The Inconveniently Engaged Prince. Mindy Neff

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ grinned. “Something like that.”

      The waitress stopped by their table. Jace hadn’t even looked at the menu. He wasn’t really hungry, but apple caramel pie was almost as much of a temptation as Vickie was.

      “Did you guys want to order something?” the waitress asked. She was young and looked like she’d rather be anywhere else but here.

      Jace grinned at her, and noted that she perked up a bit. “Absolutely. I’ll have the specialty pie and a cappuccino with extra cream. Vic?”

      “Cheesecake, I think. And a decaf, white chocolate latte.”

      The waitress scribbled the orders and left. “Decaf?” he asked. “I thought you were going to study.”

      “I will. But I don’t intend to be up all night doing it. What’s your excuse?”

      “Caffeine doesn’t keep me awake.”

      “Lucky you.”

      “Sometimes. So, Victoria Meadland, tell me all about yourself.” The withdrawal was subtle, but he noticed it, noticed the slight flush of her skin, as though he’d put her on the spot. He decided to change directions. “Wait. We were supposed to be studying psychology, weren’t we?”

      She smiled, relaxed a bit. “I don’t think discussing our life stories is going to help me on the exam.”

      “I can use big words if it’ll help.”

      She laughed and he sat, transfixed. She had a wonderful laugh that lit her face and eased the little worry lines between her brows.

      “No?” he said when she just shook her head. He liked that she was easing into his company. “So, what are you majoring in?”

      “Human development and English. I want to be a teacher. I have one more semester before I’ll get my B.A. degree. Then another year to get my teaching credential.”

      “You can teach without the credentials, though, can’t you?”

      “For a while, yes. And I will, but I’ll also keep up my education and go for my master’s degree. That way I could go into counseling.”

      “You’d be good at it.”

      “What makes you think that?”

      “I’ve watched you at Diamond Jim’s. You’ve got a special way of giving the person you’re talking to your complete attention. That’s a good quality for a potential counselor.”

      “Thanks.”

      “So how come you didn’t just major in education?”

      “California doesn’t offer it.”

      The waitress brought their coffee and dessert. Vickie picked up her fork and took a bite of cheesecake.

      Jace’s mouth watered as he watched her eyes close, watched the pure, unadulterated pleasure wash across her face. “Good?”

      Her eyes opened, locked onto his. “Delicious.”

      He was sweating. Desire streaked through him and howled for action or release. For the longest time, their eyes held. Then she glanced down as though she had just realized the sizzle and was embarrassed by it.

      “Um…” She stopped, cleared her throat. “How about you? Where did you go to school.”

      He tasted his own pie, but even though it was excellent, it didn’t compare to the look that had come over Victoria’s face only moments ago. He imagined she’d wear that same expression in the throes of passion. “Virginia Tech.”

      “Virginia? Is that where you’re from?”

      “Nope. Born and raised right here in San Diego. But I knew I wanted to capitalize on the cellular telephone industry and at the time, Virginia Tech offered the best courses on wireless technology.”

      She laid down her fork, gave him her full attention. “How long was it before you started your company?”

      “Right out of college. I built Carracell Inc. from the ground up and surrounded myself with a great group of co-workers. That was almost ten years ago, when the cellular business was really starting to boom. Seems I was at the right place at the right time.”

      “I imagine you put plenty of hard work into it.”

      “Sure. But working at something I love is like taking a vacation every day.”

      She sighed. “That’s so neat. Especially that you figured out what you wanted to do and were able to accomplish it while you were young.”

      He frowned, realizing she was comparing herself to him. “You’re not exactly old. What are you, twenty-five?”

      She laughed. “That’s the nicest compliment I’ve had in a while. I’m thirty-one. And attending college when you’re over thirty can be a humbling, aging experience.”

      “Or keep you young at heart.”

      “That, too.”

      “Can I ask what made you wait to go to college? You seem pretty determined in knowing what you want.”

      She shifted against the vinyl seat, scooted her coffee mug back and forth across the crimson tabletop. Then she looked him square in the eye, her chin lifted as though she expected someone to take a jab.

      “I ran away from a group home when I was sixteen, which meant dropping out of high school. Since I was on my own, I had to work to support myself. Then I had to get my GED and build up a cushion of funds. I was young and didn’t realize I could work and go to college.”

      “It’s a heavy load.”

      “But it’ll be worth it.”

      He shouldn’t ask about the group home. It was none of his business. But he seemed to have an insatiable need to find out everything about her. And coming from a close, happy family, the idea of not living within that circle of safety was unthinkable.

      “This…uh, group home. Was it like a foster family?”

      “No.” She twisted the two rings on her middle finger. “I lived in a few of those. Some of them were nice, some of them just okay. The group home was more along the lines of what you’d call an orphanage for kids not yet old enough for emancipation. It was called Helen’s Home. We called it Hell’s Home.”

      From the set of her shoulders and the dare in her eyes, it was clear she wouldn’t tolerate pity. And he didn’t intend to give it.

      But questions could easily be misconstrued. If he had his way—which he generally did—there would be plenty of time to delve into all the facets of Victoria Meadland.

      He also made a mental note to himself to check into this Helen’s Home. If kids were being mistreated there, he had the connections to do something about it. And he would.

      “Well, СКАЧАТЬ