Frog Prince Page 2

  Taking a slow ten count Rebe stared at Sam’s door. Now she didn't have a choice but to proceed to his door and knock, she thought as she made her way across the hall to Sam's apartment. When Kandi opened the door, Rebe refused to cross the threshold preferring to stand on the other end of things that would make her sad, namely the pictures on Sam's walls. With her hands on her hips she glared at Sam who stood just inside the door glaring back at her. "Sam, come on, you're worse than a woman. Why aren't you ready?"

  A scowl was added to Sam’s glare. Rebe tilted her head at the transformation, inspecting him from a distance for paint splatters. He'd pass. Now if she could get him to move his butt. "Sam, come on, you're going to make me late."

  "How about a thank you, Rebe? You actually have a lot of nerve thinking I had no plans, and would be here at your beck and call."

  Whoa what the….glancing toward Kandi, Rebe noticed her friend merely shrugged. Something was wrong with Sam. Why wasn't he fawning over her, grateful to be seen in her presence? Oh right. That was what happened in the books she wrote, not in real life. Now she remembered why he wasn't fawning. He hated her. For a moment she contemplated going to the dance alone.

  "Well, Rebe, do you even know how to say thank you?"

  "Sam, why the hostilities? Kandi led me to believe you'd be happy to go with me."

  "Did she now?" Sam frowned and looked toward Kandi who just shrugged.

  "Did you have plans for tonight?" Rebe asked, though she should have asked the question without the smirk, but it wasn't going to happen. When Sam made a move to undo his tie she gave in. "Okay, okay, stop, don't go getting undressed. We don't have time for histrionics. Thank you for going with me tonight. I should have said that already. You're right. It was rude of me to ask you at the last moment. You look very nice by the way."

  She was taken aback when Sam scowled at her and rolled his eyes. Okay, there was no way he was going to play the role of adoring, fawning boyfriend. She wondered would going to the dance with a man who looked as if he'd like to kill her, be better than going alone. She knew the answer, yes. The women would more than likely attempt to imagine their hatred was unfulfilled love, or at least unbridled lust. Hmm, perhaps they'd assume they'd had a fight. Ooh yes, that would be good, and then they'd more than likely imagine the torrid sex they'd have later.

  Just like that an image of her and Sam, in bed, wrapped around each other’s naked sweaty bodies came to her. She was as bad as her readers in thinking about the romantic mushy stuff. She ought to know, that was what she wrote, what she wanted romance reader to believe. Why wouldn't they think it could happen in real life?

  "Sam, if you're ready to leave, I'm parked downstairs."

  "We'll take my car," Sam spoke quickly. "That way when I become bored and want to leave, I can."

  "Fine, but you can't leave until after I give my speech, okay?” She finally asked him in a much nicer tone of voice. “Please.” He didn't answer her, just gave her a look that could have meant anything from he'd suddenly tasted something rancid, to, he was heading for the worst night of his life. Without nothing more than a gruff, "Come on," Sam headed for the elevator, not even bothering to lock his door. Rebe looked behind them and saw Kandi was taking care of that. When she turned to face them she was laughing.

  Thanks a lot, Rebe wanted to say. Had a thing for me. Yeah right. Sam didn't even look her way from the moment they were in the elevator until they were standing by the curb, and he took his keys from his pocket

  When she heard the beep of his alarm she hadn't expected the shiny green SUV to belong to him. Nor did she expect him to hold the door open for her. He'd been sort of…well rude and it appeared as though he didn't like her very much. Taking another look at his car, she saw it was new. His last car, as far as she knew had been a black Toyota Camry, the one he'd driven her home to Atlanta in. She shook her head wanting to let go of the reason for that particular road trip.

  Chapter Two

  Rebe watched Sam as he made his way around to the driver's side. He didn't appear quite as short tonight. She smiled at his back. But he was still short, at least two inches shorter than her. And she'd have to admit he wasn't exactly grossly overweight. Hmm taking another look she noticed he did have very broad shoulders. Where the heck had those come from? Perhaps he was using padding. Before she could stop herself, she was eyeing him as though he was a caramel pecan sundae from Andee's Frozen Custard.

