Say You'll Never Love Me (35 page)

Veins pulsed in Jace’s neck just below his ears. A mixture of anger and determination burned in the pit of his stomach. He’d never met a female he couldn’t charm and he wouldn’t allow Miss Plain Brain to be the first. “No, that’s not happening.”

“Why are you so upset? Oh. Wait. I get it. She’s the virgin princess.”

He didn’t appreciate Sam’s tone and if they hadn’t been friends and roommates for the last four years, he’d take him down a notch or two. “If anybody ends this arrangement, it’ll be me. I’ve never been ditched and I’m not going to be dumped by the likes of Maggie Fielding.”

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N0VUNGC

Raynie first appeared in her friend, Quinn’s story,
TWO WRONGS MAKE A RIGHT.

Here’s a sneak peek.

Chapter One

Quinn Dorsey had kissed her share of toads, and now, months before her thirty-fifth birthday, her efforts would finally pay off.

Brad squirmed in his seat and didn’t complain about money or work. Yes, tonight, he’d pop the question. Why else bring her to Chez Suzette in the middle of the week?

Not that she was counting, but after dating for three years, two months, and twenty-one days, she expected a ring. It didn’t matter that hot desire no longer shot straight to lady-town when he kissed her, or she didn’t get googly-eyed when she saw him. She was too old for that. Those emotions ran rampant in her twenties.

A vivid image of Andrew popped into her head. He could kiss and burn her to the ground in a split second. But when Andy moved on, Quinn swore off men for a while. Until Kevin. She’d not thought of him in a long time, and wondered why these former lovers came to mind. Maybe because she was about to be off the market and a trip down memory lane made it that much sweeter. After devoting three years to Kevin, he dumped her for a twenty-year-old yoga instructor. Girls with the flexibility of a Slinky got a man’s attention.

Quinn cast a loving look at Brad while he studied the menu. An attorney with a prestigious firm, no doubt he’d make partner someday. Quinn’s mother had been quick to point out that his condo near the University campus, was a more upscale location than Quinn’s apartment. Yes, Brad was the complete package in her mother’s eyes.

He shot hoops with his buddies on Sunday afternoons, and took part in charity events, but he also treated
every
dime as if it were the last one he’d get. No, not perfect, but close.

Smiling, he tilted the menu down and peered over it. “What are you having? Oh, never mind. You always get the same thing.” He closed the folder, placed it on the table, and leaned in close. “But if you want to try something new, go for it. Tonight, the sky’s the limit. You should even save room for that dessert you love so much.”

Meringue and caramel floating in a pool of Crème Anglaise. The image made her mouth water. Could the night be more perfect? Candlelight shimmered and reflected off the crystal chandeliers. Soft music drifted through the room, carrying wonderful aromas on every note. Red roses in silver vases sat on tables draped in black satin. Yes, there was romance in the air, and a ring in Brad’s pocket.

The waiter brought wine, and took their orders. Brad rattled off the choices in perfect French. Perhaps if she got him to recite food items during sex, it would be hotter because that was the one department in which he needed help. He’d become more interested in his own satisfaction than hers. But she’d never find a man who looked more handsome in a suit, or one with better grooming. Every hair in place. Coal black, with a natural wave skimming his forehead, just right. With his square jaw and blue eyes, if he donned a cape, he might leap tall buildings.

When she pictured their children—because she wanted kids—they got his looks and her personality. Her original plan: Married by thirty, two little ones by thirty-five. She’d given her best shot with Andrew and Kevin. But as the saying goes, third time’s a charm, and with the family curse of early menopause looming, an engagement couldn’t happen at a better time.

Questions jumped in her brain. Location of the ceremony? What china pattern? Where would they live? Well, that was easy. Since her apartment was a rental, his condo was the only choice. It wasn’t as convenient to her work, but she submitted her newspaper column electronically, so fighting traffic one day a week when she went to the office, wouldn’t be a big deal.

