Love Like You've Never Been Hurt (26 page)

Emma followed his eyes to where Jack and Pete were crossing the
parking lot on their way to join them. Her heart fluttered as she
watched them walk, Jack so tall, dark and muscular in his dark jeans
with a black shirt and black boots. Pete, just as tall and muscular,
handsome in a fairer way, wore a white shirt. They made quite a pair.
A group of girls wolf whistled as they passed, making Missy and Ben
laugh. Emma’s stomach churned though. As they came through the
bar she watched as a tall, dark-haired beauty in a tiny mini skirt
approached Jack and put a hand on his arm. She leaned towards him and
said something. Emma’s heart was pounding now. This was the
effect he had on women. She watched him shake his head and shrug; the
woman looked disappointed. As they kept walking Pete said something
to Jack and the two of them laughed. Emma excused herself and headed
to the ladies room before they reached the table.

She closed herself in a cubicle and stood shaking. Breathing
deeply she tried to tell herself that she was just being silly. Jack
had done nothing. It wasn’t his fault he was gorgeous and women
wanted to be with him. It didn’t help that the ways she tried
to rationalize it to herself were all things that Rob had said to her
when he tried to explain the women always around him. On Rob’s
lips it’d all been lies. She shuddered. It may not be Jack’s
fault that it happened to him, but she’d bet it happened a lot.
Spending their time alone together had been wonderful, but if they
were going to have a real relationship, they’d be out amongst
people like this all the time. Could she handle it? She hated how
much it reminded her of Rob, of how stupid she had been. Blind. She’d
been so proud that she was the one he’d chosen, not realizing
until it was too late that he hadn’t chosen at all. He’d
kept pursuing every opportunity that presented itself. Of all those
adoring women in their circle he’d slept with half a dozen of
them in the short time they were married.

She took another deep breath, reminding herself that that was Rob,
and this is Jack. Jack is a good man. He’s not like that. She
unlocked the cubicle and ran cold water over her wrists, waiting for
her heartbeat to return to normal. She looked at herself in the
mirror – not too shabby, she thought, trying to calm herself
down, boost herself back up. And it was true. She’d left her
hair down and wavy tonight. Her black sleeveless top was classy,
showing off her light tan. The shiny crystal heart tied on a black
leather thong sat at her throat, drawing attention to just a hint of
cleavage displayed beneath it. She was wearing her favorite jeans –
at least they’d become her favorites since the other day when
Jack had commented how nicely they showed off her backside. She’d
finished the outfit off with her black cowboy boots. Yes, not too
shabby at all. As she took in the overall effect in the mirror, she
realized that she and Jack were dressed pretty much identically and
smiled.

“OK, pull yourself together and get back out there.”

She gave herself an encouraging smile in the mirror, pleased that
she had been able to talk herself down and not go with her first
instinct and run away home.

When she returned to the table the others were all chatting,
except Jack who was sitting in her seat looking glum. As she reached
the table he stood and folded her in his arms, kissing her full on
for all the world to see. Keeping his arms wrapped around her he sat
back down, pulling her with him to sit in his lap. He held her there,
refusing to let her move.

“Hey, Mouse,” laughed Pete, “How’s it
going?”

“I’d be better if I could sit in a chair.”

Jack wrapped his arms tighter, surrounding her with his size,
scent and warmth. “I am a chair!”

She had to laugh and she felt him relax a little. “You are
not a chair.”

He rested his chin on her shoulder. “Maybe not, but this is
where you are sitting until I’m sure you’re not going to
bolt for the mouse hole.”

“Why would I do that?”

“You tell me.”

“I had to visit the ladies.”

“Uh-huh?

“Uh-huh!”

“So, you’re OK then?”

“I came back all by myself, didn’t I?”

“You sure did,” said Pete, “I would have put
money on you being halfway back to North Cove by now.”

Emma looked at Pete, “You stay out of this, Hemming.”

“I would if I were you,” said Ben.

“See, Ben’s on my side,” smiled Emma. “He’s
the only guy around here who’ll stick up for me!”

