Trust in Love

Chapter 2

Justine was working at her desk the following afternoon when Jared came into the office. Her heart started to pound when she saw him. He was so handsome! He had piercing blue eyes and a strong jawline. He had wavy brown hair that was cut stylishly to his neck. She always wanted to run her fingers through it.

'Good afternoon, Miss Blake,' he said, smiling at her. He always called her Miss Blake, even though she had told him her first name many times.

'Good afternoon,' she replied, feeling tongue-tied all of a sudden.

'How are you today?' he asked politely.

'I'm fine,' she replied, her cheeks feeling hot. She wished she could think of something interesting to say.

'That's good,' he said kindly. 'Is Nigel around?'

'Yes, he's in his office. I'll get him for you.'

Before she could pick up the phone, Nigel's office door opened and he came out into the reception area.

'Hey, big brother, I thought I heard your voice,' Nigel said pleasantly.

They shook hands and Jared pulled an envelope out of his jacket pocket.

'I brought you two tickets to the benefit tonight,' Jared said, handing Nigel the envelope.

'Oh, yes,' Nigel acknowledged. 'Sandy has been looking forward to this for weeks.'

Sandy was Nigel's girlfriend and had lived with him for two years.

'Those are a hot item, pal. Don't lose them,' Jared said.

Nigel chuckled.

'I won't,' he answered good-naturedly. 'Sandy would never forgive me.'

The benefit was a huge gala held once a year and was a major fundraiser for the university. The tickets were very expensive and Justine had never been able to attend.

'Who is your plus one this year?' Nigel asked curiously.

'Oh, nobody,' Jared replied. 'I'm going solo this year.'

'Oh that's no fun,' Nigel chided. 'Even you are entitled to have fund every once in a while.'

Jared sighed patiently.

'It's more of a work function for me,' he explained. 'Every woman I've ever escorted has gotten jealous of the fact that I have to circulate and talk to other people.'

Nigel shrugged dismissively.

'I know someone who wouldn't get jealous and she's right here,' Nigel suggested, pointing toward Justine.

Wide-eyed, Justine sat up straight when she saw both men looking at her.

'Justine doesn't have a jealous bone in her body,' Nigel said. 'She'd be a great companion for you.'

She felt Jared's eyes on her and she met his gaze. She couldn't interpret his expression. She was so flustered she couldn't think straight.

After a moment's consideration, Jared finally said 'Well, Miss Blake, it would be rude of me to ignore my brother's suggestion. Would you like to go to the benefit with me?'

Justine couldn't tell if he was mocking her or not. She wanted to believe that he was in earnest, that he wasn't trying to humiliate her. She had resolved to live her life more fully, hadn't she? Well, now was her chance.

'Yes, I will go with you,' she replied nervously.

'Marvelous,' Jared said suavely. 'I'll pick you up at six.'

She gave him her address and he left the office a few minutes later.

What had she done? She couldn't believe she had accepted his invitation. She had never been so impulsive in her life.

******************

Justine was in a tizzy by the time she got home from work. First she had to tell her mom she had a date; then she had to find something to wear. The first thing would be hard, but the second thing would be impossible.

Ada Blake was in the living room watching t.v.

'How was your day, dear?' she asked.

'It was busy. I have to go out tonight,' Justine answered.

She never went anywhere, so it took Ada a moment to recover from her surprise.

'But the Bachelor is on tonight,' Ada finally said. 'We always watch it together.'

Justine sighed inwardly.

'I know, but I have to go to a work function,' she explained. 'I can't get out of it.'

'A work function?' Ada repeated. 'But I've made a pot roast for dinner.'

Justine apologized and then raced upstairs to her bedroom. She opened her closet and started to flip through her outfits frantically. The only fancy dress she had was a black one she had worn to her father's funeral six years earlier. It was a simple design, but it hugged her slender curves.

'What kind of a work function are you going to?' Ada asked curiously from the doorway. Her previous dismay had been forgotten.

'It's a gala,' Justine replied, pulling the black dress out of the closet.

'A gala?' Ada cried in dismay. 'You can't wear that dress to a gala! It's too plain.'

Secretly, Justine agreed with her. But what could she do? She had less than two hours to get ready.

'Are you going to this thing by yourself?' Ada asked curiously.

'No. The president of the university invited me,' Justine answered, feeling her cheeks go red. 'He's Nigel's brother. I've told you about Nigel.'

Ada looked surprised.

'The president is taking you to the gala?' she said, sounding shocked.

'You don't need to sound so surprised, mother,' Justine said sarcastically. 'I'm not ugly, you know.'

'I never said you were, dear,' Ada protested. 'I just don't understand why he didn't give you more notice.'

Justine suspected that Jared had never intended to invite anyone and taking her was a last-minute decision. But she would never tell her mother that.

'He's coming to get me at six,' Justine said in a panicky tone. 'Do you have time to help me get ready?'

'Of course, dear! Of course,' Ada replied.