Well, smoke and ashes to that! He wiped his mouth and tossed his napkin on the table. Two deep breaths steadied his nerves and he stormed toward the kitchen, praying she was there.
He strode through the swinging door into mayhem. People scurried everywhere with piles of plates, setting them on every available surface. Silverware clattered to the floor; plates rattled. People joked and laughed. He scanned the busy room looking for Drinda. His heart dropped.
She wasn’t there. He’d missed her. He was too late.
No way!
He turned around and raced through the hall, dashing around groups of chatting people, dodging tables, dancers, and seniors in walkers. He searched frantically for her in the hall, the foyer, and out into the parking lot.
There! His heart soared.
“Drinda,” he shouted. “Wait up. I’d liketo talk to you.”
She froze in her tracks but didn’t turn around. Not good, but at least she stopped. Never in his life had he hated parking lots as much as he did at that moment. Too many cars. He edged between tightly packed vehicles. Okay, he had her attention, now all he had to do was figure out what to say.
He stopped four feet from where she was standing beside the open trunk of her little Chevy.
“Can we talk?” he asked her back. He walked toward her, taking in new details with every step. Her shoulders lifted like she was inhaling deeply. Her fingers straightened at her sides and then fisted. Finally, in slow motion, she turned to face him, a nervous look in her eyes. Her hair glistened in the fluorescent parking lights. Her eyes were wary, her shoulders tense.
“Ford,” she said at the exact moment he said, “Drinda.”
“You first,” they said in unison. The clash of words lightened the mood.
“You go first.” She gave a rolling motion with her right, uncovered hand.
“You should have mittens.” He shook his head. “That’s not why I came out here. Sorry.” He took a steadying breath. He stuffed his hands into his trouser pockets to keep from reaching out to her.
He opened his mouth and closed it again. The words weren’t coming. His apology stuck in his throat like a chunk of unchewed steak.
“Drinda,” he said after way too long a wait. “I don’t want things to end like this.”Shoot. “I don’t want things to end at all. Keep the dog. Stay in your suite. Stay, with me.” He swallowed the emotions threatening to choke him.
“Um. Thanks?” She frowned like she’d been expecting something else. “I already leased a new place.”
“No!” He closed his eyes for a second. “I mean, Drinda, I’ve been a complete and total jerk.”
“No argument here.” Her lips twitched with the first hint of a smile and hope soared in his heart. He reached out and took her hands. He pulled them together and warmed them between his. “You’re frozen.”
She lifted one eyebrow.
“Okay, it’s my fault you’re cold. I’m keeping you out here.” He grinned. “Drinda, I’ve been a fool. I got upset. I understand why you didn’t tell me about the dog.”
“Oscar.”
“I understand why you didn’t tell me about Oscar. I’d have said no, and you’d have been in a worse spot. Forget all that. I was being unreasonable. You can keep him.” He winced. He was doing this all wrong.
“Look, forget about the dog, about Oscar,” he corrected. “This is about you. And me. Drinda McKenzie, I’m falling for you. Hard. And fast, way too fast.” Her eyes went wide, but her expression didn’t change.Talk about your poker face! Dread weighed on his shoulders, dragging him down like a heavy floor on a burned-out support timber.
“Oh, to heck with this,” he declared. “I love you.” He dropped her hands and grasped her shoulders. Giving her only a fraction of a second to deny him, he leaned in and pressed his lips to his.
Fireworks exploded and he gasped.
She looked as stunned as he felt. He moved forward again, drawing her into his arms. She fit perfectly against him. Her arms slipped up around his neck and her lips brushed his.
His eyes drifted shut. He wanted to watch her expression, but he needed to feel this. He poured every ounce of love he felt into their kiss. Her return kisses and embrace roared heat and caring through him like a runaway fire.
Lord in heaven, this was where he was meant to be. All the years he dated, he was biding time, looking for this. Looking for Drinda. She tasted of coffee and sunshine, and pure sweet heaven.
Something stilled in his restless soul.