I wouldn’t say that,” said Jack and as he held her
tighter in his lap, she could feel his hardness pressing up against
her. She was speechless a moment. They were all smiling at her and
Jack was, well, wanting her like that, right in front of them all and
they didn’t know it. Oh my!

“You’re not going to run then?” he asked.

“I am not, but I would like a beer.”

“Sorry, darlin’, but I’m not going near that bar
again tonight.” They all laughed at that.

Ben raised his arm and caught the bartender’s attention. “I
think we’ll go with table service tonight.”

“I knew I liked this guy.”

A waiter brought their drinks and took their food order.

“Are you going to let me sit down?” asked Emma.

“You are sitting down.”

“I mean on a chair of my own.”

“I told you, I am a chair and I’m all yours.”

She relaxed against him, liking the sound of that in spite of
herself. “Then I guess I’m staying put.”

He put his head on her shoulder again. “That’s what I
needed to hear.”

“When do you have to go to the city, Em?” asked Missy.

“Thursday, and I might have to stay Friday night too,
depending on how long it takes with Brad.”

“Are you coming too?” Pete asked Jack. “Show
your face in the office?”

“I can’t, I’m meeting with Meyers on Thursday
afternoon.”

Emma was disappointed. It would be nice to make the drive with
Jack, and nice not to have to spend the night, maybe two, away from
him.

“Is your friend Holly coming back up with you for the
party?” asked Missy.

“We haven’t worked it out yet. I’d rather get
back Friday if I can, but she can’t come till Saturday and she
doesn’t really like to drive by herself.”

“I can understand that,” said Missy.

“She can ride with me if it will help, Mouse,” offered
Pete.

Emma’s eyes sparkled. “Well, if I do bring her I was
going to ask you to take her back with you on Sunday. I just didn’t
think you’d want to drive her up here since you don’t
know her yet.”

“Oh, you’ll love her,” said Missy, “she’s
great.”

“Of course I don’t mind,” said Pete, “if
it’ll help you out, and get you back to lover boy here sooner.”

Jack wrapped himself around her again. “Yes, you come home.
Let Pete bring Holly.” He looked at Pete, “Holly is a
very cool lady, I’m sure you’ll like her.”

Emma looked at him over her shoulder, “But you’ve
never met her.”

“I know, but she’s already helped me out, hasn’t
she?”

Emma remembered that she’d told him how Holly had given her
a few home truths. “Yes, I guess she has.”

“That’s settled then,” said Pete. “Let me
know how you want to work it.”

The waiter returned with their food. “Are you going to let
me sit down?” she asked Jack.

“Maybe. If you sit between me and Pete and don’t run
off.”

She laughed. “I’m not going to run away, I promise.”

He’d done such a good job of reassuring her that he only had
eyes for her, that all uneasiness had faded away while she sat on his
lap.

“OK, then,” he let her slide down into the empty chair
beside him, “but I’m watching you.”

After they’d eaten, the band started up.

“Let me know what you think of them,” said Ben. “I
like their sound and they’re a good bunch of guys. I may keep
them around for the summer.” He went off to check on his staff.

“Dance with me, Pete?” Missy dragged Pete to the dance
floor.

Emma watched as many of the women in the large party eyed Pete
appreciatively. Though from the way they behaved, she was sure anyone
who didn’t know them would think they were a couple, and a very
beautiful couple at that.

As he so often seemed to, Jack read her thoughts. “Those two
look good together, has there ever been anything between them?”

“God, no,” she laughed. “That would be almost
incestuous! We’ve all been such good friends for so long.”

“So none of you were ever involved?”

“Well, Ben and I dated for a little while in high school.”
She couldn’t read the look on his face. “Not for long
though, we were meant to be friends, not anything else.”

At that moment Ben returned. “So what do you think of the
band?”

“They’re great, I think you should keep them around.”

“I’m thinking I will.”

Missy and Pete returned. “They are good,” Missy
agreed, “very danceable.”

“Yeah,” said Pete, “too danceable, she’s
worn me out. I need beer.”

“I think we need to test drive them too,” Ben said to
Emma, then he looked at Jack, “Mind if I borrow your lady?”

“The lady does as she pleases,” he smiled.

