Frog Prince Read online

  “That’s not exactly true. She Skypes' with them.”

  “That's not the same thing and you know it.”

  “Jamie’s death had been really rough on her.”

  “And on them.”

  Leaning closer to Sam, Kandi couldn't help but ask, “Sam, have you been in touch with Rebe’s parents?”

  “Yes.” Sam studied the look on Kandi’s face. “It's not what you think. I sent them a couple of cards and called to check on them. Then I started emailing them once in a while, sending them poems, things I thought would help them. With Jamie not here, I kinda got in the habit of making sure they were okay.”

  “Have you visited them?”

  “And if I had, what would be wrong with that?”

  “Did they ask you to spy on Rebe?”

  “No, they'd ask if I saw her, or if she were okay. And I told them that they didn’t have to worry about her that she was hurting and you and I were helping her through it. I never knew she wasn’t going to see them. They never told me and I had no reason to ask. Rebe wasn’t our main topic, just general conversation. As for my reassuring them of her well-being, it wasn't a lie and it wasn't invasive.”

  “But I don't think Rebe would like it if she knew.”

  “Like she'd bother to find out. Take that stupid challenge for instance, something I would have never done if I hadn’t realized after all the years we’ve known each other that Rebe knows practically nothing about me. If she wanted to know about me, besides asking me, she could have talked with her parents for more than a few seconds at a time and the conversation more than likely would have gotten to the point that I keep in contact. So it’s not my fault if she doesn’t know I’ve been checking on her parents. It’s hers.”

  “You're just making excuses, Sam. You know that Rebe will be ticked if she thinks you’ve been spying on her, so you’re trying to make justifications.”

  “I am not. I gave her a challenge to find out things about me she doesn't know. Well, that's one of them. And I for one don't care if she gets angry about it.”

  “Would you like for me to call her?”

  Glancing at his watch Sam sighed. “It's after midnight. What excuse would you use?”

  “Please, Rebe and I have been best friends, and have lived next door to each other since our mothers gave birth to us. We do not stand on ceremony. We don’t have a respectful time to call.”

  “And if she tells you Chase is there, what is that going to accomplish? I'll just play out this hand with her and see what will happen.”

  “How much longer do you have with that mural?”

  “A week or so.”

  “Are you stretching it out?”

  Sam couldn't help but grin. “Let’s say I keep painting horns and having to get rid of them. But I’m not doing it deliberately. It would appear I have no control over my muse.”

  Kandi laughed and reached for two more beers. “Sam, why didn't you ever fall for me?”

  For the space of a breath Sam was stunned. The question Kandi asked of him was the last think he’d ever expected. Pulling in a breath he decided to mix humor with truth. “Haven't you ever read those romance books Rebe writes? The hero always falls for the woman who doesn't want him, the stubborn, nasty shrew. And the good friend…well he loves her like a friend, and would never ever do anything to jeopardize that friendship.”

  “Does that mean you've never even gotten an erection around me? I mean I've pranced around in front of you nearly nude.”

  Once again Sam laughed. But this time he was aware Kandi was teasing him. “Sorry, Sis. Have you gotten aroused around me?”

  “Nope.”

  “So then we're even.”

  “I know. But a woman doesn't want to be even. We want to be wanted.”

  “You are. As my friend.”

  Kandi studied Sam for several seconds before laughing again. “So you've read Rebe's books.”

  “Another thing she doesn’t know about me and something you will never tell her.”

  “Man, you’ve got it bad.”

  With a sigh Sam shook his head. “Please don’t tell her.”

  “I promise you I won’t. At least not until after the wedding.”

  They laughed and clinked bottles. When Sam finished his beer he made his way across the hall to his own apartment.

  Rebe woke to the growl of her stomach and a slight headache. They hadn’t gotten around to having dinner now she needed caffeine. When her hand touched the opposite side of the bed she woke fully. Chase had left. When? She wondered and sighed. Taking in a breath she sniffed caffeine, then meat. What the heck was going on?”

