by Mitzi Kelly
“So how about it?”
She stopped blotting and looked up. “How about what?”
“Let’s go out somewhere.”
“You mean double date with Clyde and Miriam to smooth things for them?”
“No, I mean just you and me.”
“Yeah, right.” She rolled her eyes. “We get together almost every day of the week. We work, and we eat, and we laugh.” She figured it would be wise not to mention the few times they had slipped in some additional activities. “I share meals with you more often than I eat by myself.”
“I’m talking about a real date.”
She looked at him. He was serious. Her heart did a little flip-flop. They were treading on dangerous territory. “Where would we go…the hardware store? I’m not sure I have the wardrobe for that.”
He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. He seemed to be mulling something around in his mind.
She held his gaze, hoping he couldn’t tell how unsettled she was at the mere thought of a real date with him. Up to this point, all of their time together had been random events or casual arrangements. Good lord, the way her insides were quivering, she might as well be back in high school.
A date with him would be going against every rule she’d set for herself. She wasn’t against dating, and she wasn’t against falling in love. But it had to happen with the right man at the right time and under the right circumstances. And she didn’t even have to look at her list of requirements to know that despite this growing attraction she felt for Greg, he wasn’t the right man, it certainly wasn’t the right time, and it definitely wasn’t the right circumstances.
She was playing with fire. Her emotions were overriding common sense. She was learning Greg was a good man and a really good friend, but he held secrets he wasn’t going to share, and he was quite happy being the single man with no relationship obligations. He hadn’t actually voiced these feelings, but Ginger had been down this road before.
Everything would change if she decided to test the waters and cross the line into a more serious relationship. It would all be one-sided. Without a doubt, she would end up with a broken heart, and with Greg, she might not be able to recover.
What they shared now was working just fine. Changing anything just wasn’t worth the risk.
Greg leaned forward, his elbows planted on his knees. “We need a break from the normal stimulating get-togethers.” He grinned. “If not, we risk the threat of serious burn out. So tonight we’re going to do something really boring like going out to dinner and ordering something besides pizza and hamburgers, and then we’ll work off our over-indulgence by going dancing.”
“We had steaks last night,” she reminded him. Panic was starting to set in. Not because she knew he was in earnest about the idea, but because his plan was so appealing.
“You’re right,” he agreed. “And that was exciting, wasn’t it? I said we needed to do something boring. We’ll have waiters dressed in jackets and bow ties bring us our meal. It will take every ounce of strength we have to stay awake while people wait on us hand and foot.”
“Gee, as…boring…as all that sounds, I think I’ll pass,” she said, forcing a small laugh. She started to gather up the trash from their meal when he stopped her by placing his hand over hers.
“Ginger, are you afraid of me?” he asked softly.
“Afraid of you?” Hell, yes! “Whatever gave you that idea?”
“Look.” He interlaced his fingers with hers. “We talked about keeping our relationship on a casual level, and I agreed with you. But there’s nothing wrong with wanting to go out with your friend and have a good time. You’ll get to dance, which I recently found out you love, and I’ll get to enjoy an evening with a very good friend who isn’t going to want to know when I’ll call again. There’s no pressure, Ginger. Just dinner and dancing, I promise.”
She stared at her small hand folded into his much bigger one. When he put it like that, she felt foolish for her response. To say there was no pressure was a lie, though. To him, it was just a casual night out with a friend. But to her, she knew she’d be cataloging the evening in the top drawer of her “wish it could be” file cabinet. However, that wasn’t Greg’s fault, and if she wanted to keep this friendship alive, she’d have to relax and try to look at things from his point of view. It’s just a casual night out between friends.
She raised her eyes and looked at him. “You’re probably going to regret this. Something happens to my appetite when I’m at a fancy restaurant. I can’t seem to get enough to eat.”
Chapter Seventeen
That afternoon, Greg helped Ginger lock up the office. He held her car door open and once she was settled, informed her he would pick her up in a couple of hours. With a smile on his face, he watched as she pulled out of the parking lot.
He knew she was nervous about tonight, and that was good. He wanted her off-balance. Now more than ever, he was determined to carry their relationship up to a higher level. Ginger had a rare quality that was appealing. The more he was around her, the more he wanted to be around her.
She made him feel alive. Hell, he thought to himself, shaking his head as he climbed into his truck and headed home, she made him feel a lot of things.
He felt protective of her, even though she was more than capable of taking care of herself. But stepping in to help when she had a dead battery on her car, or lifting heavy cartons of ceramic tile, or even more recently when she had spilled gasoline in her living room, brought out a desire to be her champion against anything that could prove to be difficult or dangerous.
Most important, when he was with Ginger, he felt…whole. They seemed to be two different pieces of a single mold, and when put together, everything meshed. They enjoyed the same activities, their sense of humor coalesced, and even their opinions on current events—although not identical—were at least compatible. Still, they were different enough to challenge each other.
Ginger was everything he could want in a female best friend, and to add icing to the cake, she was beautiful, passionate, and thoughtful. He grinned. And she could build a house if she had to.
