“Getting ready for work.” She had a hard time keeping the excitement out of her voice.
“Work? Today? I thought you weren’t supposed to start for a couple of weeks.”
Rebecca laughed a little nervously. “I wasn’t, but the lady I’m replacing is having her baby early so they needed me sooner than they thought. I’m actually calling to see how Nicole’s doing, and to give you my new address.”
“Whoa, slow down, woman. You’ve only been in Illinois two and a half days. How can one person move so fast? Does Cassie know that you’ve moved out?”
“She should; I left her a message last night. It’s easy to explain, you know,” she said, trying to grab the bagel without getting burned. She’d have to buy a potholder after work. “Jen had a friend who needed to sublet her apartment and I moved in yesterday. You already know about the job. It doesn’t seem so complicated to me.”
Locke whistled. “I used to think Elliot could keep up with you, but now I’m not so sure. Give me your address. I might want to visit sometime.”
Rebecca hesitated, then the words spilled out. “How’s he doing?”
“Elliot? Not bad. He’s itching to get out of here but he won’t until Nicole’s all the way better.”
Rebecca leaned against the wall. “Why?”
Locke chuckled softly. “Dost mine ears deceive me? Are you concerned about your local columnist?”
Rebecca didn’t say anything to that. “I don’t know why he’s being so stubborn,” Locke continued. “Maybe all journalists and librarians are inflexible when it comes to affairs of the heart. Before I forget,” he said abruptly in an effort to change the subject, “what was that address again?”
She rattled it off to him and then repeated her earlier question. “How is Nicole doing?”
Locke snorted. “She’s been seeing an awful lot of that doctor she met in the hospital. They seem to be getting on very well, so I’d say she’ll be back to her normal self in no time.”
“I thought you said that your parents would transform her into an unknown creature.”
“Oh, they are. But some things are born in you, like the ability to drive Elliot crazy. Why he ever pretended to–oof!” The line was silent.
“Locke? Are you there?”
Muffled sounds came over the phone before Locke came back, breathless. “Elliot walked past and heard that,” he explained. “He tried to grab the phone because he seemed to think I was going to tell you something private. Which I wasn’t,” he said, Rebecca assumed, for Elliot’s benefit. “It’s no secret that you were seeing each other.”
Rebecca glanced at the clock on the microwave and gasped. “Locke, I need to get going or I’ll be late on my first day. Good luck with Elliot.”
“No need for luck. I was born luckier than him. When you realize that, you come see me.”
Rebecca laughed, glad she’d called him. “I’ll do that.”
She ran out to her car, bagel in hand, anxious to get going. It wouldn’t make a very good impression to be late today, she told herself. The car protested as she accelerated up the onramp and she smiled. Elliot had teased her unmercifully about speeding when they were younger; she wondered what he’d think of the pace she set once she was on the freeway. Doubtless he’d be horrified. He always had been incredibly slow on the road.
She was halfway to the library when the car gave a sudden lurch and she almost skidded across three lanes of traffic. Panicked, she pulled off to the side of the expressway and got out of the car, trying to ignore the mass of humanity hurtling past her. When she saw the front tire shredded to pieces, she almost cried.
She opened the trunk. It had been an awfully long time since Elliot had shown her how to change a tire. How hard could it be?
A few minutes later, she was still staring into the trunk, trying to figure out where the jack was. She looked at her watch in despair. “What am I going to do?” she moaned aloud, leaning over the trunk.
“Is something wrong, miss?”
Rebecca turned her head to stare into a perfect, male face–a face she’d seen only a few days before.
“Rebecca? Is that you?”
She straightened slowly. “You have a strange knack for showing up at the most convenient times, Aaron.”
Dressed in an expensive-looking suit, Aaron Sharpe stood behind her, his hands on his hips. “I liked the position you were in before,” he said, his eyes sliding down to her rear end. “It was most picturesque.”
She rolled her eyes. “I don’t suppose you know how to change a tire, do you?”
