My Sweetheart (13 page)

             
Jane hurried to the back of the house where she could see Meredith standing over a large pot of boiling oil. It was starting to smoke and Jane squeaked and ran for the stove, turning the heat off and moving the pot to the back burner before turning and staring at Meredith in horror.

             
“
What are you doing?
Are you trying to burn your house down? Holy crap Mer,” she muttered before rushing to the windows and opening them up to let fresh air in.

             
Meredith bit her lip and shrugged. “
What?
I was just getting the oil ready to fry the corn tortillas. See, it says right here, fry the tortillas in oil,” she said picking up a recipe and waving it in her face.              

             
Jane gave her a half smile and took the recipe ignoring it. “No one likes cold tortillas. That’s the last thing you want to do. Second of all, you just need a shallow skillet to fry the tortillas. You had enough oil going to fry a turkey. When it starts to smoke like that, that’s a sign your oil is too hot,” she said, grateful that she had arrived when she did.

             
Meredith slumped down on a bar stool and rested her head on her arms. “It’s impossible Jane. It’s going to be a disaster, I know it,” she said miserably.

             
Jane laughed and massaged Meredith’s shoulders. “Don’t be dramatic. Now let’s get started on what you can do now. We can get the lettuce, the tomatoes and onions and everything else ready. I brought some ingredients over so you can make some fresh salsa. We can even do the meat now too and reheat it before they get here. Let’s get going,” she said, clapping her hands together.

             
They worked together for the next hour, with Jane walking her through the prep work step by step. When they’d done everything they could do Jane helped her set the table.

             
“Oh, what are you going to do for dessert?” she asked curiously as she straightened a water glass.

             
Meredith groaned and looked away. “I’ve been so upset over dinner I didn’t even think of dessert,” she said glancing at the clock miserably. Kam and his parents would be there in less than hour.

             
Jane frowned. “Why don’t you freshen up while I run to the bakery and see what we have left?”

             
Meredith shook her head. “No, it has to be homemade. I have to be able to say honestly that I made everything.”

             
Jane walked over to Meredith’s fridge and freezer and looked through her contents and she grinned. “Okay, you are so lucky. Here’s what we’ll do. Me and my friends did this all the time in college. We’ll use your box of ice cream sandwiches and put them in a small casserole pan. Then we layer whipping cream and chocolate sauce, caramel sauce and broken pieces of Heath bars and then we do one more layers. It looks amazing, tastes better and it looks like a dessert that took two hours to make.”

             
Meredith’s eyes glowed with hope. “But I don’t have caramel sauce or Heath Bars. Will you run to the store for me and get what I need? I promise I’ll pay you back Jane. I swear, I owe you my life for this,” she said, pleading with her.

             
Jane grinned and headed for the door. When she got back, she began unwrapping the ice cream bars and breaking the heath bars into little pieces. Meredith hurried down stairs and began assembling the easy dessert with Jane standing at her shoulder directing her every move. When they were done, Meredith looked at the dessert with her mouth hanging open.

             
“I can’t believe I made something so yummy looking.”

             
Jane laughed and pointed to the freezer. “Hurry before it melts.”

             
The doorbell ringing had both girls jumping nervously. Meredith slipped the dessert in the freezer and shook her head in distress. “Please get the door Jane! I forgot to brush my teeth. Just have them sit in the living room and tell them I’ll be right down.
Please!
” she begged backing away.

             
Jane grimaced and nodded, shooing her away. “Hurry,” she ordered.

             
Meredith ran out of the room and Jane walked slowly toward the front door. She was very nervous at the idea of coming face to face with Toa and Pika. Knowing they were so set on Alea being with Tate probably meant that they weren’t going to be very pleased with her. She took in a shaky breath, put on a polite smile and opened the door.

             
Tate and Alea were standing on the doorstep.
Together
. Not Toa. Not Pika.

             
Tate’s eyes went wide in surprise although his expression didn’t change. Alea looked at her with a dark frown while Jane closed her mouth, licking her lips nervously.

             
“Won’t you please come in? Meredith will be right down,” she said and watched as Alea grabbed Tate’s hand and pulled him inside and past her.

