Pastor Stone turned to him. “Coming to our evening service? Starts at six-thirty.”
“Actually, I already have a church.” Lucas smiled and sipped the tepid water.
“Oh, really? Your mother called and said you hadn’t found one. Is it a Baptist church?”
“It’s a community church. They’re not exclusive.”
The pastor shook his jowls. “We need to stick to our own kind. Separation from evil influences.”
Sandra slurped on the ribs and licked her fingers. “That’s right. My brother’s hanging around liberals.”
“I want to try something different.” Lucas pushed the congealed chili aside. “I don’t think Baptists are the only people saved.”
“I didn’t say that,” Pastor Stone said. “It’ll make your mother happy if you come to church with your sister. Otherwise, she has to take the bus.”
“Yep, and that’s why I skipped this morning.” Sandra rolled her eyes. “He spent the weekend with some woman named Maryanne.”
The pastor drew in his breath and gasped. He took out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead. “Fornication is a grievous sin. Beware that God doesn’t strike you dead.”
“Thank you for your concern, Pastor, but I did not fornicate.”
“We must refrain from the appearance of evil.” Pastor Stone flipped open his Bible and read from 1st Thessalonians chapter 5.
Lucas stared at the ceiling fan. What was Maryanne doing right now? She was probably taking a relaxing bubble bath and painting her toenails. Maybe resting with a facial mask and cucumbers over her eyelids. He shifted in his seat. He’d treat her with the utmost respect. She was such a wonderful friend, and now he was privileged to have her as his girlfriend.
~~~
Maryanne drained the tub and dried herself. The bath had only made her more worried and sick. She really knew how to pick the winners. Was she brain dead or what? Despite herself, she picked up her phone. No missed calls. He was still busy enjoying his lunch date. But would Sandra confront him? Nah, she didn’t seem too upset, dancing around with her iPod. Maybe they had an open relationship.
Maryanne ground her teeth. She was way too jealous for an open relationship. She pulled on a pair of tight jeans and a diagonal patterned handkerchief tank top. She’d show him she wasn’t some pathetic slouch, waiting for his call. Vera had left a message saying that Ryan wanted to take her to an afternoon movie.
She picked up the phone and called Vera.
“So, how was camping with the black knight?” Vera chirped. “Tell, tell. Do I win the bet? Did you?”
“No, nothing. Look, you said Ryan wants to call me?” Maryanne put on a cheerful voice.
“You owe me. I lied for you, told him your mother had Saturday night card club and you couldn’t miss under penalty of being disowned. He bought it. So you were in Sacramento this weekend, okay?”
“Sure, thanks. How was your date with Frank?”
“Sweet. Of course I had two guys hanging on my every word. I’ll call Ryan and give him your number. Tell me, what did Lucas do or not do?”
It’s not like Lucas was going to miss her, either. He was probably groveling to Sandra about the camping trip. Or even worse, laughing about how he made a fool out of Maryanne.
“I don’t want to talk about it right now. I’m going to block his number. He’s such a phony. I can’t believe it, but I saw it with my own eyes.”
“Wait, you better tell me. What if he denies all?” Vera’s voice picked up interest.
“He’d only lie. I’ve experience with these kind of guys. Don’t give them any reason, explanation or information. They’re like used car salesmen, always looking for an angle.”
“Okay, okay. I get it. You’ve had a string of losers. I have it on good authority that Ryan’s different. He got dumped by Michelle, not the other way around.”
Maryanne wasn’t interested in anything other than a distraction. Ryan was probably another player, caught by his girlfriend.
Vera chattered on. “By the way, I’m joining the singles group at Lion Community church. We’ll meet Michelle and some other girls from the Bible college and get the dirt. It’s Thursday evenings, think you want to come?”
“I’m not religious.” Maryanne’s fingernails dug into her palms. “Lucas wanted to take me to a church picnic, but now I see he’s a hypocrite.”
“Well, if you date the pastor’s son, you may have to make a show of going to church.”
