Just My Luck (A Shamrock Falls Novel) (Entangled: Bliss) (10 page)

Chapter Nine

Betsy felt pretty good. She’d enjoyed the basketball game she and Jace watched so much. She’d also talked to Tamara, who had been very kind and said when or who Betsy married was none of her business. Plus, now she was going out with Jace.

Their upcoming date was on Betsy’s mind all week. She hadn’t asked Jace again what they were doing, but she ran through a million options in her head. It was mid-February and it still rained often, so she didn’t think they’d be outside. She knew Jace enjoyed the outdoors, but there wasn’t anything she could think of that he would take her to do.

Six weeks. How had they been married for six weeks already? It was so strange—especially considering she was worrying about a date with her own husband.

Fake husband and a fake date
, she reminded herself. Yet it still felt important to her. And, God, did she want to measure up. For Jace, with his sexy smile and suave suits. He was so handsome. She loved his hair and his eyes and the mole on his collarbone that she couldn’t stop thinking about. The six-pack abs she wished she could see again. Not to mention how it felt when he held her the other day. She’d wanted nothing more than to curl into him and stay there for a week. For a month. For forever.

Betsy wanted to be beautiful to him, too. She knew she wasn’t ugly. It wasn’t as though she spent time hating herself. In her mind, there was a difference between being down on herself and being honest. She was shy; she struggled around a lot of men. She had very little experience, so she’d just never seen herself meeting someone, falling in love, and getting married. Also, she couldn’t quiet her mom’s voice. The one that reminded her women got hurt. Taken advantage of. How many times had her mom said that?

I trust Jace. He would never take advantage of me.

There was never any doubt of her trust for him and once, just once she wanted to let go. To feel like Rowan or Sidney and be…free. It was hard, always being tied down by her fear. Wanting to burst out of her shell but not knowing how. She knew her mom wasn’t right in her paranoia, but it was hard to shut something out she’d heard all her life.

But for this date, she wanted to pretend these issues weren’t a problem.

Too bad she couldn’t go to her friends for help. It wasn’t too easy to explain a need to transform into someone else for a date with her own husband.

Oh, God. Was she really going to try to do this? Try and transform herself for this date?

The front door to their building opened and Jace walked in, fresh from trial. He wore a black suit—always black.
Except for our wedding
… And now she knew part of what lay beneath it. That mole and those abs. She’d seen him shaving in the mornings and half awake after a night’s sleep. It somehow made him even sexier.

Oh, yes. She was definitely going to try and do this.

“Hey, B. How are you?” Jace leaned against her desk, right next to her.

“Okay…” Her eyes landed on his hips and remembered how he’d looked with the towel around them. How it had felt when he held her for those few seconds after the basketball game. When his thumb brushed her bare skin… “Great,” came out of her mouth. God. She’d already answered his question, hadn’t she? She’d always recognized Jace’s looks, but the longer they were married the more she noticed
him
. She’d always liked him, but she’d never felt this intense twinge of want deep inside her.

“That’s good.” He winked. “Or great, I guess.”

She rolled her eyes and he chuckled.

“So what are we doing for dinner tonight?” Jace asked her. “Do you want me to pick something up?”

Her heart stuttered. It was moments like these when she almost forgot the marriage was a sham. Their conversation felt so natural. So normal. And now that she thought about it, they ordered out every night. It wasn’t like she was the world’s best cook, but she might like to make them dinner before this was all over.

But not tonight. “I planned on going out after work.”

Jace frowned and she wondered if he realized he did it. “Oh…okay.”

“No. Not out, out.” Betsy pushed to her feet, not quite sure why standing would make a difference. When she did, she misjudged how close Jace was and slammed the top of her head right into his chin.

Pain burst through her, but she didn’t care about that. She’d almost just knocked Jace out with her head! “Oh my God!” She fought the urge not to crawl under the desk and never come out. “I’m so sor—”

“Don’t.” Jace put two fingers over her mouth. “Apologize.” Much too quickly for her to enjoy it, Jace let his hand drop. They were standing close like they had the other night, only this time she wasn’t climbing all over him.