  "Have you been going to the gym, Sam?" she asked. For an answer she received another eye roll. Okay, this evening was definitely starting out to be less than fun. Perhaps it was time to bring whatever the heck was bothering Sam about her out into the open. Heck they used to be friends. She'd never intended the friendship to turn so hostile. She had no desire to be Sam’s enemy, or for him to want that either. Perhaps she should do as Kandi suggested and try being nice to him.

  "Is there a problem, Sam?" She asked as sweetly as she possibly could, making sure to put her southern upbringing into the question.

  "No problem. Why do you ask?"

  "Because you keep scowling at me. And you’re refusing to answer me."

  "You're asking me rude questions. What would you do if I asked you if you'd been on a diet? Or if you'd dyed your hair? Or if I just happened to mention the addition of the extra hair extensions? I could even ask you why you aren't wearing as much makeup as you usually do."

  "You don't like me very much do you?"

  "No, I don't. You're rude, don't care much for the feelings of others, and you're extremely shallow. Did I miss anything?"

  "Just that you've proven something to me. Fairytales are just that. There is no way to make a prince out of a frog. Once a frog prince, always one." To her surprise Sam laughed.

  "Am I the frog prince?" He laughed even harder. "Okay, Rebe, since I've agreed to accompany you tonight why don't you tell me what you're expecting. As long as you don't ask for anything ridiculous, I think I can fake it."

  "It would be nice if you could pretend to be in love with me, you know, with the furtive looks, and secret little touches. If you could fawn over me a bit and keep your eyes and your hands off the other women in the room, I'd really appreciate it. You might say, I'd be in your debt."

  "You ask a lot of a man that doesn't much care for you." Sam glanced her way and chuckled.

  For a long moment Rebe stared at Sam before she felt the catch in her throat. And when she opened her mouth to speak, her voice came out wispy and soft. "Perhaps you could remember back to when we were friends, before you didn't care for me much”. He glanced quickly at her before diverting his attention back to the road. A weird thing happened to Sam’s eyes as he glanced at her. He toyed with his lips then pulled in a breath and sighed and toyed some more with his lips. Rebe watched in fascination. What beautiful lips, very kissable lips, she thought.

  Sam’s eyes were on the road, but the dimple in his cheek was evident. He was still laughing at her. Her gaze remained on the dimple. Wow! Had it always been so deep? An unbidden sigh of pleasure that sounded more like a woman moaning while in the throes of love making came from her throat. Darn it. Before she could even lower her eyes, Sam had glanced once again at her. If he were any kind of gentleman he wouldn't mention the sound she'd made. He'd just let it go. But he cleared his throat and she knew he wasn’t about to let it go. She didn’t exactly blame him.

  "I gather you're checking me out and approve," Sam teased.

  "Get real. I was writing a scene in my head. You weren't in it," she lied.

  This date was going to be a lot different than what she'd expected. And why the heck had Kandi practically told her that Sam was in love with her. Maybe not those words, but it was definitely what she'd gotten out of the conversation. That had to be the reason she was behaving as a sex starved…hmm. Was she the heroine in this little drama of hers? And if that were the case, what would that make Sam? It was time to stop this nonsense, stop imagining kissing a man she couldn't have. A man who hadn't like
d her for more than two years. She couldn't think that because of him helping her, he'd changed his opinion of her, not that quickly anyway. Okay, she'd been in a bit of a pickle and he'd helped her out. No heroine should have to go into an event unescorted, so she was grateful.

  "Thanks for coming with me tonight, Sam. I really do mean it this time. It was very last minute, and you certainly didn't have to do it. For the past week I've been in a panic about this dance. I'll admit I've been at my worst. I've been rude and maybe a little bit nasty." Rebe was watching him when she saw him swallow as though …perhaps he wanted to let her off the hook. "Will you forgive me, Sam?"