“Vera, you’re getting ahead of yourself big time. I’m going to an afternoon matinee to get Lucas out of my mind.” And since when was Vera so religious? Did the bet mean that much to her?
“Girl, you got it bad for Mr. Knight. Remember to smile when Ryan picks you up, mind your manners and say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’”
“Sure, mom.” Maryanne swiped angry tears and threw the tissue across the room. All she wanted to do was bury her face in a pillow and cry. Lucas had seemed so sweet, so genuine this morning. But then the biggest liars were also the most charming.
Chapter 8
Lucas dropped his sister at the apartment. He picked up Zach and they drove to Fremont to run up Mission Peak. He called Maryanne on the way, but she did not answer.
He tried again on the way back and got her voice mail. “Hey, I miss you already. I’ll be at your place by five. See ya, sweetie.”
“Sweetie?” Zach punched his arm. “Did you get lucky?”
“Not in the way you think, but yes, I’m real lucky. She agreed to a relationship.”
Zach launched a long whistle. “She’s a hottie. So’s her friend, the Filipino one. Too bad she’s seeing someone.”
“Really? Who?”
“Captain of the church basketball team. You want to join?”
Lucas turned onto Zach’s street. “No time for activities. Any free time I have, I want to spend with Maryanne.”
“She coming to the picnic?”
“Yes, you’ll like her. She’s witty and smart.” He dropped Zach off at his apartment. “See ya!”
Zach waved. “Can’t wait to meet her in person.”
Whistling, Lucas drove toward home. He parked his car and checked his phone, but Maryanne still hadn’t returned his call. After a quick shower, Lucas shaved carefully, splashed on aftershave and brushed his teeth a second time.
On the way to Maryanne’s, he stopped by a grocery store and bought a bag of Lindor Extra Dark Truffles. He called to let her know he was on his way and got her voice mail.
Adrenaline seeped into his blood stream. Had he offended her or missed something? He stomped the accelerator and tore to her apartment. Her car was in the carport, so he ran up the stairs and knocked on her door.
No answer.
“Maryanne, you in there?”
She could be hurt. Maybe she had hit her head this morning. He ran to the manager’s office.
The portly man wiped his forehead. “I can’t be opening a tenant’s door because you’re worried. Have you tried calling her?”
“She doesn’t answer and her car’s in the carport.”
“Maybe she went out with someone. Leave me your number and the next time I see her, I’ll tell her to call you.”
“Never mind.” His phone rang and he answered without looking.
“Hey, it’s Zach. I’m not sure you want to come to the picnic.”
“Why?”
“I think I see her.”
Lucas’ heartbeat jumped to the red line zone. “Maryanne?”
“Yeah, sorry to break it to you, but she’s here with Ryan, the pastor’s son.”
“Are you sure?” Fiery heat blazed over his torso.
“Pretty sure. I mean, we both checked her out with the other nurse. She’s here, too, with Frank.”
“I’m heading over.”
“I don’t know.” Zach’s voice lowered. “They seem to be pretty cozy.”
“It can’t be Maryanne. You’ve mistaken her for someone else.”
&nbs
p; “Maybe,” Zach drawled, seemingly unconvinced. “You know, now that I think about it, she’s usually not dressed so slutty.”
“Maryanne’s probably sick. I’m in front of her apartment. She might have passed out, but the manager won’t open the door. Can you ask Vera to speak to the manager?”
“Wait, I’ve an idea. I’ll take a picture of them and send it to your phone.”
Seconds later, Lucas’ phone jingled with an incoming text. He opened the message, and his head expanded hot. Maryanne and a blond man sat next to each other at a picnic table. If she was using him to make the man jealous, she had another thing coming to her. He’d confront her and end it. Let that man know exactly what was going on. That she’d spent the weekend with him alone in a tent.
He sped down the highway and ran two red lights, then swerved into the parking lot, barely missing a minivan. He double-parked and tore through the church grounds to the social area where Zach met him.
“They’re over there.” Zach pointed to a group sitting in a circle around a guy with a guitar.
