Part 7 (1/2)
”You should have fresh flowers every day.” He backed up only enough to offer her the bouquet.
Transferring the folder under her arm, she took them, wis.h.i.+ng she wasn't shy or silly or boring. Because it was no wonder women loved him. She'd never met a man as charming. ”Thank you.”
With his hand cupping her chin, he raised her mouth and kissed her without deepening it. ”I missed you today. Every second was like an hour.”
Confirming her own feelings was unnecessary. She'd already done that transparently.
”So'd you talk to your brother last night?” he asked, using both hands to dry her cheeks. Then he settled his arms loosely around her waist.
”He called a few minutes after you'd gone.”
Rod nodded, smiling a little, and she wanted to hug him for asking something others would consider mundane. ”Did you tell him about me?”
Bethany hadn't expected this, but managed in a halting voice, ”Yes.”
”So, what'd he think?”
His expression was so boyish, she didn't have the heart to tell him the truth. ”He's. . .he doesn't really know you.”
When his happiness disappeared like the sun behind a cloud, she rushed to a.s.sure him what her brother thought was no reflection of what she thought.
Moving her free hand to the outside of his biceps, she squeezed gently. ”Randy's just protective. It doesn't mean anything. All he's heard are rumors.”
She didn't know him well enough to be able to interpret the emotion that tightened his mouth. ”What about you? Do you pay attention to rumors?”
It would be a complete lie for her to say that she wasn't a little intimidated by what she'd heard of him, that she wasn't worried the rumor of his fickleness might be true. The only thing she could say was the rumors hadn't succeeded in making her distance herself.
”I pay attention, but it doesn't mean I always believe them,” she said softly, wanting to avert her gaze but knowing he'd only force her to face him.
”I won't lie to you, Bethany. I haven't been a saint, and I won't be one with you either. But I promise I'll never lie to you or make you promises I can't keep.”
Oh gosh, she hoped he wasn't going to tell her about his former girlfriends. At one time in the past or at some point in the future, things might be different. But for the present she didn't want to know anything about the others.
He leaned down and kissed her quickly. ”Let's get outta here. Are you hungry? Wanna go somewhere?”
Letting go of her dream was difficult and since she might never have another chance, she admitted, ”I wanted to make you dinner.”
He grinned as if she'd suggested taking him on a quick jaunt to Disney World. ”Really? You'd do that?”
”I'd love to. . .if you want me to.”
”OK, but let's go to my place. I want you to see it.”
”I'd have to go shopping--” she tried to get out of it, knowing she'd be uncomfortable there.
”No problem. There's a grocery store on the way.”
She nodded as he turned, putting his arm around her to lead her out, the way he had Nicole Martini the day they'd met.
Cameron was in the back seat again and greeted her as warmly as he would someone he'd known for years. She petted him enthusiastically, not minding when he drooled on her jacket. How could she be mad when he was so sweet and so excited to see her?
”You ever been to The Keys? Florida Keys?” Rod asked after he started the car.
Turning in her seat to face him, she shook her head and reached for the belt buckle.
”You wanna go? Can you take a vacation from work?”
Was he asking her to go away with him? Already? As astonished as she was, she was also tempted. And regretful. ”Do you mean soon? I have to go to Madison tomorrow morning. I was going to tell you later.”
If she'd told him she was visiting an asylum, he couldn't have looked any more crestfallen. ”Why do you need to go there?”
Certainly not because she wanted to, but it was her last option. Something she'd been dreading and antic.i.p.ating at the same time. ”I'm meeting with an investor. I'm not sure how long I'll be there.”
”An investor? You mean for your salon?”
Bethany nodded, unsure of what, if anything, he wanted to know about it.
”You're not in trouble, are you?”
He obviously meant her business, and it shamed her to disclose the truth to someone as successful as she a.s.sumed him to be. ”Not immediate. But I'm not sure I can stay open after this year if I don't get an investor.”
She'd met him at a trade show that summer, and the only thing she'd liked about the idea of acquiring an investor was that he was independent. If nothing had changed, at least he wouldn't turn her salon into a chain. All the joy of owning her own business would disappear if that happened.
”I'm sure I'll be back in a few days.” She tried to smile because he took it as seriously as she did.
”Can I go with you?”
He wasn't joking. That was instantly clear. What was she supposed to do with this man? He was unlike anyone she'd ever met. Everything was on the surface with him. He didn't play games or heed decorum.
”It's business. I don't think you would find it very interesting.”
”I don't care, as long as you're there.”
He was so adorable, she almost burst into tears again. Glancing at her after he pulled into a parking s.p.a.ce at the grocery store, he guessed, ”No?”
It was torture to, but she had to deny him.
”I guess I'll have to go to The Keys with the guys then.”
The lump in her throat and the knot in her stomach told her her time was running out.
It was a house that could be considered beautiful, but nothing except the swimming pool spoke of extreme wealth. The inside had very little by way of color. All the furniture was white, the carpet was white, the curtains. . .
Bethany's mind whirled with the decorating mistakes that could be so easily corrected.
”You live here by yourself?” she asked.
”No. My sister lives here about two weeks a year.”