Rent a Millionaire Groom (11 page)

“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 with
out 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?

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 reservations 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.

“Oh, James, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to rant and rave. You must be tired,” Elise said.

He could hear in her voice the intent to hang up.

“No! I was enjoying your opinion.” Deciding baseball was no longer a good discussion subject, he switched to movies. “I wanted to ask you about a new movie coming out. Some friends said it was
good, but I’m not sure it would be worth the money.”
Unless you’re with me.

Maybe he could convince her to continue their charade for the summer. He’d had more fun in the past week and a half than he’d had in years. That was it! He’d tell her it would be better if her family thought she was engaged for several months. Then when they broke it off just before their fake wedding date, she could pretend to be heartbroken for several years.

That would work.

Unless
he
was heartbroken.

Couldn’t happen, he hurriedly reassured himself. But she was a fun companion. He enjoyed talking with her, having her beside him, discussing the twists and turns of life.

When they’d finished discussing the movie, he asked about Daisy’s love life.

“I don’t think we’re making a lot of progress. She’s going out with Dave tomorrow night, but she’s not enthusiastic.”

“What about Phoebe’s research at the gallery? Did she find anyone?”

“You were right. Several men tried to hit on her before she could explain about Daisy. And she found one guy she thought would do, but it turns out Daisy already knows him and refused to even consider him.”

“It’s not easy to find someone who…a match. Find a match, I mean.”

“Do you believe there’s only one person in the world for each of us?”

“No, definitely not. I think we may be predisposed toward a certain type.”

“Was your wife your type?” she asked softly.

James swallowed. He hoped she wasn’t. He’d hate to think he’d make that mistake again. If shallow, selfish women were his type, he’d definitely remain monastic.

“No,” he said firmly. “I was young and idealistic. I didn’t realize what kind of woman Sylvia was.”

“So it was all her fault?”

“No, sweetheart, it’s never all one person’s fault. But I wasn’t the right person for Sylvia, either. We were a bad combination. Like you and that Richard.”

“I don’t want to talk about romance anymore.”

“Okay, let’s talk about your career.”

And they did. Among many things. James enjoyed the conversation. It was Elise who finally put an end to it.

“I really have to go. It’s after eleven o’clock. I didn’t mean to keep you on the phone so long.”

“You didn’t. I’ve enjoyed myself. What do you have planned for the weekend?”

Silence.

Then Elise said, “James, I don’t think it would be a good idea for us to—I’ll see you Tuesday evening, if you can get the tickets.”

He’d known better than to try, but he hadn’t been able to resist, especially after they’d talked so comfortably for so long.

“Okay. I’ll check on the tickets and call you on Sunday.”

“Or you could just call Bill. I’m sure he’d pass on the news.”

“No, I’ll call you.”

They said good-night, and he reluctantly hung up the phone. He hadn’t wanted to let her go.

At least he felt relieved that he and Sylvia hadn’t had that kind of conversation in the six years they’d been married. Which meant his relationship with Elise was different. In fact, his marriage had gone more smoothly the
less
they’d talked.

With Elise, he could’ve talked all night.

Or found an alternative activity, if she’d been interested.

S
ATURDAY NIGHT
at The Prickly Pear.

Phoebe and Elise sat together at their favorite table, dining on their favorite meal, served by their favorite waiter.

Neither of them was happy.

“Well,” Elise began, then stopped.

“Yes?” Phoebe asked, but she didn’t show much interest.

“Nothing.”

Phoebe grimaced. “Why do we have the blues?”

Elise knew why she was unhappy, but she really didn’t want to share the reason with Phoebe, or anyone for that matter. It might require that she admit something she didn’t want to admit even to herself.

“Is everything all right at school?” she asked.

Phoebe looked around before she answered. “Not so loud. Remember, not many people know I’m in school.”

“I don’t think you should be so secretive about it, Phoebe. I’m proud of you for pursuing a degree.”

“Yes, but you’re female. Men don’t… They think I’m too stupid and it’s a waste of my time.”

“So ignore them.”

“I want to, Elise. I’m trying to. But my mother…Never mind, we’ve been over this before.”

They had. Elise knew how Phoebe’s mother had convinced her that her only asset was her looks. For a beautiful, brilliant woman, Phoebe didn’t value herself very highly.

Phoebe interrupted her thoughts. “Everything’s fine at school. I’m having a little trouble juggling my schedule at the spa, but I’ll work it out.”

“So if school or work isn’t making you blue, what is?”

Phoebe shrugged. “I want Daisy to be happy but…I’ll miss her.”

Elise sighed. “I know. Things will be different if—
when
she marries and has a child. I know we’ll still be friends but—”

“But there’ll just be two of us hanging out here.”

“Yeah.”

