Tangled Up Hearts (8 page)

Paul’s expression turned thoughtful. “Yes, I have been looking forward to meeting all these people you have talked with me about over the past two years, but what is it you are not telling me?”

Alyssa gave him a fond smile. “You are too astute, Paul. I think you have chosen the perfect profession.”

Paul returned her smile. “It’s not a profession, it’s a calling.”

Alyssa laughed at the correction. “Ah yes, I forgot.” She went silent for a moment and Paul gave her time to collect her thoughts. Finally she huffed out a sigh and admitted one of her major concerns. "I don’t know how to be nice to Cole. I am determined to hold to my end of the bargain but … well … I think I could do better if you were with me on Friday.”

“Of course I would love to go with you, Alyssa. Now, what is it you aren’t telling me?”

Alyssa stood and restlessly paced the room. Paul did nothing to prompt her answer and finally she decided to be honest with him and tell him what she hadn't intended to share. “Trisha made us kiss each other to seal the truce.” She couldn’t bring herself to tell him about the second kiss.

Paul nodded slowly. “I see.”

Alyssa shook her head. “No, I don’t think you do. I … we … well …” She trailed off hopelessly, unwilling to admit what she didn't want to acknowledge.

“You enjoyed it?” Paul helped.

Alyssa blushed. “Well, he knows what he’s doing. I am sure,” she added dryly, “that he has had lots of practice.”

“Tell me something, have you ever told any of them about me?”

Alyssa's blush deepened for she wasn't sure he'd understand her answer. Paul was her secret friend. Her confidant. Given Cole's propensity to ruin her relationships, she had kept this one secret. She didn't want their nasty little war getting in the way of her friendship with Paul. She treasured it too much. “No.”

“May I ask why?”

Alyssa sank back down beside him and took his hands in hers. She hoped the earnestness she felt was conveyed in her expression for she did not want him to feel slighted in any way. “I adore you, Paul. I respect you and I want you to respect me. I guess I've been afraid that Cole would change all that.”

Paul gave her hands a reassuring squeeze. “I don’t pass judgments on people, Alyssa, based on other people's opinions. Cole holds no special powers of persuasion over me. That isn't so much the case with you, is it?”

Although she wanted to protest the statement, she knew better than to get into an argument with him. He always won and she didn't want him to win this one.

As if he understood her silence, Paul gave her hand another gentle squeeze. “You let everything he says to you go to heart and anything that affects the heart, affects your life." He leaned a little closer to lend weight to the assurance he sought to give her. "I will not allow him, or anyone else for that matter, to sully our relationship in any way.”

Alyssa gave him an apologetic smile. “I think I realize that now.” She gave his hands a little shake as anticipation for Friday now replaced all anxiety concerning it. “Everyone is going to love you as I do.”

Paul smiled in response and glanced at his watch. Giving her an apologetic sigh, he rose with obvious regret and pulled her up along with him. “I have a bible class to teach in half an hour, Alyssa. I’m afraid I’m going to have to go. What time should I pick you up?”

Alyssa gave him a quick hug. “Paul, you are the greatest. We need to be at Trisha’s parents’ by five.” She glanced at his clerical collar and then up at his eyes. “Could you come without the collar on? I just want us to be able to relax and have fun and people get so uptight and self-conscious when they see a collar.”

Although he nodded that he understood, he also frowned in puzzlement. “I can’t figure why. We are normal people after all.”

Alyssa waved a hand to minimize the possible reasons for such behavior. “It’s like when a cop is following behind your car, although you are obeying the laws and have no reason to be pulled over, you still are paranoid about what you are doing.”

“Well, I only wear it when I’m involved with church activities so I wouldn’t have it on anyway.” They walked arm in arm to the front door then Paul leaned down to kiss her cheek. “I’ll see you on Friday then, angel.” He saw her to her car then gave a brief wave before hurrying back inside.

Alyssa drove away from the rectory feeling as if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. With Paul at her side, Friday was going to be a breeze.

CHAPTER THREE

The gentle rapping on her door, which no longer sported a working doorbell, told Alyssa that Paul had arrived and she placed a hand on her fluttering stomach as she tried once again to will the nerves away. The evening ahead was going to be something of a challenge, a test to her emotional control, and she hoped she could keep a cool head through it all.