             
Tate glanced down at her, with soft pleading eyes, but she looked away stonily. She followed them into the living room and leaned against the doorway as Tate and Alea took a seat.

             
“I thought Kam and his parents were coming to dinner tonight,” Jane said dryly.

             
Alea ignored her. “Kam told us he wanted us here tonight too,” Tate said somberly, watching her carefully.

             
Jane nodded and looked away. Meredith hurried down the hallway looking pale and nervous with a tight smile on her face. Jane gestured to the two people sitting on the couch and she moved back and hurried to the kitchen. She grabbed her purse ignoring the chatter from the front room. She tried to ignore the pain ripping through her heart and pulled open the sliding glass door leading to the back yard. No way was she going back down the hallway past Tate and Alea.

             
She hurried around the corner of the house and groaned in misery as she saw Toa, Pika and Kam pull up in a large Suburban. She pulled her head back and as soon as she heard the front door shut, she ran for her car parked across the street.

             
This was not how she saw her day going when she’d been dancing around the bakery earlier. Or for that matter, when she’d been kissing Tate right after the man had taken a bite of a dessert she’d made especially for him. She could feel her hurt turn into anger as it simmered along her nerve endings. She ripped open her car door and threw her purse into the passenger seat and then felt a large hand grasp her elbow, pulling her back.

             
“
Eek!
” she yelped as she turned around in surprise to see Tate looming over her. Her eyes narrowed furiously as she stared up at him silently.

             
Tate sighed and put both of his hands on her shoulders. “This is not what it looks like,” he started.

             
Jane snorted and looked away. “So says every man caught with another woman.”

             
Tate closed his eyes and laughed slightly. “Did you see me kiss her? Hold her? Tell her I love her? Sweetheart, you didn’t catch me doing anything but being bullied into giving her a ride over.”

             
Jane sniffed and refused to look at him. “So what you’re telling me is that you
have
told Alea that things are off between you two and that your Aunt and Uncle are fully aware of your feelings for me,” she said clenching her hands at her sides.

             
Tate stared at her silently for a moment and then sighed. “Jane, you and I got together late last night and I just got off work an hour ago. I honestly haven’t had the time or opportunity to say anything to anybody. Especially something of this magnitude. I was thinking after dinner I would tell everyone. Jane . . .
look at me
,” he said softly, touching her cheek with his hand.

             
Jane looked up, frowning at him. “How do you think I felt opening the door and seeing you two standing there together?”

             
Tate grimaced and nodded. “I’m sorry you were hurt. Will you forgive me?” he asked, leaning down and kissing her cheek right by her ear before moving his hand to cup the back of her neck. “
Please?
”

             
Jane bit her lip and nodded once. “Okay,” she whispered and then he was kissing her.

             
After a few intense moments, he leaned his forehead against hers. “Can I come by and see you tonight?”

             
Jane wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him. “I’d like that,” she said simply and watched as he turned and walked back to Meredith’s house. He stopped at the door and looked back at her with a smile on his face and then he was gone.

             
Jane drove home, feeling morose and gloomy. She’d been the one to help Meredith prepare the dinner and dessert. It should be her sitting next to Tate having dinner with Kam and Meredith and his parents. Instead, she’d be alone.

             
Jane went running to get her mind off of the happy little dinner party she was missing. She only went three miles since it had been awhile. Back in college she’d made a habit of running every day to keep the stress down. Now that she was dating Tate, she might have to pick the habit up again. Kit was with Hunter shopping for Tuxedos and Layla was at home probably making dinner for Stella and Michael so she had the house to herself.

             
It was strange to think of her sister as a mom and wife, but wonderful too. She finished her run and jogged up the stairs, locking the door and heading up for a shower. She decided to let her long brown hair air dry into soft waves and only did the minimum of makeup. She slipped on some yoga pants and a black t-shirt and took a book out to the front porch. She tried to get into the novel, but her mind kept slipping away to thoughts of Tate and his family.

             
At eight o’clock she stood up and stretched her back and headed back inside. Obviously the dinner party was a success, she thought feeling grumpy. She wandered back to the kitchen and scanned the fridge. She took out a cup of crème brulee. She still remembered watching Tate’s face as he’d taken the first bite. She grinned at the memory and jumped as she heard three hard knocks on the front door.

