Read Online Be My Valentine by Debbie Macomber - Free Book Online Page B

One friend claims you make her toes curl and another…never mind.”
    Steve looked exceptionally pleased. “I make her toes curl?”
    How like a man to fall for flattery! “That’s not the point.”
    â€œThen what is?”
    â€œEveryone thinks you and I are an item.”
    â€œSo? I thought that’s what you wanted.”
    Dianne felt like screaming. “Kindly look at this from my point of view. I’m in one hell of a mess because of you!” He frowned as she went on. “What am I supposed to tell everyone, including my mother and children, once tonight is over?” Why, oh why hadn’t she thought of this sooner?
    â€œAbout what?”
    â€œAbout you and me,” she said slowly, using short words so he’d understand. “I didn’t even want to attend this dinner. I’ve lied to my own family and, worse, I’m actually paying a man to escort me. This is probably the lowest point of my life, and all you can do is stand there with a silly grin.”
    Steve chuckled and his mouth twitched. “This silly grin you find so offensive is my besotted look. I’ve been practicing it in front of a mirror all week.”
    Dianne covered her face with her hands. “Now…now I discover that I’m even more of a fool than I realized. You’re this upstanding businessman and, worse, a…a playboy.”
    â€œI’m not a playboy,” he corrected. “And that’s a pretty dated term, anyway.”
    â€œMaybe—but that’s the reputation you seem to have. There isn’t a woman at this dinner who doesn’t envy me.”
    All she’d wanted was someone presentable to escort her to this dinner so she could satisfy her children. She lived a quiet, uncomplicated life, and suddenly she was the most gossip-worthy member of tonight’s affair.
    Sam Horton stepped to the microphone in front of the hall and announced that dinner was about to be served, so would everyone please go to their tables.
    â€œDon’t look so discontented,” Steve whispered in her ear. He was standing behind her, and his hands rested gently on her shoulders. “The woman who’s supposed to be the envy of every other one here shouldn’t be frowning. Try smiling.”
    â€œI don’t think I can,” she muttered, fearing she might break down and cry. Being casually held by Steve wasn’t helping. She found his touch reassuring and comforting when she didn’t want either, at least not from him. She was confused enough. Her head was telling her one thing and her heart another.
    â€œTrust me, Dianne, you’re blowing this out of proportion. I didn’t mean to deceive you. Let’s just enjoy the evening.”
    â€œI feel like such a fool,” she muttered again. Several people walked past them on their way to the tables, pausing to smile and nod. Dianne did her best to respond appropriately.
    â€œYou’re not a fool.” He slipped his arm around her waist and led her toward the table where Sam and his wife, as well as two other couples Dianne didn’t know, were waiting.
    Dianne smiled at the others while Steve held out her chair. A gentleman to the very end, she observed wryly. He opened doors and held out chairs for her, and the whole time she was making an idiot of herself in front of the entire community.
    As soon as everyone was seated, he introduced Dianne to the two remaining couples—Larry and Louise Lester, who owned a local restaurant, and Dale and Maryanne Atwater. Dale was head of the town’s most prominent accounting firm.
    The salads were delivered by young men in crisp white jackets. The Lesters and the Atwaters were discussing the weather and other bland subjects. Caught in her own churning thoughts, Dianne ate her salad and tuned them out. When she was least expecting it, she heard her name. She glanced up to find six pairs of eyes studying her. She had no idea why.
    She