The Boy Next Door

by Jessica Jarman

  Darcy nodded. “Makes sense. Thanks, Col, you’re the best.”

  Her friend huffed on her nails and polished them against her shirt. “I know. Now help me up so we can go.”

  She pulled the other woman to standing and together they headed out of the café. “Yeah, I need to go home and have a little talk with my mother.”

  ———

  She was going to kill her!

  Darcy had every intention of giving her mother a piece of her mind. The matchmaking had to stop, especially if she wanted to get back with Mac. After getting her car from the beach, she’d followed Colleen home and spent some time with her friend. The short visit had calmed her down quite a bit and put her in the perfect state of mind to have a quiet discussion with her parents about how things needed to be.

  All her good intentions fled when she saw her mother and father in the living room with yet another man. She knew immediately it was another set up. Where did her mother find all these men? Surely they weren’t in the habit of entertaining men in Darcy’s age range.

  “Oh, hi, honey. Did you have a nice time sketching?” Her mother jumped up and rushed over to grasp her elbow, pulling her farther into the room.

  “Yeah, I had a great time.” She ground her teeth and forced a smile. “And who is this, Mom?”

  “This is Harris, my friend Helen’s son. He’s been in Milwaukee the last couple of years and is moving back to the Cities. Dad has set up an interview with him at the firm. He’s a lawyer.”

  “What a coincidence. Harris, nice to meet you. Hope you get the job and maybe I’ll see ya around.” She headed toward the stairs.

  “Darcy, wait. Come visit.”

  “No, Mom, I’m not going to visit. I’m going to go downstairs and work a bit.”

  “Your mother tells me you’re an artist,” Harris volunteered.

  “I’m not surprised. It’s usually one of the first things she mentions.” Darcy struggled to keep her tone light.

  “It must be wonderful to be able to make your living doing something you love.”

  Darcy studied him. “It is, but don’t you love law?”

  “I do. That’s part of the reason I’m coming home. I’ve been working in a very large firm, easy to get lost under it all, if you know what I mean. I want to work somewhere smaller, more personal. This opening at your father’s firm is a dream come true.”

  “Good, I hope you get it. Now I really need to get some work done myself. It was nice to meet you.”

  She turned and headed downstairs, ignoring her mother’s sputtering. In her room, she sat heavily on the bed. Nothing was going right. How the hell was she going to get a chance to talk to her mother if the woman had men around all the time? Did she think Darcy was desperate?

  When she came home to Minnesota, she’d been perfectly content to be alone for a while. It was exactly what she wanted after the disastrous scene with the jerk. That was before the situation with Mac. She wanted to be with him, but knew she could make it alone if that didn’t work out. She didn’t need a man to make her happy. Sure, they were nice to have around. Sex wasn’t the same with a vibrator to be sure, but she was a modern woman and could make it on her own.

  She couldn’t focus on work with everything spinning through her mind. She needed to get out of here. Get her mind off Mac and the mess they were tangled in. Maybe she’d go to the Walker, take in the new exhibits, plan a trip for her classes there. Her mind made up, she changed and headed upstairs. She bumped into Harris on his way out.

  “Whoops, sorry. You headed out?” he asked, opening the door for her.

  “Yeah, I’m going to the Walker.”

  “I haven’t been there in years. Fancy some company?”

  “Uh sure.” Free country.

  “Great. Should we drive separately or together?” He took her elbow.

  “I’d rather drive myself, if you don’t mind.” No way was she getting stranded without a car again.

  “Sounds good. How about I follow you?”

  “Fine with me.”

  Darcy cringed when she heard footsteps behind them. Just as the door shut behind them, her mother’s voice followed them. “Have fun, kids.”

  Perfect, just freaking perfect.

  ———

  Mac paced the living room floor. Darcy hadn’t come back like he expected. How had she gotten back to her car? She must have called a cab.

  He felt like an ass. Why hadn’t he just told her he wanted to tell their parents they were involved instead of blowing up? Because he had pictured her with other guys, that’s why.

