Rent a Millionaire Groom (10 page)

Frannie rushed past Elise and Phoebe into the apartment. Frannie always dressed so as to be noticed, but tonight she’d outdone herself. She was wearing a jersey top in lemon yellow, its wraparound style exposing a large part of her impressive bosom. She’d paired the shirt with red shorts. The shorts were actually modest in length, reaching her mid-thigh, but the legs were flared, the length shifting with every step.

She wore big gold hoops in her ears, and her hair was in another of those intricate beehives. Red-and-yellow high-heel sandals adorned her feet.

“Wow, you’re dressed to kill tonight, Frannie,” Phoebe commented, obviously seeing what Elise was seeing.

Frannie beamed at Phoebe. “Oh, yes. Thank you for noticing. Do you think Bill will, too?”

Elise blinked. “Bill? You’re going out with Bill?” Frannie had longed for a date, a real date, with Bill
White, Mesa Blue’s manager, for as long as Elise had known her.

But Bill was shy.

“I think he couldn’t help but notice, Frannie,” Elise said faintly.

Frannie flung her hands out and spun around, so Elise and Phoebe could see every inch of her. Then she clasped her hands over her chest in the region of her heart, and said, with great dramatic flair, “My fate is in your hands.”

Elise looked behind her, sure Frannie must be talking to someone else. But no one was there. And Frannie was staring directly at her.

She was getting a bad feeling.

“What do you mean, Frannie?” Phoebe asked.

Frannie took a step closer to Elise. “You know how I’ve longed to have a date with Bill, don’t you, Elise?”

“Yes, Frannie,” Elise said slowly.

“Well, he’s asked me out.”

Daisy walked into the room, since they’d left the door open. “Hi. Who’s asked you out?” she asked Frannie.

“Bill! My darling Bill!”

“Well, bully for you,” Daisy cheered, but Elise noted that she seemed tired.

“But it all depends on Elise!” Frannie, back in dramatic mode, added.

All three of her companions turned to stare at Elise. “What are you talking about, Frannie? I don’t know anything about Bill asking you out.”

“I know. That’s what I’m here to explain.”

“And make it fast,” Daisy said, falling to Elise’s sofa with a sigh, “because I’m tired and hungry.”

“It’s quite simple.” Frannie shook her head, jangling her big earrings. “Bill will take me out if Elise goes with us.” She smiled at Elise, as if her words settled everything.

“That sounds suspicious,” Phoebe said with a frown.

“Thank you for saying so,” Elise said. “I thought maybe I’d gone crazy. Frannie, why would Bill want me to come along?”

“Because he’s shy, of course.”

Daisy raised the objection this time. “No man is that shy. Even Bill.”

Frannie ignored Daisy. “Please say you’ll come, Elise. It’s my only chance.”

“You know that’s not true,” Elise protested. “Bill—living in the same complex with Bill gives you lots of chances.”

“They haven’t done me any good so far. Please?”

“Okay, you and Bill can join us,” Elise said. “We’re going to The Prickly Pear for dinner, as usual. We’ll enjoy having the two of you with us.”

Elise sent an apologetic look at her friends. Not that they would object to helping Frannie. She knew them better than that. But they wouldn’t be able to have a heart-to-heart the way they usually did. And she’d made the offer without consulting them.

Frannie squeezed her hands tightly together, tears filling her eyes. But instead of sounding grateful, she cried, “No! That won’t do!”

Phoebe, Daisy and Elise stared at her.

“It won’t?” Daisy asked.

“No. It can’t be a group thing. It has to be a double date. A real date.”

That foreboding Elise had had earlier came back.

Phoebe said, “I don’t understand. If it’s you, Bill and Elise, how is that like a real date?”

“Because you forgot James, of course!” Frannie exclaimed.

Elise began backing away from Frannie. “No. I’m not seeing James tonight.”

Frannie came after her. “If you don’t see James, I won’t see Bill,” she wailed.

Elise closed her eyes briefly. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t have to deal with James and the raging attraction she couldn’t seem to control until the wedding, when she’d be surrounded by family.

When she opened her eyes, she faced three pairs of pleading eyes.

