Читать книгу Moonlight Cove - Sherryl Woods, Sherryl Woods - Страница 7

A few days after signing up for Lunch by the Bay, Jess checked her inbox online. “I don’t get this,” she muttered in frustration to Laila, who’d just dropped by the inn. “You and Connie both had responses almost immediately. I’ve had nothing, not even an acknowledgment that I’m signed up.”

“I’m sure that’s just an oversight,” Laila said, though Jess thought she looked oddly guilty when she said it.

“Do you know something I don’t?” Jess asked, studying her friend with a narrowed gaze.

“Of course not,” Laila responded a little too quickly. “Maybe the interests you wrote down were too narrow. The company promises someone with similar interests. It may be taking a little longer to find the right match. I’m sure not everyone hears right away. The important thing is that the person you’re eventually matched with is the right one.”

Jess shrugged it off. “It doesn’t really matter. I wasn’t counting on this anyway. How about running over to Sally’s and grabbing a bite to eat?”

Laila winced. “Sorry, I can’t. I have my first date.”

Jess stared at her, trying to judge the odd expression on her friend’s face. Laila looked more worried than excited. It wasn’t the reaction Jess had expected.

“Why didn’t you say something when you first walked in here?” she asked. “Who is he? Do you have a name? Where are you meeting him?”

“We’re meeting at Panini Bistro,” Laila said.

Again, Jess studied her intently. “It still feels as if you’re hiding something. Who is this man? Do I know him?”

Laila nodded, her expression sheepish. “Actually, you do. That’s the reason I came by, so I could run it past you in case you had objections.”

“Why on earth would I object to your date?” Jess asked. “There’s no one in this town with whom I’ve ever been serious, unless you count Stuart Charles in third grade. I went to a lot of Little League games to watch that boy play.”

Laila lost her train of thought. “I thought you went to those games to see Connor.”

“Do you think I wanted anyone to know about my crush on an older man?” Jess responded with a grin. “I believe Stuart was twelve. We were doomed from the start.” Her grin faded. “We’ve gotten off track. We were talking about this date of yours, and I was trying to make it clear there was nothing for you to worry about where I’m concerned.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” Laila said. Not quite meeting Jess’s eyes, she admitted, “It’s Will.”

Jess went perfectly still. She could have sworn her heart even took an unexpected lurch. “You’re having lunch with Will?” she asked slowly. “You’re telling me the computer actually matched you with him?”

Laila nodded, then asked worriedly, “You’re not upset, are you? I wanted you to hear this from me in case someone spots the two of us out together. If it bothers you, I can still call it off.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Why would I be upset?” Jess asked, managing to keep a carefree note in her voice, even though the news had been oddly disconcerting. “I’ve never dated Will.” She hesitated. “You don’t suppose…?”

“Suppose what?”

“That brochure said this company was being run by a psychologist. Do you think that could be Will?”

Laila shrugged. “Could be, but I don’t see why it matters.”

“You don’t think it’ll be weird dating a shrink?” Jess had certainly had enough difficulty just being in the same room with him. She’d never been able to stop feeling self-conscious, as if Will was seeing right through her, analyzing every word she uttered. Maybe under other circumstances that attentiveness would have been flattering, but it made her feel exposed. She’d had enough of those feelings when doctors had been trying to determine whether she had attention deficit disorder years ago. All that psychological probing and testing had made her feel like a lab specimen.

“Why would it be weird?” Laila asked with a shrug. “Hopefully, he’ll be more insightful than most of the men I’ve run across. It’s funny, but somehow I never even thought about dating Will before. We’re actually the same age, but we never hung around with the same crowd in school.”

“Because you were with the in crowd and he was a nerd.”

“Will was most definitely not a nerd,” Laila said, jumping to his defense in a way that took Jess aback. “Jake and Mack are his two best friends, and they were both jocks. He was always hanging out at your house with Kevin and Connor, too. If I remember correctly, Will even played varsity basketball.” Her expression brightened. “That’s another good thing. He’s taller than I am. I’m tired of having to wear flats when I go out so I don’t intimidate some guy who’s barely five-eight.”

