Dear M.,
I’m here if you want to talk about it.
Randi took a deep breath, tempted to tell him everything. But she couldn’t. There was still so much about her personal life that he didn’t know, and his connection to the Sinclairs was uncertain. She might share her emotions with her mystery guy, but there were still some things she didn’t dare write about.
Dear S.,
Thanks for always being here for me. It’s always meant a lot. Good luck with continuing to stay warm. I’m off to find my dog. I can’t figure out where she went. We’ll talk soon.
Randi signed out of her email and off the computer, closing the lid and setting it on the floor. She tried desperately not to feel a pang of regret at the news that S. had a new woman in his life, and obviously one he cared about. While she wanted to be happy for him, she’d come to rely on his friendship, advice, common sense, and compassion in the last year. There had been times that she’d felt connected to him by something even deeper than friendship, but she had no idea exactly what it was. At times, it was almost as if they were kindred spirits, understanding each other on a level a little different than friendship. Unfortunately, she’d probably never know.
She had wanted to meet him, but a streetwise woman with her background had more sense than to believe that meeting a stranger she knew only by email could be anything other than dangerous. In fact, it could end up being a disaster of epic proportions if they didn’t connect well in person. They’d both lose a friendship that they’d come to depend on in the last year.
“Oh well, it doesn’t matter anymore. He has his woman now,” she whispered quietly to herself, hoping the unknown female realized what a wonderful guy she had. If she didn’t, Randi would kick the crap out of the unknown female herself. She might have never met him face-to-face, but he’d spent enough lonely nights with her, comforting her after she lost Joan, that she knew he had an enormous heart.
Randi yawned as she rose from the chair.
I need coffee. Bad.
She wandered through the massive house, searching for the kitchen, noting that although the house and furnishings were beautiful, they seemed . . . unused, cold. It was likely because it was rarely used, and there wasn’t really a personal feel to the residence.
Wondering if she should continue to search for Lily, she was surprised when Evan came through a door in the kitchen that she hadn’t seen before. Lily was right behind him.
“Hey, sweet girl,” Randi crooned, squatting down to let Lily give her morning doggie kisses. She cuddled the enthusiastic dog as she looked up at Evan. “Good morning,” she said cautiously, flushing as she remembered all that had happened between them the night before.
“It’s much better than good now,” Evan remarked huskily, his eyes devouring her.
Randi acknowledged that Evan looked as hot in casual clothing as he did in a suit and tie. Even though he was dressed in another pair of butt-hugging jeans and a green sweater, he still exuded power. It was an aura he carried with him no matter how he was dressed.
“I was worried about Lily,” Randi told him as she stroked the dog’s golden fur. “I didn’t know she had turned traitor on me. I thought you didn’t like dogs.”
Honestly, she trusted her dog’s judgment, and apparently Lily had weighed in on Evan’s side. Her canine was looking back and forth between them, her glances at both of them completely adoring.
“I never said I didn’t like dogs. Just that I never had one. She’s nice. I took her outside to use the facilities,” Evan said properly. “And then she followed me downstairs to my office.”
Lily licked her cheek one last time before Randi stood up.
“Why does she do that licking thing? I fed her, but she was still doing the same thing after I gave her some food. I thought maybe she was hungry, but I guess not.” He looked honestly perplexed.
Randi laughed. “She’s showing affection. She likes you.”
She found the coffeemaker and the individual capsules to put inside of the machine. She popped one in, closed the lid, and touched the button to brew after finding and placing a mug underneath the spout.
“Does her owner still like me today, too?” Evan asked carefully, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind.
Randi turned and slid her arms around him. “Depends. Are you going to kiss me?”
“Yes. Yes, I think I am. I don’t think I can stop myself. You look beautiful today,” Evan answered, his eyes stormier than the weather outside.
Randi shivered in anticipation as Evan started to lower his head. She wasn’t wearing any makeup, and her long hair was still damp from the shower. Dressed in a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, she was pretty sure she was a mess, but Evan didn’t appear to care.