Greg pulled into his driveway and jumped out of the truck. He was going to show Ginger a really good time tonight partly to show his appreciation for the wonderful person she was and partly to show her they could engage in a more serious relationship, that nothing in her life would have to change because of the special friendship they shared.
His feelings for Ginger should be sending out all kinds of warning bells, but if they were ringing, he didn’t hear them. There was just something so right about being with her. It was unbelievably…easy.
He paused on the sidewalk leading to the front porch. It suddenly hit him. The affection developing for Ginger—the relationship that was fun and exciting—these were experiences he couldn’t recall feeling even for his old fiancée, much less any of the women that had come into his life.
He had settled, accepted what wasn’t there. From the time his mother so casually walked out of his life, he had created a barrier around himself that successfully shielded him from pain and suffering. He hated to admit it, but he realized now he’d gotten engaged because he was tired of dating just for the sake of dating. Choosing someone to become his partner had been a cop out, a way of saying, Hey! I’m normal. I’m not bitter and angry about the women in my past who have taken advantage of me. I don’t have any screws loose in the emotional department.
If someone had tried to explain this to him a few years ago, he would have laughed in their face.
It was easy to be content when the ride was smooth and steady with no surprises. But for two people to be truly happy, the ride should be a roller-coaster of twists and turns, and unexpected climbs and heart-stopping dips. That was life. And when the roller-coaster slowed to a stop and the couple who began the ride together were still sitting beside each other and laughing at the conquered obstacles of life, then genuine happiness was discovered.
Wow. He shook his head and continued up the front walkway. Such serious thoughts. He and Ginger were going on their first date, not buying tickets to a carnival ride that would determine their future.
Whistling, he unlocked the front door and wondered if he should get a dog. He was getting used to being greeted like Santa Claus every time he went to Ginger’s house, making the entry into his own home feel subdued, quiet, and…boring.
****
Ginger was distracted when she got out of her car late that afternoon, and so she didn’t immediately notice her neighbor walking toward her. The tone of Jack’s bark, the one it seemed he reserved exclusively for Rick, should have alerted her, but the noise barely registered as her thoughts focused on the few dresses she had hanging in her closet. Greg had told her to wear something fancy tonight, but the truth was, she didn’t have many outfits to choose from. There were several business suits, thanks to her previous job, but she didn’t think that’s what he meant by “fancy.” Of course, there was always that little—
“Hello, neighbor,” Rick Thornton said.
Ginger jumped. Rick had stopped on the sidewalk, just a couple of feet away. She looked up into his smiling blue eyes. “You startled me.” She forced a smile. She wasn’t in the mood to spend time talking to him.
“I can see that. You seemed to be lost in another world. Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear that. I couldn’t help but notice you’ve been gone most evenings lately, and I was hoping nothing serious was wrong with your friend.”
A cold chill crept up her back. Her smile hardened slightly, but she didn’t respond to his comment. He was fishing for information, but why, she couldn’t imagine. He couldn’t help but notice? What a crock. The only way he would notice my coming and going in the first place is if he were intentionally keeping tabs on me.
Surreptitiously, she glanced over his shoulder at the neighboring houses. Two houses over and across the street, a neighbor was out watering his yard. Farther down the street, an older gentleman was just getting out of his car. Nobody was paying attention to her, but at least she didn’t feel alone.
Hefting her purse on her shoulder, she took a step away from him. “I appreciate your concern, Rick, but I have to run now.”
“Wait,” he said quickly and then gave a frustrated glance toward her house where Jack was making enough noise to wake the dead. She needed to remember to give her dog two biscuits when she went inside.
She gave Rick a pointed look, not bothering to hide her impatience. She remained where she was, but she imperceptibly balanced her weight on the balls of her feet. She didn’t know why she felt as if she should be prepared to run, but once the thought entered her mind, she couldn’t ignore it. Better safe than sorry, as the old saying went. Even if she did feel a little ridiculous.
Rick Thornton made her uncomfortable for a number of reasons. Even worse, he made Jack uncomfortable. Rick was a very strange man, and she didn’t want him to mistake her neighborly politeness as encouragement for anything more.
He gave a self-deprecating smile and shook his head. “I’m sorry. That sounded a little desperate, didn’t it? I actually had a reason for stopping you.”
His expression was warm and friendly, but she had the feeling he was working hard to project that impression. She raised her eyebrows slightly, indicating he should hurry with his remarks.
“I’d like to invite you over for dinner Friday night.”
Her eyebrows rose even higher. Dinner? At his house? That was the last thing she had expected. Oh, hell, no!
“Thank you, Rick, but I’m afraid I can’t make it. It was thoughtful of you to ask, but I have so much going on right now I just can’t—”
“It’s just dinner,” he broke in hurriedly. “You don’t even have to stay afterward. I’ve been experimenting in the kitchen, and, if I do say so myself, I think I’ve discovered a hidden talent. I’d really like to show off what I’ve learned.” His expression had turned shy, and his voice took on a slightly pleading tone.
