Forever by Linda Cassidy Lewis Page B

Tom to scratch his ears. “What’s with you, boy? Don’t you recognize me?”
    At the sound of his voice, Max wagged his tail with such enthusiasm his back paws skittered on the hardwood floor. Tom laughed and gave the dog an affectionate swat on the rump, then held the patio door open for him.
    “Go water the red oak, buddy.”
    As Tom stood outside smoking his last cigarette of the day, his thoughts turned back to Annie and he smiled. He would have to watch that. It seemed he couldn’t help getting a silly grin on his face whenever she came to mind. New rule—don’t think of Annie when you’re home. Simple as that. He was a disciplined person.
    When the dog ambled back to the patio, Tom put his cigarette out and turned to open the door. He froze. Jeezus . Where was his head? He shouldn’t be thinking of Annie at home—or anywhere else. With sudden clarity, Tom saw what a stupid thing he’d done by meeting secretly with Annie today. Again he chastised himself for not being honest with Julie about what happened at the theater Saturday night. The fact that he’d been acting so out of character shook him.
    With Max trailing him, Tom stepped back into the kitchen, closed the door, and took off his boots. It was a habit Julie had ordered him to develop when she chose carpeting that resembled a thick layer of oatmeal spread from wall to wall through most of the house. He’d wanted hardwood flooring throughout, but one glance around revealed few of his preferences visible in this house. Then again, no one had ever accused him of having good taste.
    Normally, he’d wait up for Julie, but damn he was exhausted. As he climbed the stairs, stripped, and fell into bed, he replayed bits of the evening’s conversation with Annie. His skin crawled when he remembered how she’d referred to him as Jacob. Why had he misled her by seeming to agree about the reincarnation thing? He certainly wasn’t ready to accept that he and Annie had been Jacob and Maggie in some previous life. And even if they were having flashbacks of previous lifetimes, so what? That had nothing to do with his life now. The first chance he got, he would tell Julie everything.
    * * *
    After Annie said her last goodnight to Tom, she hung up the phone and turned to find Kate watching her from across the room.
    “You were talking to a man !”
    Annie smiled. She couldn’t seem to quit smiling tonight. “So what if I was? It’s not the first time.”
    “Well, it’s the first time in ages. ”Kate flopped down on the couch.“Start talking, and tell me everything.”
    “He’s just a guy I had dinner with.” Annie started toward her bedroom.
    “Oh no, you don’t.” Kate jumped up to follow her. “If he was just some ordinary guy, you wouldn’t be floating six inches off the floor.”
    “I met him at work. No big deal.”
    “Omygawd. He’s not one of those kids you work with, is he?”
    Annie shot her a look. “Come on, Kate. I’m not so desperate I’d rob the cradle. Give me a little credit.”
    A bathroom connected their bedrooms, and Annie entered it from her side to remove her makeup. Kate flung herself down on Annie’s bed, making it clear she wouldn’t leave until Annie talked.
    “I’m waiting,” Kate called to her. “Who, what, where? Tell me all the juicy details.”
    Annie kept her waiting while she undressed, slipped on a nightgown, and washed her face. She was brushing her hair when she stepped back into the room. “Tom. His name is Tom Cogan. He’s in construction—”
    “Ooooo, a tanned, muscled bod. So hot.”
    Annie turned away quickly to hide the flush that warmed her face. “We ate dinner together, that’s all.”
    “And construction guys make good money.”
    “Look. He’s just a nice guy, and I enjoy talking to him.”
    “Hey, don’t act like you never notice what a man looks like, and don’t even try to pretend you never consider how much money he makes.”
    “Oh, Kate. I didn’t mean it like that.” Annie