Your Wish Is My Command (20 page)

“He's pathetically softhearted,” Jamie said. “I'm pretty sure it's chronic, with no hope for a cure.”

“Well, I'm not done working my wiles on him yet,” Ree said, wagging her expertly sculpted eyebrows.

They all laughed. “If anyone can persuade him to a life of fiscal responsibility, you can,” Jamie agreed.

Jamie studied her friend. Ree's visit to Angel had been only yesterday, but Ree hadn't mentioned the meeting or their prospective meal. Jamie had thought to keep her little spying foray to herself, but she was already busting to talk the whole thing over. Despite Sebastien's claims to a one hundred percent success
rate, Jamie wasn't buying Angel's sudden about-face. There had to be a hidden agenda there.

She didn't want to bring it up in front of Marta. Not until she'd had a chance to talk to Ree. Marta was no fan of Angel's either, and Jamie didn't want Ree to feel as if they were ganging up on her.

Marta collected the papers into a messy stack and shoved her glasses back onto her nose as she stood. “I have to run over to Fred's and do his books, then make a quick stop at Bennett's. He's having problems figuring out his quarterly taxes. But I'll be back after lunch. ”

“Lunching with Bennett?” Ree asked with a knowing smile.

Jamie thoroughly enjoyed Marta's flushed cheeks.

Marta lifted her chin and tried to look innocent. “We plan to grab a bite or two, yes.”

“Just don't forget to grab some food when you're done,” Ree said.

Marta shocked them both by smiling slyly and saying, “Dating a man who sets his own hours does have its advantages.” Then she turned and headed for the office, leaving her friends with their mouths hanging open.

Ree recovered first. “Well, I'll be damned.” She clapped her hands together. “I honestly thought I'd never see the day when Marta would realize she's not a little mouse. Even with Dan she was pretty quiet and self-effacing.” She grinned at Jamie. “I might have to move up my bet on the wedding date.”

“Hey, let them be happy for a while before you sling the chains on them, okay?”

“Not everyone thinks of marriage as slavery, Jamie Lynne.”

Jamie just looked at her friend. “And you are speaking from what experience?”

Ree laughed and waved her hand. “Okay, okay. But just because I've never envisioned myself tied to a man for life doesn't mean I can't appreciate the joy in such a union—for someone else.”

Jamie caught the barest hint of envy in those last words. It was as good an opening as she was likely to get. She cleared her throat. “Listen … um … I have a confession to make.”

Ree's eyes lit up and she slapped her palms on the table. “Oh, my God! Don't tell me. You and Sebastien—”

Jamie cut her off. “Not even. No, no, that wasn't what I was going to say.”

Ree slumped back in her chair. “Shoot. You were looking so guilty I thought for sure it was going to be something good and juicy. Well, what is this big confession?”

Jamie took a breath and blurted the truth out. “I sort of spied on you. Yesterday, when you went to see Angel.”

Ree's mouth hung open.

“I didn't mean to, really. I sawyou when Iwas coming back from my run, and I was just about to call out to you when you ducked into the alley leading to Santini's courtyard.” She raised her hand when Ree lifted an eyebrow and gave her a look. “I know, I know, I had no right snooping. I was just—” She stopped. “Okay, so I have no defense. I was shocked to see you there and I just couldn't walk away. I'm really sorry.”

Ree reached over and patted her hand. “It's okay, sugar.” At Jamie's dubious look, she smiled and added, “In the same situation, I'd have probably done the same thing.”

Jamie breathed a sigh of relief, glad she'd come clean. “What compelled you to go there? He sent a note, I heard, but why respond?”

Now it was Ree's turn to shrug and look uncom-
fortable. “I really don't know. I can say I was just being polite and returning the favor. Even though I wasn't the one to invite him here in the first place.”

“But?”

Ree paused, then blew out a disgusted sigh. “But I was curious, okay?”

“About what? The guy is cold and heartless and thinks only of himself.”

“I don't know, Jamie. Something about the way he looked at me when he came here that day …” She shrugged again. “I can't explain it, really. He just … caught my attention, I guess.”

“Uh-oh.”

Ree narrowed her eyes. “Don't 'uh-oh'me, missy. After all, you're the one seeing a delusional guy who thinks he's a genie or something.”

