The Blind Date (12 page)

“Nothing much,” Jerome replied. “I do little things for her, like help her move furniture or even something as simple as replacing the light bulb on her porch.” He looked pointedly at Shawna.

She groaned. “I know, I need to go to the hardware store and pick up the light bulb.”

“When you buy it, let me know, and I’ll bring over my step ladder and install it for you like I did last time.”

“No need,” Ryan interjected. “I’ll help her with that.”

“Of course.” Jerome’s smiled tightly. “I’ll leave you two alone. Have a good evening.”

Ryan watched him walk down the steps and turn toward the building where he’d noticed someone peeking through the curtain. Shawna closed the door and locked up.

They were both silent as they descended the steps. The cool night air brushed over them on the way to Ryan’s truck.

“Shawna, one more thing,” Jerome called out. “We’re still on a week from Saturday, right?”

“Uh, yes.” She actually looked uncomfortable.

“Good. Our law firm is having a party,” he explained to Ryan. “We recently bought a new building. Saturday night is the night we chose to do sort of a pre-open-house open house to show it off to friends and family.” He refocused on Shawna. “We’ll catch up about the details next week. Goodbye, Ryan.”

Ryan and Shawna continued to his truck and remained silent until he’d pulled out of the parking lot.

“Did you have to make that comment back there about us being more than friends?” Shawna asked.

“We are.”

“I don’t need my business broadcast to everyone in my neighborhood.”

“It was only Jerome.”

“My private life is private and I didn’t like it when you said that. I don’t even know what that means—more than friends.”

“It means I don’t want you to go to a party with him on Saturday night. Does that clarify it for you?” Ryan gripped the steering wheel.

“It’s not a date, Ryan, and we made those plans months ago.” She sounded annoyed.

“If you dress up and go out with a man who’s not related to you, it’s a date. Were you even going to tell me?”

“Tell you what? That I’m going out with one of my friends? You won’t even be in town that weekend.”

He looked at her out of the corner of his eyes. Her arms were crossed. “Did you ever have more than a friendship with him?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Is that a yes or a no?”

“Yes, I did. We went out a few times.”

“Did you have sex with him?”

She heaved a sigh of annoyance. “Where is this going? He’s a friend.”

“Yes or no, Shawna?”

“No! Do you want to know about all my past relationships now?”

The cabin remained quiet as the truck rolled through the next few traffic lights. Shawna stared out the side window and Ryan tried, but failed, not to let his jealousy spoil what should have been a nice night out.

“I don’t want you to go out with him.”

“I’m not going to cancel on him last-minute.”

“It’s not last-minute. He’ll have over a week to find a new date.”

“Are you seriously asking me to do this?” Her eyes widened with surprise.

“Yes, I am.”

“That’s kind of ridiculous, don’t you think?”

Their gazes collided. “You’re doing this to spite me, aren’t you?”

“Yes, because when I made these plans months ago, I knew you’d surprise me and come back into my life.”

Silence.

“You’re not even interested in him.”

“I never said I was, and if you know that, why are you making a big deal out of it?”

“Because of him. He’s interested in you. I can tell.”

“Even if he is, nothing’s going to happen between us. He’s a friend.”

“He wants to be more,” Ryan said, his voice hardening.

“I don’t want to argue.”

“This isn’t an argument. We’re having a conversation about why you shouldn’t be going out with Jerome.”

“You know what? I’m not going to let someone who recently came into my life tell me what to do and with whom to do it. Turn the truck around.”

“What?”

“Turn it around! I don’t want to go to the movies anymore. I want to go home.”

“I’m not taking you home.”

“You might as well take me home now, because if you don’t, the minute we get to the theater I’m going to call a cab.” Her eyes challenged his before he looked away.

“Fine.” Ryan gritted his teeth and swung the truck in a U-turn in the middle of the street.

“Are you insane?” Shawna screamed at him.

“You said you want to go home, so I’m taking you home. There’s no pleasing you, is there?”

Shawna fell silent and stared out of the window, fuming. That fast, the evening had deteriorated. When he parked his truck at her house, she immediately jumped out.

