Better Than Before (RightMatch.com Trilogy) (10 page)

He growled a bit, then she let him out the back door to enjoy the warm weather. She spent an hour preparing the dinner, then hurried upstairs. Drawing a bath with fancy oil dropped in, she put on some jazz, pinned up her hair and climbed into the tub She breathed in the lovely scent, felt the warm air filter in through the open window and thought about Spence. His hands on her, only twice, but they’d felt so right. His mouth on her, only twice, but his lips had left their emotional mark. Darker thoughts intruded. Since Julia’s comment at the Corn Hill Arts Festival, Annie had been forced to admit to herself she still didn’t know him well enough. For one thing, there were inconsistencies in him—his formal diction which she’d never associated with a construction worker; an autocratic attitude, which seemed to slip out occasionally from his self-effacing demeanor; mood swings like the one at the theater that night. Well, she thought optimistically, that’s why she’d invited him here—to get to know him better. And if their physical relationship went a little further, that was fine with her. It was too soon to make love, as she’d only been out with him a few times, but she wouldn’t mind more hot kisses and touches, which made her sizzle. Excited about tonight, she got out of the tub, dressed, did a little bit with makeup and headed downstairs. She reached the foyer just as the doorbell rang.

He stood on the steps, holding a bottle of wine, sexier than a male model in beige, linen pants and dark brown shirt, not at all like his usual outfits. “Hi, there.”

“Hi, Spence.”

“Thanks for inviting me to dinner.” He came inside and gave her the wine.

“Come out to the back.”

On the path to the kitchen, he commented, “Great house!”

“It is. I wanted a smaller place, but Keith went for the whole shebang.”

“You like nice things, though, don’t you?”

Setting the wine on the counter, she found a corkscrew in the drawer. “They’re not nearly as important to me as nice people. But I don’t begrudge anybody who wants the window dressing. It just isn’t for me.”

His expression was odd and she was assaulted by her earlier feeling of not really knowing him.

“Where do
you
live, Spence?”

“In a condo.”

“Did you own a house with your wife?”

He pointed to the wine. “Want me to uncork that?”

“Sure. I’m chattering here. I’m a little nervous. Having you here is a new experience for me.”

“Have you invited a man for dinner since you divorced?”

“Nope.”

“Then I’m honored.” He made quick work of the opener and poured the wine into glasses she set out. “Let’s toast to me being your first guest.”

She was sipping the tart Chardonnay when she realized he’d never answered her question about the house where he lived with his beloved wife.

He did that a lot, evaded her queries. She wanted to know why.

o0o

The whole house had been a surprise to Spence. It sported a fancy kitchen with granite countertops, two ovens and a subzero fridge. Huge living and dining rooms sprawled off the foyer with a spacious family room in the back. Each separate area was excellently decorated. But she was right—none of it fit Annie’s simplicity, except maybe the trophy on the fireplace mantel, which belonged to Hope and read proudly,
Sixth Place
.

Standing by the window, he took note of an intricately designed slate patio and the lush landscaping with green shrubs and colorful perennials like daffodils, crocuses and irises all just beginning to sprout. Two tables, padded chairs, matching umbrellas and a two-seater swing completed the magazine-worthy picture.

Turning back to her, he nodded at the fish. “I’d be glad to grill that.”

“Nope. I’m doing all the cooking tonight.”

As soon as they reached the patio, a black dog with tan-and-white markings, a curly tail and pointy ears padded over to them. Annie set down the salmon, crossed to the beast and held his collar. “Jakey, I’ve got somebody I’d like you to meet. This is my friend Spence.”

Damn it if the mutt didn’t seem to study him. At a loss for what to do, he knelt down and rubbed Jake’s head. His family had gotten a dog when Joe Sr. had come into their lives, but Spence had forgotten all about him. “Hey there, boy.”

Jake nuzzled him halfheartedly, then walked away.

“You’re right about him.” Spence stood. “He isn’t very friendly.”

“Not since he got lost. The trauma has him shying away from people. I’m hoping that patience and love will bring out the best in him.”

