Frog Prince Read online

  Sam glared at Kandi. “I could strangle Rebe. I really and truly could seriously strangle her” Kandi was giving him a funny look before she turned and walked toward the kitchen taking two mugs from the cabinet she poured them both coffee then took out plates and placed powdered doughnuts on them. “Have breakfast with me.”

  “Do you really think coffee and doughnuts will make this go away?”

  “Give her a break. She doesn't know what to do. Rebe’s in over her head and she's thinking that as a good girlfriend she needs to give Chase a chance to step up to the plate.”

  Sam sighed and took a sip of the coffee before looking at Kandi. “Chase is never going to step up to the plate. He’s never going to be what she needs. Why can't she see that?”

  “Rebe sees it, believe me she sees it. She just doesn't want to acknowledge it.”

  Chapter Twelve

  It was the longest three weeks of his life. Sam had remained holed up in his apartment working on a painting. Once they’d narrowed the details down to when they would leave and how long they would be gone he’d adjusted his timeframe on a special project. He’d not spoken to Rebe since she’d given him the details. He may have been a bit gruff with her but that couldn’t be helped. That was wrong. It could have been, he’d just chosen not to, the same as he’d chosen not to see or talk to her until he absolutely had to.

  Now he had to.

  Wrapping up the finished Canvas he took it to his car and came back up for Kandi. Together they waited on Rebe and Chase to arrive. The moment Rebe stepped out of Chase’s car smiling, Sam thought as he had in the past, Barbie and Ken. Granted Rebe wasn’t your typical Barbie, but she was Barbie none the less. “Please,” he halfheartedly prayed. “Let them get in the car without speaking to me.”

  Chase glanced at Kandi and Sam then smiled at Rebe. “Sam, I wanted to tell you that I love long distance driving. So at any point when you feel tired let me know and I’ll take over.”

  Take over. Hadn’t he taken over enough things? With a half growl Sam finally answered. “This is my car. I think I can drive it. Besides, we’re not driving straight through. This will be done at a leisurely pace.”

  “I wasn't trying to stop you, and I wasn’t implying that you’d need the help. I offered because I'm trying to be nice to you. Rebe asked me if I’d try and I decided I would.”

  For a moment there was complete silence. It was the longest complete silence Sam had ever witnessed. Even the birds in the trees had stopped chirping to listen to Sam’s answer. He would not kill Rebe, not out here in front of so many witnesses. And he wouldn’t punch Chase, something his fist was itching to do. But he wouldn’t do it because he wasn’t a kid, just a jealous frog prince who would forever remain so it seemed

  Sam did the only thing left to him to do. He stared at Rebe hoping she could read his mind and know the things he wanted to say. He sighed at the look in her eyes. Sure she knew what he was thinking. Why in the world did you bring Chase? And why are you forcing him on me? Why didn’t you fly if you wanted Chase to go? Rebe, we did not all have to be in this car together. I am going to be sick.

  As Sam continued to half stare half glare at her, Rebe steepled her hands together underneath her chin and pleaded with her eyes for him to be nice. Hell, if Chase could do it, so could he.

  “Listen, Sam do you mind if I sit in the front with you so I can stretch my legs out?” Chase did a sweeping hand motion to show his height as if that were necessary.

  “And what about squishing Rebe and Kandi?”

  “They will survive.”

  “And so will you. No, stay in the back with your girlfriend.”

  Rebe sidled alongside Sam and touched his arm. He looked at her and blinked at the look in her eyes.

  “Please, Sam, it’s okay. I'll sit behind him,” Rebe pleaded.

  “You're aware he's going to take the seat back as far as it will go right?”

  “I'll put my legs on the seat.”

  “You're going to get leg cramps,” Sam muttered.

  She smiled. “I'll be okay.” Three hours later Rebe was regretting those words. Sam had been right. She had legs cramps. She’d tried not to moan. It had just slipped out. Sam heard her and glanced in the rearview mirror. His gaze connected with her. Annoyed wasn’t the word for the way Sam glanced at Chase in the passenger seat beside him.