  “Good morning sleepy head.”

  She must still be sleeping and no doubt dreaming. Chase was standing by the bed holding her favorite mug with steaming coffee.

  “For me?” she asked.

  “Of course.”

  “But you never…”

  “I was never committed before.”

  Rebe didn’t want to admit it but she was getting the warm fuzzes around her heart. Heck, how could that happen after nearly three years, and to a man who had cheated on her no less than a dozen times. What would that be, every couple of months or so? Still, she couldn’t help the warm feeling, around her heart and she smiled at him. “I smell food. Are you cooking?

  “Yes I'm broiling the steaks. The potatoes I diced, and I'm scrambling eggs. I'm going to serve you breakfast in bed. Now drink your coffee.”

  Chase walked away and Rebe took a sip of the coffee. She’d not expected it, but it was good. The whole breakfast in bed was even better. If she was awarding points, Chase would have a ton right now. Licking her lips with the tip of her tongue she acknowledged the doubts that were swirling in her mind. Was this what she wanted? Was this real? How long would it last?

  Then she thought of Sam and the way she'd felt when he kissed her. He’s the one, the words whispered again through her mind. But Chase was the man she'd been with for years. He was the one she could be in a relationship with and not become lost in him. He wasn't her safe haven. Rebe glanced up sensing Chase staring at her. His gaze lingered on her and she sighed. “What's wrong?”

  “You looked so beautiful. What were you thinking about?”

  “Chase, I…you're being so wonderful.”

  “Good boyfriend material?”

  “Yeah, I think so.”

  “And the commitment?”

  “I still want the few days.”

  “You don't trust me?”

  “I don't want to set myself up for a fall. I’m not trying to start a fight, but Chase you’re a serial cheater. There is no getting around that fact. I’d be a bigger fool than I am already for repeatedly taking you back. At least before, I had no real expectations. A commitment will change that. I want time to think all of this over, and be sure we both understand what the changes in our status will mean.

  “I know what it means, Rebe. I’ll be faithful to you.”

  “I think you’ll more than likely try.”

  “I can be faithful. You’ve never wanted or expected more from me. Maybe it’s time you should. Maybe all of my cheating─”

  “If you dare attempt to lay the blame for your cheating at my doorstep, it’s over right now, no getting back together, no commitment.”

  “I’m sorry. It’s just that I know how good we are together. I know we can be even better if we put in the effort. I want us to try.”

  “I didn’t say no to a commitment. I’m just trying to give us both time to know if that’s what we really want. Listen, Chase, this will work for you as well. It's been a minute since we'd made love. I don't want this to be after glow. If you change your mind in the next few days I won't be upset. I promise.” Rebe was surprised when Chase merely smiled at her.

  “It's what I want. You're what I want and I guess I'll just have to prove that to you, Chase said and went back to the kitchen to check on breakfast.”

  By midafternoon Chase had proved to Rebe
several times that he wanted her. She’d never doubted that he wanted her in bed. They'd always been good together and until recently she'd not required much more. It was Sam, with his disapproval of her that had made her question things.

  What the heck was wrong with being shallow, if it was what she wanted? Darn it, and darn Sam for making her wonder. Once again he'd gotten under her skin and was having an effect on her. Heck she'd even called her parents and promised she'd be home soon for a visit. Now she wondered if she agreed to a true commitment with Chase if Sam would still go with her to visit her parents. Perhaps she should discuss what Chase expected from her in terms of a commitment.

  “Chase, today has been wonderful and I’ve seriously been thinking over what you asked me. But I have a couple of questions I’d like to ask you first. Since Sam kinda got you to make this turn around, we need to be clear on a couple of things concerning him. He's my friend and I'm not going to stop being friends with him.”

  “I don't care about your friendship, but I do care about your kissing him.”

  “He kissed me.”

  “You didn't stop him.”

  Rebe blew out a breath. “You’re right.”