Not in Spence’s experience with people, but who knew about canines. Picking up his glass of wine, he watched as Annie lit the grill, put on salmon and basted it. Her movements were so graceful and sensual and…oh, damn, if cooking fish was sexy, Spence was in big trouble.

He was, anyway. After his discussion with Joe, he knew he had to tell Annie who he was and tonight was the best time to confess. They were alone and there’d be no interruptions. But Spence was nervous about doing it. What if she kicked him out? What if she didn’t care about him enough yet and wouldn’t keep seeing him? What the hell would he do then?

Resentment flooded him. Not once in his adult life had he put himself in this position. He didn’t like the side she brought out in him if it included this kind of impotence. It wasn’t too late to rectify the situation, he reminded himself. He could play the dead-wife card, still.

She glanced up from the grill. “What’s the scowl for?”

“I was thinking about relationships and why they’re so hard.”

“Is this hard for you?”

He cleared his throat. “Now, that’s a loaded question.”

When she got the innuendo, she laughed into the warm, early evening. “You know what I mean.”

Maybe he’d start with testing the waters. “We haven’t known each other very long. Yet, in some ways I feel…” He shook his head. “I don’t know how to put it.”

“Close. We feel close to each other.”

“Why is that, Annie?”

“I think because we talked online first. There are still a lot of things we don’t know about each other. I like finding them out, though.”

He twirled the stem of his glass. “What if you discover some things about me you don’t like?”

“That you leave your socks on the floor? That you hate broccoli, that you hold a part of yourself back?”

“Why would you say the last?”

“Because you do. But it’s understandable. You’re cautious after your wife died. You loved her, so you’re hesitant with me.”

“You have this all figured out.”

“I do.” She cocked her head and waited a beat. “I don’t want to play games and I thought you didn’t either. I like you Spence, a lot. And I want to touch you whenever we’re together. If we’re not on the same page, you should tell me now.”

Tell her now.

“We are on the same page. I do feel the same about you. But we should talk.”

The phone inside the house rang and he could tell Annie was irritated. “I’ve got to get that. It might be Keith about the kids.”

“Go ahead.”

What was he about to do? he thought, panicking after she left. End the charade? But wait, Annie had made a big admission tonight. Maybe he
could
tell her what he’d done.

She returned, perplexed.

“Was the call about your children?”

“No, it was about a job.”

“Another one?”

“Yeah, a TA at the college. I’m done with classes, and I was picked for a coveted teaching assistant.”

“So what’s the problem? Other than you’ll be working too hard.”

“I like the teacher.”

“And…”

Her face reddened.

“What is it, Annie?”

She blew out a heavy breath. “I’m afraid he was hitting on me today. After class. I hope that isn’t why he offered the job to me.”

“Then, you didn’t take it?”

“No, I did. I need the money and it’s an easy thing to fit into my schedule two mornings a week.”

Just like that Spence felt himself close down. Felt all his confidence about being honest with this woman dissolve. He had to turn away from her.

“Spence? Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing.”

He felt her come up behind him. Felt her arms slide around his waist. Her body pressing into his. “Are you by any chance jealous?”

The stock ploy of all women. Maybe Annie wasn’t so different. “Is that why you said all this? To make me jealous?”

She stepped back. “Of course not!”

He whirled to face her. “No? Then why did you tell me about this guy hitting on you? Why did you take the job if you know that about him?”

“I explained why I took it. Truthfully, I was thinking out loud about the rest of it. I didn’t know I had to censor myself around you.” She straightened. “And I’d never try to make you jealous.”

“Women do that all the time.”

“I’m not just any woman.”

Angry now, he ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know you well enough to know that.”

“Ah, now there’s where we differ. I thought we did know each other well enough for that.” She glanced at the salmon. “I think this is done.” Crossing to the grill, she slid the fish onto the plate and picked up her wine glass. “Dinner’s ready,” she said stiffly and disappeared into the house.

He found her at the sink, staring out the window, the fish cooling on the counter. She didn’t face him as he came inside and approached her. When he placed his hands on her shoulders, she jolted a bit. He hated that.

“I think we had our first fight.”

“Our first?”

“Uh-huh.” He drew her around. Her expression was conflicted. “I expect to have more.”

“You do?”

