The stewardess breezed by, but he stopped her and held up his bottle. “Another?”
“Certainly, sir,” she said, taking the empty one.
Marion took another sip of her martini. “I’m going to take my time on this,” she said. “Not interested in getting drunk on a plane.”
He grinned. “I’d love to see you get drunk, Marion.”
“No, you wouldn’t. Ask Sassy. I just get silly.”
“Exactly. I’d love to see that.”
She wasn’t sure if it was the martini or the look in his eye, but a warm shiver ran through her at the thought. “You want to see me get silly?” she dared, gazing up from beneath her lashes.
“Roger that,” he said, his expression changing again, becoming more serious. “Marion, do you, I mean, when we’re back in the city and all, do you think that we…” He hesitated, biting his lower lip briefly. “I’d like to take you to dinner. A real one. You could even have lobster thermidor again, if you want.”
For weeks, an awareness had been building deep within Marion, rising through her chest and scaring her just enough that she had pushed it back down. It seemed like too much, then it seemed exactly right, but she’d been too afraid to say anything out loud. Now she searched his gaze, that sense of power rising within her again. Was there any reason why she shouldn’t say what was on her mind?
“I have a better idea,” she said shyly, shoving through her anxiety. “I’m a pretty good cook. And a good baker as well. How about I make dinner?” She took a deep breath, holding his gaze. Her face was on fire. “Then in the morning I’ll whip up some muffins. Or I could make eggs…”
The longer he stared, the hotter her face became. Had she just made a huge mistake? Was it too much? She had no idea. Had she ruined everything?
Finally, the corner of his mouth drew up in a careful smile. “Are you sure?”
She swallowed, holding his gaze. “Doctor’s orders.”
forty-nineSASSY
Calm down, Sass. You’ve got everything organized. You have nothing to worry about.”
“What are you talking about?” Sassy snapped. “Everything has to be perfect.”
Tom wrapped his big, warm hands around her upper arms and forced her onto one of the airport waiting room’s hard plastic chairs. They’d arrived an hour before the plane was expected, which she was aware was way too early, but he hadn’t balked. He simply accepted her craziness and went along with it.
To a point.
“Everythingisperfect,” he said, purposefully calm.
“But where is everyone?”
“You told them seven o’clock. It’s only six thirty.”
“Do you have the banner?”
He held up the long paper flag they’d made the night before. “Right here.”
She regarded it with concern. “You folded it. Is it going to look all right?”
“Sassy, we scotch-taped eight pieces of paper together so it all fit. Wehadto fold it. It’ll look fantastic.” He sank into the chair beside her. “Knowwhat, though? Joey won’t even notice it. He’ll be so happy to see you, nothing else will matter.”
Her chin quivered. “Joey’s coming home.”
He hugged her tight. “Maybe he can be my best man.”
Smart man. He’d known he could distract her from tears with that. “You’re gonna like him, Tom. He’s kind of like me, but weirder. He’s got even more energy. I don’t know how he will be now, but… Think you’ll like him?”
“I know I will.” He glanced over her shoulder. “Hey, look who’s here!”
She jumped up. “Who? Oh! Everyone came together! My gosh!”
