A Lone Star Love Affair / Falling for the Princess: A Lone Star Love Affair / Falling for the Princess

“I know better than that,” she replied, remembering all the business calls he had taken the night they had been together. It was over an hour later when she finally ended the call. She stared at the phone a moment, thinking about him. She should firmly end the calls from him. Or even avoid them in the first place, because she had caller ID. She took the call tonight to thank him for the flowers he had sent. But once she was on the phone with him there was no hope of cutting it short, because he always talked her into listening or answering.

Flowers, phone calls, a terrific job so she would stay. Where was she headed with him?

Wednesday night Isabelle waited for her close friend, Jada Picard, a Morris attorney, for their plans to work out at their health club.

When Jada climbed into Isabelle’s car, she shook short, straight black hair away from her face and turned gray eyes on Isabelle. “Sorry, I got delayed.”

“It’s fine. I did, too. I’ve just been in the car a minute or I would have driven to the door to pick you up.”

“After the workout, let’s go eat. You can pick the restaurant so we can also celebrate your new job with Ryder Enterprises. How was your dinner last week with our new boss?”

“I’ll have to admit, it was a great evening.”

“Now that he remembers who you are, I imagine you’ll have more excellent evenings,” Jada remarked.

“No, I won’t.” Isabelle stopped for a red light and glanced at her friend. “I’m not accepting another invitation from him. So far, he’s been out of town and when he returns this weekend, I’m away on business in San Diego. I’m staying an extra day just to enjoy the city.”

“You’ll have a wonderful time. I love San Diego. When you return, I predict you’ll go out with Tony again,” Jada said.

“A relationship with Tony won’t happen,” Isabelle said, remembering his kisses and being held in his arms, not mentioning the flowers and phone calls.

“Sounds like it could easily happen.”

Isabelle moved in traffic, keeping her eyes on the road. “No, it won’t. He’s not for me,” she said, despite how she had been dazzled by his kiss and unable to forget him ever, still recalling the long-ago night in as vivid detail as the recent evening with him. “I just couldn’t resist the invitation to celebrate and it was beginning to sound like a big deal if I refused to go out with him. Otherwise, it was nothing and I won’t go out with him again,” she stated, trying to convince herself that she could say no to him.

“Doesn’t sound like ‘nothing’ to me,” Jada remarked.

“He’s not my type,” she added. “Jada, we’re both twenty-eight this year. We’ve both agreed we want marriage and a family. For me, the time has come. Our new boss definitely does not want marriage or a family to interfere with his ambition. He’s already married to his work. Friday night he had calls all evening long.”

“Calls are not a big deal. His not wanting to get married—there you may have a stumbling block.”

“I promise you, the man’s work comes far ahead of anything else in his life. He’s every inch the workaholic. I don’t ever want to tie my life to one of those. Growing up, I watched my best friend’s dad live that way and her mom had to cope without him. He was practically a stranger to his family. That’s not for me.”

“Yeah, if you grew up around a workaholic, you know what it means.”

“Lucy’s dad never saw her at any of her games, at recitals, at anything. She had nicer things than I did and a fancier home, but she would have traded some of the comforts for having her father around. My family was really close and she saw that. She loved to come to our house and she told me that was one reason why.”

“How sad,” Jada said.

“The quality of life is important. Fortunately, Tony is supportive of his sister. Their parents are giving her grief over the man she’s been seriously involved with. They don’t think he’s good enough for her. I’ve told you about him—my friend Dylan.”

“I remember meeting Dylan. He’s a nice guy with a good job. What kind of parents does Tony have? In spite of his looks and money, I’d say two strikes against Tony. A workaholic guy with a snobby family. Be careful.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve seen the last of evenings out with Tony Ryder.”

“I’d still say to watch out. Sounds as if he might be a heartbreaker. He has the looks for it.”

“That he does,” Isabelle agreed, envisioning Tony’s sexy dark brown eyes and his thick, curly hair. “Have you ever gotten your interview appointment with him?”

“Not yet, but I’m not anxious about it. I’ve got really good offers now,” Jada said. “I won’t mind moving on.”

“That’s the way I felt. Having a place to go makes the future look much rosier. I knew you would get some promising job offers,” Isabelle said, turning into the fitness center parking lot. “I need this workout.”

“So do I,” Jada said, climbing out of the car and getting her things to walk inside with Isabelle.

Soon they were both running on treadmills and conversation was impossible. Then each moved on to other machines. After they had showered and dressed, they left to drive to an Italian restaurant.

In spite of the workout and Jada’s company, Isabelle couldn’t keep memories of Tony from distracting her.

After a leisurely dinner she dropped Jada off at the office parking lot, where Jada could get her own car.

“Thanks again, Jada. The dinner was delicious.”

“Have a super time in San Diego. I’ll see you next Monday. Bring back pictures.”

“I intend to. I haven’t had many trips.”

Isabelle waited while Jada climbed into her car and then she drove home. As she unlocked her door, her cell phone rang. When she answered, she heard Tony’s voice. With a racing heartbeat, she shook her head while she listened to him, even though each phone call involved her more deeply with him.

“How’s my most beautiful vice president?”

“Tony! That is so politically incorrect,” she chided with a smile.

“First of all, I’m talking to you. Secondly, this isn’t a business call and you surely never considered it as such. Third, it’s definitely the truth.”

She laughed, unable to be annoyed or take the question seriously. “So for now this call is not one between an entrepreneur and his employee.”

“Definitely not. A man calling a woman he wants to be with, take out, make love to …”

“Stop right there. You always move too fast,” she complained breathlessly, imagining his dark eyes holding their seductive look, aware for this moment she had his full attention.

“Always? Is everything too fast?” he asked, changing her meaning and stirring memories of standing in his arms while he kissed her slowly and thoroughly. “I’ll have to work on that one,” he said as if talking to himself.

“You know not always and not everything,” she replied, knowing she sounded even more breathless than before. “Sometimes I would describe you as slow and deliberate,” she said in a sultry voice, drawing out her words and enjoying flirting with him in return, even though she knew better and even though he was far away and not as much a temptation.

She heard his intake of breath. “We would have hundreds of miles between us,” he said in a thick, husky voice, echoing her thoughts.

“You began this,” she replied sweetly. “Maybe we should talk about business. Or far more safe, end this call that I really never intended to take.”

“Business is the last thing on my mind now,” Tony replied. “I have appointments tomorrow or I’d fly home earlier. Unfortunately, I can’t. Why wouldn’t you take my call?”

“We’re headed nowhere, Tony. This friendship should not be pursued for some basic reasons.”

“A minute ago you were enjoying our conversation.”

“It was nothing but harmless flirting that you started.”

“Harmless is not a good description. You set me on fire.”