Disclaimer: I do not own Trixie or the Bob-Whites. No profit is being made from their use.
Fireworks
Trixie was grateful that Di wasn't back from her date with Mart. She didn't want to face any questions from her inquisitive friend or brother. Quickly shedding the cobalt blue dress, Trixie climbed into bed and waited for sleep to overtake her. She was still waiting at a quarter after one when Diana slipped into the room. Pretending to be asleep, Trixie shut her eyes tightly and tried to drown out the thoughts of Jim that had been keeping her mind occupied.
The next morning, Trixie wearily awoke to see a beaming Diana Lynch looking curiously at her. Groaning that was far too early to get out of bed, Trixie hurriedly turned her back to Di.
"Oh, no," Di insisted with a grin, "you are not going back to sleep, not until you tell me how last night went."
Yanking the covers from Trixie, Diana stood expectantly over her.
"Please, Di," Trixie moaned grumpily while she blindly groped for her blanket, "go away. It's not even ten o'clock yet."
Jerking the blanket away from Trixie again, Di refused to give in. "No way, Trixie, I'm not giving up that easy."
"Okay, okay," grumbled Trixie, "just give me a minute."
Di impatiently tapped her foot as she watched Trixie escape to the bathroom. She was going to meet Mart for a late breakfast before he returned to his Cornell, but Diana didn't want to wait until later to hear the details from Trixie.
"Tell me everything, Trix," Di implored when Trixie came out of the bathroom.
"Do we have any milk left?" Trixie asked as she peered into the mini-fridge. After fixing a bowl of cold cereal, she sat cross-legged on the floor to eat her breakfast.
"Something did happen," Di teased with a huge smile, "or you wouldn't be so unwilling to talk about it."
"Honestly, Di," Trixie sighed, "you're jumping to conclusions."
"Well, I've been around you long enough that I should be good at it and I noticed you didn't say wrong conclusions."
"There's not much to say," Trixie explained. "Jim picked me up. I talked with Dan. Jim brought me home."
"Dan, huh? I don't recall you mentioning him before."
"Dan is a good friend of Jim and Honey," she grinned as she recalled his wicked sense of humor. "He's very hot."
"Mmmm," Di mused, "so you were in the company of two hot guys all evening."
But no matter how much Di cajoled her, Trixie refused to budge. She just didn't want to discuss Jim with anyone and definitely not her feelings about him. It might be easier if Trixie knew exactly what those feelings were. Then there was the matter of facing Jim tomorrow. She was scheduled to work the next afternoon after her classes. With his ever-changing attitude, Trixie was unsure just which Jim would show up. Kissing him had given her a tantalizing peek at the man she desired. That was the Jim she yearned for.
When Trixie spied Honey the next day in class, she was surprised to see the glowing smile on Honey's face. Wondering just what had put that smile on her face, Trixie cornered her after class.
"You look awfully happy," Trixie remarked as they walked from the building. "I wonder why."
"Well," Honey answered shyly and blushed, "Brian called me last night."
"So my big brother is to blame for that silly grin," Trixie teased.
"He wants to go out again," Honey almost squealed the words. "I've never met anyone quite like him."
"Just remember," Trixie chuckled, "when you come down out of the clouds, I can tell you all his faults. I am his sister and I know all."
"Do I look that goofy?" Honey giggled.
"Just a touch, but that's okay. It's about time Brian showed some taste."
"How was your Saturday night?" Honey asked her, deciding it was time to turn the tables. "Jim wouldn't say a word." She didn't add that she had spent all Sunday afternoon trying to persuade Jim to talk about the evening before. Usually he would humor her by telling her a few juicy details before Honey realized he was only kidding. This time Jim refused to discuss anything and closed up like a clam every time she approached the subject. With her curiosity peaked, Honey watched keenly for Trixie's reaction to her questions.
A wistful expression flashed momentarily across Trixie's face. "I guess not quite as good as your night," Trixie conceded ruefully, "but the dress was lovely. Although you should have told me it was a formal affair."
"Sorry about that." Honey grinned impishly before adding, "I did talk to Dan. He said the dress was hot. No, he said you were hot and that Jim couldn't take his eyes off of you."
"Dan thinks all women are hot," Trixie snorted. "What does that prove?"
