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Considering the way the two ladies kept bickering, she wondered if they were sisters.
“I’d really appreciate it if you give us some privacy so my friend can finish her dinner. She doesn’t have much time left before she needs to go back upstairs.” Somehow he managed to keep his voice kind and friendly.
“Let’s go, Pam. I told you coming over here was rude. But you never listen to me.” Denise took the other woman by the arm and tugged her away.
“Knock it off, you dim-witted ninny. He didn’t seem to mind.” Pam’s voice floated back toward them.
Paige covered her mouth to hide her giggle and watched the two women walk away. Judging by their gestures they continued to bicker as they walked.
“You didn’t tell me there would be entertainment in here.”
Scott’s comment sent her over the top, and there was no holding back her laughter. “Those two were arguing like a couple of toddlers.”
“Huh, they reminded me of an old married couple.” He turned in his seat and watched as they exited the cafeteria. “Sisters?”
“That’s my guess.” Paige reached for her yogurt, which she still hadn’t taken a bite of.
“Anyway, what’s your verdict? Can I crash your hot date with the television tonight?”
Rubbing her chin, she pretended to consider her answer. “Since you promise to bring brownies, I’ll allow it. Bring brownies with walnuts and I might even let you pick what we watch.”
Scott winked. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Chapter 7
Paige sang along with the music playing while she searched through her drawer. Should she go with shorts or jeans tonight? All day the temps had remained high, but the channel six meteorologist promised the temperature would dip into the high seventies after sunset. Definitely still shorts weather. However, they’d be outside for the baseball game, which meant possible mosquitos. She had no desire to be supper for some hungry bugs. Bites or sweat, what wonderful choices. Tonight, she’d take her chances. The game started at five; perhaps it’d be over before the bugs became too intolerable.
After she finished getting ready, she tossed a light sweatshirt over the back of a kitchen chair so she could take it with her. Predicting the weather was not a perf
ect science. Better safe than sorry.
“Nothing to do but wait,” she said to Ryder, who’d followed her into the living room. Although she didn’t think she’d wait long. When they’d last spoken, Scott had promised to swing by around three thirty. So far he’d proved to always be punctual. He even called when he said he would, something he’d done several times since the previous weekend when he’d surprised her at work. Actually, since he’d left her house Saturday night, he’d called her three times. Each conversation had lasted longer than the one before it. Thursday, the last time he’d called, they talked for almost two hours. The last time she had a phone conversation last so long, she’d been in high school. And during his calls, she’d learned more than she would have ever learned from any magazine or Internet article. She liked that he didn’t mind answering personal questions. He also shared things she wouldn’t have thought of asking. She made an effort to reciprocate his openness. If he asked a question, she answered. The only difference was, she was more selective about what personal information she shared voluntarily. Some things he didn’t need to know, at least not now. Perhaps not ever.
She’d dated enough before her marriage to recognize the signs. Something was developing between them that had nothing to do with the auction and the dates Aunt Bebe had paid for. The unexpected visit last weekend and the kisses they’d shared afterward put the notion in her head. The multiple phone calls and long conversations during the week confirmed it. But this thing between them was still new. They could spend some more time together and decide it wasn’t working. Prior to her marriage, she’d had plenty of short-lived relationships, several of which had seemed to have potential in the beginning and then just fizzled out. There was no way of really knowing a person after just two or three dates. Getting to know someone took time and effort, two things she was more than willing to put into this thing with Scott. She got the impression he was too.
Ryder jumped to his feet and bolted out of his sunny spot on the floor and toward the kitchen. Normally, only two things got him to move so fast when he relaxed in the sun: the promise of food or a noise outside. Since she hadn’t mentioned food, Ryder must have heard something she hadn’t.
A moment after the dog ran out of the living room, the doorbell rang and Ryder’s bark filled the house. “You’re never wrong,” Paige said, joining the dog at the door as she checked her watch. “And he’s always on time.”
She skipped asking who it was and opened the door to find Scott standing there, his smartphone against his ear. Immediately, she noticed the dark circles under his eyes.
He smiled and entered while he listened to the person on the other end. “I’ll call you tomorrow, and we can figure out a solution.” When he spoke, she heard the annoyance and strain in his voice. He listened as someone continued, and judging by the way Scott rubbed his forehead he didn’t like what he heard. “Tomorrow, George. Good night.”
Shoving the phone into a back pocket, he moved toward her and wrapped his arms loosely around her waist. A shiver of excitement ran through her, and she leaned into him, putting her hands on his shoulders.
“Sorry. He called as I was getting off the highway. I wouldn’t have even taken it, but I hoped he had some good news.”
Paige watched his lips as he spoke, remembering how they felt pressed against hers. “Did he?”
Scott shook his head and winced. “Unfortunately, no. But I’ll deal with it tomorrow.” Lowering his head, he dropped a whisper of a kiss on her mouth. “Do you have anything for a headache before we go? I’ve got one that won’t quit.”
“Of course.” She stepped out of his embrace and took a moment to study him. His dark eyes lacked their normal brightness, and his face looked pale compared to the last time she’d seen him. “Are you okay? You look exhausted.” Actually, it looked like he hadn’t slept in a week.
He rubbed the back of his neck, pain etched on his face. “Fine, just a little tired. My body’s confused. I woke up in London, so it thinks it’s about eight thirty at night.”
No wonder the guy looked like his head hadn’t touched a pillow in a while. She thought back over their conversations. She didn’t remember him mentioning he was away on business again. “You were in England this week?” Paige got the bottle of ibuprofen she kept in the kitchen and a glass.
“No. I flew over yesterday morning and caught one of the first flights out this morning, so I’d make it here in time.”