  He’d felt simple annoyance with Darcy’s mom when he heard about the matchmaking, just like he felt with his mother, but when Darcy’d brought up the man who touched her, he saw red. The thought of another man touching her just plain pissed him off. And she had the nerve to look shocked. Then again she hadn’t taken it so calmly when he brought up dating and sleeping with other women. Nope, she’d acted just as pissed as he felt.

  That meant something, didn’t it? She cared, that much was obvious. He wasn’t ready to give up on them just because of a stupid argument. He should go talk to her, explain why he overreacted.

  He grabbed his keys and headed down to his car. The whole way to her parents’ house he thought of what he’d say. An apology for overreacting was in order but he also needed to explain why. Dammit, he was in love with her, had been for years. He didn’t expect her to fall over and say she loved him too, but he needed her to know his feelings.

  It didn’t occur to him to knock on the door he’d run through millions of time before. He followed the voices into the kitchen. Darcy’s parents sat at the table, sipping coffee.

  “Hi, Aunt Marie, Uncle Fred, is Darcy downstairs?”

  “Hello, Thomas. Darcy isn’t home. Can I get you some coffee, something to eat?”

  “No, thanks. Do you know how long she’ll be?” He’d wait for her to come back.

  “Oh I don’t know. She went to the Walker with Harris.”

  “Harris?” Who the hell was Harris?

  “Yes, my friend Helen’s son. It’s so nice to see Darcy dating again. I’m glad she didn’t mope around long after the break up with Richard.”

  “Yeah, wouldn’t want her to waste any time.” He turned on his heel and headed for the door. “I’ll catch her later. Night.”

  “Good night, Thomas. I’ll tell Darcy you came by.”

  Yeah, you do that.

  ———

  “I had a really good time. Thanks for letting me tag along.”

  “No problem. I’m glad you came.” Darcy was glad Harris had gone to the art exhibit with her. She’d been able to talk and forget her problems even for a short time.

  He hadn’t tried anything fresh and had been nothing but pleasant. Knowledgeable in art, he’d kept her entertained with his thoughts and interpretations.

  They walked to where they had parked in the ramp.

  “Darcy, I don’t quite know how to bring this up, so I’m just going to say it. I’m not really in the market for a relationship right now.”

  She burst out laughing. “And you think I am? Let me guess my mother went on and on about her poor loveless daughter?”

  “Well, she wasn’t so dramatic, but pretty much. I think she and my mother cooked up some matchmaking scheme, and I wanted you to know that, though I enjoyed your company and would love to see you again, it would only be in a friendly way.” He glanced at her quickly as he leaned against her car. “The truth is that I’m involved with someone in Milwaukee, and I hope I can convince her to move out here. I’m going to ask her to marry me.”

  “Congratulations. I hope she says yes.” Darcy laid a hand on his arm. “Harris, I’m not looking for a relationship either. I’m kinda patching one together right now myself. Obviously, we have some issues to bring up with our parents, don’t we?”

  He chuckled. “Yes, we do. If your mother is anything like mine, and I’m sure she is, good luck.”

>   “You, too. And when you and your fiancée are settled, give me a call. I’d love to meet her.”

  “That’s assuming she’ll say yes. And we will. Hopefully, you will have things patched with your other half and we can all get together.”

  “Let’s hope so.” She opened her car door and got in. “Thanks for a great time. Good night.”

  “Good night, Darcy.” He pushed the door shut for her and gave a little wave before heading to his vehicle.

  Her thoughts centered on Mac during the drive home. She felt ridiculous for thinking one argument would end a lifetime of friendship and more. Of course they’d work through this. Once home, she headed downstairs and found both parents watching the news.

  “Hi, Mom, Dad.”

  “Honey, how was your date?” Her mother patted the couch in an invitation to sit.

  Darcy walked over to the armchair and sat. “Mom, it was not a date.”

  “Okay, if you say so.” Wink.

  “Listen, we need to talk. You have to quit setting me up with these guys. I am not interested, Mom.”

