Page 61 of Sean
Monica opened the door, and Sean was dazzled.He took a step back.
She was nothing short of lovely.The dress she wore was a pattern of red, green, and blue swirls against a black background.The blue was an exact match for the color of her eyes and made them even more vivid than usual.
“You look amazing.”He whipped the rose from behind his back.“For you.”Not exactly riveting conversation, but he was having trouble finding words.
Monica took the flower and inhaled the scent.Her smile was all the thanks he needed.
She swung the door wide.“Come on in.I’m almost ready.”She lifted the rose.“This is beautiful, thanks.”
“You’re more than welcome.”Sean took in Monica’s space.If her office was an indication of who she was, her living area took that one step further.It was full of the things his mother would call knick-knacks.Books lined a couple of shelves, interspaced with small figurines of fairies, dragons, and unicorns.The pillows on her sofa accented the colors of translucent wings, iridescent scales, and fanciful flowers.Several books on the shelves bore titles that he’d enjoyed.It seemed they shared a love of fantasy.
Like a piece of metal drawn to a magnet, he crossed to the shelf, plucked up a familiar title, and flipped through the pages.“This was a good one.Did you enjoy it?”
“I did.”Monica joined him.“I’m waiting for the next in the series.I know it’s available, but I’ve been so busy I haven’t ordered it yet.”
Sean thought of the book he’d just unpacked today.“I can loan you my copy.”
Monica looked at him through narrowed eyes.“I’ll take you up on that, but I swear, if you spoil it for me over dinner”—she tapped the book he still held—“the wrath of our favorite hero will be nothing compared to mine.”
Sean laughed.“You have my word.I see plenty of other books we can discuss, and now that I know you love a good fantasy, I’m sure we’ll have a few movies to talk about as well.”He slid the book back into place.“I see an author or two here I haven’t read.While you finish getting ready, if you don’t mind, I’ll pick something out to keep me occupied.”
Monica leaned around him, and he got a whiff of her perfume.It was enough to send thoughts of a good book racing from his mind.
“Have you read Stiles?”
He’d lost the capacity for speech, so he just shook his head.
She took a book off the shelf and handed it to him.“One of my favorites.”
He watched her leave the room, then sank onto the sofa and laid the book aside.His ability to concentrate on a book, speech, or his grumbling stomach had been completely shattered.His pulse raced and his hands were sweaty as something unexpected knotted in his gut.
We’re just friends.
He closed his eyes and remembered the kiss they’d shared the night before.Well, maybe more, but not much more.Even as he tried to convince his heart, something on the inside cracked open, and he knew there was no going back.
***
MONICA FASTENED HERearrings, added a stroke of lip gloss, and studied her reflection in the mirror.Disappointment over this morning’s botched fundraiser lay across her heart like a shroud.She refused to let that failure color her evening.After ups and downs, starts and stops, misunderstandings and out-and-out cattiness, it seemed as if she and Sean were finally on even footing.There was nothing she could do to change what’d happened this morning, but she did control the aftermath, and she refused to drag Sean into her problems.
With a final fluff of her hair and a deep breath to strengthen her resolve, she stepped back into the living room.Sean was right where she’d left him.His eyes were closed and his mouth moved as if in prayer.She rushed to his side and sat next to him.“Are you OK?”
Sean’s eyes came open with a start, and she leaned away from the intensity of his gaze.
“I’m fine.”He tilted his head.“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
“Yes.”It wasn’t much of an answer for such a lovely compliment, but there was something in his voice that threatened to make her own voice unsteady.He looked like a man awakening from a long sleep, but she’d only been gone for five minutes.
“It bears repeating.”
Sean took her hand.His touch felt almost...reverent.What’d happened to him while she’d been gone?
She worried over that thought as they drove to the restaurant, were escorted to their seats, and ordered their meals.Oakleigh’s was a pleasant surprise.She just hoped that this meal would end on a much better note than the last.
Sean cut his steak, swirled it through the accompanying sauce, and took a bite.As he chewed, Monica followed suit with her crab cakes.The tender meat and the tangy spices of the remoulade sauce carried an explosion of flavor.
“How’s your dinner?”Sean asked.
Monica closed her eyes and lifted her face to the ceiling.“I’m struggling to find words.I love a good crab cake, but so many places get them wrong.These are heavenly.”She motioned to Sean’s plate.“Your steak?”
