was female. I think she went overboard trying to prove her independence and her worth, but I can understand her feelings. She likes to be treated with respect, and she hates to be patronized.”
The image of Josie as a frightened little girl whose parents had died, and whose sister had to struggle to keep her, disturbed him. Neither her life nor Susan’s had been easy, and his appreciation for Susan grew. He decided to urge Bob to start wooing her now, to send her a small gift. She deserved it.
They stopped for a red light and he turned slightly toward Josie. Pushing sad thoughts from his mind, he lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “What about you?” He wouldn’t mind sweeping this woman off her feet for a romantic weekend. The idea held a lot of appeal. “Do you read romances?”
Josie shook her head and her red hair fell forward, curling over her breast. Deliberately he stroked the long tress, letting the back of his hand brush her nipple.
She sucked in a breath and blurted, “No.”
“No?”
“No, I don’t read romances. Horror stories are more my speed.” She spoke quickly, her voice rasping from the feel of his hands on her body again. He liked it. He liked her easy response and her eagerness.
Now wasn’t the time, though, so he removed his hand and pulled away with the flow of the traffic. “Horror stories?”
“Mmm-hmm. The more gruesome, the better. I have all the classics—Frankenstein, Werewolf, Dracula. And all the modern authors, like King and Koontz. I’m something of a collector.”
Her small, earnest face beamed at him, guileless, sweet, as she described her interest in the macabre. Somehow the images wouldn’t mesh. “Horror?”
She laughed at his blatant disbelief. “It fascinates me, the way the human mind can twist ideas and stories, that ordinary men and women can write such frightening things. It’s incredibly entertaining. I’ll be appalled and frightened the whole time I’m reading, ready to jump at every little sound. And when I get to the end, I just have to laugh at myself. I mean, the ideas are so unbelievable, really. But still, I wish I had that kind of talent. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to write a book like one of King’s and have it made into a movie?”
He couldn’t stop the wide grin on his face. “You’re something else, you know that?”
Again she ducked her head, hid her face. “I’m sorry. I’ve been going on and on.”
“And I’ve enjoyed every minute.”
It wasn’t long before Josie directed him into her condo complex. The ride hadn’t taken nearly as much time as he’d wished for. He started to get out, but she stopped him.
“If we’re going to keep things a secret, my neighbors probably shouldn’t see you. You know how gossip spreads.”
Anxiety darkened her eyes and he wondered at it. He looked past her at the large complex, wondering which condo she owned. “They’ll see me tomorrow when I pick you up.”
“I was thinking I could just meet you somewhere.”
He wanted to say no. He wanted to insist on seeing her home, to try to gain some insight into why she’d suddenly decided to cut loose, to throw her caution to the wind. He wanted to know all her secrets.
But he had secrets of his own to keep, at least for the time being, so he couldn’t very well push her without taking the chance of exposing himself.
He considered his options. The boat was out; they’d never get around to talking if he took her there again. And he still couldn’t let her in his house until he’d given her a full explanation. Then it struck him.
“There’s a monster movie marathon at that little theater down the street from my office. Right next door to it is a small café. Meet me there. We can grab a sandwich and talk, then take in a few movies.” He hadn’t exactly planned to have his confession in an open forum, but perhaps it would be better in the long run. Josie didn’t strike him as the type to cause a public scene, so she’d be more likely to stay put and hear him out if there were curious spectators about. At least he hoped she would.
Her face had lit up with his first words. “I read about that marathon. I had promised myself I’d find the time to go, even if I had to go alone.”
His heart twisted in a wholly unfamiliar way and he pulled her forward for a brief, warm kiss. His lips still against hers, he spoke softly. “Now neither of us has to go alone.”
Unexpectedly she threw her arms around him. He held her tight, wondering at her apparent distress. He was the one with the damn secrets; he had a feeling everything would explode if he let her out of his sight.
“Tomorrow,” she said, swallowing hard. “Tomorrow I have to explain a few things to you.”
That was his line. He kissed her again, first on her rounded chin, then her slender nose, her arched eyebrows. “Then we’ll both explain a few things. It all went so fast, I guess we’re both still off-kilter. But I swear, it will be all right, Josie. Do you believe me?”
“I want to. But tomorrow seems a long way off.”
“Much too long.”
She stared at him a moment, then opened her door. “I have to go. I have the feeling that if I don’t I’ll attack you right here in your truck for all the world to witness.” She laughed as she slid off the seat, but he couldn’t find a speck of humor, not with his body reacting so strongly to her words.
