Now she had no desire to repeat that experience. And Gallant, despite having changed, was every bit as uncomplicated. He didn’t have layers to uncover. He was simple. Straightforward. The kind of guy who would make a perfectly decent husband... for someone else.
By the time Saturday arrived, Aubrey had decided. She’d go on the date—at this point, it’d be rude not to—but then she’d gently snip Gallant’s ambitions off at the roots.
With that resolved, her stomach only heaved mildly as she stood before the bathroom mirror and swept mascara onto her lashes. She donned a ruched cocktail dress she’d once found ina bargain bin in Hell’s Kitchen, then shrugged on a knee-length wool coat and settled on the chesterfield to wait. Headlights swept through the cul-de-sac at exactly 7:00 p.m., followed by a knock at the door.
Aubrey’s heart jittered as she swung it open.
Gallant grinned from the stoop. “Hi. Wow. You look great.” Like her, he’d buttoned up against the chilly evening, but his navy peacoat and pressed slacks conveyed the time he’d taken, regardless.
“Thanks,” she said. “You don’t look half bad, yourself.”
His smile brightened a watt. “How’s your ankle?”
She raised her eyebrows. He’d remembered. “Better, thanks. Almost like new.”
He offered an elbow and accompanied her down the walk. In the car, her seat warmer had already been turned on, and the leather welcomed her with all the sumptuousness of a Jacuzzi.
Huh. How thoughtful.
As Gallant backed out of the driveway, Aubrey swiveled and took a long, hard look at him.
Even in the dark, his eyes seemed to glow with their own inner light. “What?” he said. “Why’re you looking at me like that?”
“I’m just. . .” She searched for tactful phrasing. “...surprised. Or impressed. I had no idea you were so considerate.”
He laughed. “You haven’t seen me in almost twenty years. How would you?”
Well. Fair question. Maybe he’d changed more than she’d realized.
At the restaurant, Gallant guided her in with a hand laid against the small of her back. Aubrey paused to absorb the sleek, undersea-themed decor. Blue recessed lighting shimmered on silvered walls while clusters of globe chandeliers dangled from the ceiling.
“Wow,” she breathed. “In Henderson? This is... unexpected.”
Gallant chuckled. “I’m full of surprises. Just wait. I’m saving the best for last.”
She shot him a look of alarm. “Wait, what happened to no expectations?”
“Oh.” He threw up spread hands and laughed. “No, notthat. I just meant I wrote you a letter. For after.”
A letter. The words dropped straight into the stillest, most secluded pool of her heart. She did her best to follow the hostess, but shock waves made her waver on her feet.
At the table, Gallant pulled out her chair, and Aubrey forced her confetti emotions to settle. He might have written her a letter, but his words wouldn’t be anything like Nick’s.No one’swords would ever be like Nick’s.
She shed her coat and draped it across the back of her chair.
“Wow,” Gallant choked out. “That is... one hell of a dress.”
Aubrey slid into her seat and glanced around. None of the other diners had gone to the lengths she had, but this outfit had been her only choice for an evening out. It did look somewhat painted on, and she grimaced. “Is it too much?”
He shook off his daze and sat. “Your entire existence is too much for a place like this.”
She frowned. That, at least, sounded like the Gallant she remembered.
He seemed to realize as much, because he smoothed over the comment by calling to the waiter for some sparkling water. When the man had gone, Gallant smiled. “Don’t worry. It won’t hurt Henderson to get a little taste of New York.”
She nodded and spread her napkin over her lap.
“Anyway,” he said. “How’ve you been? Are you staying busy in that big old house?”
