Who was he kidding? He didn’t just want to talk to her. But by setting up the evening with chaperones, he could see her without being badly tempted.
“Bill, we’re here. We’re ready. Elise said she’s starving,” Frannie announced, a big smile on her face.
Elise, following her, wore a smile, too, but James wasn’t fooled. He could tell her heart wasn’t in it. Maybe it was the steely look she sent him.
“Good,” he said, stepping forward. “Bill and I were thinking steak. Any objections?”
“I’m not dressed for a nice restaurant,” Elise objected, raising her chin.
Bill responded, “We were thinking about that Australian place, Elise. It’s casual, but the steaks are really good.” He looked anxious. “But if you don’t like that suggestion, we’ll go somewhere else.”
James was glad he hadn’t said anything when he saw Elise’s gaze soften.
She said to Bill, “No, Bill, that’s fine. I love their food.”
“Oh, good,” he said with relief. “Frannie said she liked it, too.”
James figured Frannie would have agreed to anything, even sushi, if Bill had suggested it. He’d like to see even half that much enthusiasm from Elise for being with him.
Funny how Bill couldn’t see what was so obvious to James. Did Bill see Elise more clearly than he did? He’d admit his view was probably clouded by emotions. Not love. Sure, he liked Elise, but that didn’t mean he wanted a commitment.
“Well, let’s be on our way. We’ll take separate cars so—”
“No,” Elise contradicted James. “I’d like to visit with Frannie. I think we should all go together.”
Bill looked at him.
Frannie looked at him.
Elise glared at him.
James knew when to back off. “Okay, that’ll be fine. Shall I drive?”
“Let’s take my car,” Bill said. “I think the back seat is pretty roomy.”
Bill was right, James decided once they were on their way. Bill drove a big SUV. “Do you do a lot of camping, fishing, Bill?”
“Yeah,” Bill said from the front seat. “And some hunting, skiing. That’s the great thing about living here in Arizona. There’s lots to do.”
“I like the outdoors,” Frannie said, waving her hand at Bill.
James looked at the long nails, meticulously polished, the numerous rings on her fingers, the intricate hairdo, the wild clothes she wore—she was definitely not his type.
Bill, on the other hand, was staring at Frannie, obviously stunned by her statement. “You do?”
“Bill, the road,” Elise called out.
Bill had drifted from his lane while he stared at Frannie.
“Oh, sorry. Good thing we’re here, huh?” He found a parking space for his big vehicle.
“Looks crowded,” Elise pointed out.
“Yeah, but it will give us more time to visit.”
Frannie and Bill seemed to appreciate James’s take on the situation, but Elise didn’t.
Not that she said anything. But she turned to look out the window.
When Bill turned off the motor, James got out and hurried to Elise’s door—the one she’d clung to during the ride—to help her out. But she was fast, and already standing on the sidewalk.
Bill helped Frannie out. As Frannie stepped to the sidewalk, Elise caught her arm and started walking toward the entrance to the restaurant.
“Frannie, I don’t think I told you, but that color looks good on you. Not too many women can wear it. When did you buy that blouse?”
Bill looked at James, but James only shrugged. The only subject he figured Frannie was interested in other than Bill was fashion. Elise was smart enough to use it to her advantage.
Elise had been right; the restaurant was crowded. Even the waiting area was crowded. Elise and Frannie stopped near a television showing a hockey game.
A loud television.
Elise was doing everything she could to avoid any conversation with James.
James was determined to outmaneuver her. He slid between her and the wall and whispered in her ear, “You’re making it hard for Frannie to make any progress.”
Rather than answer him, she shifted, stepping on his foot in the process. He didn’t think it was an accident.
“Bill, do you follow the Coyotes?” Elise asked.
Since Bill was staring at Phoenix’s hockey team play on the television, that was a safe question.
“Yeah, I’d forgotten the game was on tonight or I—I mean, I would’ve recorded it.”
