The Prince Charming Hoax (9 page)

Leah put her phone away and took off her running shoes. She pressed her toes into the sand, making grooves with one foot, and then smoothing the ridges out with the other. Yes, Roxie said she loved excitement, Leah thought. But, at the end of the day, what she really wants is security, like the rest of us. She has said over and over that all she wants is to meet the right guy and have a fun relationship. The irony is that all the exciting guys she hooks up with want the fun without the commitment.

“
We are some pair, like Dumb and Dumber, at least when it comes to men. No matter how many times we get let down, we keep believing the next guy will be Mr. Right, our Prince Charming.
”

Leah gazed out at the wave-less ocean. The flat, gray water splashed up on the shore with barely any foam, matching how she felt. Her premonition had been correct. Roxie had been in trouble. And Leah couldn
’
t shake the feeling that things would get worse for both of them before they got better.

Chapter
9

The sounds of digital cameras clicking filled the air as doting parents crowded the landscaped backyard and vied for position to get the best angle to photograph their offspring on prom night.

Content that she had fulfilled her parental duty, Leah tucked her camera into her purse and moved away from the crowd to join Jonathan on the sidelines. He took her arm and led her to the pool deck where it was less crowded. They watched as prom-goers dutifully rearranged on command—all girls, all boys, couples, sets of friends.

Leah noted with maternal pleasure that Ali managed to be in the center of almost every shot, always ready with a smile and the right pose.
“
That girl has an uncanny sense of timing when it comes to face-time in front of a camera,
”
she said.

Jonathan nodded.
“
Ali is definitely the prettiest girl here.
”
He stepped back and gave Leah an appreciative once-over, taking in her soft curves emphasized by her tight black jeans and lace camisole under a crimson silk bolero. He put his arm around her.
“
And you are, without a doubt, the sexiest mom.
”

It was the first time in many days that Leah felt anyone even noticed her, and her gloom instantly lifted. She smiled at him.
“
Thanks, Jonathan. I
’
m really glad you came here with me.
”

Leah
’
s improved outlook was short-lived and her smile vanished when she looked across the pool. Richard had just shown up with Marsha. He was making a big deal of getting Ali to pose for his new video camera. Leah could pick out his voice over the buzz of the crowd.
“
These will be up on YouTube and Facebook before you get to the prom,
”
Richard said as he and Ali reviewed the takes on the camera
’
s screen.
“
Look, I don
’
t even have to connect to a computer. I can upload right from the camera.
”

Ali called several of her friends over to watch as he demonstrated.

“
Look who
’
s here,
”
Leah said to Jonathan, directing him with her eyes.
“
The
‘
Father of the Year
’
.
”

Jonathan put his arm around her.
“
Looks more like the
‘
Ass of the Year
’
to me, Leah.
”

“
You
’
re right. But Ali looks happy that he
’
s here, so I
’
ll smile and keep my venomous thoughts to myself.
”

Justin had come to the party in his tuxedo and brought a corsage for Ali. They were posing for Richard.

Leah turned to Jonathan.
“
At least she won
’
t have to go through life with a senior prom picture that doesn
’
t include a date! You know, I think she
’
s just as happy to go alone. She told me now she could dance and hang out with everyone and not be tied to one guy all night. I
’
m really proud of her. I probably would have stayed home my prom night rather than go alone when I was her age.
”

Ali came over and kissed them good-bye. She motioned toward the kids who were all piling into the limousines.
“
Justin
’
s going to walk me to the door of the gym. That
’
s as far as they
’
ll let him go.
”

“
How are you going to get home, Ali?
”

“
Don
’
t worry. We have the limo for the whole night. We
’
re all staying at Dana
’
s afterward. I
’
ll see you tomorrow.
”

“
Have a wonderful time, sweetie. I love you.
”

“
Love you, too, Mom. Bye, Jonathan. Thanks for coming.
”
Ali threw them both kisses and disappeared into a limo.

“
I
’
ll go get us some drinks, Leah,
”
Jonathan said, pointing to the bar set up on the patio.
“
And it looks like they
’
re putting out some food for the parents. Do you want to have something to eat?
”

“
No, let
’
s get out of here, Jonathan, before Richard and Marsha make their way to this side of the pool. Besides, I
’
m ready for that good bottle of wine you promised me.
”

“
I like that even better.
”
He took her hand and they navigated their way out. Leah was grateful that Jonathan had the sense to park across the street, away from the jumble of luxury cars, and they were able to make their escape quickly.