  Sam had known Rebe was going to get leg cramps. He shouldn’t have listened to her about Chase sitting in the front and taking his seat back as far as it would go. Hell, Chase shouldn’t have come on this trip. Sam should have insisted if Rebe really needed Chase along that the two of them should take a plane and skip the long drive. But she’d wanted to drive, and she’d wanted Sam and Chase both to go. Sam had known it was going to be sheer disaster. When Sam pulled off the toll road to a restaurant he was livid. Before any of them knew what was happening he was out of the driver’s side and yelling for Chase to move out the way. He opened the dash, retrieved the pain spray he'd brought along for Rebe and swore.

  “Everyone get out, we’re going to take a break,” Sam commanded.

  “Come here, Rebe,” he ordered ignoring the others. He rolled both legs of her pants up to her knees and sprayed feeling a slight satisfaction when she gave a little scream from the frigid liquid. “Don't move. This will help. I think we need to find a place to rest.”

  “Sam, we’ve only been driving for a few hours. At this rate we won’t get to Atlanta until next week. Can’t we at least drive a few more hours?” Chase stared at Sam and waited.

  “If you would like to trade places with Rebe then we can try it. Otherwise we're stopping so she can rest.”

  “When they returned to the vehicle Sam looked at Chase with disgust. “You can drive now. Rebe, take the front seat.” When she made a move to push the seat back up he stopped her. “I'll sit behind you.”

  Rebe smiled and out of the blue gave him a hug then a kiss on the cheek. “I wouldn’t dream of being that selfish. Thanks for the spray, Sam. My legs are feeling better already.”

  Damn it why couldn't Rebe have left well enough alone? Sam wondered. Why couldn't she have gotten in the car without touching him? The hug made him unhinged, the soft gentle kiss shattered him and an instant erection happened. There was no way in hell he would be able to sit calmly behind Rebe. Moving over to the other side of the car he nodded at Kandi. He took in several breaths trying to calm his wayward thoughts. When that didn’t help he frowned then he bit his lips. He turned his full gaze to Kandi until he was certain she’d get his meaning. “Would you sit behind Rebe?” he asked.

  For once Kandi didn't ask questions, she just moved. For several minutes there was an awkward silence as they all got back into the car and Chase began driving. Well, it would have been silent if Chase wasn't humming. Sam and Kandi exchanged looks and shook their heads, both looking at their watches then giving a quiet chuckle.

  Before Sam knew what Chase was doing he'd lifted the armrest and popped in a CD Sam had made for the trip, for Rebe, when he'd thought it would be the two of them making the drive. Damn. He had to find a way to get Chase not to play the damn music without making a big deal of it.

  “Chase, if you don't mind I have a headache. Please turn the music off.” Sam asked.”

  “I'll keep it low, don't worry.” Chase answered.

  Before Sam could say another word a stupid love song was playing. Why hadn't he gotten rid of the damn thing?

  Sam sighed hoping that no one would know he’d made the CD especially for Rebe, and read his feelings into it. But hell that wasn't to be. Kandi was staring at him, he could feel it. He turned slightly and their gazes locked, he wanted to plead with her not to say a word. How he wished the song would end, but when it did there would be another sappy love song that told just how he felt about Rebe. She drove him crazy, most of the time he absolutely couldn't stand her, but somehow in spite of all that, he found himself in love with her. He groaned. The one time he’d taken Kandi’s advic
e to tell Rebe of his feelings for her. He’d thought the idea cute to make the CD and play it for her on their road trip. Now it was torture. Please, God, don’t let Rebe figure it out.

  “What a sappy song.” Chase laughed. “I mean seriously, it's filled with contradictions.”

  “It's beautiful,” Rebe challenged. “It's meant to be filled with contradictions. Love is never straightforward and problem free.” After several songs had played Rebe was singing along.

  “Seriously, Rebe, you can’t really like all of these sappy songs.”

  “I do. Matter of fact I wasn't aware that all of the singers were singing of the things I want in my life until I heard their words”.

  Again Chase laughed. “You have got to be kidding.”