  "Are you asking for my forgiveness to ensure I behave at the dance?"

  This time it was Rebe's turn to laugh. "Of course not. Naturally I'd be thrilled if you just don't show how much you really can't stand me. I know asking you to fawn is a stretch…open dislike though would be a bad thing for this event. No matter how it plays out tonight, fawning, or out and out hatred, I wanted to let you know that I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings."

  "Rebe, I can't believe as many years as we've known each other, you really don't know me at all do you? Just so you know, regardless of my feelings for you, I'd never deliberately embarrass you in public. You don't have to worry about that."

  "Thanks. I wasn't kidding before when I told you to consider me in your debt."

  “I didn't do this so you'd owe me.”

  “I know that. But I also know you didn't want to come. I know you're only doing this because Kandi badgered you.”

  “Do you now? Are you a mind reader and someone forgot to tell me?”

  “Sam?”

  “Seriously, how can you possibly know what's on my mind? We've done nothing but fight since…well for the last couple of years. There is no way you know me. Not even my reasons for coming tonight.”

  “Can't you just let me show my gratitude? I'm not trying to buy you. I just want to say thank you by telling you even if we're fighting, if you ever need me, I'll be there for you.”

  "And if I happen to need a date, even a last minute date, you'll go? No questions asked?"

  "Deal."

  "And you'll pretend that we're a couple."

  "Yes."

  “Fawning included?”

  “Yes.”

  "Wow this shindig must be very important to you. Tell me a little more about it."

  "What are you doing, Sam? You know about this. You're the one who convinced me to go four years ago." She saw a flicker of something in his eyes before he began chewing on his lips again.

  "Look, Rebe, it's been years since we were friends. Back then neither of us had to try, let alone try so hard to find things to talk about. Granted, we're no longer friends. But it shouldn't be this hard for us to talk. I'm trying to find a topic we can talk about without fighting. Just tell me as though I have never heard of this thing. I'm trying okay."

  Trying? Was that what he called it? She'd play his game at least until he dance was over. "Okay, Sam, w3e’ll do it your way. Do you know anything at all about my second career?" When he arched a brow she continued. "Well, stranger, since you asked, I write romance and with doing that I have to go to events, conferences, workshops, signings, and things like that. But this dinner tonight is the major event of the year. At least for the romance authors, and romance fans of Illinois. We started with just Chicago, but as more and more authors wanted to participate, it grew to encompass the entire state. Since the authors foot the bills, we have to limit the number of fans who can come. We have a strict sign up by, and space limited to─. Each year the number allowed to attend has increased. The more authors willing to pay, the more fans we can allow. To keep it fair each paying author has a set number of fans she can allow. After that it’s first come. It's a time for fantasy. All of the romance authors show up with their fantasy heroes. It's all done for the fans, to make them believe in love and romance, in heroes and heroines. It’s to give them escape, and hopefully we'll all sell more books in the future."

  "And your fantasy man, where do all of you find your hero?"

  Rebe laughed. "Mostly we hire them. Our heroes are perfect with maybe a tiny flaw, maybe a small scar that will make him look more masculine. No real life man could ever fill the role of our perfect hero."

  "And physical appearance?"

  "Well, they're all over 6 feet, broad shouldered, a six pack, super rich and handsome."

  “You're right. Most men do not have all of those attributes. And he also has to be rich?” he tisked. “Most of the male population is not over six feet. Why didn't you hire a model?”

  For a moment Rebe cringed. What the heck, she thought and plunged right in not liking what she was about to say would sound. "I write interracial romance mostly, some paranormal and even women fiction. But my fan base is interracial, multicultural romance. Because of what I write the guy I take with me to this event has to represent that."

  "And…"

  "They were all out of the type that I wanted."

  "Do I even have to tell you how that sounds? We both know I don't fit your bill for a romance hero. That means that even though most of the times you won't even make eye contact with me, the fact that tonight you lowered yourself to allow me to take you, boils down to one crucial fact. You want me because I'm the other half of your little interracial couple. As a Black woman I would at least expect you to know better. If the situation were reversed I would catch hell for even thinking about doing what you're doing, let along acting on it."