The waiter returned with their food. Quinn took her first bite, and wondered if she should mention the brochure she’d seen in Brad’s open briefcase. She hadn’t snooped, it was in plain view. New York City. She’d never been, but wanted to go, and said as much when the subject of vacations came up at the last Christmas party. She scolded herself for not giving him enough credit in the romance department. Here she was at her favorite restaurant. The one he never chose because of the expense, and he planned a honeymoon in the Big Apple. She forked a spear of steamed asparagus, dripping with butter.

He swirled the wine in his glass as if judging it, then focused on her again. “Have I told you how nice you look tonight?” Holding her gaze for a moment, he sipped the Cabernet Sauvignon.

“No. But thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself.” How odd he was dishing out compliments, which convinced her he was putting forth extra effort to make this night special.

“Is that a new dress?”

“Yes. I splurged.”

As much as she appreciated the pleasantries, conversation wasn’t going the way she’d imagined, but he was probably nervous. She waited for him to say something else, but he didn’t. He poked another bite into his mouth and chewed it, as if making sure he got his money’s worth. Slumping in the chair, she reassured herself. No need to rush things. Let him take his time. It’d already been one thousand, one hundred seventy-six days since their first date, so what were a few more minutes?

Holding his fork in mid-air, he bobbed it up and down to punctuate his question. “What are you working on?”

Unbelievable.
He never asked about her articles. Never even read her column. This was an opportunity to steer him in the right direction. “Since Valentine’s is coming up, I’m doing a piece on love, romance, and happily-ever-after.”
Perfect. What better segue into a proposal?

Her mind raced. Since he’d brought up dessert, perhaps he’d made arrangements to have the ring hidden in a pastry? So unlike him, but so creative. Her heart fluttered. The anticipation was killing her, so she concentrated on less talking and more eating.

Brad must have had the same idea because he gave full attention to his food.

Once they finished, the waiter came to take their plates, and asked for dessert choices. Quinn opened her mouth to order, but Brad held up his hand. “Can you give us a few minutes?”

“Yes, sir. Signal when you’re ready.”

Alone again, Brad stared into Quinn’s eyes. Her heart hammered against her rib cage. This was it. The moment she’d waited for. The one to erase the years she’d wasted on Andrew and Kevin and all the other toads. She sat up straight, licked her lips, and gazed back at Brad waiting for the question.

“I’ve had something on my mind for days.”

She pulled her brows together. An odd way to start a proposal, but this was a big step.

“We’ve been together a long time.” Now it was his turn to take a deep breath. He leaned forward. “I’ve been offered a position in New York. I’m taking it.”

Inside her head, the world went silent. No more chatter. No more music. Just her brain trying to process his words. She searched his face for the slightest hint of love and there was none. “I’m not sure what you’re saying. Are you asking me to move with you? Because I can’t leave Dad right now. I mean, he’s not finished with chemo, and when he is there’s no guarantee he’ll go into remission.”

“I know.”

She hesitated. Waited for him to talk her into it, or suggest joining him at a later date, but he didn’t. She dropped her hands into her lap, laced her fingers so tightly they tingled. “Well, I must be the dumbest smart girl in the world. I expected a proposal. But you’re breaking up with me.”

“I don’t see a choice. You can’t move and long distance relationships never work.”

Her throat closed off the same way it had the day her dad told her he was moving out. “What was this all about?” She waved her hand around the room. “You assume breaking up in my favorite restaurant would make everything okay? I’d say, oh, great, Brad. Good for you. Go to New York and have a wonderful life—without me.” There was bound to be a good argument to offer, but for the life of her, she couldn’t think of anything else to say. She scooted her chair away from the table and stood.

He rose from his seat. “Wait. Please, sit down. This was a hard decision.”

“Oh really? Which part? Taking the job or dumping me?”

“Both.”

Collapsing back into the chair, she tried to keep calm, but her emotional investment pounded in her head. It was over without a payoff. No proposal. No marriage. No family. Just a penny-pinching-good-looking-ladder-climbing-fool. No, she’d have to claim the fool part, because the one thing she knew in life was, men leave. Andrew left. Kevin left. Dad left. Why’d she think Brad would be different? But there it was, that tiny glimmer of hope. He could still come through and at least try to convince her to go. But he didn’t. He stood there as if waiting for her to make the next move. “I can’t believe this. I thought you loved me.”

