“What do you mean?”
“When you were sick. Even after you got better, you seemed to be cold a lot. You weren’t like that before you got sick.”
A flood of memories from that awful time in her life seeped into her. “Huh. I don’t remember telling you that.”
“I could just tell.” He did up the buttons on the suit coat that hung loosely on her frame.
“You don’t have to button it. I look dumb.” Her hands flopped out of the sleeves, and she waved them up and down.
“Never,” he said.
“I feel like an eighties corporate woman with these shoulder pads.”
He smirked, but then his gaze softened. “I’m going to have to push back on that because that’s not at all how you look.”
“No, really. I’m the character inWorking Girl.Another movie my mom used to love.”
“Was that actress at the wedding too?” he teased.
She laughed. “Sadly, no.” She took in a breath, thinking again in a sort of hazy way how beautiful the night air was.
She swallowed roughly. “I’ve been thinking about our conversation at City Hall, and I think we can both agree that there have been some pretty big misunderstandings between us over the years.”
He nodded, and she waited a moment before continuing. “Can we work on our communication skills? Together?” Tilting her head to one side, the vulnerability was a dull roar in the background of her mind.
“Yes. Please?” he said. “I think we should promise that we can be as honest as possible with each other from here on out.”
“Okay.” She pulled him close, looking back and forth from his lips to his dark chocolate eyes. “I like that idea.” She rested her head on his chest.
“Look at us. Promising to be open and honest.”
She drew back enough to see his face. Everything stilled, and then the wind picked up, lifting her periwinkle dress at the hem. He leaned in closer to her, just a touch, but it was enough to make her mind go wild with possibilities.
His lips parted a little, and hers mirrored his.
Would this kiss finally be the moment that would repair the ruptures of the past?
Chapter 12
Ascream cut through the night.
Startled, Mabel stepped back.
Zane picked up and tossed her shoes to her, then he started to run in the direction of the scream. The look of anguish he sent Mabel was enough of an apology. He was a paramedic and firefighter. Of course he rushed to any and all people who screamed.
Seriously? We finally almost kiss again and this is what happens?
Her cheeks burning hot, she rushed to keep up with him. She heard muttering and a whine coming from behind a tree. They rounded the tree to find a woman in black attire, a platter and glasses upended all around her. She was clutching her knee, sobs punctuating deep breaths.
Zane knelt beside the woman. “I’m a paramedic; I can help.”
“I couldn’t see because of the platter, and I missed the last step and went tumbling.” She gave a big breath to dislodge some strands of hair that had stuck to her face. Her posture collapsed in pain again.
“Can you straighten your knee at all? Did you hit your head?”
“My head’s fine.”
Ah. Zane in his element. If this poor woman wasn’t in so much pain, this would actually be very nice to watch.