Lucas barged into the circle and spied Maryanne sitting between Ryan and Vera. Vera elbowed her and Maryanne looked in his direction, then quickly averted her eyes. She stood from the bench and walked toward the building.
Lucas marched up to her and grabbed her arm. “Why aren’t you answering my calls?”
Vera tugged her other arm. “Don’t talk to him. He’s crazy.”
“No, wait. I want to know what’s going on.” Lucas glared at Maryanne who pouted with her arms crossed.
Ryan walked up. “Is there a problem here? The lady doesn’t want to talk to you.” Ryan put a hand on Lucas’ shoulder. “Let her go.”
“Get your hands off me.” Lucas shoved him.
“You’re out of line here.” Ryan shielded Maryanne, who walked off with Vera. “If you’re not here to join the young adults group, you should leave.”
“I’m here with Zach.” Lucas shrugged and straightened his shirt.
“Yeah, he’s with me,” Zach parroted.
Ryan nodded at a burly security guard. “Behave yourself.”
“I will.” Lucas seethed, but he had to speak to Maryanne. It wasn’t right for her to cut him off without an explanation. Ryan walked back to the guitar group and shook hands with some newcomers.
Zach pointed toward the sanctuary. “They’re in the ladies’ room.”
“They can’t stay there all night.” Lucas parked himself on a bench.
“Good luck, buddy,” Zach said. “I see a chick I want to talk to.”
Lucas held his throbbing head in his hands. When he’d left Maryanne, she was all kissy sweet, glowing and lovely. Now she looked like hell warmed over, sick and angry at him. This was exactly why he didn’t want a relationship, just a friendship. He never understood women. Maybe she was ashamed of him and wanted to be seen with the pastor’s son. He hadn’t thought she was that way. Damn. Everything was so unfair. He never got a break. A bastard, an unwanted child. His Olympic dreams dashed by a broken wrist, and now, a woman he trusted doing him wrong.
The picnic was over, and people gathered chairs and picked up trash. Maryanne and Vera hadn’t emerged from the ladies’ room. The lights in the foyer dimmed. They couldn’t stay all night. He hunkered down.
Finally, the security guard tapped his shoulder. “Sir, you’re going to have to leave. Party’s over. We’re shutting down.”
“There are two women in there. I’m waiting for them.”
“Okay, I’ll warn them.” The guard knocked on the door. “Party’s over. Locking up.”
Lucas walked out of the sanctuary and situated himself behind a stand of Italian cypress. Sure enough, Maryanne and Vera glanced around before coming out. The guard shut the doors after them, and they walked his direction, talking with low voices.
“Maryanne,” he called as she came toward him.
She jumped and gasped. Her makeup was smeared, and she clutched a tissue.
“No, no, shhh… It’s me.” Lucas drew closer. “Don’t be scared.”
Vera glared at him and put her hand on Maryanne’s back. “You have some nerve.”
“I don’t even know what I did.” He faced Maryanne. “Sweetheart, tell me what’s wrong.”
“You’re a cheat,” Vera said. “Can’t you see what damage you’ve done?”
Maryanne trembled. “I saw her, Lucas. You were going to take a shower with her.”
“Who? What are you talking about?”
“Don’t lie to me. I went to your apartment and saw her through the window. You were wearing a towel and telling her to get in the shower.”
“Oh, Sandra.” Lucas wiped his forehead. “She’s my sister. I’d just come out of the shower. We were running late to lunch with Pastor Stone.”
Maryanne hiccupped. “How can I believe you? Men are always lying to me. I thought you were different.”
“I am different. But you can’t act like this and expect a real relationship. I think we should go back to your place and talk this out.”
Seeing her so sad tugged at his heart. But she was too much, too intense and overwhelming. He led the way to his car. What had he gotten himself into?
~~~
Maryanne clutched a tissue and stepped out of Lucas’ car. He had been silent the entire ride, not even turning on the radio. They walked toward her apartment. A soggy feeling twisted her stomach. Obviously she’d screwed up—displayed her jealousy and acted childish.
