“Always?”
“Yep. She’s my best friend now. I’m also close to two of the practitioners at the Harmony.”
“Who?”
“Juliet, whom you met. And Oliver. His area of expertise is massage therapy.”
“What about college?”
“I went to business school right here in Rockford, like my dad. Fiona went for teaching. We hated being apart, so eventually, she transferred to my school, which also offered education degrees. We got an apartment together for our last three years.”
“I envy your closeness.”
“I treasure it. And by the way, you’re her favorite actor.”
“That’s sweet.” Her face lit from within. “Does she have a favorite movie?”
“Yeah.Take Me With You.”
She grinned. “I loved that one.”
“She also has two kids. Twins.”
“Oh, my gosh.”
“Yeah, I have an affinity with both of them. The twin thing, I guess.”
“That is all so sweet.” She sighed. “You are so lucky.”
“I know.”
Their lasagna arrived. They dug into the spicy sauce, creamy ricotta and ground beef, ate two pieces of bread each, and a salad with their meal. Afterward, she held his gaze. “I can’t remember the last time I ate that much. Or enjoyed my companion for dinner as much as I have with you.”
This time he took hold of her fingers and rubbed them. Sensuously. The desire flared again. “It’s the same for me, Elise.”
Her eyes locked with his. “I’m glad.”
Chapter 4
On the drive to her condo, Elise felt edgy. Despite the low-key dinner, the atmosphere in the car felt…charged. Maybe it was his scent, so woodsy and male, or the way his talented hand rested on the gear shift, so close it brushed her knee. Dear God in heaven, she wanted him to touch her.
Her leg. Her hair. Everywhere.
They reached their destination too quickly. The driveway was dim. No one was around. She didn’t know what to do with arousal simmering inside of her and all these feelings craving to get out.
He turned off the car. “We’re here.” Did his voice sound husky?
“Um, yeah.”
His hand fisted on the wheel and he stared out the windshield. Then he turned to her. “I’m sorry Elise, but I don’t want to let you go.”
“I—” Her voice was hoarse. “I don’t want to let you go either.”
“We got too close at dinner.”
“Maybe it’s been building. For me, at least.”
A long pause. A long, long pause. They looked into each other’s eyes and neither moved.
