Elise. I have work to do, too. But we could spend a few evenings together, have dinner, talk…you know, like a real couple.”
She looked lost. He understood. He hadn’t dated anyone on a regular basis in years. He hadn’t been comfortable enough with a woman to let her get that close. Was he making another mistake?
“I suppose we could…spend a few evenings together.”
“Okay, you’ve got a deal.” He extended his hand across the table.
After hesitating, she put her hand in his. “But we haven’t discussed your fee.”
“That’s not necessary.” In fact, he was wondering if he should offer to pay her. There was an excitement singing through his veins, an enthusiasm for the days ahead that he hadn’t felt in some time.
“Of course, it’s necessary. I’m hiring you. How much would you be paid for your time if you were doing a play?”
He had no idea what Bobby would receive, so he guessed. “Union wages are a hundred and twenty a day.”
She swallowed. “Okay. How—how many times will we need to go out?”
“Oh, you don’t pay me for those evenings. That’s research. I’m responsible for research. You only pay for the time at the wedding.” He grinned, proud of his solution.
“No, that’s not right. The wedding will be three days, but I’ll pay half that rate for the evenings.” She gave an abrupt nod, firmness in her lips.
He thought she looked adorable.
He shook his head, trying to dismiss that thought.
“No? You won’t agree to half? Okay, I can pay full—”
“That’s not what I meant! That’s fine. What you said was fine. We’ll settle up after the wedding.” When it was over, he’d tell her who he really was. Payment wouldn’t be necessary.
“But won’t you need some money in advance?” She bit down on her bottom lip, and James longed to pull her to him, to touch her there.
“Uh, no, I’ll be fine.”
Her earnest, professorial look firmly in place, she said, “Look, James, don’t let your pride get in the way. I know teaching assistants don’t make much money. I’ll write a check for five hundred dollars and you keep a list of expenses.”
What could he say? He wanted that check. It was proof that she wasn’t after his money, wasn’t it? Not that he’d cash it. Instead, he’d probably frame it, to remember a certain green-eyed siren who had captured him…temporarily.
ELISE WAS UNSETTLED by her arrangement.
Or maybe she was unsettled by James’s insistence that their first research evening be tonight.
Not that she’d had plans. No, she had intended to go over her lesson plans for the next day. And there was a test she needed to grade. Normal activities.
Or maybe she was unsettled by the excitement filling her. This wasn’t a date! And even if it were, a date shouldn’t cause such interest. After all, a male friend was no different from a female one.
That blatant lie couldn’t sail past her truth alarm without ringing wildly. Okay, so sitting across from James Dillon, date or not, was a lot different from sitting with Phoebe and Daisy.
She didn’t shampoo her hair for Phoebe and Daisy.
Or shave her legs.
The phone rang.
“Hi,” Phoebe sang out, her voice cheery. “I met a man today.”
Elise gasped. She had? It must be catching.
“I’m going to introduce him to Daisy,” Phoebe continued.
Oh. Big difference. Elise wasn’t going to introduce the man she’d met to Daisy. Because he wasn’t right for her.
“That’s great. Have you told Daisy?”
“Nope. I thought we’d all grab a bite to eat at The Prickly Pear and discuss it. You can help me convince her.”
“Tonight?” Elise almost squeaked, then cleared her throat to sound normal. “Uh, I can’t tonight.”
“Why not?”
“I’m, uh, doing research.”
“For Daisy?”
“No! For me. I’m using the book to solve one of my problems.”
“When are you going out?”
“At seven.”
“Great, Daisy and I will be right over. We want to hear all about this research.”
Before Elise could protest, Phoebe hung up. But it didn’t matter. She’d have to tell her friends the truth, anyway, sooner or later. Better to get it out of the way.
She grabbed a quick shower, shampooed her hair. When she stepped out, the doorbell was ringing. “Coming!” she shouted as she dashed to her bedroom to find her silky robe. Then she let in her two friends.
“What’s going on?” Daisy asked at once. “It sounds mysterious.”
“No, it’s not. Come in. I’ll get us a cola.” Elise figured she had half an hour before she needed to get ready. “I’ve figured out a way to stop my family from harassing me about my single state.”
“That’s hard to believe,” Phoebe said. “Haven’t they been making daily calls?”
“Yes. But I’ve found a fiancé.”
Daisy almost dropped the drink Elise had just handed her. “What? You’re engaged?”
“No, but the book said look around your neighborhood and—”
“You’re hitting on Jeff? Elise, he’s way too young for you,” Phoebe interrupted. “Besides, I thought you didn’t want to marry?”
Elise closed her eyes, knowing she’d made a mess of her explanation. Jeff was the guy who cleaned the pool at Mesa Blue. He was always flirting with all of them, but he was only twenty-two—a baby.
Just how old do you think James is? that irritating inner voice asked. She didn’t want to think about that. Instead, she attempted to answer Phoebe.
“I don’t want to marry. I’m telling this all wrong, just like I did this afternoon.”
“You told someone else before you told us?” Daisy asked, hurt in her eyes.
“Well, I had to!” Elise exclaimed. “Otherwise he wouldn’t have agreed to be my fiancé. My pretend fiancé!” she emphasized.
“Oh,
