I could hear the eagerness in his voice. “I can’t wait.”
I admit, as I hung up I was eager too. For the first time in days, I knew I had the right answer.
Chapter Twenty-One
I threw on a black, silky dress with a high neckline, high hem, and low back. I put on my Gucci two-inch heels, black mascara, and fire engine red lipstick. After giving my hair a good mousse and blow dry, I think I was looking damn sexy. Which was good. Because I needed all the confidence I could get if I was really going to do this.
I jumped in my Jeep and took the PCH up to Wilshire. The only parking spot I could find was two blocks down from the restaurant so I used the short walk to summon up my nerve. Butterflies were doing the mambo in my belly, but I told myself this was what I really wanted.
I spied him as soon as I walked in the doors. Sitting at the bar with his back to the door. I took a deep breath and held my chin up high as I made my way toward him.
He must have sensed my presence as he turned around just as I approached. His face breaking into a slow grin as he took in my outfit. I had the briefest moment of doubt at his appreciative stare, but it was all washed away as he leaned in and planted a kiss on my cheek with a, “You look gorgeous, pumpkin.”
Pumpkin. Ugh. I forced a smile back. “Hi, Richard.”
“Can I order you a drink?” he asked, as I slid onto the stool beside him.
“Uh…” I looked down at Richard’s scotch and soda. “Just a Diet Coke, thanks.”
He signaled the waiter, who quickly deposited the cool drink in front of me. I took a long sip, hoping to settle the over active butterflies.
“Maddie, I’m so glad you called,” he said, taking my hand in his.
I took a deep breath. “Listen, Richard, I’ve thought about what you said last night.”
“You have? I’m really glad to hear that. Because while I was in prison I had a lot of time to think about us and-”
“Richard it’s over.”
He looked up. “What?”
“Us. It’s over.” I let out a long breath. Wow, it felt good to say that.
“But, I…” Richard trailed off, his eyes pleading with me. “I thought we had a good thing, pumpkin. What happened?”
I snorted. “What happened? You lied to me about everything, Richard.”
“But I thought you understood why.” His perfectly waxed eyebrows drew together in confusion.
“I understand that when things got rough, you lied, cheated, stole and then ran off. You’re weak, Richard. And I’m way too strong to be sucked down by a guy like you. I can hold my own, but I can’t hold us both up. I’m sorry.”
I downed the rest of my Diet Coke in one gulp as Richard sputtered beside me. I took his bewildered face in both my hands and deposited a quick kiss on his cheek. “Good luck, Richard. I hope you don’t go back to prison.”
With that, I collected my purse and walked as quickly as I could through the restaurant and out the front door. I knew he was watching as I left, but I didn’t even feel his eyes on me. All I felt was an enormous sense of freedom.
As soon as I got out the door I flipped my cell phone open and hit the speed dial. Ramirez answered on the second ring.
“Hello?”
“What are you doing tonight?” I asked.
He paused. “Why?”
I grinned from ear to ear. “‘Cause I’d like to cash in that rain check.”
I felt him smile through the phone and could almost see that sexy dimple denting his cheek. “I’ll clear my schedule.”
Heat wrapped around my spine, clear down to my panties. Which were so
“I’ll be there.”
I almost ran the rest of the way back to my Jeep. I hopped back on the PCH, pulling off at Pico for a quick duck into Rite Aid before heading home. I bought a new EPT. And this time I made sure it had a splashguard
As soon as I got home I took it into the bathroom, carefully leaving my Diet Coke in the kitchen this time. Then I sat down on my futon, trying not to look at the clock as I waited out the three minutes. You’d think I was a pro at this by now, but it was honestly the longest three minutes of my life. I chewed on a stubby nail. Rearranged my drawing pencils. Paced back and forth the four steps from one end of my living room to the next about fifteen times.
Then I heard a knock at the door. I looked up at the clock. Two minutes fifty-five seconds.
“Just a second,” I called. I closed my eyes. I counted to five. Then looked down at the readout.
One line. Negative.
I let out a long breath, feeling something like a mix of disappointment and relief. Okay maybe just a little higher on the relief side. I glanced down at my belly. Maybe someday. But, tonight I had other plans…
I quickly threw the test in the wastebasket under the sink and opened the door.
Ramirez leaned against the doorframe, dressed in his usual black T-shirt and worn jeans. The panther flirted with me from beneath the hem of his sleeve and his dark eyes swept me from head to toe.
There went that panty heat again.
“Hi,” I said, trying for sexy seductress but falling closer to Minnie Mouse territory again. “I’m sorry I didn’t invite you up last night. I wanted to, but everything was just too confusing, and I didn’t know where things stood with Richard, or what to do about the pregnancy tests, which just kept breaking, but I got a new one, and I just took it and it’s-”
Ramirez silenced me with his finger on my lips. “Enough talk,” he said, his voice low and smooth.
And this time he did kiss me.
About the Author
Gemma Halliday is the
To learn more about Gemma, visit her online at http://www.gemmahalliday.com
Connect with Gemma on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/gemmahallidayauthor