             
She walked, with her dessert cup and spoon in her hand to the front door.
Tate
. She opened the door and looked at him cautiously. He looked worn out and sad. Not good.

             
“Hey, come on in,” she said, opening the door wide and stepping back.

             
Tate stepped in, still dressed in the dark jeans and white button up shirt he’d worn to Meredith’s dinner. He rubbed a hand over the back of his hair and turned to look at her, his eyes dark and his mouth grim.

             
“Come here,” he said and opened his arms to her.

             
Jane moved into his arms, still holding her dessert and spoon. “They took it that well, huh?”

             
Tate sighed and leaned his chin on top of her head. “They just need a little while to get used to the idea of me being with someone else.”

             
Jane felt horrible that Tate was sad over disappointing his aunt and uncle. But what option did they have?

             
“
And Alea
? How did she take the news?” she prodded, knowing that Tate really didn’t want to talk about it, but needing to know regardless.

             
Tate tightened his arms around her and kissed her forehead. “She knew exactly who I was talking about when I said I had fallen in love with another woman. She’s furious. I honestly don’t think I broke her heart, but I do think I hurt her pride which can be dangerous. I want you to be careful from here on out Jane. I wouldn’t put it past Alea to confront you,” he said worriedly.

             
Jane nodded. She’d survived high school. She knew how to handle mean girls. “What did your aunt and uncle say to you?”

             
Tate stiffened for a moment before his body relaxed against hers again. “They said I was just like my mom,” he said quietly, but with so much pain in his voice that she shuddered against him. “Shallow, thoughtless and selfish,” he finished sounding sad and hurt.

             
She squeezed him tightly and then pulled back. “Harsh. They were upset when they said it. I’m sure they didn’t mean it Tate. Come on, let’s get you something yummy and go relax,” she urged and pulled him through the door into the kitchen. She set her dessert cup down and opened the fridge. “You’re probably full, but if you have room, you’re welcome to anything you see,” she said gesturing to the contents of the fridge.

             
Tate smiled, his face lightening as he picked a crème brule cup. “I love these,” he admitted, taking the spoon she held out to him. “I didn’t stay for dessert. Poor Meredith. She had to sit there listening to Toa and Pika and I go at it in her backyard while she sat with Kam and Alea in the dining room.”

             
Jane winced and guided him out of the kitchen and up the stairs to her little family room. Tate looked around curiously. “I love it up here. It’s so warm and homey feeling,” he said with the sound of yearning in his voice.

             
Jane smiled and turned the light on for him and pointed to the large comfortable couch. “My grandmother decorated the top floor for me and my sisters. You should see our rooms. They’re all decorated with each of us in mind.”

             
Tate set his dessert down and turned around. “Well, then give me the tour,” he said smiling at her.

             
Jane showed him Kit’s room first and he admired the artwork on the walls. Then she showed him Layla’s room and the peaceful and warm environment their Grandmother had created to soothe Layla’s hurt heart. Then she showed Tate her room. She wondered what he’d think of all the book shelves and the warm and vibrant colors. He paused in the doorway and wandered slowly around coming to stand in front of her window seat. He turned around and a tender smile played around his mouth.

             
“I take it your grandmother pegged you as a romantic bookworm?”

             
Jane blushed and ran her hand through her hair nervously. “She kind of hit it on the head. Growing up, I was kind of shy and always had my nose in a book. I came out of my shell in high school and college, but I still love to cuddle up in a patch of sunlight and read a good love story,” she admitted.

             
Tate walked slowly back to her and ran his hands down her hair. “I’m not the most romantic guy Jane. Like I told you before, we’re very different people. You’re going to have to be patient with me,” he said, reaching down and taking her hands in his.

             
Jane shook her head. “I’m glad I didn’t fall in love with someone just like me. Can you imagine me with a librarian?”

             
Tate shook his head with a frown. “
No
. I can’t see you with anyone but me,” he said and kissed her to prove his point. They went back to the family room and watched a DVD of Spider Man with Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. She cuddled up against his side and felt him relax moment by moment until by the end of the movie, he was happy and content again.