“Me, too. I hate to miss a game,” Frannie said hurriedly. “I just love it when they hit a home run.”
James covered his mouth and pretended to cough.
Elise tried to help her friend. “I think you mean a hat trick, Frannie.”
“They do tricks, too? With a hat? I haven’t seen that,” Frannie said, staring intently at the television, obviously waiting for the players to show her a trick.
James was afraid Bill would have no patience with Frannie’s lies, but much to his amusement, Bill smiled and put his arm around Frannie’s shoulders. “Let me explain what Elise meant,” he said. Then he dropped his voice, speaking only to Frannie.
“Nice job,” James said, moving closer to Elise again.
“I didn’t— Yes, at least someone is happy.”
“Elise,” he began with a sigh, “look, I admit I tricked you tonight, but your statement Wednesday night didn’t leave me much choice.”
“How typical of a man!” she snapped in a low voice. “You do what you want and then blame the woman!”
He wanted to retort that he’d done no such thing, but when put like that, he couldn’t deny it. Frowning, he leaned closer, drawing in her scent even as he said, “You’re right. That was wrong of me. Do you want to go home now?”
“And be condemned by everyone in Mesa Blue because I ruined Frannie’s first date with Bill? I don’t think so.” She turned her back on him.
James really hadn’t given a lot of thought to Elise’s neighbors and what they’d think of his antics. He’d been amused by the star-crossed lovers, but he hadn’t thought beyond that amusement.
Now he was really feeling guilty.
ELISE WAS SURPRISED that her words had had an effect on James. But they obviously had. He went to the bar and got them all glasses of iced tea. Then he struck up a conversation about the hockey game with the man standing next to him.
Leaving Elise alone.
Of course, she was glad. She’d wanted him not to bother her. Hadn’t she? But she felt abandoned. Bill and Frannie were having a private discussion. James was talking to that man. She had no one to talk to.
By the time the hostess called them to their table, Elise was quite irritated.
Once they’d settled, she turned to Frannie, who was sitting on the other side of the booth with Bill. “Did you learn a lot about hockey?”
Frannie beamed at her. “Yes, so much. And Bill has promised to take me to a hockey game and explain everything to me.”
“How nice,” Elise said, surprised but pleased at how well things were turning out for Frannie.
“They’re playing Tuesday here in Phoenix,” James said.
“You follow them?” Bill asked.
“Yeah. The games are fun to go to. I’ll get you tickets for the Tuesday night game if you can make it,” he offered.
“You and Elise are going?” Frannie asked, leaning forward, excitement on her face.
“Uh, no,” James said.
Elise was surprised. She’d seen him look at her first before he answered Frannie. She’d expected him to use the game to force her to go out with him again.
“Hey, man, we can’t take tickets from you if you’re not going to get to go. That would be cruel,” Bill said.
“You wouldn’t be taking my tickets. I have four,” James said hurriedly.
“Then we could all go!” Frannie exclaimed.
James shook his head. “No, I
can’t make it.”
“Oh,” Frannie said, disappointment in her voice. Slowly, she said, “I guess we can’t—”
“No, but I’ll get us some seats, Frannie,” Bill said, seemingly as interested in going as Frannie was. “Maybe a scalper—or I’ll check the ads in the newspaper.”
Which made Elise feel terrible. The Coyotes had been a great success in Phoenix. She knew all their games were sold out in advance. Somehow, she couldn’t let Bill and Frannie down. “It’s too bad you can’t make it, James. I’d love to go to a game. I’ve watched it on television, but I’ve never seen a game in person.”
James gave her a sharp look. With a frown, he said slowly, “I might be able to cancel my plans, if you’re sure that’s what you want.”
Elise knew what he was doing. He was giving her plenty of opportunity to avoid going out with him. Her words had bothered him and he didn’t want to be blamed for forcing another date.
But she couldn’t ruin things for Frannie. Besides, as long as they were with the other couple, things would be all right.
“I’d like that,” she said, looking at him.
