I SHALL FIND YOU by Ony Bond

Frank would have told me.”
    “He doesn’t know yet.”
    “You look serious. So you’ve already gone out with this new guy then?”
    “Yes, we got lots in common. Sorry, James. It wasn’t meant to be you. I’ll let dad know it won’t work out between us.”
    “What’s your hurry? How much do you know about this guy anyway? I’ll wait because this might not pan out well. I mean you just met this guy. What does he do? Guess it’s another guy with several degrees?”
    “Education has nothing to do with it.”
    “Think I can walk away after waiting for you to get over Nathan? You got to dump this person.”
    “I won’t. Wasn’t even looking for anyone when I met him. It just happened.”
    James searched her face. “Your dad likes me. We get along. You haven’t given me a chance. Can’t you see when a man cares about you? You owe me a date.”
    Her tone grew firmer. “James, there’s no chance for you. Forget it.”
    “You’ll hurt Frank and me.”
    Her voice rose. “You need to listen. We don’t even have much in common. I have someone now. How do I spell it so you understand?”
    “I suppose he’s tall, blue-eyed and blonde like the other.”
    “On the contrary he’s much darker, brown-eyed and slightly taller than me.”
    “He has to be educated.”
    She shrugged her shoulders. “He has a degree but there’s more to our liking each other.”
    “You just can’t stay away from that type. I don’t have a degree, that’s why. Should have known you’d think you’re too smart for me. I’m the guy from the wrong side of the tracks.”
    “Who talked education here? Dating means both parties like the other and have a connection. It’s got to take more than physical attraction. Those times I’ve met and talked to this guy have been just great. We get along, connect.”
    “You thought the same of your ex. This new guy will cheat on you again, bring you down a notch. Then you’ll get sober, realize I was right.”
    “He won’t. You’re wrong. We’re crazy about each other. There, I just said it. He’s the right guy this time. Don’t tell my dad. I’ll do that myself.”
    Before James could reply Godfree took his arm. “Let it go, Jamie. She’s just told you she has a man in her life. Need to show you something on a machine.” He led him away. “She was about to scream at you because she must be telling the truth about this new guy.”
    “She laughed, made a fool of me.” James’ tone was petulant. “I don’t want her. She isn’t my type at all. It’s because asked me to take her out.”
    “She didn’t made fun of you. Besides you don’t even trust her. All she did was tell you the truth. Let’s talk later.”
    James left his back stiff. Rose was waiting where he had left her.
    She said, “Good you pulled him off because I was about to throw coffee in his face. Wasn’t expecting to be taken to task about my new boyfriend. Like he has a right to know. What did you tell him?”
    “He thinks you laughed at him, said he doesn’t even want you but your dad asked him. Told him you were just saying the truth about the new boyfriend. I almost dragged him off a while ago.”
    “Mm, doing my dad a favour since he wants me to have a boyfriend. If he doesn’t even like me, why act like can’t do without me? Isn’t that all muddled? Make sure he stays away from me from this moment. If he thinks he can insult my boyfriend, he’s wrong. That guy has a complex with rejection.”
    “I agree. He needs to respect your decision and leave you alone. I’ll see to it he won’t bother you again. Need to talk to him again.”
    “Don’t break his ribs, Free.”
    “Sure you don’t want me to take him to the graveyard and have a serious talk?”
    “Thought of it. I was getting angry with his bullying. He needs to understand you’re off the market. I’m going to tell him I’m the new man now.”
    “Wait. If you do he will tell dad who’s looking for just that excuse to get nastier