They all went in to dinner. Jeff took the seat beside Rebecca.
She was a nervous wreck, finding it difficult to eat with Jeff sitting beside her, making conversation with Will. It seemed Jeff had a client who could use Will’s services.
When dinner was over, Jeff asked Rebecca if they could check on Joey one more time, to be sure he’d gotten to sleep.
They went up the stairs and opened Joey’s door quietly. The little boy was curled up under the covers, clutching his favorite teddy bear, sound asleep.
“Does he always sleep with his teddy bear?” Jeff asked after they’d closed the door.
“Yes. He sometimes gets scared in the dark. The teddy bear makes him feel better.” She thought maybe he was disappointed that his son wasn’t brave. “When he gets older, he won’t need the teddy bear, I’m sure.”
“It doesn’t matter. I just wish I’d been there those times he got scared.”
She turned her back to him. “It always comes down to my mistake, doesn’t it?”
“I’m sorry. But it hurts that you didn’t think I’d care.”
“Jeff—I was in shock when I first found out. My parents’ reaction made it worse. It seemed like no one cared and it was just me and the baby, on our own. Afterward, after Joey was born, I was afraid to let go, to bring someone else in to our close-knit world. It was wrong, I know, but I told you as soon as I found you.”
“You didn’t exactly look for me.”
“I know. What do you want me to do to make up for my negligence?”
Suddenly, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. The kiss went on and on. She knew it was wrong, but she couldn’t pull away. She’d been longing for him to touch her for five years.
When he finally released her, she stared at him in shock.
“I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.” He backed away from her, his hands in the air in surrender. “You’re just so damned tempting!”
“So this is my fault, too?”
He gave her a rueful grin. “No, honey, it’s my fault because I have no resistance. I never did have when it came to you. That’s why we have a son upstairs.” He took another step back. “I’m going now. I’ll see you tomorrow at work.”
He left at once, as if he was afraid someone would chase him away. Rebecca leaned against the closed door, savoring the kiss she’d dreamed of so many times. She smiled—reality was even better.
IT WAS IRONIC, JEFF THOUGHT. Chelsea tried to threaten him with a kiss, and he’d taken that thought and made his own mistake. And it had been a mistake. Now, every time he saw Rebecca, he would remember that kiss and yearn for more.
He finally had to face the fact that his feelings for Chelsea were nothing compared to what he had felt for Rebecca years ago and still felt for her now.
But he had committed himself to Chelsea.
If he were a drinking man, tonight would be the perfect time to drink himself senseless. Unfortunately, he wasn’t. He would have to deal with the situation in another way.
And the first thing he had to do was call Chelsea and apologize.
REBECCA TRIED TO TELL Jeff she and Joey would meet them at the zoo Saturday morning. Jeff wouldn’t agree to that. “No, we’ll pick you up at nine o’clock. Well, actually about ten after. I’m picking Chelsea up at nine.”
“All right. Did she forgive you for last night?”
“Yes, sort of. And I thanked Bill for entertaining her.”
“Did I hear my name mentioned?” Bill Wallace asked as he came to the door of his office.
“I was just telling Rebecca that I thanked you for taking Chelsea to dinner last night.”
“But I told you you didn’t have to thank me. Chelsea was a lot of fun.”
“And you like French food?” Jeff asked.
“Oh, we didn’t go to that restaurant. I took her to a good steak place.”
“Chelsea refuses to eat at a steak house,” Jeff said, frowning.
“Well, I really didn’t give her a choice. I had no intention of eating strange food while some snooty maître d’ stared down his nose at me. It would give me heartburn.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed your meal,” Jeff said, still frowning.
Rebecca turned back to her work. She didn’t want to know if Chelsea threw a temper tantrum.
Jeff stood there, his hands on his hips.
“She didn’t complain?” he asked Bill.
“Sure she did. But I teased her out of her bad mood.”
“I guess I never tried that.” Jeff shrugged his shoulders.
“No, because it’s easier to give in. You’ve got to think about how things will be after you marry Chelsea, Jeff. Are you sure you’re doing the right thing?”
Jeff ran his fingers through his dark hair. “Bill, I can’t discuss my marriage with you.”
“Okay. Well, you don’t owe me thanks for last night. I enjoyed myself.”
JEFF PICKED CHELSEA UP at nine o’clock, as promised. Or, at least, he arrived at that time. She wasn’t quite ready, and he was invited in to have a cup of coffee with Chelsea’s father.
“You know, Jeff, I’m so glad to have Chelsea’s future settled. She’s not one of these career types. She’s like her mother. She’ll run your life for you, which will do wonders for your career.”
Jeff suppressed the urge to tell Mr. Wexham that he didn’t want Chelsea running his life. Just then, Chelsea bounced into the room, a huge smile on her face. “Sorry I’m late, Jeff.”
She looked about sixteen, dressed in overall shorts and a T-shirt. In fact, Jeff had never seen her look so casual. Or so happy.
Once they were in the car, he observed, “I should take you to the zoo once a month if it makes you this happy.”
“Silly, it’s not the zoo. We, Mom and I, went shopping for my wedding gown yesterday and I fell in love with one. Mom said I could have it. Dad almost swallowed his teeth, but it’s worth every penny. After all, it’s a Vera Wang.”
“Um, is the groom allowed to ask how much it cost?”
“Probably not, but I don’t mind telling. We got a bargain. It was just under twenty!”
“Twenty dollars?”
Chelsea stared at him. “You’re