She unlocked the door, and he followed her inside.
“Could I get you coffee? Tea?” Her heart tolled heavy. He wouldn’t even look her in the eye.
“Don’t worry about it.” Lucas sat on the couch and patted it for her to sit next to him.
She moved to his side, but left a gap between them. “Are you mad at me?”
“No, I’m disappointed that you’d think so poorly of me.”
Why did she feel like a child being lectured by her father? She jutted her chin at him. “It did look incriminating. You didn’t tell me who you were going to lunch with.”
“So you took it upon yourself to spy on me?” He scowled and his face hardened with anger.
Maryanne wrung her fingers. “No, it wasn’t like that. I called you, but your sister picked up. And she was rude, asking, ‘Who are you?’ She never said she was your sister.”
Lucas fingered his cell. “Looks like she deleted my call log. Why did you go out with Ryan?”
“I’m sorry. I missed you and wanted to talk to you, and a woman answers the phone. What would you have thought?” Her stomach felt as if she’d dropped straight down an amusement park ride.
“But you turned around and went out with another guy.” His voice was relentless, demanding, blaming.
“I thought you were sleeping with another woman.” Maryanne hugged his stiff shoulders and shook him. “Please don’t be mad at me.”
He shut his eyes and his Adam’s apple bobbled. “I’m not mad, but we should take some time and think this through.”
“Are you breaking up with me?” A shot of adrenaline toppled Maryanne into that familiar sinking state, as if her life raft had punctured.
“I felt so crazy, so desperate when you weren’t answering my calls, and when I saw you with Ryan, I wanted to punch his lights out.” He disengaged her arms and moved to the edge of the sofa.
“I messed up, Lucas. I’m so sorry.” Maryanne choked back a sob. “I wanted so much for this to work out.”
“I did too, but I don’t think I’m ready for such an emotional commitment.”
That’s what they all said when they turned her away. She covered her face, unwilling for him to see the tears. She’d failed her very first day as his girlfriend, record time for driving a man away. What was it? Twenty minutes from the time he kissed her goodbye to the misunderstood phone call with his sister?
Lucas stood and moved toward the door. She lunged after him and threw her arms around his waist. Oh, to hear that heart
beat and to tuck up against his warm chest one last time.
He rubbed her back gently. “I have to go.”
“Wait.” She scooped up the glass pumpkin from her coffee table. “I want you to have this. To remember this morning.”
For the first time, the mask on his face wavered. He stared at the pumpkin. “We were so hopeful this morning.”
She didn’t want it to be over. “You gave me your heart, and I wanted to keep it forever.”
“It was just a glass heart.” He lowered his face. “You left it in the glove compartment. I’ll go get it.”
She watched him shut the door. If only she hadn’t left it there, none of this would have happened. She took deep, gulping breaths and clapped her hand to her chest. Her pulse unsteady, she leaned her forehead against the door.
He returned a few minutes later and placed the souvenir on the end table near the door. “I’m sorry it turned out this way.”
Maryanne made no move toward him. He obviously didn’t want her anymore. “Is this it?”
“Let’s not call each other just yet.” He avoided her gaze. “I hope you’ll understand if I don’t pick up.”
“You are mad at me.”
His lips flattened into a line. “No, it’s not you. Now’s not the right time. I should have thought of it earlier. I have to spend the summer in Colorado doing altitude training and racing. There’s Ironman in the fall. Things are busy.”
It was always the same. Maryanne had heard it before. “Goodbye, Lucas. I thought you were different.”
He kissed her quickly on the cheek and shut the door.
~~~
Monday went by. No word from Lucas. Tuesday, nothing. Wednesday morning, Maryanne couldn’t face going to work knowing he had an appointment. She called in sick and moped around her apartment, scrubbing and cleaning. Every so often, she’d pick up the glass heart and gaze into it.
She nibbled on a salad and checked her cell. No messages from Lucas, no missed calls. Ryan had left several texts inquiring if the man was still bothering her. She didn’t reply.
Hidden Under Her Heart Page 6