Ben led her out onto to the dance floor. “Just wanted to
make sure you’re OK, Mouse.”

“Thanks, Ben. I’m OK now. I did nearly leave though. I
know it’s silly, but it reminded me so much of Rob and all the
awful times.”

“I thought as much.” He stroked her hair in a gesture
that had calmed her since they were kids, as concerned and gentle as
he’d been when she was the new kid in class and scared out of
her wits. She’d been so grateful for his friendship then and
still was now. “You looked like someone had stuck a dagger
through your heart. Just like you did after Rob.”

“That bad?”

“Maybe worse. If it’s any consolation, Jack looked as
devastated when you got up and left. I think he would have chased you
into the ladies if Pete hadn’t made him wait.”

Emma smiled. “Thanks Ben. You’re such a good friend.”

“Always have been, always will be. Uh-oh, I may need to go
and sort that out,” he nodded to where the bartender was
beckoning to him.

Emma returned to the table and Jack stood. “May I?”

“Why of course.”

They returned to the dance floor where he held her close, though a
little stiffly.

She looked up at him, surprised by the tension. “Are you all
right?”

“I’m good, Baby. You?”

She nodded and rested her cheek against his chest, but he still
felt tense and she could hear his heart beating loudly. “What
is it, Jack?”

He met her eyes and held them with his own. “I guess I’m
having a taste of what you go through and I’m not liking it. “

“What do you mean?”

“Two minutes after you tell me you used to date Ben, he
whisks you away to dance. You looked so happy and so comfortable
together, I guess I’m feeling a little jealous. You’ve
shared a lifetime together and I’m the new kid in town, trying
to edge my way in.”

She was shocked by his revelation, but touched by his honesty. She
looped her arms up around his neck as the band began to play a slow
ballad. He circled her waist and held her close.

“I’m sorry, Baby.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. It actually feels kind of
nice to know that you get it. Especially since you know you have
nothing to worry about. Ben is my friend. You are the only man I have
dared to take a chance on.” She decided against adding that if
this didn’t work out, she wouldn’t be taking any more. He
lowered his head and kissed her deep and slow as they turned around
the dance floor.

“Em, Em!” called Missy as they returned to the table.
“You have to come see Nessa, she’s getting married.”

“Oh, dear God. Why on earth would she want to do that?”

“Come on, she’s with Leah and Cindy over there and
don’t you dare try to talk her out of it. Pretend to be happy
for her, admire the ring, you know, do the things normal people do
when they hear someone got engaged.” Emma rolled her eyes at
Pete as Missy dragged her away to visit with their old school
friends.

Pete looked at Jack and grimaced when he saw his friend’s
face. “Guess you didn’t need to hear that?”

“She’s anti-marriage!?”

“It wasn’t exactly good to her.”

“But that was the man, not the institution!”

“You know that and I know that, but Emma is convinced that
marriage is a special form of torture designed to ruin lives.”

“Oh, man!” Jack hadn’t considered that.

Pete came and sat next to him, looking concerned, “You’re
not going to tell me you’re thinking along those lines?”

Jack closed his eyes and sighed. He rubbed his hand over his face
and then met Pete’s eyes. “You’re my partner and my
best friend Pete. I’m not going to lie to you. Wouldn’t
get away with it if I tried. So, honestly? I can hardly think of
anything else!”

Pete’s face broke into a huge grin. “I knew you had it
bad, but marriage?”

“You know, before I met Emma, my response to hearing that
someone was getting married was pretty much the same as hers was just
now – what do they want to do that for? But now, man, now all I
can think about is making her my wife, coming home to her at night,
building a life together, maybe having a couple of kids. Can you
imagine a baby girl with her blond hair and green eyes? A little
boy....” He stopped short and looked at Pete. “So, now
you know.”

“So what are you going to do?”

Jack shook his head. “I’m open to suggestions. I
thought I had my work cut out for me already, given what she went
through before, but now it seems that I also have to convince her
that marriage is something she should consider.” He looked up
as Emma and Missy came back, “Wish me luck, Bro. I think I’m
going to need it.”

Pete slapped his back, “I’ll do all I can.”

“What are you two up to?” asked Emma.