mean, tell me about him. That’s what I meant.”
Phoebe immediately launched into a sales campaign. “He’s divorced, has a twelve-year-old daughter. That’s how I met him. He brought his daughter to my class for young teenagers on how to apply makeup, so they don’t look like a Las Vegas show-girl. And he’s a dentist, very handsome.”
“He puts his hands in other people’s mouths,” Daisy muttered.
“He wears gloves, Daisy. And you haven’t met him. He’s charming.”
“As charming as James?” Daisy countered.
Phoebe made a face. “Not many men are as charming as James. But he’s pleasant. Give him a chance.”
“Okay, okay. I said I’d go out with him. Friday, right?” Daisy asked.
“Right. When are you going to see James again?” Phoebe asked Elise.
“Friday.”
“Hmm. Guess I’m on my own Friday night. Maybe I’ll see if the Madisons will take pity on me,” Phoebe said with a grin.
Elise smiled back. The elderly couple who lived just down the hall from Phoebe loved feeding their single neighbors. The three women had a standing invitation for dinner. The only cost was listening to stories of the Madisons’ beloved grandson, Wyatt. Since none of them had ever met Wyatt, they had to take his besotted grandparents’ word on how perfect he was.
“Maybe you should discuss Daisy with them. They’ll immediately offer Wyatt as a solution, and our problems will be solved!” Elise said with a chuckle.
“I don’t think I could possibly be perfect enough for Wyatt,” Daisy protested, laughing.
His perfection had become a standard joke among the three of them. When one of them intended to do something the other two thought was crazy, they always invoked Wyatt as a naysayer.
Phoebe looked pensive. “You know, with all their talk about Wyatt, I don’t even know what he does for a living. They’re always talking about his childhood. Maybe because that’s all they know. He certainly doesn’t show up often. And they’re such sweet people.”
They all nodded, but Elise’s mind was focused on her own difficulties. Neither of her friends had shown her how she could get out of the situation she’d created.
In truth, she knew there wasn’t a way out. Unless she was willing to go to Sharon’s wedding alone. And she wasn’t. So she had to risk her heart to stay sane—only, risking her heart would drive her crazy.
What was a girl to do?
FOR THE NEXT two days, James chuckled often as he remembered the conversation he’d shared with Elise—and anticipated their Friday evening together.
“What’s put you in such a happy mood?” MaryBelle asked as she served him breakfast Friday morning.
James immediately wiped away the smile. “Me? It’s a beautiful day.”
“We live in Phoenix, James. Most every day is beautiful, but that’s never stopped you from acting like a grouchy bear.”
“I’m not that bad, MaryBelle,” he protested. But he was beginning to wonder. He’d gone back to the office yesterday and several people had commented on his change of attitude.
“It’s a woman, isn’t it?” MaryBelle suddenly guessed.
James immediately felt sympathy for Elise’s blushes as his cheeks heated up. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Aha! I was right. It’s about time, too. It’s unnatural for a handsome man like you to have nothing to do with women.”
“Don’t be silly, MaryBelle. I work with women all the time. Some of my best creative people are women.”
“This is different,” MaryBelle announced, a satisfied look on her round face. She picked up the coffeepot and poured him more. “Eat up, or I’ll think you’ve lost your appetite because of this woman.”
He glared at her.
“Ah, maybe she isn’t as beautiful as she should be, if you’re going to start growling again.”
The temptation to assure his housekeeper that Elise was quite beautiful almost escaped his lips, until he caught the expectant look on her face. She was fishing for information. He pressed his lips together, then took a deep breath. “The coffee is especially good this morning, MaryBelle. New brand?”
“Nope. It just tastes better when you’re in a good mood.” After a moment, she asked, “Am I going to need to look for another job?”
Stunned, he put down his coffee cup. “What are you talking about? Have I upset you? You know I can’t manage without you.”
“I thought maybe with a new woman in the picture, she might not want me doin’ the cooking.”
Whether or not he gave her information about Elise, he couldn’t let MaryBelle, sixty years young, worry about her future. She’d been a part of his life for almost ten years, and he couldn’t ask for better. Rising, he hugged her rounded form. “I can’t do without you, MaryBelle, new woman or not. Besides, she’s a career woman. She’ll love having you here.”
“Aha! I knew there was someone!” MaryBelle crowed.
“You rat! You tricked me. You knew I’d worry about your hurt feelings. Shame on you!”
“It’s your fault,” MaryBelle proclaimed, her nose in the air. “You’re too closemouthed for your own good.”
He didn’t agree with that, but he didn’t mind letting MaryBelle know about Elise. He wanted to tell everyone about her, but that wasn’t a good idea. Their being together was only temporary, he reminded himself. He headed for the door. “I won’t be home for dinner tonight. Oh, and I’ll need to borrow your car again.”
“Okay. Thanks for the tune-up and wash, by the way. It drives a lot better now.”
“I’ll leave the keys to my car.”
“No need. I’m not going anywhere.”
With a wave, he was out the door, briefcase in hand, as usual. But he knew the smile on his lips was a new addition, as of two days ago.
SHE DIDN’T WEAR JEANS.
That smile insisted on spreading across James’s mouth. He’d made her self-conscious. Tonight, she was dressed in a long-sleeved blouse and a skirt that fell to mid-calf. It wasn’t tight enough to allow her shape to be seen, or full enough to swirl around her legs. And her blouse was done up all the way, except for the tiptop button.
She hadn’t hidden her small waist, however. A belt with a silver buckle spanned her middle, like the bow on a present—and he was ready to start unwrapping. He found her demure outfit to be more enticing than any bikini.
“Shall we go?” she asked,