Jess couldn’t explain why the idea of Laila going out with Will bothered her so much. Was it because she was more interested in him than she’d ever admitted to herself? Or was it because that stupid computer had confirmed what she’d always said, that they’d be a terrible match? Because she didn’t want her friend worrying about any of that, she forced a smile.

“I hope you have a great time,” she told Laila. “It really would be something if this whole matchmaking thing turns out to work.”

Laila grinned, clearly relieved to have Jess’s blessing, lukewarm though it might have been. “Fingers crossed. I’ll call later and let you know how it went.”

The minute she’d gone, Jess grabbed her keys and headed for Sally’s. She knew she’d find Jake and Mack there. Maybe they could fill her in on whether Will was behind Lunch by the Bay. If he was, once she got over the shock, she was never going to let him hear the end of it.

Will stood on the sidewalk in front of Panini Bistro waiting for Laila Riley. He’d felt a little odd matching himself up with someone he’d known for most of his life, but they’d exchanged a few emails since his phone call the day before and discovered several additional things they had in common, aside from all the people they both knew and the interests they’d both mentioned on their applications. At least they’d be able to spend the next hour catching up, with no real pressure on either of them. It made her the ideal Lunch by the Bay first date.

He saw her exit her car just up the road, then walk purposefully toward him with a stride that could easily keep up with his. She smiled when she saw him, started to hold out a hand, then shrugged and hugged him.

“This is weird, huh?” she said.

“I was just thinking how easy it should be,” he countered. “It’s not as if we haven’t known each other forever.”

“But not like this,” she said. “Not as a potential spouse.”

Will gave her a startled look that made her laugh.

“Sorry,” she said at once. “Computer compatibility notwithstanding, I’m not suggesting we call a minister quite yet. I just meant that this isn’t bumping into each other at a party or at Brady’s. It’s a real date, even if it is only lunch.”

Will grinned as the awkward moment passed. “Then I should be pulling out a chair and asking you to have a seat,” he said, doing just that before seating himself at the outside table. “Would you like a glass of wine with lunch?”

She shook her head. “One thing I’ve learned about banking is that I can’t stare at all those numbers without a clear head. You go ahead, if you want to.”

“Not me. My clients expect me to be giving them sober, thoughtful advice.”

They glanced at their menus, placed their orders, then sat back. Will couldn’t think of one single thing to say that hadn’t already been covered in their emails.

“I saw Jess before I came over here,” Laila said eventually.

To his annoyance, Will’s heart skipped a couple of beats. “Oh? How is she?”

“She seemed a little taken aback to hear that I was meeting you,” Laila told him. “I felt like I had to tell her.”

“Why?”

“You know, I’m not sure,” she admitted. “I suppose it’s because I’ve always thought the two of you had some kind of connection of your own. And, of course, she and I are friends. I warned you I was no good at keeping secrets from my friends.”

Will told himself that what she was saying about Jess’s reaction didn’t have to mean anything. It was probably no more of a shock to Jess than hearing, say, that he and Laila had crossed paths at the grocery store.

When he said nothing, Laila added, “Jess wondered if maybe this whole Lunch by the Bay thing isn’t your idea. Is it?”

Will hesitated, but saw no point in an evasive answer. “It is.” He explained his reasons for launching the company, then added, “So far, I’ve actually matched up about ten couples for first dates, though this is the first time I’ve gone out with anyone myself.”

“Really?” she said, looking impressed. “And you chose me? Why?”

“Truthfully?”

“Of course.”

“I wanted to check out my criteria for myself, and you seemed like the least threatening opportunity to do that,” he admitted. “Worst case scenario, if it turned out to be a total bust, I figured we could laugh about it.”

“I’m not sure if there’s a compliment buried in there somewhere or not,” she said.

“Probably pretty deeply,” Will said, chuckling.

“So, how about the other couples? Anything look as if it’s working out?”