Paul’s arrival marked the beginning of the evening and her time for facing Cole again was near at hand. It was an unsettling thought and she hoped Paul would be able to calm her rioting emotions. He was always so level-headed and calm about things. That calming energy usually had a remarkable effect on her and she needed it tonight more than ever.

When she opened the door, Paul’s eyes widened and he took a step back to admire her properly. “Wow, you look beautiful.” He indicated with his finger that he wanted her to twirl around and she dutifully did so.

His reaction boosted her confidence and she laughed when she faced him again, dropping him a curtsey in thanks for his appreciation. Feeling very fortunate to have his friendship, she gave him a quick hug and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Paul, for being my friend.”

Paul smiled and gave her shoulder a friendly pat. “Same back at you. So, are you ready?”

Thanks to his reassuring presence, her anxiety eased up and she drew in a deep relieved breath. She was going to have fun tonight. With Paul at her side, she was going to show Cole Delaney that those moments in the attic were meaningless. A thoughtless, impulsive, stupid mistake. And he could just eat his heart out at what he was missing out on when he looked at her.

She’d spent hours getting ready and she knew she looked good. It gave her an added boost of confidence knowing that she looked her absolute best. After several changes of clothes, she had finally settled on a simple black dress that fit snugly around her small waist and flared provocatively over slender hips. Dark stockings covered long, shapely legs and her black high heels gave her five foot seven inch frame another couple of inches. The front of her dress was designed in a crisscross halter top fashion which emphasized the rounded fullness of her breasts, showing just a moderate amount of cleavage, and leaving her slim shoulders bare. She had piled her long black hair into a loose knot on the top of her head, allowing the shorter wispy locks to curl about her oval face and the slender column of her neck. Though she had applied make-up sparingly, it was enough to create a tasteful dramatic flair. Her high cheekbones and honey smooth complexion gave her features a look of classical beauty and her royal blue eyes contrasted sharply with her coal black hair and tanned complexion. Her mother claimed their family bloodline included a member of the Cherokee Indian tribe. It was a fascinating story of forbidden love and one of her favorite family legends.

Although she felt somewhat self-conscious about her bared back, she knew the sexy display would grate on Cole's nerves. He always got annoyed when she showed what he thought was too much skin. He told her he didn't like girls who dressed like "floozies". Whatever. Just so long as it annoyed him, that's all that mattered.

She was a little concerned that Paul might be uncomfortable with her blatant efforts to look sexy and beautiful but he was steadfast in his calling and had assured her once that although he was a normal man, he was too focused on his calling to give much notice to temptations of the flesh. Personally, Alyssa didn’t know how he did it, taking on a life that did not allow for romantic relationships. But then, as he told her, she was not “called” so of course she wouldn’t understand.

As Alyssa turned to get her purse and shawl, Paul was given another view of her back and he said with a humorous lilt to his voice, “Are you trying to raise temperatures at this party, Alyssa?”

She grinned at him over her shoulder. “Women always feel more confident to handle things when they look dressed-to-kill.”

Paul nodded with understanding. “I see. Do you feel in the need of a confidence booster then?” He lifted his arms to indicate himself. “I thought that was my job?”

Alyssa slipped her black shawl around her shoulders. “How can the evening go wrong when I feel good about myself and have the best date a girl could possibly ask for?” In saying that, she gave Paul an appreciative once-over. He was looking very dapper in a gray pin-striped suite and she gave him a nod of approval. His coloring, the blond hair and light brown eyes, contrasted very well against her dark hair and blue eyes. His height was perfect for her too. Standing about three inches taller, they were a great match and she couldn't help but wonder what Cole was going to think about it. Then with a stern mental shake, she cancelled the thought. She didn’t give a fig what Cole thought. “Are you ready?”

Paul offered his arm and patted her hand when she took it. “Let’s do it then.”

Smiling, her nerves calm and collected, Alyssa gave him a wide smile. “We are going to have a wonderful evening, Paul. I can’t wait for everyone to meet you.”