  “I wish I was. “

  “Well, at least one of them got something right. You are crazy, and you're driving me out of my mind.” Chase gave a quick peek at Rebe and laughed.

  “Me? What about you?” Rebe responded. “And what about the part of giving your whole self to the other person? Surely you agree with that.”

  “There is no way in hell you have ever given me all of yourself, except maybe in the bedroom,” Chase teased.

  Rebe was aware Chase was teasing her but still she wanted to ask him a question. “And you, Chase, have you given that to me?”

  Chase turned his attention from the road and stared at Rebe. Instantaneously all three passengers screamed, “Chase, watch where you're going.”

  “Rebe are you serious? Are you wanting more?”

  “I don’t think we should have this conversation right now.”

  “It's a simple question. We're in a committed relationship. Are you thinking marriage?”

  “I'm thinking of the singer and the song. I believe whoever wrote the song was writing it for the woman in his life. Even so, I find that he's speaking to my heart. Those aren't things that a woman or a man asks a person for. It's just something that happens. You can't make it happen. It’s either is there, or it isn't.” Rebe sang a few more lines of the song that was playing then she said, “Sometimes I wonder if I’ve been wrong in the way I‘ve thought about love and relationships. What if hurting is a natural part of love?”

  Don't listen Sam chided himself. Don't listen; you don't want to hear her answer. Sam’s heart was thumping wildly, and then Rebe continued.

  “But I suppose you can be in a committed relationship and not have that deep and abiding love. It's a bit scary to give your all to another person. But there are times when I would love to be someone's end and their beginning and in those moments of weakness, I'd love for someone to be mine I suppose.”

  “I'll tell you what, as soon as we get to a hotel room I'll give you a massage and I'll be your end if you’ll be my beginning.” Chase laughed and glanced toward Rebe quickly turning his eyes back to the road before anyone could yell out.

  For the next hour Sam barely breathed. He closed his eyes wishing he were anywhere but in the car wanting Rebe, longing for her and having to listen to her ask Chase again and again to return the CD back to the sappiest song of all. There were other songs on there. Why the heck couldn’t she request those?

  “Sam, you have great taste in music,” Rebe said at last. “The woman you fall in love with will be very lucky.”

  “Why? Who in their right mind would want to marry a starving artist?” Chase countered.

  “A woman who sees his vision.” Rebe grinned. “A woman who can look in a mirror and see what's really there.”

  Chase glanced at Rebe then into the rearview mirror. “Thanks for that, Hon. See, Sam, I could care less about that painting you did of me. Rebe sees the real me.”

  “I can only hope that she does.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Just that I know Rebe is smart. And I know she sees the real you. Since you no longer have a problem with the painting I guess I'll forget about redoing it.”

  For about ten seconds that shut Chase up and Sam smiled to himself. He had no intention of redoing the painting

  Chase glanced up into the rearview mirror and looked at Sam. “You were going to change it? Why?”

  Sam hunched his shoulder. “You didn't like it.”

  After a brief pause Chase shrugged his shoulder and said, “Thanks, Sam. But I'm good with it. Besides, Rebe told me that I'm the handsome prince in your little fairytale and that's what the other women at the office think. They seem to think my part of the mural is what makes it. You might say you've made me a star. So thank you.”

  The laugh from Kandi’s corner of the car made Sam give her a sharp look.

  “I'm sorry but I have got to look at that painting that's caused so many changes in the three of you,” Kandi glanced at Sam. “I mean first there’s anger then down right praise. When we return home that's one of the first things I'm going to do.”

  Chase laughed. “Good, Kandi, and maybe you'd like to go with us to an art show. You too, Sam. Rebe and I are going to see some really famous artist. I hear the guy makes a hundred thousand dollar a pop for something as small as an eight by ten. Maybe you can get a few tips. Now this is one artist that could afford to get married if he wants. But why bother. He has enough money to do what he wants. He should just continue playing the field.”

  And just like that without any help from Sam, Chase had firmly inserted his foot into his mouth. For once he realized it when the car became eerily quiet.