“The early feedback has been very positive,” he said. “My criteria seem to be working, at least for strangers. Several people have told me they’re on their third—and, in one case, a fourth—date with the first person they were matched with.”

“So what was the criteria that made you match yourself up with me?” Laila asked, then studied him intently. “Instead of Jess, for instance? She applied the same day I did.”

Will couldn’t deny that he’d considered exactly that. After all, it was the perfect opportunity to nudge Jess into thinking of him in a different way. He just hadn’t been quite ready for the humiliation of having her laugh hysterically at the suggestion that they go on a date.

“Jess and I don’t really click,” he said carefully.

“According to these criteria of yours?” Laila pressed.

Will squirmed. “Not exactly. I left myself out of the mix when I ran her data through the computer.”

Laila looked surprised. “Why?”

“Like I said, I already knew we didn’t click.”

“But we do, according to the computer?” Laila repeated.

He nodded. “You and I had at least a half dozen or more things in common, similar interests, ambitions and so on.”

She gave him an amused look. “Sounds as if we’re a match made in heaven.”

“Who knows? We could be.” He held her gaze, hoping he’d feel something, even a hint of the chemistry he felt when he was in a room with Jess. There was nothing. It didn’t mean his criteria were off. It just meant he had no quantifiable way to measure attraction, and even he knew that was a key ingredient in any relationship.

After an awkward moment, he changed the subject, asking her opinion of a variety of economic and banking issues. Laila, he discovered, could hold her own when it came to such a debate. She was informed, opinionated and direct, all good traits to his way of thinking. They’d finished dessert before he realized that the time was late and he was due back at his office for his next appointment.

“This was fun,” he said, meaning it. “I’d love to have lunch again sometime.”

“So would I,” she said, “but next time it’s on me.”

Will saw the declaration for what it was, an offer of friendship. Since he’d been thinking along the same lines, he was relieved. “It’s a deal.”

“But not a date,” she responded. “Forget your stupid computer, Will. Ask Jess out. You know she’s the one you want. She always has been.”

He frowned at the statement. “We’re not suited.”

Laila waved off the comment. “Says who?”

“Mostly Jess,” he confessed.

“You’ve actually asked her out and she’s blown you off?”

“Well, no, but she’s made it abundantly clear that I make her uncomfortable.”

“That’s exactly what Jess needs, someone who can shake her up,” Laila said. “Stop wasting your time trying to find a replacement who’ll never measure up. Go for the real thing.” She gave him a hug. “That’s my advice to you.” She grinned. “And lucky for you, I don’t charge your hourly rates for it.”

She strode off down the street, leaving Will to stare after her and wonder why she couldn’t have been the one. Candid, no-nonsense Laila Riley was a whole lot less complicated than Jess O’Brien would ever be.

He sighed. That, of course, was the problem. He apparently liked complications. Unfortunately, that was probably going to be his downfall.

Connie’s first official blind date was with an accountant in Annapolis, a single father whose children, like Jenny, were away at college. On paper, he’d sounded great. Their email exchanges had revealed several other things they had in common, including a love of the water. She’d anticipated an enjoyable lunch, maybe some stimulating conversation, even if it didn’t go any further than that.

Since she’d agreed to drive to Annapolis, she’d decided to go early and stop by Thomas O’Brien’s foundation offices to touch base on their fundraising efforts to protect the Chesapeake Bay. Even though it was a Saturday morning, she knew she’d find Jess’s uncle at work. His workaholic reputation was widely recognized. When she tapped on his office door, he glanced up from the papers on his desk and beamed at her.

“Now, if you aren’t exactly what I needed on this dreary morning,” he said, removing his reading glasses and putting aside his pen. “What brings you to Annapolis?”

Connie’s pulse leapt at the enthusiasm in his voice, even though she’d told herself a thousand times that it was his gratitude for her efforts for the foundation and nothing more.

“I have a date,” she admitted, wrinkling her nose. “A blind date, at that.”

He sat back, a look of astonishment on his face. “Now tell me why a lovely woman like you would be going on a blind date?”

