Page 83 of The Wilder Widows

A nervous chuckle shook my shoulders. “Yeah. Funny, huh? What are the chances? We were just lost.”

“In your own neighborhood?” Mirth sparkled in his eyes while he watched me squirm.

“Ma’am, can you come over here and give me your statement?” the police officer asked me.

Thank God. Saved by the cop. “Sorry, I just need to chat with him really quick. I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be waiting.” He smiled, and it almost dropped me to my knees.

I hurried over to the cop car and gave my statement. I left out the part about us being stalkers and circling Tom’s house for an hour. Instead, I stuck to the story Marge had fed me.

“He just came out of nowhere,” I said as we finished up.

“Yeah, that’ll happen sometimes. But you should never swerve.” A reprimanding look passed to Doris. “There could have been a small child or family walking on that sidewalk. Next time that happens, just hit the brakes and hope for the best.”

“Sorry, officer,” Doris said. “I’ll be more careful.”

If only he knew the truth.

“I wrote down your numbers if I have any questions. Tow truck will take care of getting the car out of here. Let me give you ladies a lift back to your hotel.”

“Oh, thank you, officer.” Doris hopped up from where she sat on the curb. “That would be wonderful.”

I glanced over my shoulder to where Tom leaned up against a tree in his front yard.

“You going over there?” Marge asked.

“He saw us circling the house. I’m busted. Mortified. Horrified. It’s over, Marge. I’m just going to wave goodbye, get in this car and never ever speak his name again.”

“Bullshit,” she barked loud enough I jumped. “You’ve got a second chance, damn it. And you’re not going to be a chicken shit and take the easy way out this time. You did that once, and you lost almost forty years with that man. And I may be old. And a lesbian. But I can still see the love in his eyes when he looks at you.” She stepped forward, pushing her nose into mine. With wide eyes, I swallowed hard as she pressed into me. “Soldier, you’re gonna march your ass over there and ask that man out to dinner. Understood?”

I struggled to form words, but she rose on her toes and leveled me with a stern stare.

“I said... understood?”

“Yes, sir.” Taking a big step back, I finally exhaled a breath of relief when I was out of range.

With the nudge of her chin, she encouraged me over. I turned to Tom, who watched us with a curious stare. Glancing back one last time, I saw my Wilder Widows watching me. Reassuring me. Supporting me. I let their smiles re-inflate my lost confidence, and I turned and marched over to where Tom stood.

“Will you go to dinner with me tonight?” I spit out faster than I’d intended.

“Dinner?” a dark brow rose along with the corner of his lip.

“Yes. Dinner. I would like to take you to dinner.”

He brushed his fingers along his salt and pepper beard while he puckered up his lips. With each second he hesitated, the confidence seeped back out of me.

“It’s fine if you don’t want to. Just thought we could catch up or something, but it’s fine.” I started to turn on my heel, but he caught me by the arm. The second his skin touched mine, that familiar electricity traveled through me. A shiver snaked up my spine, and I hoped he hadn’t seen my shudder.

“I was just teasing you, Sylvie. Of course, I’ll have dinner with you. Where are you staying?”

I turned back, letting my eyes drift back to his. With every second his fingers remained on my heated skin, I felt all my fears melting away. “The Hyatt on Main.”

That cocky smile I loved so much deepened his dimples. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”

Trying to mirror his confidence, I lifted my chin. “I’ll be ready.”

Emotions I’d suppressed for decades broke free beneath his heated gaze.