Before closing the door, she turned to face him and her cheeks pinkened. She looked shy again, and much too appealing. “Last night was the mos
t wonderful night of my life.”
He smiled.
“Thank you, Bob.”
She slammed the door and hurried up the walkway, hobbling just a bit in her high heels.
His forehead hit the steering wheel with a solid thwack. The most perfect woman he’d ever met, sweet and sexy and open and real. She made him smile, she made him hot. She intrigued him with this little game she played, looking the vamp while being the virgin. She was every man’s private fantasy, not just his own.
And damn it, she thought he was Bob.
Could life get any more complicated?
5
“TELL ME THE TRUTH! Did you cancel or did he?”
Josie opened her mouth, but Susan cut her off. “If he canceled, I’ll give him a piece of my mind. That’s what he first told me, you know. That he was the one who’d backed out. But I found that so hard to believe. I mean, he’s so conscientious and he did promise me.”
“I canceled.”
Susan’s frown was fierce. “I don’t suppose I’ll ever know the full truth, will I? You’re both telling such different stories. But never mind that.”
She sat across from Josie and stared her in the eye. Josie almost winced. She knew that sign of determination when she saw it.
“You have to give him a chance, Josie. He’s different from the rest. He’s…wonderful.”
Josie stared at the limp lettuce in her salad. She didn’t have an appetite, hadn’t had one all day. All she could do was think of Bob and miss him and wonder what he was doing right now, what he’d say tomorrow when he learned she wasn’t the woman he thought her to be. She wasn’t exciting and sexy and adventurous. She was dull and respectable; all the things she claimed to disdain.
She could just imagine what a man like Bob would think of her. She wanted to change things; she wanted to go places, be daring and fulfill every fantasy she could conceive. She’d been such a coward, living a narrow life while sinking everything she was, everything she wanted to be, into her business. She’d escaped the grief of losing her parents, of being a burden to her sister, despite Susan’s disclaimers. She’d escaped any risks of being hurt—and any chance of enjoying life. But she wanted to change that, now.
Last night had been an excellent start.
But her sister wouldn’t think so. “I don’t need your help picking my dates, Susan.”
“What dates? You never go out!”
The outfit she’d worn for Bob was the only one like it she owned, and she’d bought it to repel him, not attract him. What would he think of that? What would he think when he saw her in her standard comfortable wardrobe, meant for visiting the elderly and running errands?
She needed to find some middle ground—somewhere between the woman she was and the woman he thought her to be. And she only had until noon tomorrow to do it.
“Are you listening to me?”
Josie pulled her thoughts away from the monumental task she’d set for herself and smiled at her sister. “Yes, Susan, I’m listening. You think Bob is wonderful.” Privately she agreed. More than wonderful. Incredible and sexy and… She sighed. Such a very perfect man—who thought she was a different woman.
“I do. Think he’s wonderful that is. And you would too if you’d just stop being so stubborn. He’s perfect for you, Josie.”
Amen to that. Now if only she could make it come true.
“And handsome—not that it matters in the long run what a man looks like. It’s his integrity and responsible attitude that are important. But he really is an attractive male. Proud, intelligent. Courteous. And a brilliant businessman. He did such a fabulous job on my ads. Business has been pouring in.”
Something in Susan’s tone cut through Josie’s distraction. She shoved her salad aside and contemplated her sister’s expression. Susan had leaned forward on the counter, her own takeout lunch forgotten. She had both hands propped beneath her chin and a starry look in her hazel eyes.
That look was the one normally reserved for expansion plans for the flower shop, or matchmaking. Josie drew a deep, thoughtful breath. The heady scent of flowers and greenery filled her nostrils. The air inside the shop was, by necessity, damp and rich, heavy. As an adolescent, Josie had always loved the shop. It had been a one-room business back then, catering mostly to locals, but with Susan’s hard work and patience, it had grown considerably over the years. This was a special place, where Josie had always felt free to confide in her sister. Many serious talks had occurred at this exact counter.
This time, however, Susan seemed to be the one in need of a chat.
She sighed a long drawn-out sigh, and Josie felt a moment’s worry at the wistful sound. “What are you thinking?”
Susan jumped. Normally her thoughts would be on a new business scheme to implement in the shop, a moneymaker of some sort. Or a way to get Josie’s life headed in the direction Susan deemed appropriate. Not this time. “I was thinking of how apologetic Bob was for how things turned out. He was sorry for making me worry so much.”
Josie was startled. “You talked with him?”
