by Dorie Graham
Her two-year relationship with software guru Todd Jeffries had ended some nine weeks ago, when he’d left the country to share his expertise with a company in Japan. He hadn’t understood why she wouldn’t chuck her job to go with him.
She turned to Kamira. “Are you sure they delivered them to the right address?”
“Definitely. Sure you aren’t keeping secrets?”
“I have no life. You know that.”
“Ah…then there’s only one thing it could be.”
“What’s that?”
Kamira squeezed her arm. “You, dear, have a secret admirer.”
SHE’S KEEPING SECRETS. Adam frowned later that evening as Lauren pulled her meat loaf from the oven, a mysterious smile curving her lips. She’d never kept anything from him before. What could it be? Steam rose around them, filling the kitchen with the spicy scent.
Beside her, he inhaled deeply, his worry easing with the distraction. If she ever realized how easily she could control him with the promise of her home cooking, he’d be in big trouble.
“Ah, I knew you still had it in you.” His gaze fell hungrily on the delicacy. “It’s a rare treat. You’ve been holding out on me.”
With a shake of her head, she set the pan on the stove. “You know I’ve been busy.” She cast him a sideways glance. “And I’m not getting into another argument about my long work hours. I’m doing something productive and worthwhile with my life. Nights like this will have to remain rare treats.”
“I can help you round up more business. Then you could hire an assistant to help out.”
“I appreciate the few clients you’ve referred. And I’ll certainly follow up on every lead you send my way, but you know how I feel about you trying to fix all my problems.”
“It doesn’t hurt you to accept a little help now and then.”
“And I have and I thank you. But I’m a big girl. This is my agency and it’s my responsibility to generate the business. You can’t do everything for me.”
Adam popped the top on a beer he’d pulled from the refrigerator. He handed the drink to her, before grabbing another for himself. He let the conversation drop. They’d discussed her work habits too many times already. Not that he’d quit doing what he could to round up clients for her. He ran into so many people while playing tennis and golf, that it wasn’t an effort to scrape up a referral or two. He just didn’t have to tell her what he was doing.
He took a sip and let his thoughts drift. Funny how the moment he’d said he needed a wife, he’d known it was true. Yes, this was what he wanted. A home-cooked meal and someone to share it with. Sipping wine at the local bistro just didn’t cut it anymore.
Not that Lauren spent her evenings casually sipping wine, unless she was courting a new client. Then there was nothing casual about it. The woman spent way too much time with her nose to the grindstone. Maybe she’d eventually come to realize that work did not make the world go round.
He saluted her with his can, too relaxed to argue with her. Maybe she would enjoy this off night enough to begin wanting a personal life for herself again. “It doesn’t get better than this.”
She raised her beer in return. “Another big account or two would help.” After taking a long swallow, she continued, “But I have to admit spending time in the kitchen wasn’t so bad.”
His gaze traveled over Kamira’s mini jungle of plants that softened the white cabinets and the tan and white–striped walls. Lauren stood framed by the stove and the assortment of pots and pans brimming with the side dishes she’d taken such pleasure in creating, even though she rarely indulged in her old pastime anymore. Her face radiated contentment.
Again, that mysterious smile flickered across her lips.
Was it the mere act of cooking that had brought on that glow, or was she really hiding something?
“So, how’s everything going?” he asked.
“Great. Finalized that deal with the car wash.”
“I didn’t mean with work.”
A soft pink flushed her cheeks. “What makes you ask?”
“I don’t know. There’s something…different about you tonight.” When was the last time he’d seen her blush? He shifted, trying to pinpoint exactly what was different about her.
She busied herself with transferring food into serving dishes. “Did you notice the roses on your way in?”
He glanced through the kitchen’s archway toward the foyer. A bunch of white roses filled a vase on a table near the door. “So, who sent you roses?”
Her eyes brightened and her lips curved into a smile. “Don’t know. Kamira thinks I have a secret admirer.”