The ride to Jonathan
’
s downtown studio loft was only about fifteen minutes, but it seemed longer to Leah, who felt every bump and depression in the road in his Jeep Wrangler.
“
I don
’
t know why you wouldn
’
t drive my car, Jonathan. We could have been much more comfortable, you know.
”

“
Maybe you would be, but not me. The Beemer may have class, but it doesn
’
t have character. We
’
re here now, anyway. And the wine
’
s chilling, so let
’
s go in and indulge.
”

Leah walked around his studio while Jonathan went into the kitchen to get the wine and food he had prepared. She loved how he had converted an old warehouse to an artist
’
s studio and loft.
Jonathan was meticulous with his equipment and had built-in storage for his paints, canvases, and tools. The space was well lit with natural light during the day from massive windows and skylights in the twenty-foot ceilings, and he had installed special lighting that mimicked natural light when daylight wasn
’
t available. On the far end, he had built a loft and divided the space into an office and bedroom.

She walked over to inspect what appeared to be works in progress on easels and the floor.

“
Is this work all new?
”
she called down the hall. There were at least half dozen canvases in various stages of completion.
“
I really like this one,
”
she said as he walked in with the open bottle and two glasses.

“
Ah, the beach. What a surprise that that
’
s your favorite,
”
he teased.

He poured the wine.
“
Here
’
s to the beach! I guess you
’
ll miss it once you move.
”

The light drained from Leah
’
s face.

“
Jonathan, I
’
m not moving. You were right about Doug. Sort of, anyway. He
’
s not leaving…he says it
’
s because of his kids, but…
”

Jonathan reached over and clasped her hands with his.

“
Leah, I
’
m sorry. I can see you
’
re hurt.
”

She freed her hands and picked up a glass of wine.
“
Let
’
s not talk about it. Let
’
s talk art. Is any of your work at this new gallery?
”

“
Afraid not.
”

“
Well, then let
’
s not go! We
’
ll boycott them until they come to their senses!
”

“
Ah, Leah. I wish everyone were as loyal as you. I know you don
’
t want to talk about it, but let me say one thing. I am very happy that you
’
re staying here.
”

Leah squirmed. She wasn
’
t ready to have this conversation with him yet.

“
Wait until you see where I am moving, Jonathan!
”
She brightened, happy to change the subject to one more comfortable.
“
Talk about the beach…Roxie got me the penthouse apartment at The Sands.
”

“
Yeah, and she shelled out three mill to pay for it, too. Really, Leah, where will you go?
”

“
I
’
m serious. It
’
s owned by one of her clients who
’
ll be traveling abroad for a year. She arranged for me to house-sit while they
’
re gone. I
’
m moving in next week, right after Ali
’
s graduation.
”

“
Now we really do have something to drink about! Bottoms up, Leah!
”

Two bottles of Chardonnay later, Jonathan glanced at his watch.
“
We definitely missed the opening. Do you want to go out for dinner, Leah?
”

“
No, I
’
ve had enough food and drink for tonight. I
’
m ready to go home.
”

“
Why don
’
t you stay here?
”

“
Why? Have you had too much to drink?
”

Jonathan walked over to where Leah was sitting and took the almost-empty glass from her hand. He pulled her up and drew her to him, kissing her softly while stroking her hair and looking into her eyes.
“
No, I just want you here with me.
”

Leah closed her eyes and enjoyed being held close and kissed. She cared for Jonathan and had slept with him a few times before she resumed her relationship with Doug. She once considered him as a possible boyfriend, but back then he it made it clear he wasn
’
t ready for a relationship.
Now the tables are turned,
she thought.

She shook her head.
“
Not tonight. I
’
m in a bad place right now and don
’
t need to add to my confusion.
”

He kissed her again, harder and deeper this time. She felt his excitement as he pressed against her. She found it hard to resist Jonathan. He was a handsome, sexy man and a great kisser. They seemed a perfect fit. She didn
’
t need to stand on her toes to kiss him—as she did with Doug—and their bodies connected in all the right places when they embraced.

Leah opened her eyes and pulled away. It was difficult to do.
“
Look, I could stay. But, I
’
d regret it in the morning, and that might ruin whatever it is we do have. Please Jonathan, take me home.
”

“
Leah, stay. I promise I
’
ll stay on my side of the bed, if that
’
s what you want. Ali
’
s not coming home tonight anyway, and I think we both could use a warm body to cuddle for a change.
”

Leah looked into his warm blue eyes and felt her reservations fading.
“
All right, Jonathan. Just cuddling.
”

They fell asleep with her snuggled under his arm, her head on his chest. It was pitch black in the room when Leah sat up suddenly, gripped with terror. She wasn
’
t sure where she was at first, but when her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw Jonathan on the bed next to her and relaxed. But, she couldn
’
t fall back asleep. The demons were tormenting her. She tossed and turned quietly, trying not to wake Jonathan. She should have insisted on going home. She wanted to be home.
Why, though? There
’
s nothing for me there,
she thought.

Jonathan was stirring.
“
Do you feel all right, Leah? You
’
ve been tossing around for hours.
”