Safe In His Arms by Tish Davis

Author:Tish Davis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2012-05-01T00:00:00+00:00

Eight

They went to Janessa’s favorite pizza place near the museum. As she slid into the booth she prayed she wouldn’t make a fool of herself by spilling soda all over Guy again. She felt nervous, but she wasn’t sure why. Something had changed. He seemed more introspective since his phone conversation—and more attentive. Whom had he called? Beth? If he had talked with Beth and wanted to be with her, surely he wouldn’t act so conscientious now—or would he?

“You don’t have to babysit me,” Janessa muttered as she fiddled with her soda straw. She made the offer, but she hoped he wanted to stay with her. It was difficult for her to believe he wasn’t there out of obligation.

“Is there someone you’d rather be with? Someone you’re dating maybe?” Guy responded.

Janessa hadn’t expected this question. She looked up to find him studying her with his intense blue eyes. “No, I don’t have time to date. My work is very involved. Please don’t look at me like that. I’m not the only person on earth who doesn’t date.”

Guy’s lips turned up in amusement, but he apparently wasn’t ready to give up the subject. “Does Rosy date? She works with you, right?”

How could Janessa explain? Sure, Rosy dated. Most men developed a drooling problem when they were around the stunning, vivacious charmer. One look at her and all men forgot Janessa existed. Even if they noticed her, she wasn’t interested in them. Her foolish heart refused to give up on Guy, but she wasn’t about to admit that to him—at least not yet. “You’ve seen Rosy. She dates all the time because she’s in the market for a husband.”

“And you’re not?” He seemed particularly interested in her answer as he leaned forward.

“Have you taken a good look at me lately, Guy? What man is going to choose me over Rosy? I know I’m not a great catch, but I’m okay with it. I accept the way things are.”

Unexpectedly Guy reached across the table and brushed his finger slowly down her cheek. Warmth filled her face at his touch, and she had difficulty meeting his gaze.

“You have a skewed picture of yourself. All you care about is your work, and it’s making you sick.” When she tried to protest, he shook his head. “I’ve seen the bottle of medicine on your desk. You stress yourself out to please others.”

“But my work is important. It’s all I have going for me.”

“I don’t know exactly what you see in the mirror, but when I look at you I see someone warm, kind, and beautiful. I see someone who works too hard to please others but is a blessing to everyone who knows her. When I look at you, Janessa, I see loveliness.”

His words made a lump form in Janessa’s throat, and it was difficult for her to breathe around it. No one aside from her parents had ever said she was lovely. “Thanks, Guy,” she whispered.

She glanced past him, and her gaze connected with that of a strange man sitting a few tables away.

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