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He lived a charmed life. Before she could think
straight, she d been caught up in the glamour and
pageantry of belonging to an elite group whose lives
others envied.
Two years passed before she was able to admit
the fairy tale prince would commit to their
relationship only when it was convenient for him, and
when he went on location he got more action than
James Bond on Viagra. She d never had his heart.
A blaring car horn snapped her back to the
present. She waved to the gesturing driver behind her
as she pulled away from the green light. The library
loomed ahead, but instead of pulling into the parking
lot she circled the block a few times, debating. There
had to be a Starbucks or a Panera Bread or someplace
with Wi-Fi, but the thought of spending the day
amidst noisy conversation was even less appealing
than facing Molly Simpson, head librarian, and
biggest gossip in town. Probably in the county, for
that matter.
She chose a parking spot under a tree and
checked her cell. It wasn t Brett who d called. Her
pulse raced as she hit Send.
Toni, did you get the designs I e-mailed?
Rowena, they re gorgeous. You re a lifesaver.
When can you come downtown to iron out the
details?
Oh, I m so happy you like them. I wasn t sure if
you were serious about your offer.
Are you kidding? They re amazing. And the
timing couldn t be more perfect. Rowena listened to
the sound of pages being turned. How about
Thursday around eleven? That way we can have
lunch.
I ll be there with more designs.
Rowena let out a yell and pumped her fists in the
air. She had a gig. A real one. Not the masquerade
working on low-budget films for friends of Brett had
turned out to be. Her days of being blackballed by
him and his cronies were over.
She strolled into the library wearing a smile so big
her jaw started to ache. Even Molly Simpson
wouldn t be able to ruin this day.
Van tossed trash into the Dumpster as he
watched Rowena park the Infinity and spring up the
front walk, her smile wide and her eyes bright. Even
her hair beamed.
Looks like you had another good day. Why the
hell had he said anything? He sounded like a jealous
kid. She d left the house before ten every day this
week, carrying her laptop bag, and returned around
four, smiling and bouncy.
She glanced around and sidled up to him, wafting
musky perfume his way. Can you keep a secret?
she whispered.
His heart sank as an image of her draped over
some guy popped into his head. Sure.
Larry chose that moment to walk out onto the
front porch, whistling the theme from some sitcom.
Hey boss, we need to move the cat into another
room.
Oh, I ll take care of that, said Rowena, breezing
past him.
Thanks, said Van, glaring at his crew member.
Larry frowned, shrugged, then went back into the
house.
Van didn t see her again until they quit work for
the day. He made lame excuses to hang around until
his crew finally left.
So, what s the secret? he asked, half-hoping she
wouldn t tell him.
What? Oh. Remember I told you Toni Fleming
has her own design studio now, and that she made
contact with a producer in New York?
He nodded.
Well, it s official now. I m working for her.
Freelance stuff. I won t own a share in the studio or
anything, but she s paying me.
That s fantastic. He was so relieved it wasn t
what he d imagined, he decided to take a chance. If he
didn t get this out in the open, he d go nuts. Do you
have time this evening to talk?
Her face went all deer-in-the-headlights. Um,
sure.
His heart sank at the look in her eyes, but then he
had a rare stroke of genius. Let s go out to dinner.
That way we can still talk, but won t feel awkward
being alone in the house.
She blushed. Van, it s not that I feel awkward.
Rowena, it s OK. I understand. But there are
things I need to say.
Her eyes filled with skepticism. OK. But I want
to go somewhere outside of town.
He grinned. I know just the place. Give me half
an hour to run home and change.
* * *
After Rowena fixed her hair and makeup, she
paced the kitchen. What did he want to talk about?
Well, that night two weeks ago, for sure. It had been
hanging in the air like a storm cloud every time they
looked at each other. Everything he d said to her since
then, every lingering look she d caught was evaluated
against what had happened that night.
She d kept herself busy with the designs, but
every afternoon when she returned to the house, she
wondered if she should say something to him. Now
she d have her chance. Instead of being relieved it
would finally be out in the open, she was more
nervous than she d ever been.
The sound of tires on the brick driveway sent her
scurrying to the front door, where she met him on the
porch steps. The sight of him in jeans and a charcoal
Henley that hugged his torso and showed off his
muscles caused a rush of warmth throughout her
body.
He held out a Hallmark bag. I ve been meaning
all week to give you this.
She stared at it.
It s a housewarming gift.
He looked like a little boy who d just handed his
first grade crush a pretty leaf or a seashell, not quite
sure his gift was the appropriate thing to offer, but
hoping she d adore it. Her heart thawed a bit.
Thank you, Van. She opened the bag and
pulled out a large jar candle. Even before she took off
the lid she knew what she d smell. Lilacs. Oh my. Her
heart melted a bit more. When she looked into his
eyes she had to fight an impulse to kiss him. He knew
what the smell of lilacs meant to her.
Van, I don t know what to say.
I m glad you like it.
Only the sound of voices across the street
snapped her attention away from those eyes. Let me
put this inside before we go.
She didn t speak until he was on the freeway,
heading east toward Cleveland. So, where are we
going?
He grinned. It s a surprise.
You do remember that I m not crazy about
surprises?
I remember.
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