Tangled Up Hearts (25 page)

He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “You're welcome.” Knowing she needed some down time from all her fussing and worry, Paul glanced at his watch. “What time did you say that rehearsal was?”

“Six. Why?”

“Well, I’m free for the day. How about we get your mind off things and play a game of chess?”

She grinned. “Okay you’re on but prepare to lose. I’m getting better.”

A couple hours later, defeated but not without giving it a good fight, Alyssa sank back on her knees and yawned. “That was a good game, Paul. Next time I’m due for a win.”

“You look beat.” Paul grinned at the pun then gave her shoulder a gentle, sympathetic squeeze. “Why don’t you go lie down for a while?”

“Can’t. You forget, I’ve got Trisha’s and Jack’s wedding rehearsal later. If I fall asleep now, I’ll sleep straight through and miss it. Trisha would have my hide.” But a nap sounded heavenly. She yawned again.

Paul began picking up the chess pieces. “Listen, I need to do some reading. Why don’t you go lie down and I’ll just make myself comfortable, get some reading done and then I’ll wake you in a couple hours?”

“Paul, you are a dear, but I can’t go lie down. It wouldn’t be right.”

He grasped her hands and helped her to her feet, then with an arm firmly around her waist, he began walking with her to her bedroom. “I don’t need constant entertainment, Alyssa. I’m perfectly content to be alone with just myself and God. You need to rest or you won’t be in charge of your full faculties this evening.”

They stopped by her bedroom door and Paul pushed it open, waving her in. “Please?”

Catching some sleep was very tempting. She didn't get much of it the night before. “Okay, Paul. You win.” She entered her bedroom then turned back to him. “Two hours, Paul. No more than that.”

“Two hours, gotcha. Sweet dreams, angel.” He closed the door then retrieved his briefcase from the hallway and carried it to the living room. After kicking off his shoes and propping some pillows on the sofa, he settled down with his notes and became lost in his bible.

A couple hours later, Paul's watch alarm let him know that it was time to put his book away and wake Alyssa. He finished the passage he was reading then sat up to stretch, amazed at how quickly time had passed. Then again, there was no sense of time when the mind was occupied. Before one knew it, their life on earth was over. Given that, he said a prayer for Alyssa and Cole, his hope for them being they found their peace with each other and soon. Life was just too short to be wasting it away with fighting.

Knowing he had to wake her but reluctant to do so, Paul glanced at Alyssa's bedroom door. She'd looked so tired and worn out, it really was a shame not to let her sleep a little longer, but he promised and he'd keep his word. First, though, he needed to put in a delivery request. The rumbling going on in his stomach had him picking up his cell phone. Pizza would hit the spot. Besides, Alyssa was sure to be hungry too.

After taking a few moments to pack his book away and make a trip to the bathroom, he finally went to Alyssa’s bedroom door and knocked gently, not wanting to jolt her awake. When she didn’t answer, he knocked a little harder. “Alyssa?” Still no answer. He pushed the door open and saw her curled up on the bed, her arms wrapped around a pillow. Smiling at the cute picture she made, he walked across the room and stopped next to the bed, his hand outstretched to shake her awake and yet hesitant to do so. She looked so at peace that he was loathe to disturb her. But a promise was a promise. He reached down and gently brushed the hair from her face. “Alyssa?” She stirred, drawing the pillow tighter to her body. Smiling at her reluctance to join the waking work, Paul was about to shake her again when he heard knocking at the door and decided to get that first. It was probably the pizza although it hadn't been that long. Were they getting quicker at it these days?

He stepped out of Alyssa’s room then stilled in surprise when he saw Cole standing in the living room, a strange look on his face, his stance rigid. Whatever thoughts were racing through his head, they weren't good ones. “Cole! This is a surprise.” A quick glance into the bedroom told him that Alyssa still had not stirred and he quietly closed the door. Perhaps this would be a good time for him and Cole to talk. The man's body language, however, told him it would likely be a futile endeavor. Though he wasn't sure why, he seemed quite upset, as if trying to process something that he couldn't quite wrap his head around. The fact his mouth was pressed into a thin line was a good indication he was determined to say nothing though he clearly wanted to. What surprised Paul the most, however, was the expression in his eyes. They were hard and cold. Wishing he knew what was causing such a reaction, Paul gave him an encouraging smile.