He sat again. “I did—I mean, I do.”

From the look on his face, it’d been over for months. Maybe he had never loved her. Tears burned her eyes, but she wouldn’t allow him to see her fall apart in public. Probably why he’d brought her here. Well, if he thought he could rip her heart out with no consequences, he was mistaken. “I guess it’s settled. You’re starting over and leaving me behind.”

His eyes wandered to his drink, the flowers, over her shoulder. “I knew you wouldn’t go, and that’s why I never brought it up. But as much as I care for you, I can’t pass up this deal.” His attention landed back on her again, and he smiled. “There is a silver lining. My condo will be available. This is a perfect opportunity for you to get out of that dreadful part of town. I’ll give you a great price.”

The announcement had her blinking and wondering why she didn’t slap him. “Are you kidding me? You want me to buy your condo?” Fire burned in the pit of her stomach like she’d swallowed a hot coal. The nerve of him. Then she got control. “That isn’t going to happen, but thanks for the
generous
offer. Now I’m ready to order dessert. You said money was no object, right?”

“Yes. Get your heart’s desire. I’m glad you’re being reasonable. Didn’t much think you’d take me up on the condo offer, but if you change your mind, I’m not putting it on the market for a couple of weeks.” He motioned for the waiter.

Pushing aside her disappointment, she decided payback would taste sweeter than anything she ordered. She beamed up at the server. “I want a slice of Charlotte a la Framboise, two dozen Madeleine’s, twelve profiteroles, three chocolate crepes, and six pistachio eclairs.” She closed the menu and stood. “Oh, I almost forgot. Also a Floating Island and three bottles of Dom Perignon Rose 2002. All to go, please.”

Brad’s mouth fell open. “Are you insane? Those bottles cost over four hundred dollars each!”

She smiled down at him. “Yes. I am insane for wasting three years of my life and believing you loved me. I’ll take a taxi home.” She didn’t give him a chance to respond, just slung her purse over her shoulder, and hurried to the ladies room.

Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she adjusted her skirt, then smoothed her hair. How could she have been so blind? It sounded like a song lyric, but it was a valid question. Sure, sex hadn’t been so great lately, but all couples went through dry spells. Work stress and schedules took their toll. Or her first idea was right. He’d never loved her.

Shaking her head to clear it, she decided the reason didn’t matter. Only the result. Bottom line—he didn’t want her. A tear slid down her cheek and she wiped it away. She had to pick up her order before Brad refused payment. Squaring her shoulders, she rushed to the counter, got the goods, and made her getaway.

As the cab pulled from the curb, Quinn opened one of the to-go boxes, removed a Madeleine, and shoved it into her mouth. The cake felt like sawdust against her tongue. She stared out the window at passing cars, licked her lips and tasted salty tears.
Damn him.
She sniffed, wiped them away with the sleeve of her jacket, and reminded herself crying was useless. It was over, and that, was that.

An hour later, sitting on her sofa polishing off her third éclair, she took stock of the place. As much as she hated to admit it, Brad had a point. It was depressing and in a bad location. Given his reputation as a tightwad, he should appreciate her thrift store furniture and lack of décor. He’d told her he admired her because she didn’t need fancy things. Guess she wasn’t fancy enough.

Holding the glass of champagne up to the light, she played back his expression. It was worth four hundred dollars and change. The tag hanging around the neck of the bottle caught her attention. She removed it and read:
The bouquets lilting and even radiance presents an orange-red gleam. On the palate, experience an aggressive occurrence that has rich
completeness along with caressing depth.

Too bad a drink had to furnish her with completeness and caressing, because Brad sure as hell never would. Reaching for another pastry, the phone rang. Maybe he’d come to his senses and realized a life without her wasn’t worth living. She grabbed her cell without looking at the caller and pressed it to her ear. “Brad?”

“It’s Megan. Did he pop the question? I couldn’t wait until morning to find out.”

Quinn sniffed, then stared at the cream filled profiterole to concentrate on the sugar-high she had going in place of her broken heart. “No. He didn’t. We’re done.”

“Oh God. We’re coming over.”

“We?”

“Yeah. I’ll stop and get Raynie on the way.”