  “Rebe, I am not doing this because of Sam. But he has made me realize that if I don’t want to lose you I need to change the way I’ve been treating you. I need to treat you as though you matter to me. You do matter, Rebe.” Bringing Rebe into his arms Chase kissed her long, hard and deep, “Say yes, Rebe, he pleaded caressing her body, then burrowing his head in her chest and pulling her taut nipple into his mouth.

  “Yes, Rebe murmured and surrendered to Chase’s lovemaking, moaning in satisfaction.

  Kandi and Sam sat in Sam’s apartment sharing a pizza. Sam had not given in to Kandi’s demands for him to call Rebe. Nor had he allowed her to do it on his behave. A man had to have some pride. He was beginning to get a headache from Kandi’s constant badgering.

  “So what are you going to do, Sam, keep your feelings bottled up and wait until Rebe’s walking down the aisle to marry Chase?” Kandi asked.

  “He's never going to marry her. Chase is not in love with Rebe.”

  “You know this how?”

  “Don't you know it?” Sam replied.

  “Yes, but I'm wondering how you have access to this information.”

  “Kandi come on. I can see. Besides, I hear him flirty with the women at the law firm. Besides that, no man alive who’s in love with a woman, would use her in the manner he uses Rebe. I'd never treat her like that.”

  “I know,” Kandi sighed. “Sam, come on, don't you think it's about time you told Rebe how you feel?”

  “She's not ready to hear it. Moreover, I don't enjoy her rejections. To keep trying with her will give me a complex.” He grinned. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t have a plan. The last thing Rebe needs is Chase. And I’ll be damned if I don’t do everything in my power to put a nail in that relationship.”

  “For her own good, right?’ Kandi laughed.

  “Of course.”

  “So, what’s your devious plan?”

  “Tomorrow I'll invite her to lunch as a friend. We'll see where it goes from there.

  Chapter ten

  Sam had put as much thought into how to make Rebe see Chase was not the man for her, as he put into any new piece of art he was making. Rebe was important to him. She was his friend whether or not she’d ever be more. And for that reason alone he had no intentions of seeing her walking into a certain danger and not doing everything in his power to protect her.

  The very next day at the firm Sam decided to put his plan into motion. He’d been semi stalking Rebe all day just waiting until she wasn’t being shadowed by Chase. At last he had his chance. He’d watched as Chase had taken a client into his office, then he’d darted across the hall the moment he spotted Rebe.

  “Hey, Rebe, wait up,” Sam called her name wondering if she'd been trying to flee from him. He laughed to himself. Why would she? They hadn't fought in days. And if she was upset that he'd not accepted her invitation he was about to remedy that.

  Sam decided to continue as though Rebe wasn’t displaying a weird and stank attitude. “I'm going to one of my special places for lunch. I was wondering if you'd like to come with me.” She gave him a funny look, one he was unable to decipher. “My treat,” he added to make it clear. But the vibe he was getting from Rebe was really strange, she was looking away. “What's wrong, Rebe?”

  “I'm having lunch with Chase. Well, I think I am anyway.”

  “You think you are? What's going on? You don't have plans, but you're using Chase as an excuse? Are you mad at me about last week?”

  “No, but things changed this weekend. Chase and I are now in a committed relationship.”

  “If that’s true you should be committed,” Sam said too low for Rebe to hear him clearly.

  “Excuse me?” Rebe said.

  “I take it to mean your new commitment with Chase means the two of us can no longer be friends?” He knew he was smirking and didn’t care. To complete the look he added air quotes ignoring Rebe frowning at him.

  “Of course we’re still friends. Did you really think I’d allow Chase to dictate who my friends are? You say you know me so well, then you should know I wouldn’t let go of you, ever.”

  “Rebe?”

  “Your friendship, Sam. I’ll never let go of your friendship. That’s not what I want.”

  “If it’s not, then tell me please, why you’re making up excuses to not have lunch with a friend?”

  “You don’t think that little stunt you pulled by kissing me in front of Chase might have something to do with that? Chase and I talked…for days about redefining our relationship. And yes, he would definitely like for you to be gone from my life.” Rebe stopped and smiled. “But that’s not going to happen.”

