by Laura Ann
“Stop!” Faye finally shouted, squeezing her eyes shut to hold back tears. “Just stop,” she said, feeling defeated. “If you know so much about me and can see all my flaws and how messed up my background is, why the heck would you want anything to do with me?”
James was quiet for a moment, and Faye turned her watery gaze toward his profile as she waited for him to answer. “Because despite the fact that you have a messed up view of men, I think you’re amazing.”
“What?” Faye breathed.
ALTHOUGH HE HAD NEVER been one to be afraid of voicing his opinion, James’s boldness tonight was surprising even himself. Ever since she had asked him to go to the ball, James had been filled with a sense of urgency. A need to capitalize on the opportunity tonight gave him, but he hadn’t planned on laying everything on the line quite so quickly.
In for a penny, in for a pound, I guess. “You know full well that I think you’re gorgeous,” he continued, his eyes staying on the road. “I’ve made no secret of being attracted to you. However, your stubborn independence is also a draw for me. I’m not exactly the shy, quiet type-”
Faye snorted, making James smile.
“I enjoy a good banter or playing devil’s advocate.” He grinned. “That’s probably what makes me a good lawyer. But my point is, I wouldn’t enjoy a quiet, meek girl. I need someone who would stand up to me, no shrinking violet need apply.”
“And you think you’ve found that with me,” Faye said sarcastically, rolling her head in his direction.
“I know I’ve found that with you,” he finished. “The struggle is helping you discover the same.”
“Has it occurred to you that I honestly don’t want a man in my life?” Faye asked sharply. “Maybe I’m content to only have friends.”
James shook his head. “Nope. You’re lying to yourself.”
Faye scoffed and opened her mouth, but James wasn’t about to let her start in.
“If you even had friends, you wouldn’t have asked a guy you know wants you on this date. You’d have taken someone safer, someone who doesn’t rattle your cage.”
She glared at him, but James just smiled in return.
“Truth is, your only friends are those girls you’re meeting tonight and your brother and I. You might think that’s going to work for you and maybe right now it is, but it won’t last. Someday your brother is going to get married and he’ll be less accessible to you. Same with all your girlfriends, although you only ever see them online anyway. And then? Then you’ll just be alone. And that is going to get very lonely, very fast.”
“You’re starting to sound like a creepy stalker,” Faye snapped, angry that he had pegged her perfectly. “How do you know so much about me?”
“I’m a lawyer. I pay attention to details.” He shrugged. “And your brother keeps me informed on all things Faye.”
“Why would he do that?”
James turned for a moment to be sure and catch her eye. “Because he’s just as worried about you as I am.”
Faye sighed and folded her arms across her chest.
The car was quiet for several minutes and James let her stew. He’d pushed enough, and it was time to step back and let her find her ground again.
The miles rolled by and James began to grow concerned that she wasn’t going to speak at all, but just before they arrived in Evanswoods, she finally whispered, “You’re right about a lot of things, James. Including how messed up I am.”
“Now wait a second,” he started, “I was never saying you were messed up.”
“But I am,” Faye insisted, wiping a stray tear from the corner of her eye. “I’m terrified of letting anyone into my life. My mom was a wreck. She really wasn’t much of a mother at all. When my father left, he took my mother with him, but her body stayed with us.”
James pulled into the hotel parking lot and slid into a slot. Turning off the engine he turned to watch her.
“I may not be perfect, but I’m me and I try not to apologize for that,” she continued. “I’m brassy and outspoken, sometimes I hurt people’s feelings without meaning to. And yes, I have fought tooth and nail for my independence and the thought of handing that over to anyone, scares the pajeebies out of me. I refuse to give someone that kind of power over me.”
“Hold on a sec,” James interrupted. “This is where this whole story goes wrong.” He reached over and grabbed her hand, intertwining their fingers. “First of all, you have let someone into your life. You trust Marcus. You’d trust him with your life and that’s how it should be. Second, you’re thinking about relationships all wrong.” He squeezed her hand. “I don’t blame you, it’s not like you had a good example, but letting someone in doesn’t give them power over you. Giving up your independence and sense of self is a choice, but it isn’t a healthy choice. Relationships should be based on trust, that’s what the foundation should be. It’s something couples build together. When two people commit to each other, they’re saying a few things.”
Faye’s dark eyes were riveted on him and James couldn’t help but lean forward as he spoke. For the first time ever, she seemed to be hearing him and he wanted to make sure he took full advantage.
“They’re saying they’re attracted to each other.”
Faye rolled her eyes and snorted, causing James to smile.
“They’re saying they have similar goals in life.” He leaned in further. “They’re saying the other person’s faults aren’t enough to keep them from enjoying their good side. And they’re saying that they believe their partner will act with their best interest in mind.”
By now they were nose to nose and James closed his eyes to take a deep breath. “Nowhere in that foundation of trust does it say that one person has to give up their independence in order for the other to thrive.” He closed the distance and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead. “We could have that kind of relationship, Faye, if you’d let us. I want nothing more than to continue watching you progress and succeed. If you’d give us a chance, you might find I’d be a help, not a hindrance.”
