“Two people sitting on a bench in a public park, drinking coffee, constitutes cozy or intimate in your book? It’s pretty obvious we were hardly alone out there.”
“Hey, I haven’t had a date to speak of in three years,” Nancy responded. “Just shaking hands with an available man qualifies as cozy in my book.”
Despite her general annoyance at all this sudden fascination with her nonexistent social life, Laura chuckled. “Nancy, you’re the one who put out the word that you were declaring a moratorium on all men after your very bitter breakup with Steve. If you want to date, rescind the moratorium.”
“I might do that if J.C. had taken a look in my direction, but it’s clear he only has eyes for you. It must be that unavailable sign you wear on your forehead. Men can’t resist a challenge.”
“If that were the case, he’d be chasing you,” Laura told her. “I’ve gone out from time to time. I’m not unavailable.”
“Never more than twice with the same man,” Nancy countered. “You keep saying there’s no point in getting their hopes up when you know the relationships aren’t right. It’s a mystery to me how you can tell that after two dates.”
“I can usually tell after the first one,” Laura retorted. “The second date is so I won’t offend them by making a snap decision. I really try to be fair.”
“And how do you explain all these dates with J.C.? Aren’t you worried about his ego?”
“I’m sure J.C.’s ego is very healthy, and I’m not worried about it because we’re not actually dating,” she responded with frustration. “Look, I just walked in the door. I’m hungry. I have to figure out if there’s anything in the refrigerator to fix for dinner. Pie isn’t going to cut it as a meal.”
“So that was dessert you were having first,” Nancy retorted. “My money’s on Sullivan’s key lime pie.”
“Do you have binoculars in your car, for goodness’ sake?”
“Nope, just very good vision and strong motivation,” Nancy said. “Don’t squander this chance, Laura. I mean it. J.C. is a catch by anyone’s standards.”
Laura thought of his kindness and compassion, his wit and his intelligence. That he happened to be gorgeous was just an added perk. All in all, she could hardly deny what her friend was saying. Nor could she deny those sparks Nancy had claimed to see between them, but she’d learned years ago to distrust sparks. Sparks made people do crazy, irresponsible things. Hadn’t she learned that the hard way?
“I suppose if I were interested in casting a line into the dating pool, he would be a great catch,” she admitted. “But that’s just not how it is between us. He doesn’t want to be caught.”
“Bet you could change his mind,” Nancy said.
“I’m not sure I’m up for the humiliation of being rejected after being so plainly told that he’s not interested in getting involved with anyone. Sorry. I’m going to have to pass.”
Nancy sighed dramatically. “Foolish, foolish woman. Oh, well, gotta run. See you tomorrow. I’ll be the one trying to make you see the error of your ways.”
After she hung up, Laura sat down at the kitchen table and thought about the times she’d seen J.C. in recent days. Those blasted sparks had been undeniable. He’d even admitted she’d been on his mind. In some ways that was even more terrifying. What if he decided he was no longer quite so averse to getting involved with someone?
But he’d made such a point of making sure she was aware that he didn’t date. She wondered why. His declaration had been pretty unequivocal. There had to be a story behind it. Maybe if she could find out the answer to that mystery, she’d know if he was half as determined to ignore those wickedly inviting sparks as she was.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, my friend,” Cal Maddox taunted when J.C. showed up at the gym.
J.C. gave him a puzzled look. “Game?”
“With Laura Reed.”
J.C. bristled. “What game am I supposedly playing with Laura?”
“The way I hear it from very informed sources, you’ve been with her quite a lot recently.”
“So?”
“There’s talk,” Cal said, as if that were explanation enough.
“It’s Serenity,” J.C. said with a shrug. “There’s always talk about something.”
Cal chuckled. “True enough, but this talk is about you and Laura being an item. Since I’ve had the impression for a long time now, based on your refusal to accept any of the blind dates being tossed your way, that you don’t want to get seriously involved with anyone, talk is not good.”