She ignored the tug on her heartstrings. He was obviously lonely, and for some reason, he’d latched onto her. Probably because she’d taken the time to be nice to him, but she couldn’t let her sympathy overrule her common sense. She had a feeling that even if she gave him the standard “rain check” excuse, he wouldn’t take the hint and would pester her for a definite date. His awkwardness in the social realm might be charming if alarm bells didn’t clang every time he came near.
“You’re very sweet to want to cook dinner for me.” She hoped he wouldn’t push the idea any further. “Unfortunately, I really can’t make it, Rick. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I really need to go inside. Jack has been known to push right through a window before.” That wasn’t true, of course, but she was pleased to see a wary look cross his face as he glanced toward the front of her house.
Giving him a firm farewell smile, she hurried to her front door. The minute she entered her house, she bent down and gave Jack a huge hug. The hair on his neck was standing straight up, but she was proud her four-legged security system worked so well. “I know, big guy, he gives me the creeps, too. Hopefully, that will be the last time you have to worry about him.” And just as she’d promised, she gave him two biscuits.
****
The doorbell rang precisely at seven thirty. Ginger let out a deep breath and took one last look in the full-length mirror. She had decided on her favorite black dress, which could be dressed up to be considered appropriate for the most elegant affairs. The dress was comfortably tight without pinching, hitting mid-thigh with a sleeveless, off-the-shoulder neckline. She added small diamond earrings and a dainty pearl and diamond necklace. Her hair was swept up in a casual knot, and she’d applied a little more makeup than usual, highlighting her eyes and cheekbones. She slipped into three-inch heels, pleased to note the sun had already tanned her legs a rich, golden-brown shade. A subtle spray of her favorite fragrance completed the ensemble.
“It’ll have to do,” she murmured. She was more than a little nervous. It had been quite a while since she dressed up for a date, even a pretend date such as this was, and she prayed that during the evening she didn’t stumble and trip, or knock over a glass, or something else equally embarrassing.
She had a feeling Greg was fully aware she was a little jittery about their date tonight. And that he was happy about it. Which made her determined, despite her nervousness, to present a nonchalant attitude about the whole affair. This was just a casual evening between friends who had nothing better to do tonight. That’s all it was. Right?
She picked up the matching black purse and her keys and walked to the door with Jack prancing beside her in excitement. “You know you can’t go with us, don’t you?” She grinned, rubbing him on the head. For an answer, he darted ahead of her. Ginger shook her head and laughed. “Greg’s not going to let you go, either.”
Still laughing, she opened the door, and her breath caught in her throat. Nonchalant flew out the window. Wow didn’t even begin to describe the sight in front of her. Her first thought was that Greg Tucker really cleaned up nice. Her second thought was…double wow!
He wore a black western-style suit with a white silk shirt and red tie. The jacket emphasized his broad shoulders tapering down to a flat stomach and lean hips. His legs looked even longer than normal, the sharp crease of the slacks folding perfectly on top of black, polished boots. The lock of hair that always fell across his forehead was tamed down to the side, and he smelled like a mixture of woods and musk.
Her eyes met his, and she realized while she had been drooling over the perfect image he presented, he had evidently been doing the same to her. Hi
s eyes had darkened to an even deeper shade, glittering like onyx jewels in the glow of the porch light. He appeared almost awestruck, and she found herself trembling under his scrutiny.
“You have always impressed me, whether you’re wearing cutoff shorts, jeans, or T-shirts,” he said, his voice deep and husky, “but I have to admit, the way you look in that dress just blows me away.”
Heat rose in her face, but she fought the urge to duck her head. She looked him straight in the eye, pleasure over his words engulfing her like a gentle breeze. “Thank you, kind sir,” she said softly. “And may I say the same to you? Since beautiful is not an accepted term to describe a man, I’ll have to say you are very handsome.”
A slow smile crossed his face as he reached to take her keys from her hand. “Well, let’s not waste any time, then. Let’s go dazzle the lowly peasants of our court, my princess.”
He leaned down to give Jack a quick pet, instructing him to watch over the house, and then closed and locked her door. Dropping her keys in his pocket, he held out his arm, which she gladly took, and escorted her to his truck, the words my princess echoing in her mind. She couldn’t remember the last time she had felt so…feminine. He stood a good six inches taller than her, even with her wearing high heels.
All her uncertainties about the wisdom of going out with him vanished as he helped her into the truck. She sank down into the soft leather and waited while he went around to the driver’s side. She did feel like a princess, and she wasn’t going to allow the feeling to perish just because of her unfounded fears of returning home in a pumpkin. For this night, and maybe only this night, she was going to push all her insecurities away and enjoy what was right in front of her.
Greg drove downtown and valet parked in front of a tall, glass-fronted hotel, the lights from the surrounding buildings dancing across the black panes. Music and conversation whispered from different directions through the calm air as people mingled on the street, some obviously tourists walking slowly as they searched for shops and attractions, some evidently locals who were out for an evening of fun and entertainment.