“I don’t know how to let you do that,” she murmured, her eyes still closed and her forehead touching his.
The atmosphere of the car was thick and syrupy and James was loathe to break it, but he knew she needed some time to think and that if he wasn’t careful, he was going to pull her onto his lap and never let her go. And that will send her running for the hills. “Why don’t you let me show you,” he murmured, leaning back with a smile. “I can start by opening your door.”
CHAPTER 3
Faye’s mind was a mess of confusion as she held onto James while they walked through the parking lot. She understood what he was saying, a part of her even wanted what he was describing, but she was struggling to reconcile his words with the many years she had seen the exact opposite.
“Let me help you with that,” James said with a smile as he slipped her coat from her shoulders. After dropping it off, he came back and gave her a low whistle. “Man... seeing that dress was just as good the second time around.”
Faye closed her eyes and laughed. “James, you are the most outrageous flirt ever.”
He took her hand and grabbed the back of it. “Only for you and you know you love it.”
Faye rolled her eyes heavenward. Too much. I like it way too much.
“So...” James surveyed the space. “What should we do first? Dance? Gorge ourselves? Find your friends?”
Faye’s eyes wandered around the room. “Maybe let’s just meander a bit. See if we can find anyone. All of us girls were hoping to catch up, so that’s my main purpose.”
He pursed his lips and nodded. “Okey doke. Meandering it is.” He gave her a crooked smile. “That just means I get to hold your hand for longer.” He gripped her fingers as he spoke.
“You’re ridiculous,” Faye shot back, but there was no fire in it. She hated to admit it, but he was getting to her. Her defenses were crumbling and she wasn’t sure whether to panic or rejoice. James’s thoughts
and conclusions were exactly right and it shook her belief system. I knew he wanted to go out with me, but I had no idea he had paid so much attention. Is that creepy or flattering? Or maybe both? Maybe the question is, do I want him to pay attention? I’ve spent so long saying no to everyone that I’m not even sure I know how to say yes.
James nudged her shoulder. “That girl over there is waving at you,” he whispered.
Faye brought herself out of her internal dialogue and looked where James’s was pointing. “Britta!”
“Faye, oh my word, you look fantastic!” Britta gushed, grabbing Faye in a tight hug.
Faye pulled back. “Geez Girl, you filled out in all the right places, didn’t you!” Faye smiled widely. “What happened to the twig I graduated with?”
Britta frowned and looked down. “I told you all I’ve gained weight,” she sighed and her shoulders drooped.
Faye shook her head. “Uh, uh. No way. You look amazing.” Faye smirked and leaned forward so she could whisper. “In fact, Clay Schmidt hasn’t stopped looking at you since you got over here. When were you going to tell us you two were an item?”
Faye’s face turned a brilliant shade of red. “We’re not!” she hissed. “I’m not here with Clay.”
Faye frowned. “Well then who did you come with?” She looked around, but no other man seemed interested in what Britta was doing.
Britta chewed her lip for a moment before leaning close again. “I brought my cousin,” she admitted.
“What?” Faye jerked back. “How the heck is your cousin supposed to be your date for the night?”
Britta hung her head. “I didn’t have anyone else, okay? My body might have turned into a woman, but my mind is still the terrified, little teenager it always was. If I so much as look at a guy, my tongue turns to cotton.”
Faye chuckled. “Oh, Britta, Honey. We gotta help you get out more.”
“Hi, I’m James,” James inserted himself into the conversation and Faye felt a jolt of guilt.
“Oh, yeah... sorry.” She scrunched her nose at James. “I got to talking and totally forgot you were there.”
“And that makes me feel so much better,” James said sarcastically.
Faye grinned widely at him before turning back to Britta, who was blushing again. “Britta, this is James. He’s a friend of my brother’s.”
James put out his hand and Britta’s fingers shook as she responded in kind. “It’s nice to meet you, Britta,” James said politely. “And you look lovely.” He glanced around. “Where’s your date?”
Faye immediately felt herself stiffen. Why does he care where her date is?
“He’s around here somewhere,” Britta mumbled, her eyes on the floor.
“He better hurry back to stake his claim,” James said with a chuckle. “If he’s not careful someone else’ll snatch you right up.”
What? Jealousy immediately sprung to life in Faye and before Britta could say anything else, Faye grabbed her hand. “Come on, Girl. Let’s dance.” She glared at James. “Without the men.”
Turning her back to James, Faye stormed the dance floor, throwing herself into the hip hop rhythm that was beating through the speakers. So much for building a foundation of trust.
JAMES STOOD FROZEN to his spot. “What just-” he stopped himself and cleared his throat. His eyes were glued to Faye’s enticing form as she began to dance. He shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “So much for making progress,” he muttered, turning to walk toward the corner of the room. He wasn’t about to barge in where he clearly wasn’t wanted.
I thought she was listening, he thought. For the first time I thought we were breaking down some barriers and now I’m back in the dog house. And the worst part? He chuckled darkly and shook his head. I don’t even know what I did.
James knew he was a confident guy, maybe too confident at times, but he had learned early in life to push ahead until something went wrong, then step back and reassess. Right now something had gone terribly wrong, but he was at a loss as to why. He’d introduced himself to Faye’s friend and tried to help the obviously shy girl feel comfortable, only to have Faye leave him high and dry.
