Someone Like Her(53)
She gave a little snorting sound. “You could use a keeper, for sure. Just give me a minute to call my lover and let him know I can’t make it tonight.” Pulling her hand away, she walked to her desk, picked up the phone, and dialed.
Her lover? Hadn’t she just been teasing him with her pretend plans? Who the hell was she calling? His cell rang. When he saw her name on his caller ID, he glanced at her and raised a brow. “Hello.”
“Hi, lover boy. Listen, I’m really sorry, but something’s come up, and I’m gonna have to beg off tonight.”
“But I have tonight all planned—it involves champagne and corn dogs, warm oil massages, maybe a little body painting before we’re done.”
“Champagne and corn dogs? Wow, how am I supposed to resist that? Hold on a sec.” She put the phone on hold, then shrugged. “I don’t think I can get out of my date with lover boy. Why don’t you call Jamie, have him babysit you?”
He formed his lips into a pout. “But Saint doesn’t drink or carouse.”
She grinned. “Exactly.”
“No, I think I’ll just go home and sulk.” He walked out of the office, his phone to his ear. He’d never played games like this before and even though it was kind of silly, it was novel . . . and fun. She was a constant surprise, and he was going to like having her for a girlfriend.
“I’m back, lover boy. What time are you picking me up?”
After a quick glance at his watch, he said, “Eight.” That would give him a little over an hour to get everything ready.
“Can’t wait,” she said and disconnected.
Where the hell did one buy body paint?
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
When in Pensacola, Maria lived with Logan and Dani. It had been generous of them to invite her to continue living in their home after they married, but once she was back for good, one of the first things she planned to do was find her own place. One where a nosy brother wouldn’t be lying in wait whenever she walked in.
In her room, Maria tried on three outfits before deciding on the yellow sundress. It was soft and easy to get out of, but most of all, the girl in his painting—the one he’d drunkenly admitted reminded him of her—wore one like it. Running out of time, she’d let her hair air-dry after showering, leaving it to flow naturally down her back.
She had managed a few hours of study between her time at K2 and visiting Dani at the hospital. Fortunately, she only had two exams left, and they were her easiest classes.
Regan bounced in; her Doberman, Luke, by her side. “Maria, you wanna watch my mermaid movie with me and Luke?”
How many times had they watched that movie together? A hundred, at least. Maria sat and pulled her niece onto her lap. “Can’t tonight, sweetheart.”
“Why?”
“Cause I have a date. I’ll watch it with you tomorrow, I promise.”
“What’s a date?” Luke pressed himself against Maria’s legs and laid his chin on Regan’s lap. Maria idly scratched the Doberman behind his ears. “A date is . . .” How did one explain a date to a five year old? “You know how your mom and dad say Saturday nights are just for them and they go out for dinner or a movie? That’s a date.”
Regan’s lips puckered and her eyes filled with tears. Luke, always sensitive to Regan’s moods, whined. “Mommy went away to get me a little brother, but I don’t want one. I want Mommy and Daddy to come home.”
“They’ll be home tomorrow, sugar pie. Come here and give me a kiss.”
“Jake!” Regan jumped off Maria’s lap and went running to him, Luke fast on her heels.
Almost as at home in Logan and Dani’s house as Maria, it wasn’t a surprise that Jake now stood in the doorway of her bedroom. So why was her heart doing summersaults?
With Regan wrapped around his chest and Luke’s nose stuck against the back of his knee, he came into her bedroom. “Hi,” he said.
At the heated look in his eyes, Maria’s brains turned to mush. “Hi.” It was the only word she was capable of saying. God, he was so hot she wanted to lick her lips in appreciation. He wore black dress pants and a blue button-down Oxford shirt, and looked like he’d stepped off the cover of some magazine.
Mrs. Jankowski followed him into the room. “Regan, my girl, there you are.” She took the child from Jake. “It’s time for popcorn and your movie.”
“Hi,” Maria said, walking up to Jake.