Despite her confidence, however, Alyssa’s stomach began to twist into knots as they walked up to the front door of the Delaney home. There were only two other cars in the driveway, Cole’s and Jack’s. Her hand tightened on Paul’s arm and he gave it a reassuring pat just as Trisha’s mom answered the door.

“Al, my dear, you look lovely.” She gave Alyssa a warm hug taking care not to mess up her hair. “I love that hairdo and that dress is going to cause a stir for sure.” She turned to Paul and smiled. “Good evening.”

“Jenna, this is Paul Jordan, a very dear friend. And Paul, this is Jenna Delaney, Trisha’s mother."

“A pleasure to meet you, ma’am.” Paul shook her hand, bowing slightly as he did so and handed her a bouquet of spring flowers. "For you, as a token of my thanks for allowing me to join in your celebration."

Jenna gave him a warm smile as she took the flowers. “Why thank you so much." She shook his hand then drew him into the house. "It’s always nice to meet Alyssa’s friends. She is very much like family to us, you know.”

Once they were all standing in the entryway, she motioned for them to go on into the living room. “Everyone is scattered about at the moment but I'll send Trisha and Jack a text to let them know you are here." She took a few steps back and waved an apologetic hand. "I still have some things to do in the kitchen but I will join you shortly. Al, you know where to find everything. Help yourself to a drink. The bar is fully stocked.”

Although Jenna was already scurrying away, Alyssa took a hasty step toward her. “Can I help you with anything, Jenna?”

“No, no. You go enjoy yourself. I’m fine.” Then she disappeared into the kitchen, the door swinging closed behind her.

Alyssa pulled off her shawl and dropped it on the bench of the antique coat rack behind her then turned to Paul and shrugged. “Well, I guess we should go make ourselves a drink." She linked hands with him and leaned against his arm. “I can’t wait for Trisha and Jack to meet you.”

“Am I to presume that Cole is here as well?” Paul raised a questioning brow, his all-knowing gaze missing nothing.

Although Alyssa tried to school her features into an emotionless mask, she knew she wasn’t fooling him. “Unfortunately, yes.”

Paul made a face of mock fear and Alyssa laughed. Yes, bringing Paul to this party was definitely the best thing she could have done.

“My, my but don’t we seem jovial this evening.”

Cole’s voice sucked her good humor off into obscurity and her laughter ended abruptly, her anxiety returning as she turned around to face him. Of course it had to be him to be the first to show up. Upon seeing him, though, her irritation was replaced with reluctant admiration. Although she wasn't quite sure how she did it, she managed to keep her eyes from widening in visual appreciation. Impossibly handsome when dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, he was even more impressive when dressed in formal attire. And he'd shaved. Although he looked good with facial hair, he was just as appealing without it, though on a different scale. It made him appear more civil. Polished. He looked like a gentleman of the first order and that made her scoff inside. Bearded or not, he was no gentleman. Not to her anyway.

Keeping her face void of expression, she spoke in a voice as deadpan as she could make it. “Hello, Cole.” Her apparent lack of enthusiasm for his arrival did not go unnoticed.

Eyes narrowed in warning, he gave an almost imperceptible nod as his gaze traveled over her. “Evening, Al. You look very nice.”

And just like that Alyssa wished she was still wearing her shawl. She felt vulnerable, exposed, and she didn’t like it that he made her feel that way. She didn’t like it one bit. Of course that reaction didn’t make sense considering she had deliberately set out to ensure that he did notice her. The plan she’d had in mind was that she would in turn, show complete disinterest in him. What she forgot to consider in that scenario was his attractiveness and how that was going to affect her. His black suit fit him perfectly. The crisp white shirt he wore beneath it accentuated his tanned complexion and dark hair. Even in her high heels, Cole towered over her, making her feel small. Needing reinforcement, she moved closer to Paul and sought out his hand. He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze and she turned to give him a grateful smile before returning her gaze to Cole.

The interaction did not escape his notice and Cole's brow lifted in speculation as he moved his attention from her to Paul and held out his hand. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“Cole, this is Paul Jordan. Paul, Cole Delaney.”

The two men shook hands and though Cole's manner was reserved, Paul's was open and friendly. “It’s nice to meet you, Cole.”