I’m thinking of cooking dinner for a friend and I only have two plates. That’s one of them.
Oh, she felt bad now.
Of course, do you want me to bring it over now?
Emery took a sip of her new cup of coffee. It was glazed donut coffee and filled her morning with the only joy she got until she saw a few of her kids. Not all of her kids were happy to see her, but she really felt a connection with a few and that made all the difference.
Not now, I’m busy. Swing by tonight. 7:30.
She looked curiously at the message.
1005 Habersham
A tingling sensation flooded her body. Emery didn’t like it; the feeling was very close to happiness. She remembered that feeling from Nashville and she didn’t want it here. She just wanted to do her job and stay hidden.
Tim was right. His place wasn’t far, maybe only a half dozen blocks from hers on the other side of Forsyth Park. The park bordered the historic downtown area of Savannah and was comprised of thirty acres. It was originally developed in 1840 and then later expanded and named after the Governor of Georgia. It was a majestic place. The live oak trees lightly decorated with Spanish moss gave the area a romantic feel that she loved. She pulled her car up to the gate. He lived in a gated house? She looked at the box and pressed the intercom for Flemming.
“Yes?” a voice asked through speaker.
“Tim?”
“Emma?”
“Yes.”
The gate opened. She pulled straight in and looked to the left and right. There were maybe six townhomes with garages in front of her. Her phone dinged.
Unit 5
She took a right and pulled into the space in front of Tim’s unit.
The garage door opened revealing a black BMW sedan and a red Toyota Tundra pickup. Tim walked between the two vehicles in jeans and a tight long-sleeved Henley. Emery took a deep breath and grabbed the plate. She left her purse in the car as she got out. Her door was still open and she took a few steps up the driveway and handed him the plate.
“Thanks,” he said, his hand grazing hers.
That damn dimple on his left cheek. Emery inhaled deeply. He smelled amazing.
“Hi,” she said weakly.
“Hi,” he returned.
They stood a few inches from each other, not saying anything.
“So,” she stepped back, “thanks again for the other night. I really appreciate it.” Emery turned to walk back to her car.
“Emma, are you going to eat with me?”
“What?”
“Well, I cooked dinner for us…I was hoping you’d stay to eat. You can even use this plate if you’re attached to it.”
“You…” Thoughts ran through her mind. Arrogant. Asshole.
“What? Wanted to cook for a new friend?”
“You tricked me into dinner?”
“Me?” He feigned horror.
“Tim,” she laughed, “you’re crazy.”
“I just wanted to see you. And I really did cook dinner.”
Emery looked at the open door of her car and then back at Tim holding the empty plate, giving her puppy dog eyes. She slid into her car and leaned over, grabbing her purse. “Fine,” she conceded, standing back up and shutting her door.
Tim’s face broke out into a grin that reminded her of a kid that just found out he was getting the toy he wanted. Even his ears were smiling. It made whatever was to come of the evening worth it. Just for that face.
“So what did you make?” she asked as she followed him into the door from the garage, her hand in his.
He lowered the garage door and she took in the cherry wood floors and vaulted ceilings. The place was gorgeous.
“I grilled steaks, cabbage, and potatoes.” He dropped her hand as he walked into the kitchen and put her plate next to his.
There was a table, not where you would think it would be, but at the back of the den overlooking what looked like a wooden box. The table had wine glasses and two candles glowing against the dark night of the windows. Out the windows, white lights draped around a square area that was directly behind his town home, seemingly marking his space.
“Sounds good.” Her stomach twisted nervously. Emery didn’t know why she was nervous. This wasn’t a date, even though it was starting to look like one.
“You want something to drink?”
She nodded, thinking she might need thirty drinks to make it through tonight. Emery stared at the lights in the backyard until they blurred together. Could she be friends with this guy? Would he break her open like Noah did? Would she be able to hide everything from his watchful eye?
“Emma?”
She turned quickly and he was right there, inches from her. Taking a step back, she looked into his eyes. She saw raw desire and she liked it.
“Breathe, Emma,” Tim soothed.