“Would you wait a damn minute?” Ryan said.

“I have nothing to say to you,” Shawna hissed. “You don’t own me, Ryan, and I’ll do as I please.”

“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked.

“I could ask you the same question.”

“I’m asking you to respect my request.”

“And I’m asking you to back off. This is why I need space. Because you’re too intense.” She marched up the wooden stairs and he followed. She fumbled for her keys.

“Would you prefer that I act as if it doesn’t bother me that you’re going out with another man?”

“Frankly, I don’t care if it bothers you, because I’m going to that party and I don’t need your permission.” She shoved the door hard twice. It sprang open on the third push, reminding him he hadn’t lubricated the lock as planned.

“So while I’m out of town, you’re going on a date with him?”

Shawna swung on him. “How do I know what you’re doing in Oklahoma? You could have a woman there for all I know.”

“Is that what this is about? It wasn’t enough when you slapped me on Friday because you’re still harboring some anger, aren’t you? Will it make you feel better if you hit me again? Go ahead. Hit me. I can take it.”

The expression on her face suggested she was trying to decide if she should or not. “No.”

“Get it out of your system,” he insisted.

“Don’t tempt me.”

Ryan laughed shortly. “I don’t think I can tempt you with anything except sex. I’m finally starting to hear you because even a blind man could see this argument is baseless. It’s simply a way out for you.”

“And what is it for you? You’re the one making unreasonable demands.”

“Maybe it’s a way out for me, too.” He saw something flicker in her eyes. Hurt? He wasn’t sure. It could have been his imagination.

All he knew was that she didn’t seem to appreciate the depth of his feelings for her and how it made him feel to know that she would be with a man she used to have feelings for—and who may still have feelings for her. He didn’t care how unreasonable she thought his request.

“I think you had it right,” he said. “We need to give each other space. What we had in Chicago . . . I don’t know if we can recreate that.” He turned away.

“Ryan.”

He barely heard her, her voice was so soft. “What, Shawna? I’m giving you what you want. Space. I’ve made it clear to you what I want. I want
you
. Now you need to decide if you want me, too.” He heaved a heavy sigh. “I know it’s scary and I know I come on really strong, but it’s been six years.
Six years
I’ve walked around like an empty shell. So you’ll have to accept that it’s really hard for me to slow down, and it’s even harder for me to stand by and let another man interfere with what we have.”

He marched down the steps and heard the door close behind him. The finality of it hit him deep in his chest. Before he entered the truck, he looked up at the next building over. Like before, someone pulled across the curtain, but he now knew it had to be Jerome because he stayed over there.

Ryan stood and stared, daring him to return to the window. When he didn’t, he started his vehicle and drove out of the parking lot.

Chapter Nineteen

For days afterward, Shawna remained in a state of shock, but she managed to go about her daily routine, pretending normality. By the time a week had passed since her argument with Ryan, she’d finally stopped constantly checking her phone to see if he had called or texted.

The day of the party she was determined to participate in the festive atmosphere like all the other guests.

“This is nice,” she said to Jerome. “Great view from up here.”

The Benson & Gates open house party was well underway. Minutes before, she’d walked over to the window in the giant conference room at the top of the new building the firm purchased in the center of the city. The law firm used only the top four floors and leased the rest. From up here she had a good view of the Atlanta skyline spanning the night sky.

“Didn’t I tell you?” Jerome asked from behind her. He wore a dark, three-piece suit and held a mixed drink in his hand.

Shawna had decided to curl her hair and sweep it to the side. The powder blue strapless dress she wore had a fitted bodice and a full chiffon skirt.

She took a good look at Jerome. “Are you having a good time?” she asked. He’d had an air of restlessness about him all night.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t want to be here,” he replied in a lowered voice. “I appreciate you coming to this thing with me.”

“No problem. After everything you’ve done for me, it’s the least I could do, but why don’t you want to be here? It’s a nice event with a good turn out.”

He snorted. “I don’t like coming to company parties. Before the night is over, most of these people will be drunk, and of that number, half of them will go home together.”

