“Hmmn,” Drew made a non-committal sound, hoping Max would shut up.
“I mean, you just see her, and it hits you. She’s the one that you’re going to spend the rest of your life with,” Max smiled in satisfaction. “From that moment onward, you’re totally committed.”
Committed was right, Drew thought darkly. To an asylum.
Drew didn’t think it was going to be like that for him. He was far too practical and cynical to do this falling in love junk. Certainly not at first sight. Max might be naïve enough for that, but not Drew. He ignored the image of Bethany Searson his mind brought forward. It was all the crazy talk that made his brain think of her, nothing more. Probably just a reminder that he promised to look up the boat name, something that he hadn’t gotten around to just yet.
He ignored Max and resolutely watched the game.
“I miss her,” Max said suddenly.
How could the guy miss her? Drew gave Max an incredulous look. “You were just on the phone with her for an hour.”
Max sighed. “I know. It’s just not the same.”
Drew’s cellphone rang. It was an unlisted number.
“Hello?” he put it to his ear in anticipation. It could be a survey or someone wanting to clean his ducts. Drew didn’t care. Anything to escape the guy beside him on the couch. He could go ten rounds with a telephone scammer right now if it got him some space from Max.
“Harley, it’s Sam here,” Sam answered. “I’m setting up a meeting.”
“When and where?” Drew asked, feeling thankful. Finally, he was getting somewhere. Maybe he’d be able to kick Max out of his apartment soon.
“You sound a little eager,” Sam hesitated.
Drew lowered his voice a little in volume for effect, giving Max a dark glance. “My girlfriend is talking about love and commitment. I’d like to get away from her for a little while.”
Sam laughed. “Time to dump the broad.”
“No kidding,” Drew muttered.
“Lakeside docks. Two in the morning. We’ve got a boat to unload,” Sam gave him the information. “Goals says you’ve been upgraded to help out. A thank you for taking care of our visitor the other day.”
“Anything else I can do, you just let me know,” Drew promised.
“Will do,” Sam ended the call.
“Was that a call from the drug guys?” Max asked curiously.
“Yes,” Drew grinned. It was going to be a good day. All he had to do was set it up and they’d have the drop boat. Then Max could go home, and Drew could sleep like a regular human being again.
Things were looking up.
Bethany gave Martha a small smile as the housekeeper set down the last of the serving dishes for the Sunday luncheon. Bethany sat at her regular seat as her parents took their seats at the opulently set table.
“How have things been this week?” Constance asked as she laid her napkin across her lap.
It was the same questions every week. How have things been? Was she dating anyone? How was therapy going? Did she think she was making any progress? Was she still enjoying her position with the symphony? Did she still really want to work with those children? Wasn’t she worried she might gain a disease from them?
Then would come the suggestions. There is a lovely young man, a son of one of her father’s clients… you’d make such a nice couple. Or if you’d drop the dance classes, you might have more time to meet someone suitable.
Because all a woman was good for was getting married, Bethany thought wryly.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to get married and have a family. She did. However, she wanted a relationship built on love and friendship. One where she could feel like the heroine in all those silly romance novels she had a bad habit of reading.
Kind of like how Drew Colborne had made her feel when he carried her down the marina walkway. Bethany tried to ignore the flutterings the memory aroused. Drew was hero material. He was hard around the edges, handsome, strong, and a man on a mission.
He made her heart beat a little too fast and her mouth dry. However, Bethany had the impression he wasn’t exactly enthused by her.
