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Already embarrassed enough, Elizabeth sucked in a deep breath in an attempt to calm her nerves, and gather her thoughts, in hope to not further humiliate herself.
Even though it was just Holly, she still didn’t like displaying vulnerability. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. It was just a dance, and remember, I’m only here because you and Sam forced me into it.”
“Okay, I hear what you’re saying, but I’m not buying it. You like him. Admit it.” Her friend’s smug grin irritated her.
Elizabeth shook her head. “I’m afraid you’ve got it all wrong.”
Holly looked directly into her eyes. “You know it’s okay to be attracted to the opposite sex. I realize men aren’t part of your ‘little plan’ right now, but Joe’s a good guy. He’s honest, hardworking, sweet, and Lord knows he’s handsome. You may not want to be so quick to walk away from this one. Guys like him don’t come along every day.”
“I wish people would just get off my case. So I have a plan, big deal. It’s my plan, and I think it’s a good one. Besides, he comes from a different world than I do. I just don’t think he’s my type,” Elizabeth snapped back.
“You don’t think he’s your type...or you don’t think he’s good enough or rich enough? When did you become such a snob?”
Her mouth fell open. She felt like she’d been scolded, and stood silent as her friend abandoned her.
Why is everyone always jumping all over me?
She found an open spot at the bar and ordered another glass of champagne.
The champagne was really starting to take its toll. She wasn’t accustomed to drinking very much, afraid of letting her guard down, and fearing alcohol would make her act foolish, like how her friends acted on occasion when they consumed too much. But for some reason, on this particular occasion, all bets were off. Her always-focused brain was tired and needed a break.
She motioned for the bartender to come toward her. “What is your name?”
“Jamie.”
“How old are you?”
He smiled. “Twenty-one, ma’am.”
She leaned over the bar, closer to him. “You don’t know me, and I don’t know you, but can I get your opinion about something?”
He looked curious. “Sure.”
“Do I look like the uptight, persnickety type to you?”
Jamie leaned back and stood silent for a moment as he studied her.
“Just answer the question, and answer it honestly.”
He chewed on his bottom lip and shuffled from one foot to the other.
“Please tell me.” She needed to know his true opinion.
He released his lip from his teeth. “Well, ma’am, I have kind of noticed how you’ve been watching people and interacting with them through the course of the evening, and well, honestly, yes, you do seem that way. Sorry, but you did ask me to be honest.”
All the air escaped from her lungs as she processed Jamie’s assessment. His words crashed through her mind over and over again. She didn’t want to be thought of as uptight and persnickety. His apology, crooked smile, and sympathetic head tilt, let her know he regretted answering truthfully.
“People just don’t understand me,” she whispered.
“Pardon?” Jamie asked. “I didn’t hear you.”
“I think people just don’t understand me. I have a very precise plan about how my life is supposed to pan out, and right now, the focus is one hundred percent on my career. I don’t really focus on anything else like my friends do, you know, like partying and men. So I think people misinterpret my behavior, making me out to be some sort of snob. There’s nothing wrong with having a plan, right?”
Jamie’s response came slow. “No, I don’t think there is anything wrong with having a plan. But sometimes life throws a wrench in the game and ‘The Plan’ may need to be revised. Let me ask you this—has staying the course made you step on a few toes along the way, or put the needs of your family and friends on the back burner so you could attend to your own needs first?”
She stared into Jamie’s boyish face. His soft, brown gaze stayed on her.
Elizabeth sucked in a deep breath. “How is it you are so young, yet so wise?” she slurred as she mustered up a half-grin.