  “Honey, you can’t pine after Richard. You need to move on, and seeing other nice men is the ticket to doing that.”

  “I’m not pining after Richard, believe me, and I don’t need a man to make me happy or to help me move on. I’m thirty years old, Mom, and don’t need you in charge of my social calendar. Please do not bring any more guys around.”

  Her mother had the nerve to look crushed. “I was only trying to help. I want you to be happy, but if you want to be alone and want me to stop, I will.”

  “Thanks, Mom. I’m going to bed now. It’s been a long day.”

  “You might want to give Thomas a call,” her dad commented.

  “Why?” She stopped in her tracks.

  “He came by while you were out, asking for you.”

  “Oh, thanks, Dad.”

  She casually walked into her room and shut the door before dashing across the room to grab the phone. Mac had come by! That had to be a good sign. He wanted to make up. Oh God, she hoped he wanted to make up. Her hands trembled as she dialed his number.

  “Hello?” His voice caressed her ear.

  “Mac, it’s Darcy.”

  “Oh.”

  Oh? That was it? He didn’t seem too enthused.

  “Um, Dad said you dropped by looking for me?” Please, please, please ask me to come over.

  “Yeah, that was a mistake.”

  “A mistake? You mean, you didn’t come over? Or you weren’t looking for me?”

  “No, I did come by and I was looking for you. That was the mistake—my mistake.”

  “Okay, Mac, you’re losing me here.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  What was up his ass? He was still pissed. Then why did he come looking for her?

  “Will you just tell me why you came by?”

  “I made a mistake. Simple as that.”

  “Apparently it’s not so simple, ‘cause I don’t get it. Mac, can’t we talk here? I don’t want to lose our friendship. Can’t we get past this argument?”

  “Sure, Darc, whatever you want. Oh, here’s a friendly question. How was your fucking date with Harris?” Click.

  He hung up. She pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it while his question sank in. Date? Harris?

  “Mom!” She slammed the phone into its cradle and rushed into the family room. “Mom, did you tell Mac that I was out on date with Harris?”

  Her mother glanced up, startled. “I might have mentioned it. Why?”

  Deep breath. “No reason. I just wondered. G’night.”

  “Good night, honey. Sleep well.”

  That was very unlikely.

  Chapter Ten

  Channel after channel flickered in front of her. Hundreds of them and not one interested her. Darcy threw the remote on the couch cushion next to her. She’d barely slept the past few nights and was exhausted. But every time her head hit the pillow or her eyes closed, Mac invaded her thoughts.

  He had sounded so hurt, so pissed off. How could he believe that she’d gone on date after being with him earlier that day? Because your mother told him so, idiot. She was at a loss of what to do. Should she call him back? He’d probably just hang up on her again. Go to his apartment? It was unlikely he’d let her in, if he even answered the door. The only thing she could do was wait. Let him cool off and then approach him.

  “Darcy, you need to get ready for supper.” Her mother’s voice drifted down the stairs.

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “Don’t tell me you forgot?”

  “Forgot what?”

  “We’re going out tonight. I told you about this days ago. We’re meeting Sue and David in a little over an hour.”

  Dinner with Mac’s parents. How perfectly awkward. Wiggling out of it would only cause a downpour of questions. Sighing, Darcy stood. Oh well, she needed to double-check some of the arrangements for the party with Aunt Sue anyway.

  She dressed quickly, choosing a black sleeveless sheath dress. It was simple and elegant. Paired with a French twist, she thought she looked halfway decent. Knowing her parents and Mac’s, they’d sit and talk for hours, so Darcy opted to drive herself. She wanted to be able to leave as soon as possible.

  Her heart jumped into her throat as the maître d’ lead her to the table. Dammit, she hadn’t even thought to ask her mom if Mac would be there. And there he was, looking hot as ever in a hunky suit.

  He stood as the maître d' held her chair out for her to sit. Right next to him, of course. As he took his seat again, he stared into her eyes. “Hello, Darc.”

