Clear as Glass, стр. 57
“The words were almost impossible to choke out.” A rough smile softened Mitch’s features.
The tension defused and people started to chat again.
Amused by Mitch’s blunt honesty, Jaye touched the warm hand curled around her waist.
Mitch spread his fingers, lacing hers between his.
Brad took a swig of his beer and lowered his voice. “Phil told me you’d be here this afternoon, so I had to stop by. Last week, I saw someone you know—Grace. Your fiancée.”
“Ex-fiancée,” Mitch muttered.
“Right. She was in Coudersport, visiting family. Turns out, she got married a year and a half ago. I happen to know her husband. He’s an architect with offices in New York, Philadelphia, and Miami. Big stuff.”
Big stuff, huh? Jaye wondered if part of Mitch’s aversion to wealth was fueled by the knowledge his fiancée dumped him for a rich man. Curious about his reaction, Jaye checked his expression.
He stared at the TV and shrugged. His thumb caressed her hand in a slow, steady rhythm.
“They’re separated,” Brad divulged with an apologetic glance at Jaye. “She wanted me to tell you, Mitch. She said her parents would give you her number if you wanted to call.”
“I’m not interested.” With a gentle pull, Mitch secured Jaye against his side.
Cuddled beside him, Jaye felt warm…secure…wanted.
Brad leaned one elbow on the bar and studied the label on his beer. “I just thought you should know she was asking for you. She wondered how you were and what you were doing. Couldn’t stop talking about you.”
Jaye turned her body toward Mitch and patted his broad chest. “Sounds like your ex figured out a swollen bank account is a poor substitute for a good man.”
His arm tightened around her waist and he glanced at Brad. “If you happen to see my ex again, tell her I’m very happy. And very taken.”
“You only had one beer tonight, yet you asked me to drive.” Jaye glanced across the dim interior of the truck at Mitch, who gazed out the passenger side window. “You’re a very careful person.”
“If I got a DUI, I’d let down a lot of people.” He stretched his arm along the back of the bench seat. “Plus, I need to be sober if something goes wrong with the furnace at the factory.”
“Good point.” His willingness to shape his life for the good of the factory reminded her of her own situation. “Do you ever feel suffocated by the responsibility you owe to the factory?”
“Not really. I love glassblowing and I’m lucky to work with friends, which makes a huge difference.” His hand curled around the back of her neck, his fingers gentle. “How ‘bout you? Do you feel suffocated by your family’s business?”
“Lately, I feel like I can’t draw a breath. Happens more than I care to admit.” The confession came out easily, thanks to Mitch’s sweet caress. The tender graze of his thumb along the side of her neck made her feel like she was no longer alone.
She pulled into his driveway and the truck’s headlights shone on a bright red Corvette parked beside her silver coupe. The sports car looked like it was ready to race hers—and win. Jaye slanted a worried look at Mitch. “Were you expecting someone?”
“No, I wasn’t. Park along the edge of the driveway to give that car room to leave.”
The sharpness in his voice left no question about how he felt about their visitor. Mitch wanted the intruder gone.
The Corvette’s door opened to reveal a pair of long legs clad in tight denim. A striking woman with long red hair emerged.
A sickening sense of déjà vu turned Jaye’s stomach. “Who is she?”
Mitch stared at the unexpected guest. A stony enmity radiated from his eyes. “Tara.”
Perspiration bloomed on the palms of Jaye’s hands. “Brad mentioned her, right? She’s the one keeping tabs on your bachelorhood.”
“She’s unpredictable, so let me handle this.” Mitch opened his door and got out.
Tara prowled toward the truck. High-heeled boots made her look six feet tall and all legs. Like an oversized praying mantis.
Jaye felt like a hapless fruit fly—the main course on Tara’s menu.
Mitch opened Jaye’s door and reached inside to press the remote clipped to the visor. The garage door opened slowly. He took Jaye’s hand and helped her out of the truck.
A fresh inch of snow covered the driveway. Jaye glanced at the narrow boot prints denting the fluffy white stuff. Tara had been pacing up and down the driveway for some time, waiting. For what?
The possessive glint in Tara’s kohl-lined green eyes said it all.
Jaye balled her hands inside her mittens. Suddenly, she understood why Mitch insisted she tell him about David. Facing someone’s ex was daunting when you had no idea what might happen.
“Brad called me after he saw you at Phil’s house. Is it true?” Tara flicked a half-smoked cigarette into the snow. “Are you with her?”
Mitch stepped in front of Jaye, meeting Tara’s wrath with imposing calm. “Why are you here?”
“Had to see for myself. All these years, I thought you were one of the good guys. Turns out, you’re just like the rest of them.” Tara leaned to peer at Jaye with a critical eye. “You’d better watch out, girlfriend. He hurt someone real bad a couple of years ago. You’re next.”
“Back off, Tara,” Mitch growled.
Tara jabbed her red-tipped finger into his shoulder. “Your new girlfriend should know that your fiancée never showed up at your wedding. Most girls would’ve gone through with the charade after getting the dress and paying for all the food, but not Grace. She was so mad, she asked her daddy to tell you she wasn’t showing up. What did you do to make her hate you so much?”
Mitch’s big body tightened like Tara had just jammed one of her stiletto heels into the toe of his boot.
Not wanting to be a part of this drama, Jaye walked toward the house.
Tara grabbed her sleeve. “When I