Page 11 of Lorna's Savior
“Tomorrow will be a week.” She grinned. “Now that we’re neighbors, should we exchange names?”
“I’m Andy.”
“Lorna.” They were close enough that they were able to stretch across the two patios to shake. But only using the tips of their fingers.
“I haven’t seen you out here all week.”
“Yeah, well, the night we met, I had received a promotion, and was out celebrating. Thank you for helping with that, by the way.” Lorna smirked. “I’ve been working late all week. It’s going to be a busy summer.”
“May I ask what you do?” Andy said, and settled into his chair. Since Lorna didn’t have any furniture, she stood in the corner of the fenced-in patio to talk with him.
“Would you mind if I go in and change? I’ve been at work since six this morning and I’m wanting to crash. As you can see, I don’t have any furniture out here yet, but I’d like to relax.”
“Sure, but only on one condition.”
“What’s that?” Lorna frowned at him.
“Join me for dinner.”
“Why?”
“So we can get to know each other. I don’t know you that well, yet, but you look exhausted. Let me cook something for you.”
Lorna stood there and chewed on her bottom lip for several minutes, before she sighed. “Only on two conditions.”
“Which are?” Andy frowned at her.
“First, do you have any wine?”
“Unfortunately, no.”
“Then, I’ll bring the wine, and you need to teach me what you’re cooking.”
“You don’t know how to cook?”
“Some, but not a lot. Mother wouldn’t ever allow me in the kitchen.” The way she said it caused Andy to frown.
“Did she cook?”
“She?”
“Your mother?” Andy asked, and stared in shock when Lorna snorted a rude sound.
“Hardly, Mother never even stepped foot in the kitchen. She always talked to the cook from her lounge chair beside the pool, or from her spa room. I’ll join you if we don’t talk about Kristen Hepplewaite, I don’t want my good mood to sour, and be bad company for you.”
“Deal.” Andy jumped to his feet and hastened over to try to shake her hand. They laughed when they barely touched. “Go, get changed, and meet me over at my apartment in thirty minutes.”
“You won’t start cooking without me?”
“No, and in case you don’t know, I’m in apartment A.”
“I’d have figured it out,” Lorna grinned as she turned on her heel. “Thirty minutes?”
“Thirty minutes.” Andy stayed until she went into her apartment and closed the door behind her. Only then did he hurry into his own place and rushed down to his office. He gathered up all the information he’d been looking over all week, and stuffed it in a drawer. After it was all hidden, he went to his bedroom, and took a quick shower, changing into dress slacks, and a pale-blue button-down shirt, the shirt his sister Pip said enhanced the color of his eyes. With ten minutes to spare, Andy made his way to his kitchen and opened all his cupboards, praying he had enough food to make a meal.
“Jackpot!” He fisted his hand in the air when he found a box of noodles, a jar of sauce, and in the freezer, he found a package of hamburger. It wasn’t much, but it was filling. He wondered what type of wine Lorna would bring over. He had just removed his corkscrew from the drawer, when there was a knock on the door.
He hurried over, and at the last minute, looked in the hallway mirror and smoothed down his hair. After taking several breaths, he regulated his breathing, closed his eyes and counted to ten. Then, he opened his door, and all his calm left him.
