Page 36 of Agent of the Heart (Hearts in Hawthorne #3)

Chapter

Twenty-Two

J ace woke Darby, making love to her slowly, savoring every moment. All his reluctance at settling down with one woman for life seemed ridiculous now. Though he had remained closed-off his entire life, rarely showing emotion, he was openly affectionate with her now.

Even those at TTM had noticed the change in him, though Elena was the only one to comment about it to his face.

She had told Jace that while she admired his integrity and work ethic, she had always thought him a chameleon, as if he were an actor playing different roles when he interacted with various people.

Elena said that Jace always was himself—yet he morphed into different aspects of himself, depending upon the client he dealt with.

She praised the new openness he displayed and threatened to turn in her resignation if he did anything to chase Darby away.

As he dressed, Darby watching him from the bed, he said, “We’ve got a charity casino party to attend tonight. It also has a silent auction.”

She frowned. “What’s the dress code? I only brought one dress with me.”

“Wear a cocktail dress,” he responded. “I’ll wear black tie. Some women may wear a full-length gown, but the younger crowd will go cocktail.” He grinned. “And with your toned legs, you need to go short so everyone can see them.”

“Why don’t you go without me?” she suggested. “Do your see and be seen bit and then come home. We can have a late dinner.”

He went to the bed and leaned down, kissing her.

“I want you on my arm tonight,” he insisted. “This is the first time in my life that I’m part of a couple. I want to show you off to everyone in Dallas.”

“I can’t go,” she said flatly. “The dress I brought won’t pass muster. I do own one cocktail dress which is back in Hawthorne, but I don’t have a way to get it here and back since I rode with you.”

“Silly, just go buy one today.”

She looked at him, her gaze steely. “I’m not going to do that, Jace. As a teacher, I’m not invited to these kinds of dressy events. The one black dress I have is fine for the few occasions I do receive an invitation to something really nice. I’m not going to spend money on something I don’t need.”

“Hey, you’ll be going to lots of things with me, so you’ll need to buy several dresses. You’ve got free time today, plus you’re in one of the best shopping towns in America. You can pick up a half-dozen or so dresses today.”

Her lips thinned. If the set of her jaw told him anything, Jace knew Darby was more than upset.

“ This is what I’ve tried to tell you,” she said.

“I can’t be driving down to Dallas at the drop of a hat to attend some gala or charity event.

I’ll have obligations in Hawthorne which can’t be ignored.

I’ll have practices which run late with the cheer squad.

There may be some nights I’ll be up at school, helping put the paper to bed. ”

She paused, her eyes filling with tears. “My life is in Hawthorne, Jace. Not here.”

He sat on the edge of the bed, cupping her cheeks. “Your life is with me. We’re going to work it out.”

Darby shook her head. “You can’t just say that and expect a magic wand to be waved, making it come true. You’re being bullheaded, Jace. I don’t like that.”

“Hey, we knew we were going to have to compromise about some things. Social events will be one of those things.” He kissed her lightly. “We’ll work this out. I promise.”

He rose. “Use your time wisely today. Get your shopping done.”

Shaking her head, she said, “That’s another part of what you don’t get.”

Confused, he asked, “What are you talking about?”

She huffed. “You just want me to run out and buy a dress. Or dresses. The kind of dress you’re talking about costs money, Jace. Lots of money. I don’t earn the salary you do. I can’t afford to blow a month’s wages on a single dress, much less several of them.”

“You don’t have to do that. Sorry, I didn’t even think of that.”

He pulled out his wallet and handed her a credit card. “Use this. Buy whatever you like. Some cocktail dresses. A few nice suits. Even some long gowns.”

“I can’t do that,” she said, pushing the card back at him.

“Why not?” he asked, his frustration growing. “I have the money. I’m the one who’s asking you to attend these events with me. I don’t mind paying so you’ll look nice and fit in.”

“But I do mind you paying,” she said. “I’ve always provided for myself.

My parents didn’t have a lot of disposable income.

We were all thrilled when I earned the cheer scholarship to UT.

Then I traveled all summer, going from cheer camps across the country.

I was paid to teach at the workshops, plus I had all my travel comped, from hotels to meals.

I saved every penny from that job and bought what I needed in college, from clothes to makeup to paying for haircuts. ”

Shaking her head, she said, “I won’t take your money.”