  “Then why can’t you just accept my innocent invitation?”

  “You and I have to discuss boundaries. I have to check with—“

  Rubbish. Sam refused to stand in front of Rebe and listen to her spout anymore nonsense. “Forget I asked.”

  Turning on his heel Sam headed back to his little enclave. He heard the click of Rebe's heel's behind him and tried to calm himself. After all, they were only friends with a few shared kisses. He couldn't help but wonder if he'd had dinner with her if she’d suddenly be in a committed relationship with a man she'd been dating for over two years. What kind of nonsense was that? Why now was the subject of commitment just coming into play? Why didn't Rebe see it as truly arsine and drop kick Chase out of her life?

  Using his keypad as quickly as he could Sam rushed through the door. In his attempt to slam the door in Rebe's face, only quick reflex on his part saved her from having the door hit her. “Go away, Rebe. You're the most annoying, weakest woman I've ever had the misfortune of knowing.”

  He quickly pulled on the cord that would drop the drape shielding his work from Rebe. No one but no one was going to see the mural before he was done. And especially not Rebe. She’d want him to make changes and he wasn’t going to. He was relieved that she’d barley noted what he’d done. She was angry that he’d called her weak and annoying.

  “That is so not true, Sam,” Rebe came back. “You think I’m weak, but I'm strong for not going after the thing that would make me weak.”

  Sam stared at Rebe in frustration. He saw Chase looking toward them and closed the door. “Am I the thing you want, that will make you weak?” She didn't answer, but her eyes filled with tears. “You're a silly woman, Rebe.”

  Before he could talk himself out of it his fingers were caressing her jaw and his head was lowering, his eyes fixed on a specific destination. Then he captured her lips, kissing, licking, holding her tightly. He never wanted to let her go, but this was her choice. Ending the kiss with a small sigh he held her gaze and finally allowed the voice outside his door to penetrate. He laughed at the indignation he heard in Chase's voice demanding he open the door.

  “D
o I open it?” Sam asked Rebe.

  “Give me a moment.”

  Shaking his head slowly he rubbed his finger across her lips. “You look guilty as hell.”

  “I promised Chase that I'd stop kissing you.”

  “Technically, I kissed you.”

  “And I kissed you back.”

  “Why?”

  Rebe shrugged her shoulder. “I wanted to. Pointing at a spot on Sam’s lips she shrugged her shoulder. “Sorry about that, you need to wipe it off.” When he was done, she turned and opened the door for Chase. She could see some of the staff looking in their direction and cautioned Chase to keep his voice down.

  Stepping into Sam’s domain Chase glared from Sam to Rebe. “Rebe, did you inform Sam that we're no longer casually dating, but that we're in a committed relationship. And with a committed relationship there will be no more kissing of other men?”

  “And other women, Chase?” Sam asked. “Will you be allowed to continue kissing other women, ogling them, sleeping with them? Will your new strategy give you the rights to use Rebe for a bargaining chip?”

  Chase’s face turned red and he glanced at Rebe. “That's over. I made Rebe a promise to be a better boyfriend.”

  In disbelief that he was even having this conversation, Sam scowled, the urge to shake Rebe and Chase strong. “And how exactly do you plan to do that?” he asked instead of giving into his natural inclination to just slug the guy. He found it odd that in his entire life Chase had been the only person to bring out such a violent reaction from him.

  Chase moved to stand directly in front of Sam in order to allow his height to intimidate. “Do you really want to know how I’ll be a better boyfriend, Sam? Every time I make a move, I'll ask myself, how would Sam handle this. And I'll be as dull as I can possibly be, except maybe in one area that I'm sure Rebe doesn't have a problem with. As for you, Sam, I would strongly urge you to stop kissing her. I’ve been behaving in a civilized manner because I’d more than likely be seen as a bully if I just let you have it. You’re really too little for me just hit without the worst kind of provocation. But earnestly, Sam, you have me to the point where I really want to clean your clock.”