The smile that lit his eyes almost had her retracting her words. Suddenly she wanted to fall into his arms. She’d pleased him. It was a heady experience.
“Done! They’re great seats, right on the ice.”
Suddenly, Elise asked. “Aren’t those expensive seats, almost impossible to get?” Why would he have seats like that?
“Well,” he said, pausing to swallow, “I didn’t mean to mislead you. The seats actually belong to a friend. He has an ad agency and he uses the seats to entertain clients. But he gives them to me if he doesn’t have any need for them.”
“You sure they’re free Tuesday night?” Bill asked. “Maybe you’d better check and let us know.”
“Uh, right, I’ll do that, but he’s out of town next week, so I think we can definitely plan on going.”
There was something about James’s story that bothered Elise, but she couldn’t think what it was. It was certainly plausible. She knew corporations bought season tickets to most sporting events and used them to entertain.
The waitress came to take their order.
When she’d left, Frannie said, “Bill knows about all the different sports. He said he could teach me all about them. Baseball, football, basketball.” She snuggled against Bill’s broad shoulders. “He’s so patient with me.”
“Baseball?” Elise asked before she stopped to think. But she’d watched baseball games with Frannie and knew she was a fan.
“Yes, Elise,” Frannie said, frowning at her. “Do you want him to teach you about baseball, too?”
Well, I guess I’m slow, Elise decided. Frannie had faked her lack of knowledge about the hockey game to give Bill the chance to show off his knowledge. That was a dating rule that had been handed down mother to daughter for generations. It wasn’t in the book she’d bought.
“Uh, thanks, but I happen to be a baseball fan.”
“You are?” James asked. “Me, too.” Then, after a look at Frannie that told Elise he’d figured out her pretense, too, he asked, “Who’s your favorite player?”
He didn’t believe her. She raised her eyebrows, letting him know she could read his mind. “Well, of course, Randy Johnson is such a dominating pitcher, any fan would name him, but I enjoy Jay Bell. He plays second base.”
She’d pleased him again. That warm smile was her reward for being honest. Frannie’s plan worked for her, but Elise was glad she’d followed the advice in 2001 WAYS TO WED. Be honest with a man. If he doesn’t like who you are, you don’t want him, anyway.
Not that she wanted James!
He was still smiling at her, and she repeated that mantra to herself several times.
“We’ll have to take in a baseball game, too,” he said. He put his arm on the back of the booth, dropping his hand to her far shoulder.
She caught her breath. She hadn’t intended for him to touch her. Her body went into overdrive with absolutely no warning.
“Uh, that would be fun, but there probably won’t be time before we go to the wedding.” She didn’t get that warm smile again, but then she hadn’t expected it. He knew by her answer that they wouldn’t be going to a baseball game together. Because once they’d survived the wedding, she’d tell everyone he was in Hollywood.
He withdrew his arm. “Right.”
“They’re just getting started, anyway,” Bill said, as if to console. “It’ll be more fun when they get a few games under their belt. When’s the wedding?”
“Next weekend, actually. It’s gotten here faster than I thought it would, I’ve been so busy.”
“Which church are they using?” Frannie asked. “My friend was married in this Episcopal church a few blocks away and it was a beautiful ceremony.”
“They’re getting married in Flagstaff.”
Bill smiled. “Good thing it’s your sister’s wedding, or you might not drive that far. Does she live there?”
“No. She and her fiancé met on a ski trip there. They thought it would be romantic to marry at the place they first laid eyes on each other.”
“On the ski slopes?” Frannie asked.
She could feel James’s gaze on her. They hadn’t discussed the wedding, even though it was the reason for their being together. “No. There’s a historic church in Flagstaff. My sister’s fiancé’s father got permission for them to use it. We’re all going up for three days to prepare for the wedding and have the rehearsal dinner.”
“Three days,” James murmured. “It’ll be a mini-vacation. I’m looking forward to it.”
She didn’t look to see if he was smiling. She didn’t want to know. “Good.”