“Ah, this wouldn’t have anything to do with that talk we had earlier?” He couldn’t keep the slight annoyance from his voice as he helped her move the dishes to the drop-leaf table.
“No. You think I’d anonymously send myself flowers, just to prove a point to you?”
He laughed, perplexed. “Of course not.” Why was he annoyed? “It’s just a strange coincidence, don’t you think?”
“I’m as surprised as you are.”
“And you have no idea who sent them?”
“No, but I have to admit it’s very flattering. Which brings us back to our earlier conversation. Romancing the woman of your choice is definitely the way to go.”
She cocked her head. “I hadn’t thought about it in exactly these terms, but the whole secret-admirer thing does add a nice touch.”
He made a deliberate effort to relax his jaw. So Lauren had a secret admirer. She’d had a fair number of men in her life, and that had never bothered him before. Wasn’t this what he’d been pestering her about over the past months—encouraging her to find a life outside of work?
She was a phenomenal woman, a flower among thorns. With her golden beauty and welcoming way, she was bound to draw masculine attention. Her allure lay not only in the deep green of her eyes and the generous swell of her hips and breasts—though those were enticement enough—but also in the patience and love she extended to all lucky enough to fall into her life.
Adam had always considered himself fortunate in that respect. Though his parents had never seen their way to spending more than a two-week span in his presence, Lauren had remained steadfast by his side for well over twenty years.
“You need to be careful, though,” he said. “He could be anyone.”
“Don’t go getting all protective on me, Adam. Whoever sent those roses is the sensitive type. I can’t imagine he’d be dangerous.”
“At least he’s not ostentatious in his gift giving. I hate gift buying for its pure material value.”
She turned toward him, her hands planted on her hips. “I never meant it that way.”
Waving his hand in a gesture of peace, he continued, “In this case, the value is on the thought, since the sender remains anonymous.”
“Well, it does build a sense of expectation, which is kind of nice. Of course, we could be making a mountain out of a molehill. This could be an isolated incident.”
Adam appraised her a moment. In the soft light of the kitchen, with her cheeks flushed and her eyes glowing, Lauren was one hell of an attractive woman—a desirable woman.
As he’d done so many times in the past, he stifled the thought. Somehow it just seemed wrong to think of her in that way. She was like a sister to him. She’d surely be horrified to know he harbored a fantasy—or two—about her.
“Somehow, I don’t think so,” he said. “And eventually, he’s going to make himself known. Otherwise, what’s the point?”
A sound of exasperation escaped her. “The point is the anticipation, the thrill, the romance.”
That irrational annoyance rose again in him. “The point is, this guy wants to get you in bed.”
“That’s not fair. You don’t even know him—”
“He’s a guy. What else is there to know?”
“Well, you’re a guy.”
“And you think I’ve never thought of you in that way?
”
Her eyes widened. Silence hung over them. Adam gritted his teeth. Why had he blurted that out?
The front door slammed a moment before Kamira breezed into the kitchen, her cat at her heels. “You didn’t tell me you were making your meat loaf.”
“We’re just getting started.” He pulled out a chair for her.
Lauren retrieved another plate from the cabinet. And you think I’ve never thought of you in that way? Adam’s words rang through her mind. Well, he was a guy. She should have expected this…but somehow, it was so…surprising.
She set the plate before Kamira, then sat beside her, purposely avoiding looking at Adam as he took his place on her other side. The weight of his gaze bored down on her.
“I thought you were at the clinic,” she said to Kamira, a nurse at the women’s center.
Kamira heaped large portions of the meal onto her plate. “Mmm. I just dropped off the tile samples. I’ll be happy when this new section is ready. I swear, there’s a baby boom going on. We need the space for all our new patients.”
“The women’s center is expanding?” Adam asked. He hadn’t made a move toward any of the dishes.
“Didn’t Lauren tell you? She’s been volunteering down there. She helped knock down the wall between our offices and the empty space next door. Boy, can she swing a sledgehammer.”