  Sam took in a deep breath. "And now what? You’re going to show up with the frog prince and be drummed out of the club? Readers will stop buying your books. What? Rebe, you're a lawyer, does this in any way sound even the slightest bit like discrimination?"

  Sam had a valid point. It was discrimination against short, fat, or not very attractive men. The fact that Sam wasn’t any of those things wouldn’t calm him down. And yes, he did also fit the bill for the other half of her interracial couple. Of course she’d never say it out loud, but the amount of pigments in his skin made him just the man she needed for tonight.

  “Rebe, just admit it. The only reason you want me to take you to this event tonight is because I’m White. You want us to be the symbol of the couples you write about.”

  Sam was looking at her as though she’d lost her mind. Did he really think she’d admit to him that she was glad they would be seen as an interracial couple? Wasn’t implying it enough?

  Rebe shuddered for a moment as she remembered clearly attending an event at the Dolton library and the instant coldness of the crowd when another really well known interracial romance writer came into the room with her African American husband. Readers didn’t want the writers to write fiction as they were doing. They wanted them to paint a picture of the lives they led. That was the dream they were selling. The women in the room had wanted to see the writer in an interracial relationship. But she wasn’t about to get into a debate with Sam right now. She was nervous enough as it was. She had to give her speech and she didn't want to be any more anxious than she was. She decided to take a different route.

  "I meant it earlier when I said you looked nice. And I meant it as a compliment not an indictment. And, Sam, it has nothing to do with… you know"

  "You think I look nice. You said that with surprise, as though you didn't think I knew how to dress. But thank you."

  Sam slowly allowed his gaze to roam over Rebe’s entire body. She was waiting for him to comment on her. And he would have. But she was expecting it, and he was still annoyed that she'd waited until countdown to ask him to go. She could have asked him a week ago, or even the day before, but less than two hours. She deserved to stew and wonder.

  "What happened to your boyfriend?” Sam asked instead. “He fit the description of your perfect hero and he also would have been the perfect companion for your interracial party. He's taller than I am, and blonde. And I assume blue eyes are really a seller considering that even Kandi, who barely toler
ates Chase, has said more than once that he has beautiful, blue eyes. And even though I hate to admit it, women seem to find his looks appealing. Look at you. You go stupid gaga over him."

  Sam had to make himself stop talking. There was no way he wanted Rebe to know he was the least interested in her relationship with Chase. Or that he thought the man wasn't good enough to even take her on a pretend date, let alone share her bed. He glanced toward her noticing she'd not answered his question. "Now look who's being quiet. What happened to Chase?"

  "We broke up."

  That he'd already known. He glanced at Rebe, a part of him wanted to feel sorry for her, but she'd made her own problems. Women! What in the world was wrong with them looking at the external instead of the internal? Okay, if he were honest, men did the same. Sensing her sudden sadness he glanced at her again. He was aware how important this night was to her. It was time to lighten up on her, at least a bit.

  "By the way, Rebe, you look very nice." He watched as her lips curved into a soft smile. She was pleased. He felt something happen round the vicinity of his heart, a tiny, microscopic crack. He found himself smiling, glad he'd done the right thing. Had she really not known how beautiful he thought she was? Had he never told her? He thought about it. He hadn't. It didn't matter now.

  “Sam, is there anything about me that you like?’

  Oh hell. Why was she asking him that? And especially when he could tell he was melting toward her and didn’t want to. He pretended to think about it. But the things he liked about her required no thought. He loved her vivacious personality. Rebe had a smile that could light up the world. He was sure if she were allowed, she could stop wars with the brilliance of it. She was or rather she used to be sweet, caring, and so damn vulnerable that he wanted to protect her from ever hearing a harsh word, he wanted to protect her from pain. But Rebe was also strong and fiercely loyal. She thought about Jamie. She’d loved him so much she’d never seen he was flawed just like everyone else.