Page 51 of Abandoned

Zara couldn’t stop smiling. This date had been so much more than she could ever have dreamed. Will was the perfect gentleman. After their kiss on the bridge, they had walked the remainder of the path then got ice cream, where they talked about the future. Nothing specific, just general dreams about children, dogs, and the merits of a house in the country versus right in town.

She’d never taken the time to actually dream about those things. They’d always seemed like impossibilities, but with Will and Jesus, anything seemed possible now.

Will pulled his truck into her parking lot and insisted she wait until he came around to let her out.

She took his offered hand and strolled to her door at the slowest possible pace. She didn’t want to say good night.

At her doorstep, they turned and faced one another.

“I’m not going to come in tonight.”

“That seems like a wise choice.” But she hated the wisdom in it. Couldn’t he come in and have a cup of coffee or something?

He stepped closer to her and, cupping her cheek, brought her lips to his.

That’s why he couldn’t come in.

She reluctantly pulled back and giggled. “Thanks for tonight.”

“Anytime. I look forward to the next one. I’ll see you at church tomorrow.”

She nodded. “Save me a seat.”

“Don’t be late again.”

“It’s never my goal.”

His lips seized hers again for a deep, passionate—although quick—kiss.

It left her reeling.

“Good night.” He stepped away and toward the parking lot but turned. “I’m not going anywhere until you’re inside though.”

Her heart swooned. “Night.”

She pulled her keys from her purse. Why was it such a fight to not say I love you? Did she really feel that way for him already? I just might. But she wanted to be sure before she said it. Plus, shouldn’t she wait until he said it first?

She unlocked the door and, after one last wave, closed it. She leaned back against it and released a contented sigh. She’d sleep well tonight with dreams filled with Will and his extraordinary lips.

She reached for the alarm, but it wasn’t set for “away” and only indicated that the door had been opened. “Shoot.” Searching her memory, she found the moment when she left. Yep, she’d forgotten to set it. How could she be so stupid? The system only worked if she actually used it.

She rolled her eyes at herself and flipped the light switch, illuminating the hallway. When had she turned the light off? She really had been distracted when she left with Will.

Will. She giggled. How had she almost ruined that earlier this week? That was stupid. Maybe they had a chance at a future, but not if she pushed him away. She dropped her purse and sweater on the kitchen counter and filled a glass with water.

Taking a long sip, she recalled the feel of Will’s hand on her back.

She had it bad.

Gulping down the rest of the water, she placed the glass in the sink, grabbed her purse, and walked around the counter toward the bedroom. If only she had a book from AJ already. She really needed the distraction from her thoughts of Will. It was going to be a challenge to go to sleep and keep her thoughts pure tonight.

She half skipped to her bedroom but stopped shy of the door. Something was off.

Glancing over at the air conditioner, she confirmed it had tripped again. She crossed the living room and confirmed that it was not getting any electricity. At least she knew what to do now.

Maybe she’d get into her pajamas and come back out and watch a movie. An action movie. No romance.

She stepped into her room and reached for the switch. Nothing happened. “What on earth?” Two breakers must have flipped tonight. For Pete’s sake. Maybe this old apartment wouldn’t work long-term after all.