“Patterson, the building’s owner,” Lauren added for Adam’s benefit, though she still refused to look at him, “wanted to give me the first swing, but I had this fear the roof would tumble down on us, so he went first.”
“Ha, but we all got into it after a while.” Kamira smiled.
Keeping her attention on the bowl of whipped potatoes, Lauren bobbed her head. “Very cathartic. I got all my aggression out.”
Kamira’s eyes rounded. “I’ll tell you who else looked good swinging a hammer. Patterson’s son. If that boy was five years older, I’d drop Greg in a heartbeat.”
“Mark?” Lauren chuckled, then stopped. She’d filled half her plate with potatoes. “I think he’s Rusty’s age.”
She smiled, thinking of her younger brother. He’d taken off to work the oil rigs in Texas after graduating from the University of Georgia last year. It’d been harder to let him go than she’d thought, having felt responsible for him for so long.
“Of course, he dropped me a line a while back that he was dating an older woman. Mark’s young, but you’d better be careful. You just never know,” she said.
“He’s a very mature twenty-two, and is well read in all the classics.” The one dimple in Kamira’s left cheek flashed as she grinned. “He’d be a great cause—so much to teach that young, open mind. But Greg’s safe. I’m no cradle robber.”
“I’ve got a cause for you.” Heat filled Lauren’s cheeks as she glanced at Adam, then back at Kamira. “Help me find Adam a new lady friend.”
Maybe Kamira would take over the task for her. Somehow, playing matchmaker for him held little appeal.
“What?” Straightening, Kamira turned to Adam. “Since when are you having trouble finding women?”
“Since he wants to get serious with one,” Lauren answered for him.
Kamira’s mouth spread slowly into a wide smile. “Adam, you’re wanting to settle down?”
“If I find the right woman.”
“Wow. That’s so sweet.”
Lauren picked at her potatoes. “He wants a new best friend he can have sex with.”
The words tumbled out, surprising her. The heat in her cheeks intensified. She glanced at Adam.
He blinked, then his mouth quirked to one side. “Friendship and mutual respect like we have are vital to any relationship.”
“And where did you read that?” Eyebrows raised, Kamira nodded toward his empty plate. “What’s wrong? Not hungry?”
“Starved, actually.” With great relish, he piled food on his plate, then consumed several bites.
Lauren pursed her lips and poked again at her potatoes. How could he drop such a bomb, then stuff his face as if nothing had happened?
Because nothing had happened. Evidently, any sexual thoughts he’d had of her hadn’t been strong enough for him to act on.
A feeling of foreboding stole over her. He’d always been there for her, with his brawn when she needed it, and with his broad shoulders during times of crisis, like when her father had died thirteen years ago. Would he still be there if he found a wife?
A small sigh rose in her chest. She was losing her best friend. Once he found a woman to give him all Lauren did and more, he would no longer need his old buddy. She’d be superfluous.
Adam reached across the table and squeezed her fingertips. “We’re as good as family. It isn’t like you’ll be getting rid of me.” As usual, he’d read her mind.
“No. Of course not. And if you do marry it’ll be like gaining a sister for me,” she said through stiff lips.
“Right.” Apparently satisfied, he picked up his fork and again dug into his meal.
Kamira sat back in her chair, her expression puzzled. She turned to Adam. “Tell me, do you have a plan for finding this woman?”
“I thought I’d just open myself to the possibility and see what happened.”
A speculative light glimmered in her eyes. “Hmm, I see. That’s good, being open.”
“I told him when he found the right woman he should romance her.”
Kamira beamed. “Excellent idea. What do you think, Adam? Are you up for the romantic approach?”
His shoulders shifted. “Could be. Real romance should be more than just blatant gift giving, though.”
“Blatant gift giving?” Kamira asked.
“I want a woman who’ll want me for who I am, not what I can give her. It isn’t my style to make a big display over buying gifts for a woman.”