Leaning against the wall of the room, deep in the shadows, James crossed his arms over his chest and tried to relax. His eyes traveled back to Faye, who now had another friend dancing with her. James’s eye was caught by a man, who looked angry, storming from the dancing group and coming to stand on the edge of the dance floor.
Ha! Another ditched date. At least I’m not the only one. He watched the stranger jerk off his tie and unbutton his shirt, his frustration more than evident in his jerky motions.
“Trouble in paradise?” James asked, stepping forward.
The man spun around. “And this would be your business why?”
James chuckled and stepped forward. “James,” he said, offering his hand.
A deep frown crossed the other man’s face before he reached out in return. “Vaughn.”
“Looks like our women ditched us.” James tilted his head toward the dancing group.
“Oh, yeah.” Vaughn shifted uncomfortably. “She wanted to dance with the girls for a while.”
“In other words, she wanted to get away from you.”
Vaughn shot him a dark look. “Are you always this candid? I don’t even know you.”
James couldn’t help but chuckle again. “Candid might be the nicest way I’ve heard it described.” He pursed his lips. “Blunt. Outspoken. Words like jerk or other colorful descriptions might have passed through my ears.”
Vaughn grunted and stuffed his hands in his pockets.
“You going to fix it?”
Vaughn’s eyes widened, and he made a face. “Really? What business is it of yours?”
“It’s not.” James smiled. “I’m just curious.” And gloating in the fact that I’m not alone in my misery.
Vaughn sighed and tugged at his hair again. “I don’t know. I shouldn’t.”
That statement stopped all of James’s enjoyment of the situation. “You shouldn’t? That doesn’t sound good.”
“It’s not.”
“Huh.” James desperately wanted to know what was going on, but he recognized he had reached the end of what he could ask. Even I have boundaries... sometimes. If Vaughn wanted to say more, he would have. Pestering him wasn’t going to help at this point.
He moved his attention back to the dance floor just in time to see the girls stop jumping around. They stood smiling, catching their breath as the next song came on. “Looks like we’re up.” James shoulder bumped Vaughn.
“What?” Vaughn looked around.
“It’s a slow song, Man. The women aren’t going to dance it themselves.” James gave Vaughn a cheery salute and sauntered to the dance floor. Just the excuse I needed to get Faye to pay attention to me again. I don’t know what happened before, but I’m going to find out.
CHAPTER 4
“May I have this dance?” James’s delightfully masculine voice drifted in one of Faye’s ears, sending a shiver down her spine. She tried desperately to hide her reaction, but when she turned and saw her date’s smirk, she knew it hadn’t worked.
Faye sighed. “I suppose I don’t have much of a choice, do I?” She reached out and rested her hands on his shoulders. His broad shoulders. Which felt strong and muscular. Oh my gosh, Faye. Get a grip! Despite her inner scolding, there was no ignoring the warmth coming from every place they touched, her arms were tingling pleasantly and where his hands rested on her waist was hot enough to start a fire.
“You always have a choice, Faye,” James whispered seriously, all traces of the smirk gone. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. No one ever gets to take that away.”
Faye swallowed hard and looked away. How do I keep fighting him when he keeps saying everything I want to hear?
Slowly, James began sliding his hands towards her spine, gently pulling her in closer. In spite of the fact that her inner independent woman was scr
eaming like crazy, Faye stepped forward, allowing James to close the distance between them. She closed her eyes and sighed in contentment when he rested his chin against her temple. “Did you enjoy dancing with your friends?” James asked softly.
Faye nodded, feeling too dreamy to speak in coherent sentences.
“Are you over your little tantrum?”
She jerked up, the spell gone. “Tantrum?” she snipped, raising an eyebrow. “You thought I was throwing a tantrum?” She stepped away from him.
James hung his head and cursed under his breath. With a little jerk, he pulled her back into his arms. “Stop blowing this all out of proportion, Faye. You were mad, I was simply asking if you were over it, or if we should address whatever ruffled your feathers.”
Faye stayed stiff in his arms, struggling to find the self-discipline to pull away. A feeling of rightness and home swirled through her whenever she allowed James to get close. On one hand, the sensation was amazing yet on the other, it threatened everything she had ever believed. Tonight’s conversation was throwing her into a tailspin and she wasn’t sure what to do about it. Maybe I should just start with honesty. After all, that’s what he was doing in the car. “I was upset that you were flirting with Britta,” she finally admitted softly.
James raised his head and frowned. “What? What do you mean?”
“You know exactly what I mean. The comments on her looks, talking about how lucky her date was.” Faye bit her lip and looked away from James’s penetrating eyes. “Here you had just spent an hour telling me how you could be trusted and the first beautiful woman you see has you flirting like a player.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” James shouted, then instantly ducked his head. “Sorry,” he whispered, then shook his head. “Faye... your friend is lovely, but very, very obviously not my type. It was easy to see she was shy and uncomfortable. I was simply trying to put her at ease.” He scowled at her. “Any gentleman worth his salt should do that.”