Page 52 of A Change Of Heart

"Do you get that all the time?"Laura asked.

"Get what?"Jason pretended not to know.

"That come-on smile.Our waitress was openly flirting with you."

"I didn't notice.”Jason slumped his shoulders for effect.“Laura, I'm exhausted.I had a crazy day yesterday and this morning the ER was flooded with people."

Laura shifted toward him."The accident alone would have kept me in bed for a week."

Jason felt a pull and turned to see Stephanie staring at him.Laura winced.He hadn't meant to, but it was instinct.A moth to the flame.

"You don't have to drive home," Laura said, giving it one last try, even though she knew his interest was elsewhere.Their eyes met."You could stay the night with me."

"Now that's an invitation I don't often get."He attempted a warm smile."Rain check?"

She grinned, his comment offering her a chance at dignity."Deal.I’ll make that lasagna.I'm going to run to the ladies room while you wait for the check.Be right back."

Laura batted her long lashes at him, then left him alone.

Once more his gaze fastened on Stephanie's beautiful profile.If he didn't know better, he'd think she was trying that telepathic mind trick, like she had all those years ago.He mostly thought it hogwash, but sometimes he wasn’t sure.Her siblings all swore it was the real deal.

Stephanie had paid her bill, and now tucked it into her bag.She rose.Walk on by, he said inwardly, studying the tablecloth.I don't need any more complications.

He lifted his head when he sensed her.

"Hi," she said casually, her cheeks a little pink.He noticed that she’d covered the red mark from the accident at her temple with makeup.

"Hi, yourself."

"What a surprise seeing you here."She flipped her long brunette hair off her shoulder.It looked so silky and soft.Longer than when they'd dated.At work she'd wore it up, with long strands falling down her cheeks.He wasn't sure which style he liked best.Not that it mattered, because after she began her journey she wouldn't be back.Nothing here for her; Harmony was just a steppingstone.

"And you."He leaned back in the booth."Did you enjoy your meal?"

"Yes.Very much.How was yours?"

"Excellent.Also, the conversation.It was very pleasant, not a nasty thing was said."

"Are you referring to me?”Steph brought her fingertips to her chest.“I've never said anything nasty in my life."

"You've changed.I get it, Steph.You were put through the ringer and now you want to shut everyone out."

"Not everyone," she hissed."Just you."

"See?Now that was nasty, wasn't it?"He peered directly into her eyes but couldn't help the grin that followed.

"You...you...bring out the worst in me.I'm not sure why.”She wrapped her scarf around her neck, her coat over her arm.“Was that the lasagna girl?Why didn't you eat it there, instead of coming here?"

"Do you own this place?If not, then I have every right to be here as you.Besides, I was only following your advice."

"Oh!So now it's my fault.You didn't waste a minute, did you?"Steph wrestled with her handbag, attempting to put it over her shoulder."You’re impossible, and just trying to annoy me."

"It appears to be working."Jason craned his neck to see past her."Oh, here's my date.I'll introduce her.You'll approve, she's a radiologist."

"Then I like her already.A perfect match."

Jason fumed but kept it under control."Laura, this is Stephanie Collins—she writes under thenom de plumeof Savannah Carlyle.Stephanie, meet Laura, one of our finest radiologist technicians."

"It's nice to meet you," they both said at once, with a light shake of the hands.

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