“Maybe only one, if James has anything to say about it,” Phoebe added, staring at Elise.

“Don’t be ridiculous! You know the situation. When—when Sharon’s wedding is over, James will go back to Sandra and I’ll concentrate on my career again. I feel I’ve neglected it the past few days.”

“Will you miss him?”

Elise hated that question. It was too close to the pain she was holding at bay. Too close to the truth she didn’t want to admit.

“He’s an interesting person. Just think, Phoebe, when he goes to Hollywood and becomes a star,
we’ll be able to say we knew him when.” Hopefully that idea would distract Phoebe.

“You’ll even be able to say you were engaged to him,” Phoebe said. “Get him to give you a keepsake or something, autographed. Then, when he’s famous, you can sell it. Or better yet, you can write a confessional book about how he stole your heart and then abandoned you for fame and fortune in Hollywood.”

“All the while protesting how young and innocent I was?” Elise suggested, grinning. “I don’t think I’d be believed.”

“Not that you’d do it, anyway, even if it were true. That’s more my mother’s type of behavior.”

Elise smiled. “Don’t be too hard on her. We all have dreams that—well, we weren’t all taught that hard work is the best way.”

“I know.” Phoebe propped her chin on her hand and sighed. “I think they need to write a book about 2001 ways to grow up. I could’ve used it when I was a kid.”

Before Elise could agree, Phoebe waved at some new arrivals.

Elise’s heart thumped in her chest as she spun around. She hated to admit how much she’d hoped it was James. Instead, Rolland and Helen Madison were making their way toward them. It was rare for them to eat out.

“Helen, Rolland, what are you doing here?” Phoebe asked.

“We felt like an evening out, dear. Are you waiting for some young men to join you?” Helen asked. “We don’t want to interfere with your plans.”

Phoebe and Elise denied having plans and asked the couple to join them.

“We were feeling lonesome because Daisy isn’t here this evening, so we’d appreciate the company,” Phoebe added.

“Where is she?” Rolland asked.

Phoebe and Elise exchanged a look. They hadn’t told the Madisons about their search for a man for Daisy because they knew the couple would immediately recommend their grandson Wyatt.

“She has a date tonight,” Elise said, keeping her voice casual.

“Oh? Someone as nice as your James?” Helen asked, beaming at Elise.

“Well, of course, I don’t think so—but he’s a professor at the university. He’s a nice man.”

“Good for her,” Rolland immediately said. “Helen and I often say we don’t know what’s wrong with the men of today that you three aren’t married. It just doesn’t seem right.”

“But we don’t have to worry about you, Elise, dear. After all, you’ve found James.” After saying that, Helen picked up the menu and asked what she should order.

Elise much preferred discussing food to talking about James and their future together. She heartily recommended the chicken Caesar salad.

Rolland asked Phoebe about her classes. Though Phoebe didn’t tell just anyone about her classes, she’d told the Madisons, asking them not to mention it to anyone else. Elise thought it was a good thing for Phoebe.

“Oh! We forgot to tell you our exciting news!”
Helen burst out, after George had taken their order and departed.

“What exciting news?” Elise asked, glad to have the conversation turned on the Madisons rather than herself.

“Wyatt’s going to come see us!” Helen absolutely beamed, clapping her hands together.

“That’s wonderful, Helen,” Phoebe said, smiling, though she quickly exchanged a look with Elise.

“Now, Helen, you’re jumping the gun,” Rolland cautioned. “He said he’d
try
to get away.”

“I’m sure he will this time, Rolland, honey. He hasn’t been to see us in so long.”

“He does seem to be a little lax about visiting,” Phoebe agreed.

A mild statement, Elise thought, knowing Phoebe’s feelings about what she termed Wyatt’s neglect of his grandparents.

Helen protested. “Phoebe, dear, Wyatt’s a very busy man. Besides, he was here in January, the weekend you three went skiing near Flagstaff. We were so disappointed you missed meeting him.”

“Yes, of course, I’d forgotten that trip. And we were sorry, too,” Phoebe said.

Elise hid her smile. The three of them had even discussed the possibility that Wyatt was a fictitious character, made up by Rolland and Helen to satisfy their need for family.

Rolland leaned forward. “The boy’s even talking about moving to Phoenix.”

“Moving to Phoenix?” Phoebe asked faintly.

“Nothing’s decided, but he wants to,” Helen as
sured them, her smile even broader. “Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

“Yes, wonderful,” Elise murmured.

“We’ve told him about you three. We’ve even hinted, delicately, of course, that you’d all three be wonderful candidates for his wife. We want Wyatt to marry and settle down.”

This time when Elise and Phoebe exchanged a look, they each saw panic in the other’s eyes.

“Oh, no, I’m not interested in marriage,” Elise hurriedly said.