Unfortunately.

He stared down at her with eyes so intense, she almost lost her balance. “There’s… You have a red mark.” Betsy lifted her fingers to touch him, but then let them fall again. She couldn’t make her hand go to him.

“Do it.” Jace’s voice was low…husky. “Touch me.”

Betsy’s hands shook. Every vital organ she had went crazy, but God, did she want to do this. So simple, yes, but for her it was much more. She didn’t know why he would urge her to touch him. He was probably just trying to loosen her up. But still…

She raised her hand to his face. Her fingers stroked down his jaw to the small red spot where she’d hit him. His face was smooth…yet rough in a way she figured only a man could be.

Betsy peeked up at him. “Does it hurt?” she asked. Stupid question. It was only a little red mark. It probably wouldn’t bruise or anything, but she didn’t know what else to say. And for some reason, she needed to speak or she would probably run from the room.

“No.”

She should drop her hand right now. She really should, but he felt so good. So different than she imagined he would, that she wanted to keep going.

She gasped when Jace’s face nuzzled into her hand. His eyes closed and she’d never wanted to be a mind reader so badly in her life. Could it be possible he liked the feel of her too?
No…that’s not it, Betsy. He’s lonely. He’s used to getting attention from every woman in a ten-mile radius. That’s all it is.

Betsy pulled her hand away, immediately missing the contact. “Errands,” she said.

“I have errands to run. That’s what I’m doing after work.” Talk about a delayed reaction, but she didn’t know what else to say.

Jace opened his eyes again. “Do you want me to go with you?”

Gah. She couldn’t take Jace with her when she went shopping for their date! “No…thank you, but that’s okay.”

“No problem.” Jace stood his ground, not backing away from her desk. “I should probably stay here late and get some work done. Let me know if anything changes.”

Those simple words meant so much to her. They made it sound like he wanted to spend the time with her. That they were a typical couple who rearranged schedules to run errands together. “I will.” Betsy smiled. “Thanks, Jace.”

For a second he stood there, his eyes on her before he ran his fingers through a lock of her hair. “You have nothing to thank me for.” And then his hand was gone. After giving her a quick smile, Jace disappeared into his office.

Betsy had spent hours shopping the night before. The whole time she kept telling herself how stupid it was. They were going to do something as friends, but that didn’t stop her from trying on a million different outfits—some of them twice.

Finally she’d decided on a long skirt. It went to her ankles and was a beautiful shade of deep purple, much brighter than what she usually wore, with white flowers on the bottom. Just in case she decided not to wear it, she also bought a new pair of jeans and a pretty white sweater with a V-neck…and on the way out, she grabbed a curling iron. She’d loved her hair at their wedding and wanted to try a fun and different style.

The bag taunted her from the passenger seat as she drove to see her mom. It was an early morning, spur-of-the-moment decision. Jace wasn’t home, and she had about two and a half hours before they were supposed to leave for…well, she had no idea where. Which was probably the reason for her trip. Emotions played tug-o-war inside her. The typical daughter in her wanted to talk with her mom—to see her before something that, silly or not, was a big deal to Betsy.

But then there was that other part of her. The one packed with guilt because something as simple as going out with Jace, or any man, would be like a betrayal to her mom.

It was a beautiful sunny day, and when Betsy got out of the car, she couldn’t help but marvel at it. The contrast of the clear, blue sky and the slightly crisp air. The trees, thick and green in the background.

She loved it here. Loved the picturesque atmosphere of Shamrock Falls and the surrounding area. Maybe she would be able to go for a walk around the grounds with Mom today.

Betsy pushed the strap of her purse up on her shoulder and went inside the building.

She checked in with the man at the front door before heading straight for her mom’s room. She was determined to make this visit a good one and set the tone for her day ahead.

“Betsy!” Brown eyes beamed at her as she walked in the room. “I’m so glad to see you, sweetie.”

A thankful breath rushed from her lungs. Mom was happy.

“I missed you,” Betsy told her. “How are you today?” She hugged her before sitting on the bed. Mom was in a chair in the corner.

“Perfect now that you’re here.”