“Come on, Elise,” Phoebe said. “What’s one more date with James? You’ve already been out with him several times. You said everything went well.”

“Yeah, in the name of love,” Daisy added with a grin. “You’re trying to fix me up, but you don’t even have to find the guy to fix Frannie up.”

“You don’t understand,” Elise protested. “Even if I wanted to spend the evening with James, I can’t call him on the spur of the moment and insist he cooperate. I don’t even know if he’s home.” She thought her argument was valid and should satisfy everyone.

“You don’t have to,” Frannie assured her, excitement in her voice. “He and Bill are waiting in my apartment. They’re all ready to go as soon as we get there.”

Elise stared at Frannie. “How did that happen?” she asked, suspicion in her voice.

Phoebe stepped to her side. “It doesn’t matter. However it happened, Frannie gets her chance with Bill.”

Elise got the message. If she asked too many questions, Frannie might realize Bill hadn’t initiated the date. Because there was no doubt in Elise’s mind now. James had to have set this evening up.

She didn’t know why. He was handsome enough. He could find a woman to make out with. Heck, he could make out with Sandra. From the picture she saw, Elise knew Sandra would have no objection.

But
she
did.

“I can’t—I’m not dressed.” She was in her beloved jeans with a knit top. Jeans that James loved.

“We’re going casual,” Frannie assured her, still smiling.

“I have to change,” Elise muttered, and ran from the room. No way was she going to walk in front of James Dillon in her jeans.

Five minutes later she reappeared in a pair of baggy khakis and an extra-long blouse. Neither revealed much of what was underneath.

Frannie looked at her dubiously. “I think the jeans looked better.”

Daisy tried to hide a chuckle. “I’d take her as she is, Frannie, unless you want her to cancel completely.”

“Oh! Oh, you look—marvelous, Elise. Beige really becomes you.”

Even Elise couldn’t hold back a smile at Frannie’s sudden reversal. “I get the message, Frannie. You’d tell the devil himself he looked cool if it got you a date with Bill.”

Frannie blushed, a rare occurrence. “I really love him, Elise. I just haven’t figured out a way to tell him. When he’ll hardly speak to me, it seems a bit forward to move to the love stage in one leap.”

“I know. Come on, let’s go claim our dates.” Elise put on a smile, all the while planning what she would say to James Dillon about his conniving behavior.

“I
REALLY APPRECIATE
your helping me out, Bill,” James said to the older man as they waited for Frannie’s return.

“I just hope it works, James. It’s a shame you and Elise had a fight. I think you make a wonderful couple.” Bill paused and cleared his throat. “I explained to Frannie so she wouldn’t think I was, uh, hitting on her.”

James was truly grateful Bill and Frannie were going along with his conspiracy. It not only allowed him to see the elusive Elise, it also provided great entertainment.

“Uh, maybe Frannie would like you to hit on her.”

Bill looked away. “Aw, she’s a flirt, but she’s not interested in anything permanent.”

“How do you know?”

“She dates a lot of guys. I don’t know enough
about women to keep her happy. Better if I don’t even try.”

“‘Faint heart never won fair lady,”’ James quoted.

“Oh, you actors know all the right words. Say, maybe you’d give me lessons about, you know, keeping a lady happy.”

James shook his head. “You’re asking me for love lessons when I’m having to resort to trickery just to see Elise? I don’t think I’d be much help.”

“See,” Bill said, shrugging his shoulders, “it’s hopeless.” He absently stroked one of Frannie’s cats.

“Maybe we can help each other. Let’s see how the evening goes.” James had a sneaking suspicion Elise was going to be even angrier when she figured out what he’d done. He wasn’t even sure she’d agree to the evening.

Footsteps on the stairs near Frannie’s apartment caused him to tense. He’d soon know, one way or the other. He could hear Frannie’s voice. It seemed she was talking to someone. He hoped it was Elise.

After the end of their evening Wednesday, he’d been able to think of little else. The need to at least talk to Elise had occupied his mind nonstop.

Who was he kidding? He didn’t just want to talk to her. But by setting up the evening with chaperones, he could see her without being badly tempted.

