“It’s been five days.”
“Six. But who’s counting?”
She didn’t reply, only continued to stare at him with a bewitching smile.
“How long do I have to wait? Ten days? Two weeks? A month?” The latter seemed way too long. “I can wait another week, but I don’t see why we need to put off a personal relationship any longer than that. It’s not like I’m hounded by the press and a news story is going to be broadcast all over the tabloids. The media doesn’t care who I’m dating.”
“I know.”
“Then what is it?”
Her smiled turned into a thin line, and she looked down at her salad. It was the first time he’d seen a crease blemish her brow, and he didn’t like it.
“It’s complicated,” she said, after a pause.
“I don’t know why—” He sat back in his chair as a horrid thought entered his head. “Do you have a boyfriend.”
“No.”
“Are you interested in someone else? Is that it?”
“No. Not at all. I wish it were that simple.”
“Well, explain it to me. Because I don’t understand.”
She met his gaze with stone-cold seriousness. “I can’t. It’s personal.” She reached across the table and took his hand, and her eyes softened, almost as soft as her palm. “I like you, Robert. A lot. But there are a lot of things that prevent us from dating. I can’t get into it right now. Can we just take it slow while I work through them and figure some things out?”
His mind was reeling with questions, and he wanted to ask all of them. But he didn’t. Instead, he caressed the back of her fingers with his thumb. How could these hands—hands that had massaged and kneaded his body with force and strength—be delicate and supple at the same time?
“Robert?”
He looked up at her, wondering how long he’d been staring at their joined hands and how long he’d been gently gliding his thumb over her fingers. She didn’t stop him, so he continued doing it. “I’m sorry. Yeah. Of course. I’ll give you some space if that’s what you need.”
“I’m not really sure what I need, but I know what I don’t need. And that’s drama. So, thank you for understanding.”
She withdrew her hand, and a pleasant smile upturned her lips. “Let’s eat, because I’m starving.”
Her answer disappointed him, and he didn’t understand it, but he’d give her the time she needed because she was worth it. He picked up his sandwich and watched her eat. “Can I ask you a question?”
She wiped her mouth and nodded.
“Why did you go into the restroom like Clark Kent and come out like Superman?”
“Don’t you mean, Diana Prince and Wonder Woman?”
“Was that Wonder Woman’s real name? Diana Prince?”
“No. Her real name was Wonder Woman. Or whatever it was on that island she came from. Diana Prince was her alias. And she was amazing. I changed because I was uncomfortable.” She ran her hand over the back of her silky hair. “I get a headache sometimes by the end of the day with my hair pulled back so tightly.” She rubbed at the bridge of her nose. “And my glasses feel like a lead weight. I can’t wait to get home and shed everything. This is me. Not that getup. But I think you already know that.”
He did. Although he adored the no-nonsense medical professional side of Amber, he longed to hang out with the fun girl that she kept outside of her practice.
They ate quietly for a few moments, until she spotted the cupcakes. “How adorable!” She picked up one of the mini treats and inspected the fancy ribbon icing and decorations with an incredulous smile. “They look delicious.”
“Try one.”
She contemplated it for a moment, then stuffed the entire thing in her mouth. She chewed it behind her hand, while the corners of her eyes crinkled, and her shoulders raised in delight.
It was so cute, and the sheer joy she displayed at eating the cupcake sent a warm feeling through Robert’s chest. He put down his sandwich to watch her.