He threw his head back and laughed. “You’re one of the strangest girls I’ve ever met. I give you compliments and you just ignore them. But you’re in luck,” he said, taking off his coat and rolling up his sleeves. “I told you I was an expert at tire repair. They should have let me be an Eagle Scout.”
“I really appreciate this,” Rebecca said, hovering next to him and trying not to look at her watch. “You’ve really saved me. Is there anything I can do to repay you? Besides learning how to change my own tire, that is.”
Aaron glanced back at her. “If you really wanted to say thank you you’d let me take you out to dinner this weekend.”
Rebecca shook her head. “That hardly seems fair,” she objected. “I should be taking you out, not the other way around.”
“Ah, but there’s where you’re wrong. You’ve spared me from thinking of an excuse to call you. I’ve spent the past few days wondering when you were getting back into town. Now I have my answer.” He stood up and wiped his hands on a towel he had produced from the back seat of his car. “So what do you say? Are we on?” He looked at her, obviously expecting a positive response.
She wondered why she was hesitating. “I’d love to have dinner with you,” she finally answered slowly. “Can I meet you somewhere?”
“Don’t you trust me to pick you up?” Aaron asked, resting against her bumper. “All right, you win this time. Let’s say Saturday around four by the fountain at Navy Pier. We can walk around for a while and then catch dinner at Harry Caray’s.” His smile was dazzling.
“It’s a deal,” she said, trying to figure out how she ended up on a date with one of the most gorgeous men she’d ever seen. “I’ll be looking forward to it.”
“As will I,” he murmured, leaning a little too close to her. His hand grazed hers when he took his coat from her. “Saturday can’t come soon enough.”
***
When she arrived home that evening she could barely drag her feet up the stairs. It had been one of the longest days of her life, and that included the one she had spent at the hospital in Michigan.
She kicked off her shoes and padded up the stairs to the bedroom, shedding hairpins and pulling her blouse from her waistband as she went. When she collapsed on the couch in the library, her phone rang from her skirt pocket. She let it go to voice mail, but when it rang again just a few seconds later, she sighed and fished it out.
“Hello?”
“Rebecca! This is Cassie. How was your first day on the job?”
Rebecca rested her arm over her eyes. “Exhausting. And I haven’t actually seen any children yet.”
“You poor baby. You should draw yourself a nice hot bath and soak. That always makes me feel better when I’m stressed.”
Wondering why Cassie would ever be stressed, she rolled onto her side. “That’s not a bad idea. The tub here is phenomenal. You should see it.” She tried to stifle a yawn.
“Well, I’ll be back on Friday so maybe I’ll come by and get the grand tour.”
Her arm fell off the couch. “You’re coming home? Is Nicole coming with you?” And Elliot, she wanted to ask.
“No, she’s staying here with Michael. They won’t be back for a couple more weeks or so.”
“Aren’t you going to miss your husband?”
“Of course I am! But I won’t be away very long; I’ll be in Chicago a few days to get things arranged for college in the fall and t
hen I’ll fly back. He won’t even notice I’m gone.”
“You know, you could do that from where you are. I thought you were trying to economize.”
“I am economizing. I’m flying coach.”
Rebecca knew she’d hurt her sister’s feelings if she laughed so she turned it into a cough at the last minute. “Well, we’ll have to do something when you’re here. Something that doesn’t include shopping,” she added.
She could almost hear the gears in Cassie’s head turning. “Let’s hang out on Saturday, then. We could watch movies all night, like when we were kids.”
Rebecca got up and wandered to the bedroom. A bath really did sound heavenly. “I can’t,” she said as she tried to figure out the different knobs on the tub. “I don’t have a television, for one thing, and Saturday I have a date.”
Almost immediately she knew she’d said the wrong thing, because Cassie started squealing. “A date? Who asked you out? Do I know him? Is he cute? This isn’t one of Faye’s set-ups, is it?”