             
She turned the TV off and looked up into Tate’s rich brown eyes. “Better?”

             
Tate nodded slowly and ran his fingers through her hair. “It’s not over. They’re determined to fight this, but we have Kam on our side. He respects and loves his mom and dad but he’s not happy with how they reacted. Especially now that he’s dating Meredith. Eventually I know they’ll accept you and love you, but until then, we’re just going to have to do our best to deal with all the opposition.”

             
Jane frowned and leaned her head against his heart. The strong steady beat comforted her and she nodded. “What if they don’t Tate? What if they never change their minds? I don’t want you to lose your family over our relationship,” she said softly.

             
Tate frowned and closed his eyes, pain hardening his jaw. “I’m not going to lie. It could happen although I’m praying it won’t. But even knowing that my family might turn their backs on us, I can’t let you go. Jane, I won’t let anything tear us apart,” he said, his voice deep and low and strong.

             
Jane sat up and ran her hands through his thick black hair, studying this beautiful austere face. “You would do that for me? You would give up your family?” she asked shaking her head.

             
Tate reached up and grabbed her hand, kissing her palm. “That’s what a man does when he loves a woman. He forsakes all others for her. He takes care of her. He protects her. He loves her and he defends her.
Even to his own family
,” he said, his eyes warm and loving.

             
Jane felt her heart melt and she fell even more in love with him. “I guess I can see why you were so cautious to jump into a relationship with me. Sorry I threw that cupcake at you,” she said, biting her lip at the memory.

             
Tate grinned and placed her hand over his heart. “You’re kind of feisty, but I like that. I could never love a woman who wasn’t passionate about me,” he said laughing at her expression.

             
Jane blushed and looked away. “Well, it’s true. I am passionate about you. That’s why it was so hard. I tried everything to get over you. I followed a ten step program and that didn’t work. I even wore rubber bands on my wrists and every time I thought about you I had to flick my wrist. I was trying to rewire my brain so I would stop daydreaming about you, but it didn’t work at all. It’s been horrible,” she said looking at him with a frown.

             
Tate’s eyes lit up and he grabbed her and pulled her onto his lap, hugging her warmly. “Ah Jane, you are the sweetest, most beautiful, giving woman I’ve ever known. I’m so grateful you were unsuccessful,” he said, grinning before kissing her. “No more rubber bands though. I don’t like the idea of you hurting yourself.”

             
Jane’s arms automatically went around his neck and she had to admit she was glad too. If she had fallen out of love with him, she would have never experienced what it was like to feel like this.
Loved. Cherished. Adored.

             
She heard the bang of the downstairs door and pulled away. Kit was home. She stared into Tate’s dark eyes, caressing his jaw with her fingers. “My sister’s home and I’ve gotta get to bed.”

             
Tate nodded and his arms tightened around her. “I have to get up early too. But being here with you like this, is the happiest I’ve been in a long, long time,” he said quietly, staring at her pensively.

             
Jane tilted her head with a half-smile. “Why do you look so worried about that?”

             
Tate shrugged and picked her up off his lap and stood up, pulling her up with him. “Not worried. Determined. Determined to choose happiness and love.”

             
Jane smiled and hugged him before walking downstairs with him. She lifted her face for a goodbye kiss at the door and Tate kept it short and sweet, promising to call her tomorrow. She watched him walk down the steps toward his car and smiled when he turned back to look at her.

             
“By the way thanks for getting the restraining order. I’ll sleep better tonight,” he called out.

             
Jane nodded and waved at him. “I have you now Tate. I’m not worried.”

             
Tate grinned and opened his door. “Lock up,” he ordered and drove away.

             
Jane watched him go and smiled sadly as she hurried inside and locked up. Tate was an orphan. All he had was his aunt and uncle. It must have hurt him terribly to go against their wishes. She walked up the stairs to her room slowly and wrapped her arms around herself, closing her eyes and praying that Toa and Pika’s hearts would be softened toward her. Because if not, Tate would only have her and her sisters and she was scared that that just wouldn’t be enough for him.