“I’m sorry. I overreacted. And you’re right, I do know you better than to accuse you of trying to make me jealous. I meant what I said about feeling close. I’m just gun shy, I guess.”

She raised a hand to his jaw. “I told you earlier I wouldn’t play games with your emotions, Spence. I wouldn’t string you or the handsome professor along.”

“He’s handsome?”

“Yeah, but not sexy like you.” She sobered. “We should always be honest with each other. I hated that Keith lied to me for so long. I’m not interested in Todd Lucas at all. I am, however, very interested in Spence Brewer.”

Brewer. Hearing his lie spoken aloud, especially after the exchange that had just occurred was like getting doused with cold water. He drew in a breath. He’d been about to tell her the truth. Earlier, before the professor called.

But he wasn’t going to do it now. Especially when she whispered, “The salmon’s already cold.”

“Huh?”

She looped her arms around his neck. “We can heat it up. Later.”

He smiled and forgot about lies and jealousy and the truth of their situation. He forgot about everything when her mouth closed over his.

o0o

Annie strolled with her mother through the International Museum of Play in downtown Rockland, letting the kids race ahead of them. Alex had gone over to hang out with Julia’s son Mark, and Annie had picked up Lauren’s girls after Norma had suggested an impromptu morning at the fascinating downtown museum.

“Mommy, can we go see the butterflies now?” Hope had scampered ahead but stopped and yelled the question back to them.

“At two o’clock, honey. Visits there are by appointment.” Which they’d made after they’d arrived. The butterfly greenhouse was a huge draw and they were lucky to get tickets on such short notice.

“Let’s go see the Barbies,” Cora suggested. “Is it okay, Mrs. Kennedy?”

“Sure.”

As they trailed the girls upstairs to the room which displayed every single Barbie ever made, Norma asked, “Mrs. Kennedy?”

“Lauren’s and Julia’s kids still haven’t gotten used to my maiden name.”

“What’s new with Keith?”

“He’s been less hostile to me. God knows why.”

“He’s probably jealous.”

The mention of jealousy reminded Annie of Spence’s vehement reaction three nights ago. “That seems to be an epidemic these days.” She told her mother about Spence once they were seated in the Barbie area and the girls were fawning over dollhouses at the far end.

“I’m starting to worry about that man, Annie.”

“Why?”

“Because of what you just told me. And the fact that you still don’t know him well.”

“I suppose. But we have so much in common.” She took her mother’s hand. “He loves his mother almost as much as I love you.”

Norma squeezed Annie’s fingers. “Norman Bates loved his mother, too.”

“Mom, stop. He’s not a psycho. He also has a close relationship with his brothers. Family is central to his life.”

“At least you enjoy the same activities.”

“We do. I like the movies he chooses, and we’ve read a lot of the same books. He’s totally interested in kids.”

“He says he is, honey.”

“Nope, he babysits his four-month-old niece.”

Nora grinned. “Well, that is a character reference.”

“Mommy, come see Wheelchair Barbie.”

Annie stood. “Don’t worry, Mom. He’s so likable, so real. You’ll love him when you meet him.”

Norma walked with Annie to the display case. “It’s a mother’s prerogative to hold out on approval, dear. Someday, you’ll know that with Hope.”

“Hush. Let’s enjoy her childhood first.” Annie stood behind her daughter and brushed a hand down her hair. “How cool they have Wheelchair Barbie.”

“It makes me sad, Mommy.”

“It’s right to feel sympathy for people, honey.”

Hope grabbed her Grandma’s hand, but Annie trailed behind thinking about their talk. Her mother’s warning diluted some of the positive feelings she’d been having about Spence since Wednesday night. They’d survived their first fight. Their make-up session was hot, and when he’d left, she’d wanted him to stay. To go to bed with her. To make love. She’d thought a lot about the sharp kick of desire she’d experienced with him. Wanted to experience more of it.

Suddenly, Annie wished she was a risk taker, wished she didn’t play it so safe with herself and maybe even her kids’ lives. She should have a fling with Spence. It might be exactly what she needed, what they needed as a couple.

It certainly was what Annie wanted to do!

o0o

Annie typed,
So, want to go dancing tonight?