Cole took a step back toward the door. “I’m sorry, Paul. I didn’t know Alyssa had company.”

“That’s quite all right, Cole.” Did his car in the driveway not give him a clue?

“I’ll just catch her later at the rehearsal.” Without waiting for a reply, Cole turned and strode to the door.

"Cole, wait."

His hand on the door knob, Cole paused. For a moment he stood there, unmoving, then heaving a sigh, he turned and faced Paul, his expression wary. "What?"

“Why don’t you stay? I’ll get Alyssa.” He motioned towards the bedroom. “She's resting but I need to wake her up anyway.”

Cole’s scowl deepened and he looked like he had to collect himself before he could drum up a reply. “No, thanks, Paul, it can wait. I’m sorry to have interrupted.” This time he gave no chance for Paul to delay him further for he pulled the door open with barely controlled force and walked out without another word.

Wondering what that was all about, Paul stood for a moment in silent contemplation. His eyes surveyed the room, seeing it as Cole must have done. His blazer lay over the back of the sofa, his shoes under the coffee table alongside Alyssa’s. Their two wine glasses sat on the table top alongside a near empty bowl of grapes. Pillows were piled at one end of the sofa and gave the correct impression that someone had been reclined there. And then he came out of Alyssa’s bedroom. It would be easy to assimilate the wrong impression, especially if he was missing key information. Oh dear. Paul passed a weary hand across his eyes. Did Cole understand what kind of relationship he and Alyssa shared? Something told him that he did not.

“Who was at the door, Paul?” Alyssa came out of the bedroom with her hair mussed and her eyes drowsy with sleep.

“Tell me something, Alyssa. Does Cole know that I am going to be a priest?”

Surprised by the question, her eyes widened then lowered, her face reddening enough to show her guilt. “No, I hadn’t gotten around to telling him. Quite frankly, I didn’t think it was any of his business.”

Paul sighed. “I wish you would tell him, Alyssa. Our relationship can be misleading to those who don't know that about me. It isn't fair to me or Cole.”

Her expression changed to contrition and she put out a hand in apology. “You’re right, Paul. I’m sorry. I’ll tell Trisha this evening and ask her to let Cole know." She just couldn't do it herself and see the derision in his eyes for deceiving him.

He nodded in approval. “Good." Seeing she was still distressed, Paul smiled and gave her a reassuring wink. "No more worries, okay? I ordered pizza. Why don't you go get freshened up and by the time you are done, it should be here.”

“Great, I'm famished.” Thankful for his friendship and understanding, Alyssa gave him a hug. “You are truly a wonderful friend. Have I told you that recently?”

“It’s been a few hours at least. I’m relieved to know that nothing has changed.”

Laughing at his reply, she headed off to the bedroom to shower and change. Twenty minutes later she rejoined Paul in the living room and someone knocked on her door just as she did so. Glad for the timing she turned and headed for the door. "I think our pizza has arrived."

It was while they were eating that she learned of Cole's visit.

Aside from feeling bad about putting Paul in that awkward situation, she was worried as to what was going through Cole's mind. No doubt he'd arrived at the wrong conclusions and it made her all the more impatient to clear up the misunderstanding. After what happened between them the day before, it must be confusing him to think she was now in the arms of another man. She hoped the truth of it would ease some of the tension between them and clear the way for them to talk about what happened. Although his abrupt departure had devastated her at the time, she now believed that he'd done so because he felt guilty about losing control and making her cry. If that was the case...then it was possible there were other feelings going on where she was concerned. If he could admit that, then they could take it from there and maybe put their war behind them once and for all.

* * *

Cole drove away from Alyssa’s house with confusion clouding his thoughts and a heavy weight in his soul. The shock that drove through him when he realized Alyssa was in her bedroom with Paul had sliced through his heart like a knife. He wanted to drive his fist into Paul’s charming face when he saw him come quietly out of her room.