“You’re going?” Frannie asked. “Together?”
Elise couldn’t think of what to say.
James, however, could. “Yeah, I’m going with Elise. She mentioned it to me just after we met. You know, it’s difficult to go to something like that without an escort. Now I’m glad she did. Maybe it will put her in a romantic mood.”
Elise glared at him. She didn’t like his explanation. It made her sound—sound like an old maid, trying to hide the fact that no one wanted her.
Which, of course, was the truth.
Oh, not that no one wanted her, but she didn’t want them.
She’d already found a man who lit her spark—he just happened to be all wrong for her. Figured!
Damn, was she becoming as romantic as Daisy?
Chapter Eleven
James called Elise after he got home. After all, it was only a few minutes past ten. She’d made sure there was no lengthy leave-taking.
In fact, she’d struck up another conversation with Frannie as they exited Bill’s car, and maintained it until they reached Mesa Blue’s front door. Then she’d told them all good-night and raced up the stairs as if a Doberman were after her.
James smiled ruefully as he pictured Bill and Frannie’s expressions. After they’d recovered from the shock, they’d sent sympathetic looks his way.
Definitely feeling like a fifth wheel, he’d thanked them for their cooperation, promised to call them about Tuesday and headed for his car. Someone should have a sweet ending to the evening. He hoped Bill took advantage of their privacy.
“Hello?” she answered now.
“Elise, it’s James. I didn’t get a chance to tell you good-night earlier, so I thought I’d tell you now.”
She didn’t say anything. He guessed he couldn’t blame her. It was a corny reason to call.
“Uh, good night,” she finally muttered.
“Wait!” he called, afraid she’d hang up. “I had a question about the wedding.”
“Yes?”
“When will we go up to Flagstaff?”
“I’m sorry, I should’ve informed you earlier. We’ll leave as soon as you’re free on Thursday.”
“Do I need to book a room? What hotel—”
“No. My sister has made reservatio
ns for us at the Hilton in Flagstaff. It’s very nice.”
“I’m sure we’ll be comfortable.” After that polite response, he asked, “What shall I bring as a wedding present?”
“Nothing, James. You haven’t even met them. You’re coming as my escort. Sharon won’t expect anything.”
“But—”
“I’ll get something from both of us, okay?”
She sounded frustrated. James wanted to soothe her. In fact, soothing her—and various other ways to make her happy—had been on his mind for several days.
“Sorry, Elise. I wasn’t trying to create problems. And if you want to back out of Tuesday, it’s all right.”
She sighed. “I know you weren’t. I’m sorry I’m so difficult right now. All this pretense—and I know it’s all my fault, so don’t say it, but—but I don’t like it.”
He didn’t, either. He wanted to sweep Elise up into his arms and make love to her for at least a week. Instead, so he wouldn’t scare her off, he had to pretend that touching her didn’t affect him. Ha!
He cleared his throat. “And Tuesday?”
Holding his breath, he waited for her to answer. He wanted Tuesday night. That would give him another chance to get to know her before the wedding. That was the only reason it mattered, of course.
“If you don’t mind, I think we should go ahead with Tuesday night. I think Frannie has found a way to connect with Bill. She’ll go through all the sports. By that time, if he hasn’t gotten the idea, it’s hopeless, anyway.”
“Was I wrong in thinking she knows more than she’s letting on?”
Another sigh. “Women have done that for years, James, so don’t condemn her.”
“I wasn’t. I was just curious.”
“I’m not sure about hockey, but I do know that she’s a baseball fan.”
James remembered the pleasure he’d felt to discover that he and Elise shared a common interest in baseball. He nudged the conversation in that direction. For at least ten minutes, Elise relaxed and exchanged views about the Phoenix Diamondbacks and their competitors.
James was stretched out on his bed, imagining Elise next to him, sharing pillow talk, even if it was about baseball. It couldn’t get much better than this—unless she were actually with him.
Rent a Millionaire Groom Page 11