Jamie's own cheeks heated. “Touché, touché. But Ree, we
know
for a fact Angel is not a nice man. And the 'uh-oh'was because I'm worried that you're interested in him only because he's not your typical conquest.”

Ree arched one slender brow. “I beg your pardon?”

“No, listen. He assumes the worst about you, slanders you all over the place, then months later he strolls in all enigmatic-like and hints that you've gotten his attention. What I want to know is, if you wanted his attention, then why didn't you set him straight on what kind of person you really are back during the will probate?”

“I had no interest in explaining myself then. Nor do I now. And it's not some kind of revenge fantasy here, where I get him to fall for me so I can ditch him.”

“Then what is it? Why did you agree to have dinner with him?”

Ree studied her manicure. “He wants to know more
about Edgar. I think he's sincere. Edgar always felt bad about the falling out between them, and I feel responsible in away. I mean, it was because of me.”

“No, it was because Angel is an ass. You have no responsibility to him.”

She looked up at Jamie. “But I do to Edgar. And I want Angel to know what kind of man he truly was, Jamie. As for the rest … I don't know.”

That got Jamie's attention. “What do you mean, 'I don't know'? Ree, you can't be seriously attracted to that louse.”

“I'm not saying I am.” She shoved back the chair and stood. “But I'm not saying I'm not. Listen, Jamie, I don't know what's going on, okay? I'm just having dinner with him. It's not a crime. I wouldn't have told you about it for just this reason. I'll probably never see the man after next Friday.”

“Friday?”

“Well, now the cat's out, isn't it.” She sighed. “No following me, okay?”

Jamie pretended to look offended. “I wasn't actually following you yesterday.”

Ree took Jamie's hands in her own. “I don't know what's going on with all this, okay?” she said quietly. “I just know I have to figure it out on my own. Do you understand?”

What Jamie understood was that Sebastien had somehow managed to work his magic. Again. All she could do was nod. “I just don't want you to be hurt. And I think Angel is capable of administering a world of hurt, you know?”

Ree nodded, then hugged Jamie quickly. “Thanks for loving me like you do, Jamie. I'll be fine. If anyone can take care of her heart, it's La Bamba's little girl.”

And if anyone can find a way to make you lose that heart to Angel, it's Sebastien, Jamie thought. “Will you promise to at least give me the highlights?”

Ree smiled and nodded. “Now I've got to scoot up to the market. Sally promised me her sweet-potato cookie recipe this morning.”

Jamie made a face. “There should be a law banning vegetables from bakery products.”

Ree laughed. “You wait until you taste them. You'll be in heaven, sugar, I promise.” She waved and sailed out of the shop, leaving Jamie to wonder just what was in store for her friend.

Which was a far more interesting—not to mention safe—topic to ponder than her own burgeoning relationship.

Relationship. There was no relationship. Except perhaps for an unusual friendship.

After they parted yesterday, she'd decided to stop worrying about whether to believe Sebastien was what he claimed to be and just accept his temporary residence in her life. She'd even decided to step back and not interfere with this new twist of events between Ree and Angel.

However, she wasn't all that blasé about the idea that Sebastien would now be coming after her with his matchmaking schemes.

Well, just because Sebastien was about to throw whoever he deemed the perfect man in her path, it didn't mean she had to fall at his feet. She'd make her own decisions.

Feeling only slightly more confident, Jamie went outside to open the window shutters and set about opening the shop for the day. She was rearranging the window display when her first customer walked in.

He was an attractive man in a nicely tailored suit. He offered her a sunny smile. “Would you by any chance carry out-of-town newspapers? I'm looking for
The Washington Post.”

Jamie stepped down from the window and motioned to the rack near the door. “As a matter of fact
we do. We also have
The New York Times
and
The Wall Street Journal.”

“Thanks. I'm just looking for the
Post.
”

He shrugged in a way that was totally endearing. “A bit homesick, I guess.” Jamie found herself smiling. “Here on business?” He scooped up the paper and headed to the counter. “Actually, no. I just moved here. I'm working for some law offices over on Canal, but I'm renting a place here in the Quarter. At least for the time being.”

“You don't like the Quarter?” She heard the light, flirty tone in her voice. So what? When Sebastien had touched her yesterday, it made her feel all sorts of things that had nothing to do with platonic friendships. Maybe a little harmless diversion would help get her head back on straight.

