Part 36 (2/2)

”Why didn't we make it?” she asked quietly.

”h.e.l.l if I know.”

”It seemed as if everything was fine one day and the next there were cracks everywhere. They had to have started sometime. They didn't just appear.”

”Maybe we were too young,” he said.

”We were both in our twenties. Hardly kids. But maybe you're right. Maybe we weren't ready for the stresses of marriage.” She stared into his dark eyes. ”I never hated you.”

”I'm glad. I didn't hate you, either.”

Was it her, or had it just gotten hot in here?

”At least we can be friends now,” she said, knowing she should pull her hand free of his. There was something intimate about sitting next to each other, staring into each other's eyes and holding hands. Way too intimate. And s.e.xual. Because she was suddenly aware of his body-the hard planes, his broad shoulders. She knew exactly what he looked like naked. How to touch him to make him stiffen with pleasure.

”Wow, look at the time,” she said, drawing back and tugging her hand free. ”Where did the time go?”

He glanced at his watch. ”It's eight-thirty.”

”I know, but I'm tired and, you know, tomorrow's a work day. Friday, even. A busy work day. And I should call Naomi and check on things. Just to be sure.”

”What's wrong?” he asked. ”What are you afraid of?”

”I'm not afraid.” She stood and looked at the mess on the table. ”I should help you clean up.”

”Screw that. Why are you running away?”

”Do I look like I'm running? I'm standing in place.” She raised one foot to show him. ”See?”

He rose and moved close. ”Did I say something to upset you?”

Nope. Not a word. She'd upset herself without any help at all. And upset wasn't even the right word. She was...uncomfortable. And s.e.xually aware. And seriously pregnant. Hardly circ.u.mstances to turn Cal on.

”Okay, this was great,” she told him as she backed toward the door. ”The dinner. The conversation. All of it. Really, really great. Thanks. I appreciate it.”

She grabbed her coat and purse, then opened the door and ducked outside. Thirty seconds later she'd started her car and was zooming out of his driveway.

Free at last, she thought, unable to slow the pounding of her heart.

The worst part of it was she couldn't explain what had just happened. She'd become aware of Cal on a s.e.xual level and she'd been afraid she would act on it. Frankly, doing without was a whole lot better than getting rejected. Still, running felt wrong. Maybe she should have explained.

”Oh, yeah. There's a conversation I'm dying to have with my ex-husband and boss.”

She drove across Seattle until she reached her own small rental house. After she inched her way inside the single-car garage, she turned off the engine. It was only then she noticed a car pulling in behind her. A familiar, small, two-seater sports car.

She walked out of the garage just as Cal climbed out of his Z4.

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