Free Playing With Fire (Sweet Redemption) by Rose Francis Page A

mean? Come on Janet, what are you here for if not to be his heir? You are not our equal, and everyone knows it.”
    “Well, I can tell them they don’t have to bring anything—I’ll have entertainment, great food...I’ll provide everything...”
    Liz was still shaking her head.
    “You don’t understand—not many people would feel right about that. People would still feel obligated to bring you something or feel guilty for not doing so. And they’ll resent you for putting them in that position.”
    So instead of throwing herself a huge party for her quarter-of-a-century milestone, she sent herself on vacation. She was with David by then, so she and David spent a week in Hawaii. He had luckily been able to get the week off.
    She had been keeping up the tradition since—China the next year and Europe the next.
    And now her father had taken care of this year’s locale for her.
    She had wanted to try something different this year but had made no alternate plans, had not come up with a single idea of what to do—especially since she and David were no longer together.
    She simply hadn’t felt like celebrating this year, and was on the path to treating her birthday like any other day, deciding to save the vacation week for another time—perhaps sometime in December. But now she could use it like she was used to doing.
    She made a conscious effort to keep things in perspective and remain grateful. Her father at least remembered her birthday after all.
    ***
    “So what’s really going on?” Liz said, watching her intently, her brown eyes disconcertingly aware and tuned in as they settled in for lunch.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Don’t play games with me girl. What’s up with you and the new guy?”
    Janet thought for a moment.
    “I’m really not sure Liz. Obviously, I like him a lot and I know he feels the same way. But he’s been playing some weird game with me, and I’m not quite sure what’s behind it.”
    Liz looked at her in confusion, silently encouraging her to go on and explain herself.
    Janet finally admitted everything that had transpired over the past week including everything that had happened with David.
    Liz whistled.
    “Talk about an eventful week.”
    “Tell me about it.”
    “So why do you think he’s playing with you like this?”
    “To be honest, I don’t even think he’s playing with me—I don’t think he’s like that. I just have the distinct impression there’s something he’s not telling me. He’s usually brutally honest, but he’s holding something back, and I can’t even begin to guess what.”
    Liz looked thoughtful.
    “Maybe he’s scared of falling in love with you too.”
    Janet stumbled over her next few words.
    “Who said I was...? I never...”
    Liz’s hand motioned dismissively.
    “Save it—I know that look. You’re just about gone girl, I’m sorry to break it to you. He’s not a bad one to fall for as far as I can see anyway—good-looking, gainfully employed, and it seems like he digs you too. I don’t know how many guys would go so far as to not only demand you change your locks for your own safety, but stubbornly wait while you have it done. And to take on the rest of your crazy ex’s challenges as they come—some guys would punk out or stay out of it, but not this guy. His instinct is to protect you, and that’s never a bad thing.”
    Janet took in her words thirstily. Then as she found herself dangerously drifting to tender thoughts about Eric and she felt her heart come alive, she decided to change the subject.
    “So...my next vacation week is coming up soon. You wouldn’t be able to come with me on a trip to Fiji would you?”
    Liz gave her a look.
    “Girl you know I can’t.”
    Janet rolled her eyes.
    “Yeah, I know. Jason.”
    Janet paused a moment before continuing. She had wanted to broach the subject again for a while and figured now was as good a time as any.
    She let out a breath and looked into her friend’s eyes.
    “I’m scared