Can't Buy Your Love by Tressie Lockwood Page A

she want to slip over to Aunt Ella’s so Jamie wouldn’t question what she was doing there in the early morning, or did she want to stay a bit longer with Owen? She wouldn’t lie to herself. Lying in Owen’s arms felt good. The way he held her and stared into her eyes drew her closer like nothing else, but wouldn’t it be dangerous to stay—to her heart most of all?
    She stood in the living room chewing on a thumbnail considering it. In a few days, her time in Charlotte would be up, and they had not discussed a long-term relationship. Hell, she had never had a relationship with a man. Maybe in his eyes, telling her he loved her was all a part of the process of a brief affair.
    While she debated, lights flashed in Owen’s driveway. Vanity frowned and peered out the window. Her eyes widened when someone got out of the car and stepped up to the door.
    “What the hell? It’s two in the morning,” Vanity muttered. Thinking it might be a family member who hadn’t been able to reach Owen on the phone, she flipped the light on outside and peered through the window. The unwelcome sight of Melinda met her gaze. After a single bell ring, Vanity unlocked the door and jerked it open. “It’s late, Melinda.”
    “What are you—” Her annoyed gaze raked Vanity from head to toe. “Where’s Owen? He shouldn’t bring home every whore he chooses to sleep with. It’s not good for Jamie.”
    Vanity put a hand on her hip but didn’t move from the doorway. “I agree about bringing women around your son, but call me a whore again, and you’ll be picking your teeth up from the welcome mat.”
    Melinda rolled her eyes. “You do not scare me, missy. I have been in a few fights in my life, and I’m no pushover.”
    Vanity took a step forward. “Try me.”
    Pink tinged Melinda’s cheeks. She parted her lips to speak again, but a sound at the top of the stairs caught both their attention. Owen’s bare feet came into view as he descended the stairs. “Baby, what’s going on? I thought I heard the bell.”
    At his use of the endearment, Melinda’s coloring heightened. If she gritted her teeth any tighter, they would turn to powder. Vanity saw the change come over the woman, a determination to charm any man within her vicinity. “Owen, I’m sorry I’m so late. I meant to come earlier, but well, dealing with Mama and Daddy…you know how it is.”
    This time, it was Vanity’s turn to be pissed off. Logic told her Owen wouldn’t invite her to spend the night if he expected Melinda. At the same time, if he thought Melinda had stood him up, he might make other plans. No, Vanity, he’s not that kind of man. Just chill out.
    “Melinda…” Owen began.
    She darted past Vanity and laid a hand on his arm. “I need to talk to you about Jamie. It’s important. Please, Owen.”
    Vanity saw him stiffen and remembered what he had told her about his worry concerning Jamie. Did he go through this every tine Melinda made some cryptic remark regarding their son? She couldn’t imagine the torment that must be, but if it were her, she would need to know for sure. Better that than to let this bitch hang mess over his head...unless Melinda didn’t suspect his worries. Vanity eyed the woman but didn’t see a knowing expression on her face.
    “Maybe I should leave.” Vanity turned away.
    Owen grabbed her hand and kept her from going far. “I’m sure this can wait until morning, Melinda.”
    His ex seemed desperate at the thought of being put out of the house with Vanity still there. She struck a dramatic pose, eyes wide, hands folded over her chest. Vanity tried not to gag.
    “I know I shouldn’t have waited to tell you, Owen, but Daddy’s not getting any better. In fact, he’s worse, and it’s harder for Mama to take care of him. They’ve decided to move to Chicago to get Aunt Angie to help. But well…you know things haven’t been going well for me as far as a job here, and I can’t stay at the house with them selling