“I signed up for an online dating service,” she said sheepishly. “Jess and Laila did, too.”

“All three of you?” He gave a sad shake of his head. “I can’t imagine what the men of Chesapeake Shores are thinking if you’re resorting to an online dating service.” Still, he looked vaguely intrigued. “And is this your first date?”

Connie nodded. “To be honest, I’m a little nervous.”

“In this day and age, that’s perfectly understandable. Maybe you should reconsider.”

“I can’t just not show up,” she protested. “That would be rude.”

“Then I’ll come with you,” he said decisively. “Not on the date, of course, but just to be nearby in case there’s a problem.”

She studied him oddly. “You’d do that?”

“I feel obligated to, as a matter of fact. Someone needs to look out for you, and we’re practically family.”

She laughed at the serious note in his voice. “Do you know how old I am?”

“I have some idea. What’s your point?”

“That I’m old enough to look out for myself.”

“Not if this man turns out to be some kind of smooth-talking predator,” he insisted, his jaw set determinedly.

“Why am I starting to think that stopping by here was a bad idea?” she said, amused despite herself at his overly protective attitude. And maybe a little touched, if she were to be totally honest.

He smiled at her, the smile that always made her toes curl. “Since you obviously aren’t here for my protection, why did you stop by?”

To see that smile, for one thing, she thought but didn’t dare say. Her conflicted feelings for Thomas O’Brien were a constant source of dismay to her. She couldn’t imagine them ever going anywhere. At the same time, she couldn’t seem to stay away. She was drawn to his passion for his work, his caring personality, his wicked sense of humor…to him, for that matter.

“I haven’t seen you since the last of the summer events,” she said. “I wanted to catch up on how fundraising is going and see what I can do to help over the winter.”

“Now I’ve had a few ideas about that,” he said at once. “Why don’t we go a bit early to this lunch of yours and have coffee while we wait for your date to arrive? Once I’ve met him and seen for myself that he means no harm, I’ll fade into the woodwork,” he promised.

Connie could see all sorts of things potentially disastrous about that plan, but she couldn’t seem to tell him to forget it. Coffee with Thomas sounded a whole lot better, frankly, than lunch with a total stranger.

“That would be great,” she said.

They walked to the restaurant her date had suggested, chose a table overlooking the nearby Severn River and ordered coffee. Connie was so engrossed in what Thomas had to say, she barely noticed when another man approached the table and stood looking down at them with an irritated expression on his face.

“You’re Connie Collins?” he asked.

She jumped guiltily. “I am. Steve Lorton?”

He nodded, then scowled at Thomas. “Am I interrupting?”

“Of course not,” Connie said before Thomas could reply. He had an oddly territorial look on his face that she didn’t quite trust. She introduced the two men. “Thomas and I were just discussing the latest progress in his foundation’s efforts to protect the bay. I’ve been doing some volunteer work for him.”

Steve looked somewhat mollified by the explanation, but when Thomas made no move to leave, he was forced to drag a chair over from a nearby table. He sat down next to Connie, as if to claim her for his own. Connie couldn’t recall the last time she’d been caught in a turf war between two men, if ever, but she discovered she didn’t like it nearly as much as she’d always imagined she might.

“Thomas was just leaving,” she announced pointedly, though, to her dismay, he didn’t seem to be budging.

“I’m sure Steve won’t mind if I stick around a little longer,” Thomas said.

His jaw was set in a way Connie recognized. She’d seen it on other O’Brien men often enough.

She was about to push him to leave, anyway, when he added, “There are several more things we need to discuss, Connie.”

Connie stared at him in confusion. “What things?”

“Our plans for next weekend, in fact.”

Now she really was confused. “We have plans?”

“We do,” he said emphatically, staring down Steve as he said it.

Steve stood up so suddenly his chair fell over. “Look, I had no idea you were already involved with someone,” he said to Connie, his gaze accusing. “You should have told me.”

Before she could defend herself, he turned and left without another word.

She stared after him, then whirled on Thomas. “Why would you do that? Why would you deliberately chase him off?”