“Bill, we’re here. We’re ready. Elise said she’s starving,” Frannie announced, a big smile on her face.

Elise, following her, wore a smile, too, but James wasn’t fooled. He could tell her heart wasn’t in it. Maybe it was the steely look she sent him.

“Good,” he said, stepping forward. “Bill and I were thinking steak. Any objections?”

“I’m not dressed for a nice restaurant,” Elise objected, raising her chin.

Bill responded, “We were thinking about that Australian place, Elise. It’s casual, but the steaks are really good.” He looked anxious. “But if you don’t like that suggestion, we’ll go somewhere else.”

James was glad he hadn’t said anything when he saw Elise’s gaze soften.

She said to Bill, “No, Bill, that’s fine. I love their food.”

“Oh, good,” he said with relief. “Frannie said she liked it, too.”

James figured Frannie would have agreed to anything, even sushi, if Bill had suggested it. He’d like to see even half that much enthusiasm from Elise for being with him.

Funny how Bill couldn’t see what was so obvious to James. Did Bill see Elise more clearly than he did? He’d admit his view was probably clouded by emotions. Not love. Sure, he liked Elise, but that didn’t mean he wanted a commitment.

“Well, let’s be on our way. We’ll take separate cars so—”

“No,” Elise contradicted James. “I’d like to visit with Frannie. I think we should all go together.”

Bill looked at him.

Frannie looked at him.

Elise glared at him.

James knew when to back off. “Okay, that’ll be fine. Shall I drive?”

“Let’s take my car,” Bill said. “I think the back seat is pretty roomy.”

Bill was right, James decided once they were on their way. Bill drove a big SUV. “Do you do a lot of camping, fishing, Bill?”

“Yeah,” Bill said from the front seat. “And some hunting, skiing. That’s the great thing about living here in Arizona. There’s lots to do.”

“I like the outdoors,” Frannie said, waving her hand at Bill.

James looked at the long nails, meticulously polished, the numerous rings on her fingers, the intricate hairdo, the wild clothes she wore—she was definitely not his type.

Bill, on the other hand, was staring at Frannie, obviously stunned by her statement. “You do?”

“Bill, the road,” Elise called out.

Bill had drifted from his lane while he stared at Frannie.

“Oh, sorry. Good thing we’re here, huh?” He found a parking space for his big vehicle.

“Looks crowded,” Elise pointed out.

“Yeah, but it will give us more time to visit.”

Frannie and Bill seemed to appreciate James’s take on the situation, but Elise didn’t.

Not that she said anything. But she turned to look out the window.

When Bill turned off the motor, James got out and hurried to Elise’s door—the one she’d clung to during the ride—to help her out. But she was fast, and already standing on the sidewalk.

Bill helped Frannie out. As Frannie stepped to the
sidewalk, Elise caught her arm and started walking toward the entrance to the restaurant.

“Frannie, I don’t think I told you, but that color looks good on you. Not too many women can wear it. When did you buy that blouse?”

Bill looked at James, but James only shrugged. The only subject he figured Frannie was interested in other than Bill was fashion. Elise was smart enough to use it to her advantage.

Elise had been right; the restaurant was crowded. Even the waiting area was crowded. Elise and Frannie stopped near a television showing a hockey game.

A loud television.

Elise was doing everything she could to avoid any conversation with James.

James was determined to outmaneuver her. He slid between her and the wall and whispered in her ear, “You’re making it hard for Frannie to make any progress.”

Rather than answer him, she shifted, stepping on his foot in the process. He didn’t think it was an accident.

“Bill, do you follow the Coyotes?” Elise asked.

Since Bill was staring at Phoenix’s hockey team play on the television, that was a safe question.

“Yeah, I’d forgotten the game was on tonight or I—I mean, I would’ve recorded it.”

“Me, too. I hate to miss a game,” Frannie said hurriedly. “I just love it when they hit a home run.”

James covered his mouth and pretended to cough.

Elise tried to help her friend. “I think you mean a hat trick, Frannie.”

“They do tricks, too? With a hat? I haven’t seen that,” Frannie said, staring intently at the television, obviously waiting for the players to show her a trick.

