he shook his head chuckling.
“How can you laugh at a time like this?”
“Wait here,” he said with some laughter remaining in his voice.
“Where’re you going? I need a ride home to get my spare keys,” she called after him. “That’s why I was waiting for you,” she said, but doubted he’d heard a single word. Typical man, she sighed kicking a tire in frustration, as she wondered where Richard had gone and what he was up to.
Ten minutes later, he emerged from the building wearing a huge grin and carrying a wire hanger.
“Glad to have found this. These babies seemed to be coming extinct around here.”
“You can open my car door with a hanger?” she asked.
“Sure. You’d be surprised what these hands can do.”
“Why not just drive me home for the spare pair?”
“Oh, ye of such little faith,” he answered as he began to untwist the top of the hanger. When he’d fashioned it to his satisfaction, he said, “Stand aside and watch a professional work.”
With amazement, Carla watched as Richard deftly slipped the hanger, which now had a small hook on its end, down into her window. She saw the determination etched into his pleasant features and intense concentration in his eyes. It was incredible to watch him maneuver the hanger slowly back and forth until he was able to pull up the door latch. She had a fleeting thought that Martin couldn’t even screw in a light bulb without a manual.
“I’m impressed! You can work both sides of the law. Thank you,” she said happily, enthusiastically throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him, suddenly wanting to stand there all day and breathe in his special scent. It felt so good...
After too many beats to count, they finally broke apart. She had no more idea what had made her act that way, but she found it enjoyable—perhaps a little too enjoyable.
Finally, Richard spoke. “You’re very welcome. How about lunch tomorrow?”
“Sure. Do you mind if my friend, Lynne, joins us? We promised to work out together tomorrow.”
“Of course not. I’d like to get to know her better,” declared Richard.
“Okay. It’s a deal. See you then,” Carla said and got into the car.
As she started the engine, she watched Richard pick up his gym bag and walk over to his BMW. It was green just like his eyes.
Chapter Nine
Carla hadn’t realized just how important Richard had become to her until he had to go away for a few days to depose several clients. She was having lunch with Lynne at the 5 & Diner. Since Carla and Richard had discovered the restaurant, Carla would sometimes meet Lynne there or the three of them would hook up for lunch. Though the friends hadn’t seen or spoken to each other much recently, Lynne was only happy to point out the bitchiness that Carla was exhibiting at the moment.
“You’re awfully cranky. I know you’re not PMSing, ‘cause that was what ruined our last lunch together. So tell me, have you and Martin finally brought his philandering out into the open?”
“Martin, who?”
“Be serious.”
“No. As far as Martin’s concerned I’m in Carlaland and too preoccupied with my writing to have noticed what he’s been up to.”
“So things really haven’t changed?”
“Aside from the fact he’s continued to work late so often without any explanation or isn’t to be found when I happen to call him at the showroom, he hardly says three complete sentences to me at a time. No—pardon me—we’re up to five, since I’ve been losing weight. He’s even made a half-hearted attempt to have sex with me.”
“You’re making progress. So what’s with the attitude?”
Carla took a sip of coffee and scrunched up her eyebrows as she pursed her lips in thought.
“I don’t have a clue. I just feel out of sorts, like something’s missing.”
“Or someone?”
“Lynne, what are you trying to say? I’m not in the mood for riddles.”
“I can see that. Chill.”
“I am chilling. See?
Andrew Kane
Guy Johnson
Andrew Martin
Erin M. Leaf
David Handler
Lisa DeVore
E. L. Doctorow
Jennie Jones
Joseph Mitchell
Jackie Moggridge