A Better Man(42)

"If I remember right, prom is just around the corner," he said. "So maybe that fits into all of this with Nicki."

"I never thought of that."

"Mind if I ask you something?"

Her head tilted back a little, like she didn't quite trust where he was going. "Sure."

"When a conversation becomes about you, why do you always turn it around to something else?"

An uneasy laugh bubbled from her lips. "I don't do that."

"Yeah. You do. It's like you think you're not important enough to talk about. Well, I think you are." Frustrated, he sipped the last of his wine, then grabbed her half-­empty glass from the table and carried them into the kitchen.

While rinsing the glasses he tried to clear his mind of all the unpleasant things Lucy must have gone through in her life. The moment he turned off the faucet, he wasn't at all surprised by what thought surfaced to the top. A plan, really. And one she probably was going to fight like a bad hair day.

When he came back into the living room, she stood by the front door while Ziggy remained stretched out with his big brown eyes watching every move she made.

"Thanks for coming by," she said, opening the door and averting her eyes anywhere but on him. "I hope you're feeling more encouraged about your sister."

Behind her back she kept her grip on the doorknob that left the door partially open. Still, he received the message.

We're done here.

He'd put her in an uncomfortable place when all he really wanted was to find out more about her.



       
         
       
        

"I promise to see what I can do about talking to her friends, but the soonest I'll be able to contact anyone probably won't be until Monday," she said. "And that's only if I can get in touch with anyone. A lot of people go on spring break vacation. I'll call you as soon as I know anything."

Though Jordan played a game for a living, he didn't play games in real life. He was a man who usually knew what he wanted and always did his best to get it. For the first time he was unsure. But right now, he thought maybe he wanted Lucy.

He walked up to her, placed his hand on the open door beside her head, and pushed the door closed. She shuffled backward until she became trapped between two unmovable objects-­him and the door.

"Not good enough." With his skates on, he was the epitome of in control. With Lucy he was ready to throw caution into the fire.

"What do you mean, 'not good enough'?" Annoyance puffed from between her moist, rosy lips. Fists slammed down on her shapely hips, and a furrow tightened the skin between her rich, brown eyes. "That's all there is. I'll find out and I'll call you."

"Don't you see, Lucy? I don't want just a call." He touched the side of her face. Trailed the backs of his fingers down her cheek. "I want more."

When her eyes widened he was tempted to just lean in and give her another toe-­curling kiss. "Go out with me tomorrow night."

"What?"

"You know . . . you, me, a movie, a box of popcorn. A date."

"You're asking me out on a date."

A statement, he noticed. Not a question. As if she couldn't comprehend the meaning. And that pissed him off. Lucy should be taken out often, shown off, and treated well.

"I believe that's what I just asked. So are you game? Or do I have to start clucking?"

"Clucking?"

"Because you're too chicken to say yes."

"I'm not chicken."

"Perfect." Fighting a smile, he eased his way into the open space and stepped out onto her porch. "Then I'll pick you up at seven o'clock tomorrow night."

"Seven?"

"Seven." It didn't take much to pull her against him. She didn't fight it or the brief kiss he gave her to erase the confusion from her face. "Good night, Lucy." Then he closed the door and said from the other side, "Lock the door so I don't come back in there." 

Behind him the deadbolt slammed into place.

He didn't know if she'd take him seriously. Didn't know if she'd actually be ready at seven, or if she'd dodge him and wouldn't even be home. Even with all those negatives hanging over his head, as he strolled to the SUV, he found himself whistling because he had a good feeling she'd be there. And when he felt this good he knew there was always a chance the evening would turn out to be everything he wanted.

Then again, there was every chance it would be a complete disaster.

Lucy threw the deadbolt. Then, unable to stop herself, she marched over to the window, pulled back the curtain, and watched Jordan walk toward the black SUV. When he opened the driver's door, it was as if he sensed her watching. He turned, caught her red-­handed, and flashed her a smile. She let go of the curtain and huffed out a growl.