Rebecca laughed, more at herself than at Cassie. “No, he’s not a blind date. I had a flat tire on the expressway this morning and was conveniently rescued by none other than Aaron Sharpe.”
“No way. What are the odds of running into him with millions of people commuting into the city all at the same time?”
That was a good question, one that she’d have to think about when her brain was back to normal functioning power. Maybe after a good long soak. “Beats me. But he asked me to dinner and Navy Pier after he changed my tire, and we’re going on Saturday evening. We can do something the next day if you want.”
Without missing a beat, Cassie exclaimed, “I know! I’ll help you get ready! I know this great spa–”
“Cassie, I’m not going to a spa just for a date with Aaron. Even though he is awfully hot. I would appreciate some help, though.”
“I can’t wait. I’ll come over in the morning and we can get started right away. I’m so excited; it’ll be like a slumber party!”
“Wait a minute. What’s this about a slumber party?”
“You don’t think I’ll let you go out with a guy like Aaron Sharpe and not wait around until you get home, do you?”
Rebecca had hoped she’d just go back to her own apartment and leave the interrogation for another time. “I guess not,” she sighed. “I’ll talk to you then.”
The rest of the week seemed to fly past her, full of small children clamoring for a different colored crayon and books strewn all over several libraries’ floors. She hadn’t spent this much time on her hands and knees since she was learning how to walk. By the time she fell asleep Friday night, she was glad it was the weekend.
She had been so sure Cassie wouldn’t show up until after noon that she was puzzled and groggy when someone pounded on her door the next morning at ten. She stumbled down the stairs and looked out the peephole. Cassie stood on her doorstep, talking to a man in a delivery uniform.
Cassie breezed in when Rebecca opened the door, ushered the man inside without a second thought. “Where do you want this?” she demanded, pointing at a very large box he was struggling to carry inside. The box had a picture of a television on it.
Rebecca tried to make sense of what was in front of her. “What is this?” she asked. “And what are you doing here? You’re hardly ever awake at this hour.”
“I’m practicing for college,” Cassie replied. “You know, getting ready for all those early morning classes. And this is a house-warming present.”
“Excuse me, ladies, but I’m on a tight schedule here. Can I set this down somewhere?” The veins on the man’s arms were bulging.
Still dumbfounded, Rebecca motioned to the stairs in the kitchen. “Up there, I’m afraid. I’m sorry; do you want any help?”
The man looked at her for only a second and then started to chuckle. “There’s no way you can help me get this thing up those stairs,” he said. “I think it weighs more than you do.” He sighed heavily and then hoisted it up higher in his arms. He had a hard time fitting it through the kitchen.
“This is a very… green room,” Cassie said blandly, looking around. “I hope you’re planning on redecorating.”
“That was part of the deal.” Rebecca yawned. “I was planning on getting some paint next weekend. You didn’t have to buy me a television, you know,” she added, following the installation man up the stairs. “I’ve lived without one perfectly well for five years now. And I thought you were economizing.”
“I am; it was on sale.” Cassie waved her arm in the air dismissively and followed her. “How were we supposed to watch movies tomorrow without a TV? Besides, I’ll need something to do while you’re on your hot date tonight. Wow, this is worth the green paint.”
Rebecca grinned at her sister’s astonished face when they reached the library. “Wait until you see the bathroom.”
She showered while Cassie flipped through channels on the newly installed appliance, and then they inspected her closet for something appropriate to wear that afternoon.
“I’m not wearing that,” Rebecca said emphatically when Cassie pulled out the black dress she’d worn to Elliot’s party several weeks earlier. “We’ll be at Navy Pier. That’s not really a fancy place.”
“You’re probably right,” Cassie said sadly, placing the dress carefully back in its place. “But you looked so great in it. I’m sure Aaron would approve.”
“That’s too bad. How about something a little more casual? Like something with legs.”