  Chase coughed a couple of times. “Of course if he's in a serious relationship then that's a different matter.”

  “Nice save,” Kandi purred.

  Sam laughed and bumped fists with Kandi and sat back to contemplate his life. For a couple of hours the ride was fun. If Chase wasn’t dating Rebe and they were in some alternate universe he could possibly see a time where he wouldn’t want to punch Chase out. With a sigh Sam admitted to himself what was bothering him. Chase was dating Rebe. And Rebe had been laughing at his corny jokes for the past hour. It didn’t seem that she had any plans on dumping Chase. As far as he could tell, Rebe couldn’t even see she had options.

  “Chase, next sign you see where there's food please get off,” I’m getting hungry. Anyone else hungry?” Rebe asked.

  “I brought a ton of food,” Sam said without thinking and immediately wished he’d just allowed Chase to stop for food. When Rebe turned eagerly back to ask him what he’d brought he had no choice but to name the array of food he'd prepared for her.

  “Thanks, Sam. I’ll have the chicken salad sandwich. I still need to make a pit stop though.” She turned to Chase. “Would you like anything?”

  Sam was in love with her. It wasn’t just a case of lust or that he liked her kisses. A shiver raced across her body and Rebe felt deliciously happy, heck she was euphoric with happiness. What a time to find out when they were on a trip with her boyfriend. Everything Sam had done had been for her, the music, and the food he'd prepared including snacks. She'd listened carefully. All of her favorites.

  She thought of the pain spray for her legs. No one else had used it including Sam. She remembered the road trip they’d taken to Jamie’s funeral. Her parents had insisted Jamie be buried in Atlanta. Kandi had flown home to accompany the casket. Rebe had not wanted to fly, she’d become freaked at the thought, so Sam has driven her to Atlanta. Now that she thought about it, she remembered her legs had cramped then too. But it had taken her awhile to realize it, she’d been so distraught. It had been Sam who’d noticed her swollen legs and immediately pulled off the highway at the next exit and had gotten ice for her legs and ordered her to stretch out on the backseat. Ah. It was as though a light bulb had gone on in her head. Her leg cramps was the reason Sam had promised her they would have fun and they'd stop and make the trip, a leisurely one. And the tape. He’d made it for her.

  Singing from the driver’s seat brought her attention back to the man she was committed to. How ironic that she was committed to a man who would never put her needs first, would never think to buy
pain spray in case she got a cramp in her legs, or make her chicken salad just the way she liked it. Sam was all the things she’d said she didn’t want in a relationship, real love, real caring. Now that she was getting a taste of it, it wasn’t so bad. Still, she was in a bit of a pickle. It wasn’t as though she didn’t care for Chase in her own way. She’d always liked him. She didn’t want to hurt him. And especially not when he’d agreed albeit a bit reluctantly to visit her parents with her.

  Oh darn her parents. They were bound to think things were more serious with her and Chase than they were. And she owed that to Sam as well. He’d egged her on saying Chase would never agree to meet her parents, until she’d wanted to know the answer and asked. Please God, don’t let Daddy ask Chase his intentions toward me. I’ll just die.

  “Chase, don’t forget I need to make a pit stop.” Rebe looked toward the backseat. “I’m sure Kandi does also. Right, Kandi?” Rebe arched her brow and gave Kandi a stern no nonsense look until she got the hint and agreed she needed to stop.

  Moments after they’d pulled into a rest stop Rebe grabbed Kandi’s arm and pulled her into the ladies room. The door was barely closed before she blurted out her information. “Sam is in love with me.”

  “What else is new?” Kandi asked unconcerned.

  “I mean, he's really in love with me.”

  “You do know you knew this already. So what are you going to do about it?”

  “What am I supposed to do? I have a boyfriend.”

  “Please.”

  “Kandi.”

  “How do you feel about Chase? I mean really feel about him. Do you love him?”

  “Yes, I love him.”

  “Rebe, are you in love with Chase?”

  “I’m in a committed relationship with him.”

  “Stop stalling. We’ve know each other since birth. You may try to lie to me but we both know I’m aware of what you’re doing.”