Jace worried they were at an impasse.

Relenting, Darby said, “I will buy one dress today using your credit card. One. That’s it. And I will wear it more than one time, which I’m sure is taboo, but that’s what I plan to do. And I won’t be able to come to Dallas often, Jace. You’ve got to understand that.”

He was just realizing what living in two different places meant.

Darby couldn’t be at his beck and call when he wanted to attend places he’d been invited to.

Especially Friday nights, when she would be with her cheerleaders at games.

Suddenly, the gulf between them seemed to widen, and he didn’t have a clue how to keep it from growing.

“The casino party starts at eight,” he finally said. “There’s a cocktail hour prior to that. Can you be ready at six-thirty? I keep some clothes at the office to change into, so I won’t need to come back here to dress.”

“Yes. I’ll be downstairs,” she said, her voice neutral.

“Good. I’ll see you then.”

He walked out the bedroom door and only got a few steps before turning around, stopping in the doorway.

“I know we have a lot to work out. More than I want to think about. I’ve been spoiled, having you here with me all week.” Determination filled him. “But we will work things out, Darby. I promise you that. I’m used to getting things done. I’ll make this happen.”

Jace left, afraid to stay any longer and have to confront the differences between them and their careers. His gut told him that Darby would never willingly move to Dallas, and there was no way he could move to Hawthorne.

He drove to the office, trying to put their mounting problems aside, and concentrate on his clients.

Darby tried to shake off her mounting depression as she showered and dressed for the day. She put on a nice blouse and pair of black slacks, knowing she would need to shop in stores which catered to a certain kind of customer.

Reality was catching up to them. This week together at Jace’s condo had been magical, full of time together.

Dinners out. Walks after dinner. Late-night talks, with plenty of lovemaking tossed in.

It had all been like a house of cards, though, and it was starting to fall.

As a teacher and sponsor of extracurricular activities, she would need to be in Hawthorne a majority of the time.

Jace, on the other hand, had a life he’d built in Dallas.

His business was here. His social commitments were numerous.

While he had made adjustments in his calendar this week because of her presence, he couldn’t afford to continue skipping out on the glittering events.

Glumly, she picked up her cell phone and called Kelby.

“Hey. How are things going this week?” her friend asked brightly.

Suddenly, Darby didn’t want to share with anyone, not even Kelby, how uncertain she was about Jace.

How she doubted they had a future together.

Yes, she loved him, but love couldn’t solve every problem.

It was a good thing she’d kept her feelings to herself.

If they had exchanged those three little words, then things would be even more complicated than they already were.

“Got a question for you. Jace is taking me to a big casino party tonight. It’s probably for some charity. I need to pick up a cocktail dress to wear. I don’t know where I should go shopping for one.”

“I wish you were a few inches taller because I have a ton I could loan you,” Kelby said. “But you definitely want to go to NorthPark.”

“Isn’t that where Wyndham & Warren is located?” Darby asked, referring to the last place Kelby had worked before she’d been let go, thanks to a scandal which was not of her own making.

“Yes. You don’t have to be loyal to me. They’ve got some great dressy clothes.”

“I wouldn’t put a dime in their pockets after the way they treated you,” she declared.

“That’s sweet. I appreciate hearing you say that. NorthPark has a ton of great stores, though.”

Kelby then named half a dozen, with Darby jotting down the names.

“I’m on a budget,” she admitted. “Can you steer me toward the one which might be the most reasonable?”

“NorthPark isn’t about budget clothing,” her friend said. “My best advice is to try and shop the sale racks. How are you set for shoes? And a purse?”

“I brought a dress and some black pumps. The dress isn’t dressy enough. The pumps will have to do. I only have a crossbody purse. I’m afraid adding an evening bag would break my bank.”

“Then go without one,” Kelby suggested. “Just give Jace a lipstick to carry for you. If it’s a casino party, they give you fake money to play with.

Frankly, they can get boring after a while.

Since Jace is so hot for you, you probably won’t even be there that long. You can get by with just a lipstick.”

“Good advice. Thanks, Kel.”

“How is everything else going?”

She swallowed. “Every day has been better the one before,” she shared. “I know Cinderella will be leaving this ball soon, however. Reality awaits me in Hawthorne.”

“You don’t sound excited.”