"What about Jim?" Honey asked bluntly. "What does that prove?"
"Jim was my escort," Trixie insisted. "He had to show me around. He wouldn't be that impolite, and besides, Jim wants CAP to be a success."
"I know Jim," Honey said stubbornly, "and he would have let Dan show you around if he wasn't interested." Pausing, she added with emphasis, "Dan said Jim was glaring at him all night, like he was jealous or something."
"I doubt that," Trixie shook her head. "It's more likely that he was mad at me. We spent half the night arguing."
"What did you do the other half?" Honey asked knowingly.
"You mean when he wasn't with Missy. She was glued to his side most of the night," Trixie pointed out.
"Oh," Honey frowned, "Jim isn't interested in her. She's always chasing after him, but he's never shown any interest in her."
"Get real, who wouldn't be attracted to her? She's gorgeous. I wouldn't blame Jim if her were."
"Dan isn't attracted to Missy," Honey replied. "In fact, Dan can't stand her."
"But I'm not attracted to Dan, I'm…" Trixie stopped short as she realized what she had been about to say.
"Attracted to Jim," Honey finished the sentence. "Give him a chance, Trixie. I think you'll be very surprised."
"I don't know," Trixie mumbled doubtfully. "We can't be around each other for more than thirty minutes before we start arguing."
"Sounds like fireworks to me," Honey giggled.
"Sounds like danger to me," Trixie retorted.
That afternoon…
Why did they give me this to work on? Trixie complained silently. She hated math and anything to do with it, yet here she sat crunching numbers. Looking at the amount of money raised during the fundraiser and where it would be allocated, Trixie began to feel numb as all the figures ran together. Irritated as she made another mistake trying to balance the numbers, Trixie cast a glance at Honey. Honey seemed unruffled by her task and had a pleasant smile on her face.
Sighing, Trixie started over and was finally making sense of it all when she spied Missy walking in. Although Jim was a big help to the CAP, his schooling prevented him from becoming fully in control. It was Missy's father, Mr. Kramer, who was the executive in charge of running the program. Several times a week Missy would stop by to visit her father, giving the students a pathetic look. Her superior attitude did nothing to help Trixie's mood, especially since she suspected that Missy was really there to visit Jim.
"Trixie," Mr. Kramer called, "please bring those figures in here and input them into my computer. I'm going to visit with Missy awhile so you should have plenty of time."
"Sure, Mr. Kramer," Trixie agreed with a grin. She liked Mr. Kramer. Earlier he had shown her how to use the program on his computer to make a report of the CAP funds. In her opinion, it was far better than using a pencil and a calculator.
Trixie brought her files in to his office and watched him leave with Missy. Much to her chagrin, Missy appeared in the doorway a few seconds later. Barely having time to sit down, Trixie looked up from her work with a questioning expression for her.
"Trixie," Missy said pleasantly, "could you do last month's figures as well. They should be in the cabinet. Daddy said it would be good experience for you."
Not accustomed to Missy's friendly tone, Trixie nodded and went to the back room for the file. When she returned Missy was already gone. So much for being pleasant, thought Trixie. I wonder what that was about.
After that the short afternoon seemed to go swiftly and she was surprised when the Kramers returned.
"Why, Trixie," Mr. Kramer teased, "I thought you'd have those numbers whipped by now. Why don't you take a break? Take Honey with you. Both of you have worked hard today."
Excusing herself, Trixie went in search of Honey. "Let's have a snack from the vending machine," she suggested. "I just need to stop by my locker for a sec and get some change."
"Okay," Honey agreed, "I'll meet you by the elevators."
After grabbing some change from her purse, Trixie joined Honey.
"Let's stop by Jim's office," suggested Honey slyly. "He has a fridge with free snacks."
Sensing Trixie's hesitation, Honey took her by the arm when the elevator doors opened on the floor of Jim's office. "Come on," she urged, "you two have been avoiding each other all afternoon."
Pulling a protesting Trixie along the corridor, Honey barely gave Jim a chance to hear their knock before she pushed his office door open.
"Hi, Jim," Honey called gaily, "we're here to raid your refrigerator. You have the best snacks in the building."
"Hi, girls," Jim grinned while trying to slow the rapid beating of his heart at seeing Trixie once again. "Help yourselves to anything I have."
