An Accidental Kiss (Dearly Beloved) Read Free Page A

talk to you?”
    “Well, I...”
    “Please, Frank.”
    “I’d need to look at my calendar...”
    “Oh, would you? And then get back to me so we can schedule a time. Oh, thank you so much. This is so cool!”
    “Justine, who is that?”
    Frank tensed when he heard Marcy’s voice.
    “It’s Frank, Mom, and he’s agreed to let me interview him for my school project.”
    “ Frank?”
    He thought she sounded dismayed when her voice sounded tentatively on the line. “Hello?”
    He cleared his throat. “Hello, Marcy.” There was a long silence as he wondered what to say next. “I thought we needed to talk.”
    “Oh, okay,” she said. “What about?”
    He was completely thrown by her question. Isn’t it obvious?
    “What is this? You actually agreed to an inteview with my daughter?” she asked. “She wasn’t pushy about it, was she?”
    “No,” he said. “Not at all.”
    “Oh, good,” Marcy sounded relieved. “Um, would you like to come over for lunch on Saturday? Then Justine can conduct her interview and we can talk.”
    In the background, Frank heard Justine saying something. Then Marcy spoke again, sounding slightly embarrassed. “I’m sorry—she said she’d like to do it at your place so she can get some pictures of you in your writing environment. Is that okay?”
    “Um, sure,” he said, and then recited his address.
    Frank felt confused and slightly dazed by the time he’d hung up. How the hell had this come about? He’d called to tell Marcy that in spite of one sizzling, unforgettable kiss he had no intention of ever seeing her again. Instead he’d somehow invited her and her daughter over for lunch at the weekend. Frank shook his head in bewilderment—what had he got himself into?
    He wondered if Marcy and Justine liked chili.
    ****
    It was amazing, Marcy thought, how quickly a bad mood could melt away. Hers vanished the instant she heard Frank’s voice. How quickly everything changed. It was amazing to think that just a week ago her life felt utterly devoid of hope, and now she was face to face with the tantalizing promise of romance with a man she found deliciously attractive. Frank was more than sexy and attractive and intelligent, she reflected. He was nice. He’d invited Justine to interview him.
    Rather than showy, the address Frank gave her was quietly impressive. Marcy and Justine climbed the steps leading to the front door of the old, three-story home in the middle of Denver’s historic district. As she rang the bell, Marcy was suddenly seized with nerves, and she gulped, then brushed her sweaty palms down her jeans. At least her hair had been a bit more cooperative today. From behind the door she heard footsteps, a dog barking, and then Frank opened the door. Their eyes met for a moment, and Marcy’s heart lurched.
    A huge black lab surged forward to greet them. Justine laughed.
    “Doc,” he scolded, pulling on the dog’s collar. “Sorry, ladies—he’s not used to company.”
    They managed to get inside, and Frank banished the dog into the back yard before taking their coats. He gave Marcy an awkward smile. “How are you?”
    “I’m good,” she replied softly.
    “Great to meet you, Justine,” he said, holding out his hand. “Hungry?’
    She nodded, smiling as she shook his hand.
    Marcy glanced around as they followed him into the kitchen. It was a beautiful house, she thought, but there were very few personal touches. The pale walls were bare of photographs, the wooden floors scuffed, the furniture bland and functional. The kitchen, large and modern, opened into the room which Frank obviously worked in. A computer sat on a large desk that overlooked the back yard. Books and magazines lay stacked everywhere, on the coffee table, on the floor, and overflowed from a tall, oak bookcase. A large painting of a cowboy racing across the open plains hung over the fireplace.
    The interview was informal. While Frank stirred a large pot of chili, Justine asked him when