They both laughed.
“You’re probably right.”
“IknowI’m right.” She grunted as she got to her feet, then held her lower belly. “I know you probably won’t take my advice. At least not right away. But think about it, okay? Dad needs to realize that we’re not little girls anymore. He has to let us grow up and become our own people.”
Constance got to her feet as well. “Then maybe you should say something.”
“Do you honestly think I haven’t? I’ve tried. Dad thinks you’re all too happy to continue with the status quo. If you want change, you’re going to have to risk an unpleasant conversation with dad. I’ll see you back at home for dinner, okay?”
Constance nodded, watching Adeline waddle toward the last place she’d seen Sean. Her sister was right, and Constance knew it. But that didn’t mean she was willing to be the first one to break her father’s heart. She let out a heavy sigh.
But there were no other options as far as she could tell.
Perhaps if things got serious with someone, then she would make the sacrifice. But it was hard to even envision that when it was so far off in the future. For all she knew, she’d end up an old maid anyway and there wouldn’t be a need to have that awkward conversation with her father.
11
James
James threw open Shane’s office door and stormed inside, letting it slam shut behind him. “What are you doing?”
Nothing was more infuriating than Shane’s grin as he continued reading a document in his hand. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He didn’t even look up to meet James’s angry gaze.
Fists clenched, head pounding, James strode through the office, only recalling one other time when he’d felt this riled up. He shoved those thoughts aside and drilled his gaze into Shane’s forehead until his friend lifted his head. “You knowexactlywhat I’m talking about.”
Shane tossed his paperwork on his desk, leaned back in his seat and let out a chuckle. “You okay, James? Cuz you seem a little off.”
“Off? I told you to leave her alone. But you went and asked her out.”
“Ah. I get it now. Ididgive you a chance to ask her out first.”
James snorted. “No, you didn’t. You told me to do it, then you took off and asked her out yourself. You realize why she doesn’t want you to pick her up at her house, right? It’s that rule her father has. Do you honestly think that you are above it all? I don’t care who you are, Zeke Callahan will not let anyone—”
Shane twisted his office chair back and forth. “Constance is an adult. She can make her own choices. It’s not up to me if she wants to keep something from her father.” His friend steepled his fingers together. “That being said, if you’re so upset about this, then maybe you need to ask her out like I suggested. To be honest, I figured if I asked her out, it might light a fire under you to do the same. Looks like my plan worked.”
James’s head reared back. That wasn’t the direction he thought this conversation would turn. He hated the way it gave him pause. But more than that, he hated the hope it gave him. It wasn’t that simple. He couldn’t just ask Constance out on a date. She had already said yes to Shane. Not only that, but he knew from experience that being the secret boyfriend wasn’t a good fit for him.
But Constance was unique. His relationship with her could turn out differently. He shook his head. No. He refused to fall prey to that lifestyle again. James threw up his hands and spun around. “You know what? Go ahead. Learn the hard way. I’ve been there and it isn’t great.” He shouldered himself through the office door. The whole way toward the entrance of the country club, his vision blurred and the anger mixed with something he could only describe as desperation.
As much as he’d like to give up and let Shane do whatever he wanted, he knew he had to entertain the idea of building something deeper with Constance.
His heart and mind were being pulled in a dozen directions. Every bad memory he had while dating Brielle came to the surface. The heartache he experienced was only a small part. There were so many good memories, which made losing her that much harder. But those feelings had dissipated with each passing day that he spent with Constance.
James hadn’t wanted to find a rebound girl. The term was insulting. Constance was not a rebound. He had simply found someone who was able to help his heart find purpose again.
Once again, he had to bury those kinds of thoughts. They threatened his sanity. He knew better. It didn’t matter how much he wanted to be part of Constance’s life in that way, it wouldn’t work out.
His car sat in the parking lot and Constance leaned against it, looking at her phone. She lifted her head when he drew near, then shoved her phone in her pocket. Her smile didn’t quite hold the glow that it had when they’d arrived. Something had shifted between them.
He didn’t know what it was, but he knew he didn’t like it.
Danged ole Shane. He was the one who’d done this.
James’s jaw tightened so hard his teeth ached. He yanked his keys from his pocket and unlocked his doors. He headed around to open her door for her, but Constance had already climbed up into her seat. So he made his way back around and climbed behind the wheel. She didn’t say anything which only made things even worse.
They drove back to Slate Rock Ranch in silence. He pulled in front of her house and waited for her to climb out, but she didn’t. Instead, she fiddled with her hands in her lap, then turned toward him. “Are you upset with me?”
The word “yes” was on the tip of his tongue. But that wasn’t fair. He wasn’t upset withher. She wasn’t the one who’d asked Shane out. It was the other way around.