sank into a desk chair and kicked off my shoes.
“And this is Chris walking into your office.” I glanced up to find his smug mug gazing down at me. He pocketed his phone and sat on a chair next to me. Our knees touched. I scooted even closer but tried to be subtle about it.
He reached over and caressed my bruised cheek with his thumb. “It’s been a very long week, and I’ve missed seeing your pretty face. Do you like my ingenious way of getting you alone?”
He’d missed me. I studied the floor, trying to hide the sudden moisture in my eyes. I blinked a silly tear away, and then glanced up to see his gorgeous brown eyes staring into mine. The air crackled.
“I can’t stay long, but I come bearing good news.”
“What’s up?”
“The police picked up the younger guy and his girlfriend. It wasn’t too hard to find them, according to Locksley.”
My shoulders felt a little lighter. “That’s a relief. No word on Mean-Eyes, uh, the other robber?”
“Not yet, but I quote, ‘We’re closing in. It’s only a matter of time.’ I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.”
“Let’s hope.”
Chris’s eyes grew bright as he held my gaze. “I came by to ask if you have plans for this Friday night. And Christmas is coming, you know.”
I hadn’t thought that far ahead, but now that Uncle Marty was home and recovering, and Amee had moved in to take care of him, I didn’t have to worry about either of them. I’d shuffle back to my own house soon. Three was indeed a crowd, and they needed to get into a routine without me taking up space.
I tapped my chin and did a quick review of all the things I had to do in the next few days. “Yeah, I guess I can manage it. Todd and Miralee can cover for me.”
Chris grimaced. “I’d hoped for a bit more enthusiasm, but I’ll take it. Pick you up at seven?”
I nodded.
“And dress up. It’s a special occasion.”
“It is?”
“This will be our second official date, and we’re doing it up right.”
Second date? I guess you could call the interrupted dinner at his mother’s house a date. At the time, my fluttering stomach would have certainly agreed.
He pushed a few strands of hair back behind my ear, and my tummy flipped again as that same cloud of butterflies twirled with abandon. “OK. Sounds delightful. High heels and everything, huh?”
“Yes, please.” He waggled his brows, making me laugh. He pulled me to my feet, and before I had time to bat an eyelash, his arms encircled me. He kissed my lips with deep deliberation.
“I hate to disturb this jubilant reunion but I need your help, Peri.” Todd stood in the doorway, smirking.
I swayed a bit, smoothed my hair, and moistened my lips. They still tingled. “Coming, Todd.”
~*~
It was strange leaving work early and even stranger being back in my own house. Keaton’s had been open until 10:00 p.m. for the last week, and I’d left each night dead on my feet. Tonight, I was already tired but determined to enjoy myself. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been out on a real date. I switched on Christmas music to brighten the evening and finished applying my makeup.
Butterscotch surveyed me with interest as I primped.
I tugged on a new pair of shimmery hose I’d picked up at the mall as I stared at the dress spread across my bed. The last time I’d worn the red party dress was with Mark. We’d been invited to a black-tie holiday soirée at his boss’s house where we danced in the dazzle of Christmas lights. A month later, Mark was gone. My soul had shattered into smithereens, the ache filling my every waking moment. Was I ready for this?
The spark in Chris’s eyes told me he was ready for…something.
Those tingles rushed back and settled in my toes. I pulled the dress over my head, zipped the back, and stared at myself in the broken mirror. More new furniture was due to arrive next week, the day before Christmas. I’d have a new mirror with no cracks, chips, or broken glass. A
“And this is Chris walking into your office.” I glanced up to find his smug mug gazing down at me. He pocketed his phone and sat on a chair next to me. Our knees touched. I scooted even closer but tried to be subtle about it.
He reached over and caressed my bruised cheek with his thumb. “It’s been a very long week, and I’ve missed seeing your pretty face. Do you like my ingenious way of getting you alone?”
He’d missed me. I studied the floor, trying to hide the sudden moisture in my eyes. I blinked a silly tear away, and then glanced up to see his gorgeous brown eyes staring into mine. The air crackled.
“I can’t stay long, but I come bearing good news.”
“What’s up?”
“The police picked up the younger guy and his girlfriend. It wasn’t too hard to find them, according to Locksley.”
My shoulders felt a little lighter. “That’s a relief. No word on Mean-Eyes, uh, the other robber?”
“Not yet, but I quote, ‘We’re closing in. It’s only a matter of time.’ I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.”
“Let’s hope.”
Chris’s eyes grew bright as he held my gaze. “I came by to ask if you have plans for this Friday night. And Christmas is coming, you know.”
I hadn’t thought that far ahead, but now that Uncle Marty was home and recovering, and Amee had moved in to take care of him, I didn’t have to worry about either of them. I’d shuffle back to my own house soon. Three was indeed a crowd, and they needed to get into a routine without me taking up space.
I tapped my chin and did a quick review of all the things I had to do in the next few days. “Yeah, I guess I can manage it. Todd and Miralee can cover for me.”
Chris grimaced. “I’d hoped for a bit more enthusiasm, but I’ll take it. Pick you up at seven?”
I nodded.
“And dress up. It’s a special occasion.”
“It is?”
“This will be our second official date, and we’re doing it up right.”
Second date? I guess you could call the interrupted dinner at his mother’s house a date. At the time, my fluttering stomach would have certainly agreed.
He pushed a few strands of hair back behind my ear, and my tummy flipped again as that same cloud of butterflies twirled with abandon. “OK. Sounds delightful. High heels and everything, huh?”
“Yes, please.” He waggled his brows, making me laugh. He pulled me to my feet, and before I had time to bat an eyelash, his arms encircled me. He kissed my lips with deep deliberation.
“I hate to disturb this jubilant reunion but I need your help, Peri.” Todd stood in the doorway, smirking.
I swayed a bit, smoothed my hair, and moistened my lips. They still tingled. “Coming, Todd.”
~*~
It was strange leaving work early and even stranger being back in my own house. Keaton’s had been open until 10:00 p.m. for the last week, and I’d left each night dead on my feet. Tonight, I was already tired but determined to enjoy myself. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been out on a real date. I switched on Christmas music to brighten the evening and finished applying my makeup.
Butterscotch surveyed me with interest as I primped.
I tugged on a new pair of shimmery hose I’d picked up at the mall as I stared at the dress spread across my bed. The last time I’d worn the red party dress was with Mark. We’d been invited to a black-tie holiday soirée at his boss’s house where we danced in the dazzle of Christmas lights. A month later, Mark was gone. My soul had shattered into smithereens, the ache filling my every waking moment. Was I ready for this?
The spark in Chris’s eyes told me he was ready for…something.
Those tingles rushed back and settled in my toes. I pulled the dress over my head, zipped the back, and stared at myself in the broken mirror. More new furniture was due to arrive next week, the day before Christmas. I’d have a new mirror with no cracks, chips, or broken glass. A
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