Page 20 of Love on the Line

She yawned as she said, “You, too.”

He chuckled when he said, “I mostcertainly will now.”

Beforeshe could process his words and comment, he disconnected. AJ shook her head andextracted herself from the couch, taking her phone to the counter to charge. Shedragged herself upstairs with just enough energy to brush her teeth and stripdown before flopping into her bed, where she was asleep within seconds.

****

AJ spent the following three mornings atCamel’s Back Park getting back into her exercise routine, and also wishingshe’d run into the gorgeous stranger. Alas, she saw no glimpse of the man, butthat didn’t prevent her imagination from conjuring sinfully wicked scenes inher mind. Especially when she and Mathias spent those three nights talking forhours about nothing and everything, from their work, friends, and pet peeves,to movies and holidays.

The subtle sexual undertones of theirconversation progressed as each day passed, and it was a challenge to keepcertain things left unsaid. AJ thought she could detect the same restraint inMathias’s voice as well. And oh, what a voice. She couldn’t get enough of hissexy timbre as it washed over her like a reverent touch. It drifted into herdreams, causing her to wake with such need, she had no choice but to satisfyherself. Her fingers were a poor substitute to hot, male body parts, but they’dhave to do until circumstances changed.

That thought brought her around to herpending meeting with Mathias tomorrow. It was Friday morning, and tonight wasthe night she’d let him know she did indeed want to meet up at the balloon festival.

The anticipation had been building littleby little every night, and she felt simultaneously thrilled and petrified. His discussionswere intelligent and humorous, and she never thought they’d run out of topicsto talk about. But what if he was only five feet tall, bald, and buck-toothed? Whatif he was nothing like the perfect specimen she had conjured in her mind? Wouldshe be that shallow to cut bait and run?

What ifshefell short of his expectations, preferring someone with moremeat on her bones? Or with green eyes instead of blue, or auburn hair insteadof blonde? What if it came down to appearances after all and they were bothleft disappointed and shattered?

“Gah!” Herpreoccupation caused her to stumble along the path as she was nearing the endof her run along the trails. “Focus, AJ,” she admonished herself. As she madeher way through the park, ready to hit the sidewalks and return home, she slowedher jog into a walk and took a drink of her water. Glancing behind her at thebeautiful sunrise peeking over the hills, she caught sight of a figure nearingthe crest, ready to head out onto the trails. He was only a silhouette dancingin the brilliant light of the sun, but AJ knew without a doubt he was hergorgeous stranger.

She was transfixed by his form, hismovement, and sorely wanted to call out to him, just to get a glimpse of hishandsome face.And then what? Stare likean idiot? Run after him like a crazed fan at a Kenny Chesney concert?“You’refor sure notgonnarun again,” she mumbled toherself.

AJ sighed and turned, eager to get home,and missed seeing the stranger turn as he stood atop the rise, watching herwalk away.

Several hours later, after showering,eating, and trying to get work completed, AJ was hopelessly distracted. Andafter a call from Jen in the afternoon, while it had been wildly entertaining, itonly served to heighten her anticipation. Jen did her best to ease AJ’s anxietyby telling her any man would be damn lucky to have a woman like her, and ifthis Mathias couldn’t accept her for who she was, well then he wasn’t worth aspit. She also told AJ she could afford to be picky, and if Mathias wasn’t allshe wanted, then make a break and move on.

Yeah, as if it would be that simple. AJfelt as if she and Mathias were somehow invested in one another, as crazy asthat seemed after only five nights. Their talks were something she had come toreally look forward to, and if they were to end, well … she knew she’d be sad. Therewas safety in their conversations, without any concern for how she looked orwhat she wore.

Suddenly,inspiration hit. Although she didn’t want to make it all about appearances, shecouldn’t believe the idea that ran through her mind hadn’t come sooner. AJchuckled to herself as she searched the internet for pictures and sought outshops to visit. With her game plan in place, she set out for an afternoon offun. And by the time evening rolled around, her outfit was complete and shecouldn’t suppress her triumphant glee.

She knew for certain she was going toknock Mathias’s socks off. Laughing at the old cliché, she ate a hasty dinnerbefore getting comfy on the couch with her Kindle as she waited for the man’scall.

When her phone chimed, she eagerly reachedfor it, thinking it was him, but Kayli’s information came up. Trying not to betoo disappointed, she answered.

“Hey, girl, what’s up?”

“Hey, AJ, just thought I’d call and chat,solidify our plans for tomorrow. I haven’t heard from you all week. How havethings been?”

AJ went on the have a quick chat with herfriend. As much as she loved Kayli, she knew it was getting close to the timeMathias would call. Well, long-story-short, AJ ended up giving Kayli a rapidrundown of her week, and her conversations with Mathias. Kayli was thrilled forher and said she couldn’t wait to meet him tomorrow.

“You sound wonderful, AJ. I really hopethis works out.”

“Me, too. It’s been crazy, but good, youknow.”

“Yeah. Okay, good luck. I’ll let you goand see you tomorrow. Love you, girl.”

“Love you too, Kayli. Good night.”

Just as she disconnected, her phone chimedagain. She smiled at her screen as Mathias’s number popped up, along with thesketch AJ couldn’t stop herself from drawing a few days ago. One she assignedas his profile picture. It was a simple pencil sketch of a face that resembledChrisHemsworth, only with darker hair, deep blueeyes, and cleft chin. Okay, so it looked more like the handsome jogger from thepark, AJ conceded in her mind. So what?

Well,hopefully I’m not setting myself up for disappointment.

“Well, hey there, handsome,” AJ greeted.

Mathias’s chuckle echoed through the air,causing AJ’s skin to tingle and a bigger smile to form on her face. “And howwould you know I’m handsome? I could look like a toad.”

AJ laughed. “Well, then I’d kiss you andturn you into my prince.”

“Is that so?”

---