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Tense, I wait for the door to open. When it does, she walks through, still as vibrant as before.
“What’s so funny?” Startled by the sight of Steve, she draws up short. “Oh! Sorry, I didn’t know you weren’t alone out here.” Keeping an eye on Steve, she comes all the way out and steps closer to me.
“What’d you do to your head?” She reaches up to where I’ve been unconsciously rubbing it and pulls my hand away, inspecting the hot spot.
“Nothing. Just a little bump.”
She prods it gently. “You want some ice?”
“I’ll be fine.”
She’s skeptical but lets it go before turning to Steve. I step closer, offering support, but I don’t reach out and touch her like I want. Something tells me my odds of getting rejected are high at this moment.
“Hi, nice to see you again. Steve, right?” It rushes out in one breath, and she unconsciously sways closer to me.
“Nice to see you again.” He stretches a hand out in greeting, and my hackles rise when she reaches out to accept it. Being smarter than he acts sometimes, Steve lets go after a brief shake.
"Lunch really was delicious, and your restaurant is beautiful.”
"Thank you!” Swelling with pride like a father with his baby. ”I let Andrea know too. She appreciates the compliments.” Seeing that she doesn’t recognize the name, he elaborates. “Our chef, she’s been with us a little over a year now."
“Oh! She’s very talented.”
His mouth twists in wry humor, and he nods. “That she is. She’s actually why I came over. She noticed you haven’t said whether or not you’re coming tomorrow night.” He looks at me now.
I’d completely forgotten Steve was hosting a fundraiser at the restaurant. He said it would be an invite-only, sit-down dinner and then a party next door open to anyone. He recently bought the adjoining store and finished renovations to turn it into a rental space for parties and special occasions.
I hadn’t planned on going, especially since I now had a date with Lenore for the day, but it might be something she would like. Quickly explaining the fundraiser to her, I ask, “You want to go with me?”
Steve is blatantly eavesdropping and acts like he’s watching a soap opera. Lenore casts him a questioning glance before responding. “Sure. Is it a formal thing or casual?” Her words trail off as she keeps watching both of us.
Steve answers before I can. “Semi-formal. We’re not too fancy around here. Besides, it’s a Sunday; I’m sure people won’t stay too late.”
She nods. “Seems like fun.” I can hear the question but also some excitement in her tone.
“Nonperishable food items will get you entries into a raffle drawing, and there’ll be a live auction. A lot of the local businesses have donated things.”
He’s distracted from prying information out of me by his enthusiasm for the event.
“Sounds like a plan.” Lenore smiles at both of us.
I can’t help myself. “You want to just make a day of it?”
This instantly gets Steve’s attention, and I purposefully don’t elaborate.
“Sure.” I can tell she’s excited because the energy around us shifts.
“Count us in as two then, Steve,” I tell him before pointedly nodding toward the door.
He knows exactly what I’m doing and grins between us. “Perfect. See you two tomorrow night.”
I watch him walk out of the garage, but the possessiveness his presence triggered is still humming in my brain. I pull Lenore in close for a half hug and press a kiss to the top of her head. “You want to help with the next part?” I needed both the contact and her continued presence for reassurance.
I gather my tools and survey what’s left to do.
“I don’t think so. You seem to know what you’re doing.” She grins at me but tacks on a resigned comment, “Bad luck and all. I might curse it further.”
“I wouldn’t say bad luck.” Straightening, I don’t immediately turn toward her.