James was afraid Bill would have no patience with Frannie’s lies, but much to his amusement, Bill smiled and put his arm around Frannie’s shoulders. “Let me explain what Elise meant,” he said. Then he dropped his voice, speaking only to Frannie.

“Nice job,” James said, moving closer to Elise again.

“I didn’t— Yes, at least
someone
is happy.”

“Elise,” he began with a sigh, “look, I admit I tricked you tonight, but your statement Wednesday night didn’t leave me much choice.”

“How typical of a man!” she snapped in a low voice. “You do what you want and then blame the woman!”

He wanted to retort that he’d done no such thing, but when put like that, he couldn’t deny it. Frowning, he leaned closer, drawing in her scent even as he said, “You’re right. That was wrong of me. Do you want to go home now?”

“And be condemned by everyone in Mesa Blue because I ruined Frannie’s first date with Bill? I don’t think so.” She turned her back on him.

James really hadn’t given a lot of thought to Elise’s neighbors and what they’d think of his antics. He’d been amused by the star-crossed lovers, but he hadn’t thought beyond that amusement.

Now he was
really
feeling guilty.

E
LISE WAS SURPRISED
that her words had had an effect on James. But they obviously had. He went to
the bar and got them all glasses of iced tea. Then he struck up a conversation about the hockey game with the man standing next to him.

Leaving Elise alone.

Of course, she was glad. She’d wanted him not to bother her. Hadn’t she? But she felt abandoned. Bill and Frannie were having a private discussion. James was talking to that man. She had no one to talk to.

By the time the hostess called them to their table, Elise was quite irritated.

Once they’d settled, she turned to Frannie, who was sitting on the other side of the booth with Bill. “Did you learn a lot about hockey?”

Frannie beamed at her. “Yes, so much. And Bill has promised to take me to a hockey game and explain everything to me.”

“How nice,” Elise said, surprised but pleased at how well things were turning out for Frannie.

“They’re playing Tuesday here in Phoenix,” James said.

“You follow them?” Bill asked.

“Yeah. The games are fun to go to. I’ll get you tickets for the Tuesday night game if you can make it,” he offered.

“You and Elise are going?” Frannie asked, leaning forward, excitement on her face.

“Uh, no,” James said.

Elise was surprised. She’d seen him look at her first before he answered Frannie. She’d expected him to use the game to force her to go out with him again.

“Hey, man, we can’t take tickets from you if you’re not going to get to go. That would be cruel,” Bill said.

“You wouldn’t be taking my tickets. I have four,” James said hurriedly.

“Then we could all go!” Frannie exclaimed.

James shook his head. “No, I can’t make it.”

“Oh,” Frannie said, disappointment in her voice. Slowly, she said, “I guess we can’t—”

“No, but I’ll get us some seats, Frannie,” Bill said, seemingly as interested in going as Frannie was. “Maybe a scalper—or I’ll check the ads in the newspaper.”

Which made Elise feel terrible. The Coyotes had been a great success in Phoenix. She knew all their games were sold out in advance. Somehow, she couldn’t let Bill and Frannie down. “It’s too bad you can’t make it, James. I’d love to go to a game. I’ve watched it on television, but I’ve never seen a game in person.”

James gave her a sharp look. With a frown, he said slowly, “I might be able to cancel my plans, if you’re
sure
that’s what you want.”

Elise knew what he was doing. He was giving her plenty of opportunity to avoid going out with him. Her words had bothered him and he didn’t want to be blamed for forcing another date.

But she couldn’t ruin things for Frannie. Besides, as long as they were with the other couple, things would be all right.

“I’d like that,” she said, looking at him.

The smile that lit his eyes almost had her retracting her words. Suddenly she wanted to fall into his arms. She’d pleased him. It was a heady experience.

“Done! They’re great seats, right on the ice.”

Suddenly, Elise asked. “Aren’t those expensive
seats, almost impossible to get?” Why would he have seats like that?

“Well,” he said, pausing to swallow, “I didn’t mean to mislead you. The seats actually belong to a friend. He has an ad agency and he uses the seats to entertain clients. But he gives them to me if he doesn’t have any need for them.”