Angel in Disguise by Patt Marr Page A

high-fiving each other. Brad’s still got his camera on us.”
    “Okay, one more big kiss and the show’s over.”
    Gathering her in his arms, pulling her across his chest, Pete kissed her as if he were starving for her. It was only an act, Sunny’s mind screamed, but the rest of her just didn’t know the difference.
    Pulling back, he smoothed her hair. It was such a simple, unexpected gesture, but it stirred somethinginside. Watching him back out of her drive, she was so glad he’d come into her life.
    “You were terrific!” She had to say it, at least this once. “If that doesn’t silence Bruce, nothing will.”
    His slow, sexy smile nearly took her breath away. “Think they’ll wonder how we could get so hot and heavy on a first date?”
    “Part Two of a first date.”
    “Right. That explains it.” He laughed softly, shaking his head. “I just hope your reputation isn’t worse now than it was.”
    “You’re not saying I’m ‘easy’?”
    “Oh, no, not me. I’m not crazy enough to rile a wild woman when there’s no place to run.”
    “I was pretty wild, wasn’t I?”
    “No—” he grinned “—you were perfect.”

Chapter Four
    T urning in her seat, noticing the TV van had caught up with them, she asked, “How long do you think the Dream Date crew will stay with us?”
    “Meggy said they would head back once we started up the trail.”
    “How long should we wait to make sure they’re gone before heading back ourselves?” They had agreed they wouldn’t actually do Part Two of the date. She didn’t feel right about camping overnight with a guy, and Pete said he understood.
    “Not long. We could do something else after they’re gone,” he said, glancing her way to check out her reaction. “Would you like to get something to eat? We don’t have to end the date early.”
    He really did have the sweetest smile she’d ever seen on a guy. It always started in his eyes. She would love to spend more time with him, but he’d already done so much for her, she didn’t want totake advantage of his generosity. With studied nonchalance, she said, “Whatever. You decide.”
    The words were barely out of her mouth when she knew she’d pushed the nonchalance too far. She’d sounded indifferent, as if she could have cared less, and she didn’t feel that way at all. They waited through an entire signal light in silence.
    “I guess we don’t have to decide now,” he said quietly.
    Dating was the pits. It was for kids who believed in magic and miracles, not for has-beens like herself who knew for a fact that fairy dust fades. She needed to make things right, but she’d never been good with words. She’d majored in physical education, for goodness’ sake. She was a person who did it, not said it.
    Lord, help me to know what to say to Pete.
    It was only a little prayer, but it gave her the strength to risk rejection. “How about getting a pizza?” She tried her best smile. “Or a steak? My treat. You choose the place.”
    He glanced away from the road, checking her out, and a smile slid into place. Giddy, she breathed silent thanks. They’d hurdled the bad spot.
    “Let’s have pizza,” he said decisively, “but I’ve got to warn you, I’m not a ‘one-topping’ kind of guy. I like them to run it through the garden, and I’ll need a salad, too, so it’ll cost you. Think you can spring for all that?”
    She’d bet her last nickel Pete would eat nails before he’d let her grab the check, but she was so happy they were comfortable again, that she’d have bought his meals for a week.

    “I’ll buy the pizza,” she said, “if you’ll buy dessert.”
    “Ice cream?”
    “Fine, but it’s got to be pistachio. I love pistachio. What’s your favorite?”
    “Vanilla. I’m not much of a risk taker, although there is this place in the valley that sells peanut butter mocha fudge. I like it a lot. Want to try it after the pizza?”
    “As long as it’s nowhere near San Josita. I