“I didn’t like him,” he said, without even a hint of remorse.

She stared at him incredulously. “I think the point of going on this date was to find out if I’d like him.”

“You wouldn’t have,” Thomas predicted. “He’s too self-absorbed.”

“You could tell that from the two minutes he was sitting here?”

“I could tell that when there wasn’t the slightest spark of interest in his eyes when you mentioned protecting the bay.”

She couldn’t deny that. Still, she felt compelled to say, “I think you might be a bit biased when it comes to the bay. Not everyone is as passionate about what you do as you are.”

He held her gaze. “You are,” he said quietly. “Can you honestly tell me you’d be seriously interested in a man who doesn’t care about his surroundings?”

“Probably not, but you don’t get to decide that,” she replied.

“I did you a favor,” he said stubbornly.

She sighed. She could tell she wasn’t going to win this argument. To be honest, she wasn’t all that unhappy about what he’d done, not if it gave the two of them more time together. She wasn’t sure she liked what that said about her state of mind, but there it was, the honest-to-God truth.

“Let’s say I accept that you thought you were doing me a favor,” she said. “I drove all this way to have lunch. Does that mean you’re treating me now?”

His expression brightened and his booming laugh drew smiles from those at nearby tables. “I think it’s the least I can do,” he agreed readily.

“And what about those plans we supposedly have for next weekend?” she asked, suddenly feeling daring in a way she hadn’t in a very long time.

“Dinner at Brady’s on Saturday night?” he suggested.

Despite the little zing of anticipation that rushed through her at the suggestion, Connie hesitated. “Brady’s? Are you sure about that?”

“O’Brien turf?” he asked, proving he understood exactly what her concerns were.

“Pretty much.”

“Well, I can’t very well ask you to drive back to Annapolis, can I? We’ll just have to find someplace down there that my family hasn’t discovered. Chesapeake Shores isn’t the only town with restaurants. Leave it to me.”

“Okay,” she said, her hands suddenly shaking so badly she had to set her menu back on the table. Just to be sure she wasn’t misinterpreting what was going on here, she forced herself to meet his gaze.

“Is this a date, Thomas? Or a business meeting? I want to be clear.”

He didn’t answer immediately. In fact, it looked as if he was struggling to decide. “The smart answer would be to call it a business meeting, wouldn’t it?” he said, regret in his voice.

“It would probably be wise,” she agreed, not even trying to disguise her own disappointment. Then she reminded herself that she was over forty, not some shy little teenage wallflower. Thomas O’Brien was the first man in years who’d captured her attention. Why shouldn’t she throw caution to the wind? She looked him directly in the eyes then, and added, “But I’d really hoped it was a date.”

His expression immediately lit up in a thoroughly gratifying way. “Then a date it is!” He hesitated, then said, “But—”

“You don’t have to say it, Thomas. The family doesn’t need to know about any of this.”

“Not that I think there’s anything wrong with the two of us going on a date,” he was quick to say.

Connie laughed. “Believe me, I get it. Once unleashed, the meddling O’Briens are hard to contain.”

“Exactly.” He picked up his menu. “Suddenly I’m starving. I think I’ll have the seafood platter. How about you?”

Connie was pretty sure she wasn’t going to be able to eat a single bite. “A small house salad for me.”

“Nonsense. You need some protein before you have to drive home. At least have the crabcakes. They’re excellent here.”

She gave in because it made no sense to fight him. She knew she’d be regretting that salad halfway home when her stomach started growling. Still, she couldn’t let him have his way about it entirely. It would set a bad precedent with a man as strong-willed as he obviously was.

“A crabcake sandwich, then,” she compromised.

“Excellent!”

She looked into his blue, blue eyes, sparkling with mirth, and thought she hadn’t been captivated by anyone like this as far back as she could remember, not even Jenny’s father. As much as she’d thought she loved Sam, he’d lacked strength, maturity, passion and compassion, all qualities Thomas personified.

She was smitten, all right. If only the situation didn’t have the potential for heartbreak written all over it.