Flirting With Destiny(24)

My hands jumped to cover my ears. The loud crack of a muffler backfiring startled me back from outer space. I let my hands flop to my sides and watched as a man with a gray beard rode by slowly on his old-guy motorcycle. He was dressed all in black, with a leather vest, jeans and black boots resting high on chrome foot pegs. His face looked weathered and lonely. As the old biker trailed off past the front window of the diner, the figure of a man sitting inside caught my eye. He sat alone in the booth and was dressed in a dark suit, which was unusual since most people didn’t get dressed up for a meal at the Hamburg Inn #2.

The restaurant had made the list for the ‘best hamburger in town’ by the local newspaper, for ten years in a row. I didn’t know what happened to Hamburg Inn #1, there wasn’t one as far as I knew, nor did I know why the owners couldn’t spell the word hamburger right.

I looked again and a flash of recognition sailed across my face. I’d know that profile anywhere. It was Aedyn.

Before I knew it, my feet were carrying me in his direction, although I had no idea what I was going to do, or say, since the last time I’d seen him at the sandwich shop he was so dismissive.

Where my sudden moxie had come from, I didn’t know. Especially considering I had just been laid into by Chip, under the suspicion of seeing another man. Anyone in their right mind would’ve turned tail and run. Who knows, maybe I had a death wish, but the mere sight of him and I instantly felt better. I tried not to look obvious as I glided across the street, watching him drinking his after-dinner coffee.

I walked up to his booth and blurted out, “Hello, Aedyn.”

He looked up in surprise from the coffee mug that was just drawing down from his gorgeous lips. “Lauren… hi. We meet again.”

All my muscles were turning into wet noodles under his intense stare, which felt amazing and unnerving at the same time. It zapped the moisture from my mouth, even more than his smooth voice had. He seemed to have gotten more handsome than when I talked to him the first time.

His hair was jet black and professionally groomed. His face harbored a strong jaw, full lips, blazing blue eyes and a magnificently dazzling smile. And once again, he was wearing a nicely cut dark suit, dressed to the T, like he was always going somewhere important.

With a large hand wrapped around the cream-colored porcelain mug, he set it down gently. I shifted nervously, lifting up on my toes and setting my weight down into my heels.

“So it does. I was just out for a walk and saw you here, through the window, all by yourself… well, I don’t mean to bother you…”

He stood and gestured with an open palm. “Would you like to sit down? I have more time before I have to go.”

My eyes darted to the seat and then to the window that might as well be a movie screen for anyone who passed outside. I felt exposed, just standing here like this.

“I really shouldn’t,” I said. I’d be there on display, me with another man. Chip’s accusations becoming real.

“We didn’t get a chance to talk for long the other day. You could keep me company while I wait. I only have another couple of hours in town and then I have to get back to Chicago… business calls.”

Before I could answer, the dull buzzing of a pocketed cell phone interrupted us.

Aedyn’s eyebrows shot up. “Apparently, in more than one way. Excuse me, Lauren.”

He pulled the phone out of his inside jacket pocket and glanced at the screen, then pushed what I hoped was the ignore button. He took a step away and turned, looking out the picture window as he gave short answers to the person on the other end. I felt like an idiot, gawking while he handled the call, my eyes glued to his profile in amazement. Aedyn Cumberland. What a devastatingly handsome transformation, I thought again.





Chapter 11

Lauren

Aedyn ended the call and tucked his cell into his jacket. He turned back to me and smiled. “Sorry about that… so what do you say? Can you stay awhile? I haven’t seen you for years, well, except for the little dance we did in the back hallway of the sandwich shop.”

I grinned and rolled my eyes. “Sure, I can stay for a little while. But no dancing this time.”

One look in those piercing blue eyes and I found myself melting into the smooth plastic seat opposite Aedyn, agreeing to stay for a chat even if it meant Chip might find out.

The same reaction I felt when I saw him step from the limo came rushing in, sending butterflies to fill my stomach. I suddenly didn’t care what Chip may or may not do. I had been blindly tearing around the streets of town after Chip’s psychotic attempt to search my phone and I was relieved to finally sit down. Plus, Aedyn said he only had a short time, so what harm could it do?