Trixie studied the contents of the fridge with great interest, not daring to look directly at Jim.
Honey pushed a few things around in the fridge before complaining, "No diet soda, Jim." She handed a drink to Trixie as she announced, "I'll be right back. Jim knows I drink nothing but diet."
Before Trixie could offer to go with Honey, she found herself alone with Jim in his office. Muttering under her breath, Trixie took a seat on the far side of the room.
"She's not very subtle, is she?" Jim remarked casually.
Trixie gave Jim an embarrassed smile. "I can leave if you want me to, Jim."
"No, it's okay, Trixie," Jim assured her. Unable to stop himself, he added tenderly, "I'd like you to stay."
As soon as the words left Jim's lips, Trixie jerked her head up in time to see the endearing look he was giving her. Feeling her mouth go dry, she snapped the lid on the soda, breaking the moment.
Taking a soda out of the mini fridge, Jim sat in the chair beside Trixie. He watched as she nervously circled the top of her can with her finger. He sat his soda down on a nearby table and carefully removed the soda from her hand, sitting it beside his own.
Jim squeezed both her hands before speaking, "Trixie, I've been thinking a lot about Saturday night. I've been thinking a lot about you."
Shocked by his admission, Trixie raised her head to look at him. "What have you been thinking?" she quietly asked.
"That I'd like to get to know you better," Jim answered in that same quiet tone.
"Jim, what if…" Trixie couldn't finish, scared to take a chance and scared to let Jim know how she felt.
"What if it could be great?" Jim completed for her. "It could be, Trixie, if we both gave it a chance."
Biting her bottom lip nervously, Trixie looked long and hard into Jim's eyes. She saw the sincerity there and something she couldn't define. She recalled Honey's words. "Give him a chance, Trixie. I think you'll be very surprised."
"I've never been serious about anyone," Trixie admitted. Blushing, she continued, "I'm afraid I might be getting in over my head with you."
Jim flushed a little as he gave her a rueful grin, "Why do you think I've been giving you such a hard time?"
Not comprehending, Trixie just looked back with confusion on her face.
"I've been fighting it too, Trix," Jim conceded, "but I can't let you go without trying. I'm a little scared too, but I have to try this. The thought of not having you in my life terrifies me."
"Okay," Trixie said in a whisper so low that he could barely hear her.
"Okay?" Jim asked, relieved to see Trixie nod her head. He bent his head lower, "Is it alright if I…"
No more words were necessary as their lips met for the second time. This time Trixie was prepared for the rush of feelings that overcame her, but not for their intensity. Hanging on to Jim's sleeves, she returned the kiss when he parted her lips with his tongue. They were still clinging breathlessly to each other when Honey returned.
Noticing their flushed cheeks, Honey simply smiled with amusement. The expectant look that she gave them caused them both to redden even more.
With a broad grin, Honey broke the silence. "Guess who I found wondering the halls," she announced.
"Don't make them guess, Honey," Dan joked as he entered behind her. "Frayne's a slouch at twenty questions." He noted with satisfaction the closeness and the disheveled appearance of the couple, not even trying to stop the mischievous grin spreading across his face. Looks like someone's been busy, he thought.
"Hey, Dan," Jim said as he stood to greet him, "I was wondering when you were going to stop by."
"You know me," he joked, "I'm always popping up at the wrong moment." Gazing at Trixie, Dan continued, "Hello, Trixie. I see Jim got you home safe and sound Saturday night."
"Hi, Dan," Trixie smiled back, but before she could continue Jim's phone rang.
"Hold on a minute, guys," Jim said as he answered the call.
While Jim was occupied on the telephone, Dan grinned wickedly at Trixie and arched his brows suggestively. He laughed when she blushed even more. Honey bit back a giggle when Jim saw the gesture and glared at Dan. She couldn't stop the giggles when Dan stared angelically back at Jim.
Interrupting their teasing, Jim told them, "That was Davis Kramer. He wants to meet with everyone in the CAP. There's been a security problem. It might be a good idea if you came along with us, Dan. " Smiling softly at Trixie, he added, "I guess I'll go with you, too. It sounds important."
"I'll go," agreed Dan, wanting more chances to annoy Jim. "After you, Miss Wheeler."
Laughing once more at Dan's antics, Honey led the way out of the room.