Several hours later, after a leisurely breakfast that Cassie had thought to bring with her, Rebecca was dragged back into her bedroom and told to behave. After much debate, and a few near-tantrums on Cassie’s part that Rebecca was certain were staged so she could get her own way, they settled on pants. “I can’t believe I’m letting you out of the house in a pair of slacks for a first date,” Cassie moaned and a red top that Rebecca was sure was too tight.
“You look amazing,” Cassie said when they were finished. “Aaron won’t be able to keep his eyes off of you.”
As long as his hands don’t have the same problem, Rebecca thought. “Thanks for your help. Are you sure you won’t be bored while I’m gone?”
Cassie pushed her down the stairs and out the door. “I’ll be fine. I might even try to cook myself something for dinner!” She laughed when she saw Rebecca’s panicked expression. “I’m kidding,” she said. “Now go or you’ll be late. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” she called as Rebecca stepped into the hazy afternoon sunshine.
She parked the car not far from Navy Pier and walked toward the fountain, hoping she wasn’t too early. To her relief, Aaron was already there. He was leaning casually against a park bench. He straightened immediately when he saw her.
His eyes crept down her body and then back up again appreciatively before he took her hand and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m glad to see you,” he said in her ear. “I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”
Rebecca smiled up at him and turned toward the entrance. “Shall we?” she said. Aaron placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her purposefully past the tour boats. “Where are we going?” she asked, watching a mother try to convince her small son to ride the Ferris wheel. “I thought we were just going to walk around and take in the sights.”
“We are, after we get cultured. I thought we could take in a little Taming of the Shrew. The Chicago Shakespeare Theatre is just down here, and they’re doing scenes from several of the plays.”
Rebecca glanced at him. “Am I Kate before or after the taming?”
Aaron smiled at her, his eyes flashing. “I’d say you were a very intriguing mix of the two. I could see myself enjoying a little taming.”
Rebecca looked away quickly, starting to feel uncomfortable. “I’m just kidding,” Aaron said a second later, snaking his arm around her waist. “You just look very tantalizing in that shirt. I highly approve of the choice.”
She smiled weakly
at him. She was going to kill Cassie when she got home that evening. When they sat down in the outdoor theatre, she made sure they weren’t touching.
She relaxed a little when the actors started their scenes. They weren’t performing the entire play, she realized, but were instead doing portions of two scenes at the same time. It was so interesting to watch a post-taming Kate chastise her previous self that she fell into the spell of the words and the ideas, only coming out of her trance when the actors took their bows.
“That was amazing, Elliot,” she said before turning her head to look at the man next to her.
Her body jerked when she realized she had said the wrong name, but Aaron didn’t seem to notice. He was looking at something outside the theatre and only noticed her when she stood to leave.
“Oh, are we done? I’m afraid Shakespeare isn’t one of my strengths.” He smiled at her disarmingly. “Did you enjoy the performance?”
As they wandered through the shops, Aaron’s arm around her waist once more, Rebecca wondered why she’d thought Elliot was with her. It must be because he’s been around so much recently, she decided. Not because I was wishing he was here, or missing his literary analysis. She thought back to all their debates in high school, when Elliot would inevitably have a differing opinion on whatever they were reading in English class. She wondered why he’d chosen journalism instead of writing, or even editing.
Aaron shook her gently. “Rebecca? Are you still here?”
She blinked and realized that he’d probably been talking to her for some time. “I’m sorry,” she said, flustered. “I must have been wool-gathering. What did you say again?”
A flash of annoyance crossed his face but was gone so quickly she wasn’t sure she’d seen it. “That’s fine,” he said. “I was just wondering if you were ready for dinner yet. Our reservation is in half an hour.”
“That sounds great,” she agreed. She was going to have to try to pay more attention in the future. The last thing she wanted on this date was the shadow of Elliot lurking over her shoulder.
It was dark when they finally finished their meal and were preparing to leave the restaurant. “Have you seen the holy cow yet?” she asked Aaron.
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