Lauren rose to carry her dishes to the sink. “I only meant you should try to make her feel special. Gifts are just a part of that.”
With measured movements, Adam followed her to scrape the spare remains of his meal into the disposal. “Okay, I can see that.”
“So, have we got ice cream for dessert?” Kamira left the table to pillage the freezer. “Death by Chocolate, my fave. Why don’t I dish some up, and we’ll eat it on the deck.”
“Just a little for me,” Lauren said.
“Adam…” Kamira ushered him toward the sliding door that led to the deck. “Can you light the citronella torch? We’ll be right out.”
“Sure. Make mine two scoops?”
“You’ve got it.” With a smile, she slid the door shut behind him. Then she turned to Lauren, her eyes shining.
“You know the mosquitoes don’t seem to notice that torch, Kamira. What are you up to?” Bending low, Lauren rummaged through a drawer for the ice-cream scooper.
“When did you and Adam have this conversation?”
“About his settling down?”
“About his wanting to have a serious sexual relationship involving friendship and mutual respect.”
“Around lunchtime.”
“And you suggested he woo the woman of his choice?”
“I hardly think his tactic of wham, bam, thank you ma’am will work toward establishing anything long-term.”
“Don’t you find it interesting that he’s opening himself to the possibility, but that he isn’t actively searching for this woman?”
Lauren shrugged. “He’s not going to find her in his usual haunts. Do you see a woman like that patronizing Charlie’s Corner Bar?”
“Of course not. But what about the fact that you received those roses anonymously after your conversation?”
“What does that have to do with Adam? There’s still the chance Todd sent them.”
And you think I’ve never thought of you in that way?
“Todd, the man you’re no longer seeing? The man who gave you a new calculator for your two-year anniversary?”
“Point taken, but I still don’t see how Adam figures.” Blood rushed through Lau
ren’s ears.
And you think I’ve never thought of you in that way?
Kamira glanced out the window to where he’d anchored the torch into its stand. “I’ve always had a feeling about you two. I just think it’s odd—the timing, the fact that he’s against what he calls blatant gift giving. Seems he would be the anonymous type.”
Lauren’s breath caught. “Tell me you’re not suggesting what I think you are.”
“Don’t you see? It makes sense. He isn’t looking for a woman, because he’s already found one. You.”
2
“ARE YOU NUTS?” Lauren stared at her housemate.
“Don’t you see? It all adds up.”
“I hardly think a couple of random coincidences add up to anything.”
Kamira took the forgotten scooper from Lauren’s hand, then dished up the ice cream. “Let’s ask him.”
“No!”
“Why not?”
“Do you know how insane that sounds? He’ll have us locked up.”
After handing Lauren one of the bowls, Kamira carried the other two toward the sliding glass door. “What are you afraid of?”
“I’m not afraid. I just don’t see any point in pursuing this line of thought. Okay?”
With a heavy sigh, Kamira nodded. “Think about it, though.”
Lauren opened the door, shaking her head. The torch glowed and night insects chirped and whirred around them. Above, stars glittered in the darkening sky. Adam sat at the patio table that dominated one end of the deck.
She perched on a chair beside him. “It’s nice out here.”
Thanking Kamira, he took the bowl, then savored a bite of ice cream. “It’s these simple things that make life worthwhile—a hearty meal, pleasant environment and good friends.”
“Yes, good friends.” Lauren cocked her head at Kamira, sending her a smug I-told-you-so grin.
“He sounds like a commercial,” Kamira laughed.
Adam grinned. “Lauren’s cooking makes me want to endorse the good times.”
Reaching over, he clasped Lauren’s hand. “You are a remarkable cook. I hope the woman I marry knows her way around the kitchen.”
Lauren’s grin faltered as the warmth of his hand enveloped hers. She wiggled her fingers in an effort to free herself from his grip, but he didn’t seem to notice. Instead, he carried her hand to his lips for a quick kiss.
