Oh, crap. Oh, no. This wasnota good start to the breakup talk. “James…”
“Mar… I love you.” His blue eyes sparkled. “We just fit together, you and I. I love working with you, being with you. You’re beautiful, smart, fun. I can spend my whole life just listening to your funny expressions and laughing with you. Please say you’ll marry me.” He pulled a ring box out of his suit coat and popped it open.
For the first time in Maryn’s life, she was temporarily speechless. If James’ sweet words hadn’t knocked out her communication skills, this ring would certainly do it. The center diamond had to be over three karats with dozens of smaller diamonds embedded in the white gold and building up to surround the main diamond. It was obviously expensive, gaudy, and not her style at all. She truly hated it.
She looked into James’ expectant face. They had been close friends for years, but she didn’t love him, had never loved him like that. Even if she hadn’t fallen for Tucker, she knew she would never be able to marry James.
“James. I’m so grateful for your friendship and really appreciate that beautiful speech, but I’m sorry.” His smile drooped. She tried again, “You and I are not really…” She glanced at the diamond ring then back up at him. “How in the criminy did you afford this monstrosity?”
James’ face paled then mottled red spots appeared in his cheeks. He snapped the box shut and jammed it into his suit pocket. “I guess that’s Maryn’s twisted way of saying no.”
Maryn shook her head and backed away. “I know what your take home is, and it’s not much more than I make. What are youdoing, James?” Maryn’s breath caught at the furious look on his face.
“So now I can’t afford a ring for the woman I love?” He quickly glanced around, but nobody was paying them any attention. He grabbed her arm and his fingers dug into her flesh. “So I’m not the billionaireTucker Shaffer.” He spit out the name that Maryn drooled over. “And suddenly I’m not good enough for you. I can provide anything he can, Maryn, you have to trust me on this. I’m doing this for you.”
She yanked her arm free. “It’s not about money, James. It’s about my best friend changing and buying things he shouldn’t be able to afford. This isn’t like you. Please, talk to me. I can help you with whatever you’ve gotten into. Is it drugs? Embezzling?”
He laughed harshly. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. If you dare try to insinuate anything, I will ruin your career faster than you can imagine. Good luck with your beastly hermit.” He turned on his heel and marched to the elevator.
Maryn didn’t move. James was doing something illegal. She knew it. The threat to her career would’ve frozen her even a few weeks ago, but knowing Tuck had altered the way she looked at her life. Even though Tuck was insanely wealthy, he didn’t care about climbing career ladders or impressing people. He spent his time helping others and doing something meaningful.
The waiter set a bill on their table and glanced around until he met Maryn’s eye. He was probably realizing he was about to get stiffed. Maryn sighed, walked back to the table, and pulled out her credit card.
* * *
The night dragged for Tucker. He tried to work, but couldn’t get anything productive done. Mama Tucker and Braxton had gone out to dinner and who knew where Johnson was. He wished at least Johnson was around to… do something with.
The thought of Maryn with that preppy idiot had him pacing the floor and saying quick prayers that Maryn wouldn’t fall into James’ traps and that if James tried to kiss her she would push him away. He wondered briefly if the Lord thought his prayers were odd or out of line, but he kept offering them anyway.
Finally, he sat on his back patio and just listened to the waves crash. He dropped his head back against the soft cushion of the patio chair and sighed. He had everything that most people thought they wanted in their lives—too much money, good health, trustworthy friends—but he was reduced to a worrywart over this beautiful blonde that he couldn’t get enough of.
He pulled his phone out and studied it. Eleven p.m. Was it too late to call her, too early? What if he interrupted something with James? That thought had him pushing her number on the recent call list as fast as he could.
* * *
Maryn wrapped up in a blanket and shivered on the couch. What could she do to help James? She had no proof he was doing something illegal, but he’d changed since she’d come back from Island Park and she didn’t think it was just because of his jealousy over Tucker.
Her phone rang. She saw his picture and sighed, “Tuck.”
“Hey. How’d your night go?”
“Miserable. I told him I wouldn’t marry him and he stuck me with the bill.”
“Ouch. Wish I could’ve been there.”
“Why?” She laughed and stood to pace her small apartment.
“I’d still like to pummel him for you.”
“Be my guest.” She felt guilty as she said it. James was obviously in some trouble and she didn’t want any harm to come to her friend. She pushed thoughts of James away. “So, I was going to call you.”
“Yeah?”
Maryn was surprised that she felt nervous. This was Tucker. Sure, she didn’t know everything about him, but she did know he wanted to be with her. At least he’d given her every indication of that. “Can I take you out tomorrow night?”
“You’re not taking me out.”
Ouch. She grabbed onto the back of the couch and swallowed hard. “Why not?”