Shawna cast a quick glance around the room. Considering the semiformal attire everyone wore, she couldn’t imagine them behaving the way Jerome suggested. However, plenty of liquor floated around, and corporate parties could often get out of hand.

“Why did you come if you hate these events so much?”

He sighed. “It’s good to show my face at these things, even though I don’t enjoy them.”

“Jerome, who’s this beautiful creature with you?”

They both turned in the direction of an older man with salt and pepper hair—more salt than pepper—who had walked up. Shawna stiffened when Jerome laughed and placed his hand low on her back. The intimate gesture took her by surprise.

“This is someone very special to me. Shawna Ferguson, this is Gabe Benson.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Benson.” They shook hands.

“Call me Gabe, please.” His voice boomed in the room and no one else seemed to be disturbed by it, as if they had grown accustomed to him being loud. Such a commanding voice probably worked very well in the courtroom.

“I love the table and the credenza,” Shawna commented. “They look new.”

“Brand spanking new,” Gabe said with satisfaction. “We had them custom-made by a local craftsman.” He took two steps and knocked his knuckles against the top of the table. “This is genuine mahogany, straight out of South America. It’s not easy to get the real deal anymore—so many restrictions because of the depletion of the forests and all those damn illegal loggers. It cost a pretty penny, but our guy delivered and created a work of art.” He couldn’t have looked prouder if he’d produced the furniture himself.

“Where’s Gates?” Jerome asked.

“Somewhere around here, enjoying the fact that his wife is out of town visiting the in-laws. I hope he isn’t enjoying it too much.” He made a drinking motion with his hand, and he and Jerome laughed. Shawna smiled, not entirely sure if laughter was appropriate.

Gabe pointed his finger at Jerome. “We have big things in store for this man right here. He’s one of our hardest working attorneys.”

“It’s easy to work hard when you love what you do,” Jerome said.

“That’s what I like to hear.” Gabe slapped his hands together. “Time to get some food in my body. Shawna, it was a pleasure. Jerome, don’t keep her to yourself all night—let her get around to meet other people.”

“Will do.” Gabe patted Jerome on the shoulder and then walked away.

“He seems to really like you,” Shawna said, easing out of Jerome’s reach.

“I hope so. My goal is to make partner. I have big plans.” He cleared his throat. “Shawna, I know we said we’d just be friends, but lately I’ve been thinking a lot about my future and where I hope to be in the next five years. What I’m trying to say is—”

Gabe’s booming voice greeting someone caught his attention, which Shawna was happy for. The conversation had started in a direction that made her distinctly uncomfortable. She turned toward the door and had a moment of dizzying disbelief when she saw Gabe standing there with his arm around Ryan’s shoulders as if they were old friends.

Ryan, in a suit.

She’d done her best to keep thoughts of him at a minimum, but his arrival made that impossible to do. He looked amazing in a black jacket, pale blue shirt, and a striped tie. Even with the stubble on his jaw, he looked polished, professional—breathtaking in a different way than he normally looked in casual attire.

A redhead stood beside him with short hair, tapered on the sides.

“Is that your friend?” Jerome asked.

Her throat muscles had tightened to the point that she could hardly breathe, and it took a while before she had the presence of mind to tear her eyes away and answer the question. “Yes, that’s him.”

“What’s he doing here?” Jerome demanded, as if she’d violated some unspoken rule. He looked uncharacteristically upset.

“I don’t know. He probably received an invitation like everyone else.” Jerome looked at her with accusation in his eyes as if she’d given Ryan access to the party and sprung an unwelcome surprise on him. “I don’t have anything to do with him being here. You should probably talk to Gabe about it since they seem to be friends.” Jerome’s hostility surprised her.

Shawna turned back to the window to pull herself together. Given their last argument, she really had no right to be jealous, but the ugly emotion rose inside her like chimney smoke.

Who was the woman with him? A friend, or more?

Ryan’s image appeared as a reflection in the glass. “Good evening, Jerome. Shawna.”

His voice prickled the hair on the back of her neck. Steadying her nerves, she turned slowly to face him.