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He grabbed her hand, pulling her back inside. “The kitchen has double ovens, just like you said you wanted, and a pantry. There are his and her closets, a media room. Built-ins in the dining room. The schools are great, or we can go private. There are plenty of those around.”
He was talking too fast for her to follow what he was saying. “I don’t understand. Why are you looking at this house? I thought you wanted to live in Malibu?”
Still holding on to her hand, he moved closer. “I want to be wherever makes you happy, Jayne. You said you wanted a family house. A place for kids and a dog. I remember everything you ever said you wanted, and it’s here. In this house.”
He looked happy and hopeful, while she felt sick to her stomach. “David, I—”
“Don’t,” he said, lightly kissing her, then releasing her hand. “Don’t say anything.”
They were in the kitchen of a strange house. It was a Tuesday. Things like this didn’t happen on Tuesdays. Unbelievably, David Worden pulled a small box out of his jacket pocket. A ring box. Then he dropped to one knee.
“Jayne, I love you. I never thought I’d find anyone as wonderful as you. You’re everything I ever wanted and more. I want to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you’ve made me. I want us to grow old together, raise a family, live each day for all it’s worth. Take a chance on me, please. Take this journey with me. Jayne, will you marry me?”
Still on one knee, he opened the box and showed her the beautiful diamond ring nestled in dark purple velvet.
It was a fairy-tale moment, she thought sadly, staring into his eyes. She loved him more than she had ever thought possible. If she said yes, she would have everything she’d ever wanted. And more.
And it was the more that made the situation impossible.
He’d gone to so much trouble to find the perfect house. He’d listened, which was a miracle, and remembered, which was even more amazing. He was caring, sweet, affectionate, and he’d waited long enough to be sure of what he wanted.
Her. He wanted her.
She reached for his hand and drew him to his feet. “I’ve had a crush on you since I was in high school,” she whispered. “I couldn’t seem to fall for anyone else because I kept comparing them to you, and they fell short of what I thought you would be. Then you came home and I broke my wrist and we actually got to know each other. You turned out to be even better than I’d imagined.”
He smiled then, obviously happy with the words. He pulled the ring out of the box and reached for her hand.
“No,” she said, tucking her hands behind her back. “I can’t marry you. I love you, David. Believe me, this is hard to say. There’s a voice in my head screaming that I can’t be doing this. I can’t let you go. Except I have to. I’m leaving, and I’m never coming back. It’s not just about the job. It’s about my life. I can’t live it in the shadow of your family.”
His smile faded. “You won’t marry me because of my mother?”
“In part. Because of her and Rebecca, but mostly because of me. Because of who I am around them. I’ve wanted to break free a dozen times. This is the only way.” She felt tears on her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I do love you.”
“Not enough.”
She thought about what life would be like with Elizabeth a scant five miles away. With Rebecca’s dramatics and Elizabeth’s pronouncements.
“Your mother would never let this happen,” she continued. “She’d find a way to talk you out of it.”
“If you believe that, you don’t think very much of me.”
“Actually, I do. I think the world of you. I wish you the best.”
“Don’t start,” he said, shoving the ring in his pocket. “Don’t tell me to be happy with someone else. That’s bullshit.”
“No, David. That’s loving you.”
She raised herself up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, then walked out. She had a little trouble getting her car door open, probably because she was crying so hard. Then she started the engine and drove away. Back to the real world, where girls like her didn’t get the handsome prince, and the glass slipper never really fit.
Twenty
DAVID DROVE BACK TO the office, mostly because there wasn’t anywhere else to go. Getting on a plane was the easiest solution. Get on a plane and fly somewhere far and dangerous, and get lost for a few months. Then, when he was better, he would return and face all this.
Except he didn’t want to be anywhere else, he just didn’t want to be here. Not without Jayne.
He pulled into his underground parking space and took the elevator up to the office level. Dammit all to hell, how could she tell him she loved him, then walk away? Who did that? If she really loved him, she would…
The elevator doors opened on the fourth floor, but he didn’t get out. They closed again.