  “Mac.” She shifted under his intense gaze “I didn’t realize you’d be here.”

  “Do you want me to leave?” he asked softly.

  “No! That’s not what I meant.”

  “What did you mean?”

  “I don’t know.” She glanced at their parents and breathed a sigh of relief. They were too busy chatting to notice the words and tension exchanged by the younger couple.

  “You look good, Darc.” He ran a finger along her bare arm, shoulder to wrist.

  Goose bumps rose on her skin. He felt warm against her chilled flesh.

  “Thanks. You look great yourself.” She shot him a smile, unsure of the mood.

  His white teeth flashed. “Thanks.”

  “Thomas, what have you been up to?” Darcy’s mother leaned forward.

  “Nothing much. Working. Just finished up a big project.”

  She shook a finger at him. “I hope you aren’t spending all of your time working. A young man like you needs to go out, have some fun. Not be cooped up in an office all day.”

  “Exactly what I tell him,” his mother chimed in.

  “Oh, don’t worry, Auntie, I find plenty of time to play.” His thigh pressed against Darcy’s.

  She shot a glance at him, but he sipped wine and listened to her mother lecture on the importance of a social life. If not for the warm pressure of his leg against hers, she’d have thought him oblivious to her.

  “Now Darcy here is doing great. Getting back into the swing of things after the sudden break up with Richard.” Her mother’s voice grated into her thoughts.

  “Mom,” she ground out between clenched teeth.

  “No, really, honey, you are jumping back on the dating wagon and taking hold of the reins.”

  Darcy glanced at Mac. He fiddled with his fork as he studied her mother.

  “Mom,” she began sternly. “Cool it with the horrible clichés, and please get it though your head that I’m not dating right now.”

  “What was your little trip to the Walker with Harris the other night then?”

  Her teeth would turn to dust if she didn’t unclench her jaw. Taking a moment to breathe, she laid both hands on the table. “Harris and I are not dating. We went to the art exhibits, had some nice conversation and that was the end of it. It was not a date. The man is asking another woman to marry him, for
crying out loud.”

  “Well, Helen never mentioned that!” Her mother put her hand to her chest as she stared at Darcy.

  “Maybe he didn’t tell her. Or maybe she didn’t listen when he tried to tell her.”

  “Well, things obviously didn’t work out with Harris, but what about Stuart or—”

  “Mom! I’m not interested in them, period. End of story. Please stop setting me up. It’s embarrassing to me and to the poor guys.”

  “I only want you to be happy.” Her mother sniffed and straightened in her chair.

  Oh God, she knew that look and posture, the poor injured and embarrassed mother. Well, tough. She had to get it through her head to stop this crap.

  “I know that, but I’m a big girl. I can make myself happy.” She reached over to touch her mother’s hand. “Really.”

  “If you say so.” She sounded doubtful.

  Darcy was grateful when the waiter came to take their orders. Luckily, after he left conversation centered on other topics. She had trouble following it due to Mac’s leg—his hard, warm leg—rubbing against hers. And, damn him, every time she glanced his way he seemed enthralled by the current course of conversation.

  Then, after their food arrived, his hand came to rest on her thigh just above her knee. She tried to ignore it, to be oblivious to it. She convinced herself she was succeeding until he inched the hem of her dress up higher and higher until his fingers caressed bare skin. She dropped her fork then and swung her gaze toward him. He returned her stare, the corners of his lips upturned.

  “You okay?” he questioned.

  She looked around the table at their parents. All eyes were on her. With a small laugh, she picked up the utensil.

  “I’m fine. Butterfingers.” She speared a bite of chicken and tried to move her leg out of his reach.

  His grip tightened on her thigh, the exquisite pressure sending shivers up her leg. He loosened his fingers to trail them up her thigh until they teased the edge of her panties.

  “Mac,” she protested in a harsh whisper.

  “Darcy.”

  “Stop it.”

  “No.”

  “Yes. I can’t think when you do that.”