“I guess I haven’t found the right girl yet.”
That statement both thrilled and disappointed her. He hadn’t found anyone, which meant she might have a shot. But he’d also spent quite a bit of time with her and he still hadn’t found what he was looking for. Once again, she found herself in the in-between.
They finished their meal and James paid their bill, then they were back in his car and on their way to the country club. Constance’s face was still warm, refusing to return back to a normal temperature. Her question had been highly inappropriate and there was no telling how it would backfire on her.
9
James
After two weeks of spending time with Constance on a daily basis, James had started to realize something.
It wasn’t good either.
For how much he’d argued with Brielle over her assumption that he was interested in Constance, he had finally succumbed to the fact that she was far more interesting than he’d given her credit for.
She was smart.
Boy, was she ever smart. What he wouldn’t have given to have been able to catch on to some of the concepts she’d managed to with an incredible speed. She had focus and drive, and at times it made him feel far inferior to her. Within the next couple of years, he wouldn’t be surprised if she managed to surpass him in his training.
One day, she could move across the country and help animals in parts where they desperately needed someone with her skill.
His hand gripped the steering wheel just a little tighter. Why did that thought make him uneasy? He had been telling himself that the reason was simple. He was paying for her education. Most companies didn’t do that unless they got a return on investment. If Constance left to work elsewhere, then his investment went with her.
There was a clause in the document they signed that stated she needed to stay put for at least two years after graduation. Maybe he should have made it longer.
She sat beside him, a book in her lap and a highlighter in her hand. Her hair fell forward, blocking some of her face from his view like a waterfall blocked what was hidden behind the glittering wall. Constance brought the highlighter to her lips, nibbling on the end of the lid. He itched to move the hair back behind her ear but touching her in that way would be highly inappropriate. They were working together. He was her superior. And he was technically her sponsor.
There had to be an ethics problem in there somewhere.
James faced forward, focusing on the road. He still needed to get Brielle out of his head. She had been the one he wanted. She had been the one who had made his heart yearn for something more.
But instead of seeing Brielle’s face in his dreams, he saw another…. Constance.
He let out a groan, causing Constance to tuck her hair behind her ear and glance at him. “Is everything okay? Did you forget something?”
James stiffened. “What? No. I’m fine.”
She stared at him for a few more moments, then turned back to her textbook. “Did you know that a horse’s eye is the largest of any land mammal?”
He choked back a laugh. “Yeah. I think I knew that.” James grinned as he watched her skin fill with color.
“Right. These were your books.”
“To be fair, it’s been a few years since I read some of those books. You might be able to surprise me yet.”
Her blush slowly faded and she closed her book to stare out the window. “How well do you know Shane?”
James tilted his head. “I suppose I know him pretty well. He’s one of my good friends.”
“But he only moved in a few years ago.”
“Yes,” James drawled, “but that was about the time when I moved back as well. I think our friendship developed over that fact a little easier than some.” He peeked at her. “Why do you ask?”
Immediately he knew she didn’t want to tell him why she was curious. Her face flushed and she fidgeted again. Without meeting his gaze, she traced her finger on the armrest between them. “He’s like you, isn’t he?”
James had no idea where Constance was going with this one.
“What I mean to say is that he’s been around for a few years. He’s one of the town’s most eligible bachelors, and he’s not seeing anyone. Right?”