An Engagement in Seattle - Debbie Macomber [107]
“I don’t know what to do,” Lesley said, worrying her lower lip.
“About Chase and all those women?”
She was astonished by the way Daisy always brought the conversation back to Chase. “No! About Tony calling me.”
“You’ve been miserable because that slimeball dumped you,” Daisy went on with barely a pause. “I find it ironic that when you meet up with a really decent guy, Tony comes sniffin’ around. Does this guy have radar or what?”
Lesley smiled. “I doubt it.”
“He couldn’t tolerate the thought of you with another man, you know.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! He didn’t want me, Daisy. You seem to be forgetting that.”
“Of course he wants you. For Tony it’s a matter of pride to keep two women in love with him. Don’t kid yourself. His ego eats it up.”
“He’s married.”
Daisy snorted. “When has that ever stopped a man?”
“I’m sure you’re wrong.” Here she was defending him again although she didn’t even know what he wanted from her.
“Listen, sweetie, you might have a college degree, but when it comes to men, you’re as naive as those kids you teach. Why do you think Tony didn’t want you transferring to another school? He wants to keep his eye on you. Trust me, the minute you show any interest in another man, he’ll be there like stink on—”
“I get the picture, Daisy.”
“Fine, but do you get the message?”
Lesley gnawed at her lip. “I think so.”
Daisy lowered the aluminum shield. She turned her head to look at Lesley. “You’re afraid, aren’t you? Afraid of what’ll happen if you call Tony back.” Lesley nodded.
“Are you still in love with that jerk?”
Once more she nodded.
“Oh, Lesley, you idiot. You don’t need him, not when you’ve got someone like Chase. He’s crazy about you, but he isn’t stupid. He’s not going to ram his head against a brick wall, and who could blame him? Not me.”
“I hardly know Chase.”
“What more do you need to know?”
“Daisy, he’s looking for a wife.”
“So what?” Her neighbor asked impatiently.
“I’m not in love with Chase.”
“Do you like him?”
“Of course I do. Otherwise I wouldn’t continue to see him.”
“What are you expecting, sweetie? This guy is manna from heaven. If you want to spend the rest of your life mooning over Tony, feel free. As far as I’m concerned, that guy’s going to do his best to make you miserable for as long as he can.”
“Chase is from Alaska,” Lesley argued.
“So? You don’t have any family here. There’s nothing holding you back other than Tony, is there? Is a married man worth all that grief, Lesley?”
“No.” How small her voice sounded, how uncertain.
“Do you want to lose Chase?”
“I don’t know…”
“You don’t know? Sometimes I want to clobber you, Lesley. Where do you think you’d ever find another man as good as Chase? But if that doesn’t concern you, then far be it from me to point out the obvious.” She swung her legs from the chaise longue. “If you want my advice, I’d say go for it and marry the guy. I doubt that you’ll be sorry.”
Lesley wished she could be as sure of that, but she wasn’t. She wasn’t even sure how she was going to get through another night without calling Tony.
Six
Chase forced himself to relax. He wasn’t being fair to the women he’d interviewed. He tried, heaven knew he’d tried, to concentrate on what they’d said, but it hadn’t worked, not in a single case. And this had been going on for several days.
He’d ask a question, listen intently for the first minute or two, and then his mind would drift. What irritated him most was the subject that dominated his thoughts so completely.
Lesley.
She was in love with Tony, although she was struggling to hide it. Not from him, but from herself. All the signs were there.
If he had more time, he might have a chance with Lesley. But he didn’t. Even if he could afford a couple of months to court her, it might not be enough.
The best thing, the only thing, he could do was accept that whatever they’d so briefly had was over, cut his losses and do what he could to make up for wasted time.
“That’s the last of them for this evening,” Sandra said, letting herself into the room. The door clicked softly behind her.