“Of course I did! Haven’t you listened to anything I’ve told you? Bob stopped by earlier and apologized for causing me concern. He admitted he should have called me himself last night, to explain about the change in plans. He’s promised me it won’t happen again. Now, when do you think the two of you can reschedule?”
Josie narrowed her eyes, her thoughts suspended. Bob had been here, talking to Susan? Why would he ask her not to say anything, but then risk calling on Susan himself? It didn’t make any sense. “He told you he would reschedule?”
“Yes. We, um, talked for quite some time as a matter of fact. You know, he has big plans for the advertising agency. Someday he’ll be a very prosperous man, a name to be recognized. You wouldn’t have to continue working if things went well between the two of you.”
Josie couldn’t help but grind her teeth. Bob had told her he wasn’t all that interested in expanding the company. Had he lied, or had Susan misunderstood? She felt buried in confusion and conflicting emotions. “I like my work, Susan, and I’m not ever going to give it up.”
“Josie, you know how proud I am of you. I think it’s incredible all that you’ve accomplished. And I love you for all your hard work and dedication.” Susan patted her hand. “But it’s a terrible job for a young single woman. You never have an entire weekend free, and I can’t remember the last time you took a vacation. It’s no wonder you never meet any nice men.”
“Like Bob?” Josie whispered.
“Exactly!” Susan looked flushed again, and she averted her gaze. “We discussed the problem of your work, how you can’t keep any regular hours, and Bob suggested that he wouldn’t mind if his wife had a job like my own, running her own shop, meeting new people. A nice nine-to-five job where you’d be home in the evening to share dinner with him, and be there on the weekends to spend time with the kids. Maybe he could help you hire someone, so you wouldn’t have the full load yourself….”
Susan’s words trailed off as Josie jerked to her feet, hitting the fronds of a large fern with her elbow and almost smacking the top of her head on a hanging philodendron. She cursed, surprising both herself and Susan.
How dare Bob discuss her life with her sister? He had no right to make plans for her behind her back, or to even think of trying to rearrange her life.
She felt as though Bob had betrayed her, and it hurt. Damn it, it hurt much more than it should have. It took two deep breaths to calm herself enough to speak. “Susan, I appreciate your concern, you know that. But you’re meddling in my life and you just can’t do it anymore. I’m a grown woman. I like what I do, and it’s important to me. I’m not giving up my work for anyone, Bob included.”
“Well.” Susan looked subdued, but just for a moment. “We were only thinking of the future, wondering how you’re going to fit a family into that hectic schedule of yours.”
Josie growled, appalled at Bob’s arrogance. Just because she’d sl
ept with him, he thought he had the right to start rearranging her life? “Family! I’ve barely gotten started on the dating.”
“Not for lack of trying on my part!”
“Susan.” She said it as a warning, long and drawn out. Having her sister fuss over her was one thing; she loved Susan, so she could tolerate the intrusion. But Josie couldn’t have Susan discussing her, planning her life, with every man she deemed marriage material.
“All right. I can take a hint.” Susan made a face, acting much aggrieved. “But I hope you’ll agree it’s worth your time to pursue this association.”
“Relationship. Time spent between a man and woman, outside of business, is called a relationship, not an association.”
Susan waved a dismissive hand. “The point is, you need to compromise a little, Josie, if you ever hope to marry a man as perfect as Bob. He has his life all planned out, down to the last detail. All his business expansions, the house he’ll build, even the names he’d like to give his children. Believe me, he’s worth your efforts.”
Josie straightened her shoulders and stared at Susan, shocked. Realization slowly dawned. For the first time in memory, Susan seemed genuinely attracted to a man. And not just attracted, but totally enthralled. Maybe even in love. Josie swallowed, trying to sort through her own muddled feelings to see the situation clearly.
“Did you ever stop to think, Susan, that Bob might be worth your effort?”
Blinking owlishly, as if she’d never heard anything so preposterous, Susan stood and began clearing away their half-eaten salads. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Why not?” Josie summoned the necessary words past the lump in her throat. “It seems to me you admire him a great deal. Admit it, you want him for yourself.” She wouldn’t think of Bob, of what they’d shared last night. She couldn’t.
Josie drew a deep breath. “Since I…don’t want him, there’s no reason for you to deny yourself.” She went to Susan and took her hands. “I love you, Susan, you know that. But you have the most irritating habit in the world of thinking I deserve the very best of everything—even if it’s something you want for yourself. You’ve been doing it since the day Mom and Dad died, putting my needs before your own. You sold the house, then used all the money for me to go to college while you dropped out. You bought me a car when I graduated, when you had to take the bus.”