“No, I like it very much. I'd like to buy something, though, make it a more permanent deal. But I want the time to scout around a bit, make sure I pick the right place.” He paid for the paper but didn't seem in any hurry to leave. “Maybe you could show me around sometime. I'd be glad to toss in lunch or dinner.” He grinned. “Or both.”

Jamie had her mouth open to say, “Sure, why not,” when sudden suspicion clouded her mind. He was cute, endearing, employed, and single. And he was taller than she was as well, making her feel all feminine and flirty.
Danger, danger!
Her eyes narrowed. “You haven't by any chance met someone by the name of Sebastien, have you?”

Surprised by her less-than-conciliatory tone, his smiled faded. “Uh, no. Not that I can recall.”

“Think harder. He's a bit taller than you, wide shoulders, long dark hair. Has a French accent? Very charming.”

The man was backing up now, clutching his paper under his arm. “No, really, I don't think so. Listen, I have to dash. It was nice talking to you.” He all but barreled into Ree as he pushed through the door.

Ree laughed and squeezed past the man as he mumbled a hurried apology and took off down Royal. “Whoa, sugar. Why'd you chase that one off? He looked prime.”

Jamie scowled and folded her arms. “Exactly. Sebastien sent him. I'm sure of it.”

“So?”

Jamie slammed her hand down on the counter. “So? So I don't want to be all handily matched up, thank you very much.”

Now Ree folded her arms. “Oh, and I suppose you think Marta and I are brainless twits or something?”

Instantly contrite, Jamie calmed down. “I didn't say that. Marta is blissfully happy, and you know I'm thrilled for her. What you and Angel do is none of my business either. I'm just saying I'm not in the mood to do the whole relationship thing. I'm still enjoying my freedom.”

“I think you're already doing the relationship thing. I also think you don't want to be matched up with someone else because you're already enjoying the match you're in.”

“He is not my match,” Jamie said staunchly.

“But you want him to be,” Ree said knowingly.

“It doesn't matter. It won't work, and even I have learned enough to know better than to pursue something as obviously wrong as any kind of relationship with him.”

Ree dropped the sly look and instead appeared concerned. “You're not starting to believe the man is really … you know.”

Jamie sighed. “Ree, I don't know what to believe,
and all I've decided to do is to stop thinking about it. But no matter what is going on, he's not right for me.”

“Sugar, he doesn't have to be Mr. Right to be Mr. Right Now. I know that better than anyone.”

“Yeah, well, if I want a Mr. Right Now, I'll take someone like that poor guy I just scared off. Cute but harmless.”

Ree laughed. “Sugar, what is the fun in that?”

Jamie resolutely turned her back on her friend and went back to arranging the window display. “I just want to have control over who I see or don't see. That's all.”

“No one has taken that away from you.”

Jamie turned back to her. “That's just it. Knowing he's out there trying to fix me up is going to make me a neurotic mess. Every time I go to accept a date, I'll wonder, you know?”

Ree lifted her hands. “So? If you like the guy, who cares why he came into your life? What you do about it is still up to you. Right?”

Jamie grumbled, “I suppose. I just don't like feeling manipulated.”

Ree came closer and patted Jamie's arm. “Sugar, you've grown up an awful lot since you and Steve divorced. I honestly don't think you'd ever let yourself be manipulated by a man again. Maybe you ought to examine the real truth here.”

Jamie pulled her arm out of Ree's reach. “Which is?”

Ree moved around behind the bar and started setting up shop. “I think you don't like the idea that Sebastien wants to fix you up with someone other than himself. I think maybe you'd like it if he were a bit more possessive.”

“That's ridiculous. I already told you we are totally unsuited. And if I learned so much from my failed
marriages, then the very last guy I should be pursuing is Sebastien Valentin, pirate genie.”

Jamie felt ridiculous just saying that out loud.

“Yeah, but he's such a cute pirate genie.” Ree smiled enigmatically and turned back to her duties.

Jamie couldn't help but think about what Ree had said. Had she started to develop feelings for Sebastien beyond her infatuation with his sexy looks and swarthy confidence? Was she really upset about getting set up because she didn't want him manipulating her life—or was she hurt because he could so easily hand her off to someone else after claiming he was attracted to her himself?