His hands curled over the steering wheel and tightened until his knuckles turned white. Paul seemed like a decent enough guy yet he wanted to dislike him. It didn’t make sense. He should be glad Alyssa found someone who possessed some integrity. Anyone could clearly see Paul was an honorable man. It came through in the way he conducted himself and from the calm energy he projected. If only he knew a little more about him. What did he do for a living? What were his intentions towards Alyssa? He only cared because Trisha did. After all, whatever affected Alyssa, affected Trisha. Then again, Trisha liked Paul quite a bit and his sister was usually a pretty good judge of character. So how had she ended up with someone like Alyssa for a best friend?

The moment that thought was out, he knew he had to recant it. No matter how bad their own relationship, Alyssa was a devoted, thoughtful friend to his sister. Hell, she was wonderful with everyone but him. Never him.

Heaving a heavy, frustrated sigh, Cole ran an agitated hand through his hair. He’d gone to see her to make sure she was okay. Guilt had been eating at him since he left her house yesterday. Why was it that when it came to being in her company, he didn't even recognize himself? What on earth possessed him to react so roughly with her, kissing her in a manner meant to punish? Since when did he use kissing as a form of punishment?

Once he noticed her tears, an entirely new emotion had taken hold. He'd wanted nothing more than to comfort her. Love her.

Wait...
love
? No, he didn't mean to say that, did he? Of course not. He didn't love her. But he was beginning to lust after her. What man wouldn't feel that way after experiencing the kind of hot passion they'd surprisingly shared? He couldn’t get it out of his head. If he hadn’t left when he had, he would have carried her off to the bedroom or had her right there on the hallway floor. That would have been disastrous for both of them. But God help him, he’d wanted her so much the urgency to take her nearly consumed him beyond reason. Even now, just remembering it, his body tightened with desire. Heat sprung from within his very soul and sweat broke out on his brow.

His body's responses confused him. They were enemies, he and Alyssa. They waged a personal war both of them seemed helpless to control. He’d meant what he said yesterday. He wanted peace. If they could somehow accomplish that, then perhaps they could get on with their lives and put the past behind them. Not that it was going to matter much if Alyssa remained preoccupied with Paul. Now that he was in the picture, she wouldn't have time to engage in their war, especially given the fact that he seemed to disapprove of their bad behavior in that regard.

The very thought made his chest heave painfully. Did he really want Alyssa out of his life? They were friends once. He’d thought of her as a sister. Well, perhaps not a sister but he'd definitely had a fondness for her. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, it all ended. Alyssa changed the rules and he hadn't been prepared to accept them. She was too damn young for him back then and he couldn't give her the notice she seemed to want.

Cole’s hand curled into a fist and he punched at the steering wheel.
Damn it, Alyssa, it was too soon!
Now it was too late. Too late for what, though? Cole shook his head to dispel the question. No, he wouldn’t go there. Not now. What he would do, however, was straighten things out with her. Tonight at the rehearsal. And, he added with quiet determination, he would work through these negative feelings towards Paul. One way or another he would do both.
 

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“Haven’t you had enough of my company for one day?” Paul asked.

Alyssa tugged at his jacket, stalling his departure. “I never tire of your company.” She made a face and added ruefully, “The truth is I don’t have a car and I thought you could drive me over there. Then after the rehearsal we could go for coffee or something.”

“What’s happened to your car, Alyssa?”

“Well I sort of had a run
-
in with a tree.”

“What?” His eyes widening with concern, Paul took her hand and gave it a shake until she met his gaze. “When? What happened?”

“It was the rabbit’s fault.” Knowing she wasn’t making any sense, she told him about the accident.

“Alyssa! Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?” He examined her closely as if to satisfy himself that there were no other hidden injuries. “Thank God you are okay.”

“Yes, thank God. My car was totaled. Dad is going to help me find another one tomorrow.” She tapped his arm. “So, are you going to be the wonderful gentleman you are and offer me a lift?”

“But of course. I do wish you had called and told me about this sooner.”

She smiled, touched by his concern though she expected no less. “But why? I’m fine.”

Paul helped her with her jacket. “No lingering nightmares or anything?”

“None. I never really thought I was going to die, Paul. It was the strangest thing, but I was really quite calm during the whole thing. It was only afterwards that nerves set in.”