“It’s beautiful outside. Would you like to go for a walk and visit?” she asked. The back was gated in, but they’d taken the time to make it look almost like a magical garden. Betsy loved the flowers and greenery along with the cobblestone paths and tables scattered about. When the weather was nice, it was one of her favorite things to do with her mom.

“I would love that.” Another bright smile that warmed Betsy’s heart. This was the mom she wished she was blessed with all the time. She loved her so much.

Mom slipped on a pair of shoes before they went to the desk and Betsy checked her out for their walk. A couple clouds began to roll in, but they were fluffy white, like marshmallows, and not heavy with coming rain.

As they walked, they spoke about how spring was on the horizon and the flowers would be blooming soon. Her mom told her about a woman she’d been playing cards with every evening. Betsy gave small details about her friends, Sidney’s sewing and how much she loved Rowan’s hot apple cider.

They spent about thirty minutes walking around. Many times, the words to confess about Jace were heavy on her tongue, begging to come out. Not even about the marriage, but their friendship. How he tipped delivery kids extra and brought lunch to homeless people. She wanted to share those pieces of him so much. Wanted everyone to know about them rather than the jokes that went around about his relationships with women.

That history would make her mom lose it.

“I can’t stay long today,” Betsy told her. “I’m going to see a movie with Sidney.” The lie rolled easily off her tongue. They turned, walking back toward the door.

“I’m…I’m glad for you, Betsy Ann. I know you struggled and I’m glad you’ve met some friends. They’re good people, right?”

Betsy’s heart sped up. Her mom had never said things like that to her before. “Yes, Mama. They’re very good…all of them. I promise.”

This time when she smiled at Betsy it was slightly sad. In that moment, Betsy wondered if her mom regretted the way she was. The hate and fear and worry she carried with her regarding trust and men.

“I love you, Mom. No matter what, I will always love you and know you love me, too.” Betsy lifted her arms to hug her again and when she did, she noticed the ring that still sat on her finger. The one she’d forgotten to take off.

Her mom noticed it too and gasped. She grabbed Betsy’s hand, squeezing tightly. “What is this? What are you doing with this ring on your finger?” she seethed.

“Nothing.” Betsy shook her head. Tried to pull her hand away. “It’s just a ring I thought was pretty.”

“Why? Why would you put it on
this
finger? What are you doing, Betsy?”

Betsy’s eyes darted around, hoping someone would come out and help her. “I promise, it’s nothing.”

Her mom crumpled to the ground. All the anger was gone, replaced by tears. Betsy followed her down, hugging her tightly.

“I’m sorry, sweetie. So sorry. I just worry about you. I’m scared.”

Cries broke up her words and Betsy held her through it, fighting not to cry herself.

…

Jace was running late and didn’t get home until about half an hour before he told Betsy they would leave. He’d texted her, but hadn’t heard back, which wasn’t like her. She always kept her phone on her. When he got home, her car was in the driveway.

He headed straight to her room and knocked on the door. “B? You in there?”

She opened the door, her face looking completely shut down. She wore her sweats and a sweatshirt. Worry burned through him. “Hey. What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing…I…I’m just not sure we should go today. I—”

“You’re canceling?” The genuine shock he felt was quickly replaced by disappointment. He hadn’t realized how much he was looking forward to taking out Betsy. “Do you think I was late because I don’t want to go out with you?”

“No, no. I…” She turned and walked away, trailing her finger along the dresser, on the other side of her room. That was her sign she was shutting down, embarrassed. Jace wasn’t going for it. He went over to her.

“Look at me, B.”

She stopped by the window. He could see her reflection in the glass.

“Look at me.” He didn’t know what was going on here and doubted she would tell him, but he wasn’t letting her get out of this easily. He wanted it too much. He wanted to try and make her happy.

Slowly, she turned. The sadness that played across her face nearly shattered him.

Jace took a step toward her. “There’s no pressure about today.” Another step. “No expectations.” A couple more. He noticed a store bag on her bed. What looked like a skirt was sticking out. Jace kept moving forward. “I want to make sure you know that.”