Shadows Read Free Page A

breathing.
    “Not necessarily.”  He sat forward, elbows on the table, hands twined together before his face.  “I can break it off tomorrow if you think it worthwhile.”
    The lump twisted uncomfortably.  A moment ago, she'd been happy.  Now she was not far from bursting into tears. What was she supposed to say?  Demand he should ditch the girlfriend immediately?  Was that what she really wanted?  Aware that she was moving her fork and spoon aimlessly back and forth across the plate, she placed them neatly and with great care across the centre, sat back and folded her arms.  “Why might I think it would be worthwhile?”
    There, surely that sounded disinterested.
    Rory picked up his wine glass, twirled it and watched the wine catch the light.  A long moment later, his somber glance lifted.  “You’re right.  That was most unfair.  I cannot ask you to make my decisions.”  Polishing off the remaining wine in one gulp, he put the glass down, reached for her hand and dropped a kiss on her knuckles.
    Melissa pulled her hand back as if burnt, and then wished she hadn't.
    With a glance, he summoned the waiter and turned back to her.  “May I call you tomorrow?”  His mouth pulled to one side.  “If you’ll trust me with your phone number.”
    Melissa had no idea what to say.  She wasn't used to handing out her phone number.  The pleasure had gone out of the evening, and she wished it were over.  Oh Lord, the next few minutes were going to be so difficult.  Yet he seemed to take it for granted that if he ditched his girlfriend, Melissa would take the unfortunate woman’s place.  Did she want to see him again?  She wasn't sure she dared ask herself that question.
    “If you refuse, I’ll have to talk with Jonny.”  There was a twinkle in his eye, but Melissa sensed he would do exactly as he said.
    “Why do you want it?”
    “So I can telephone you tomorrow, of course.”
    Melissa tamped down the flicker of joy and scowled at him.  He was taking her for granted, and she ought to resent it.  “Men who have girlfriends should not telephone other women.”
    “I won’t have a girlfriend by the time I call you.”
    “But…”  Should she believe him?  She ought to feel compassion for the unknown girlfriend, who could have no idea of what was to come.
    In the end, it seemed easier to give him the number.
    Rory must have sensed her unease, for he did not prolong the meal.  Skipping coffee, he insisted on seeing her into a taxi outside the door of the restaurant.  She sank back against the cold shiny leather seat.  The evening had promised an adventure, but it had all fizzled out like a damp squib.  He wouldn’t call back.  His sort never did.  Dating was all a game to men like him.
     
    ~~~
     
    The phone woke her early next morning.  She blinked at it sleepily, and then her stomach clenched.  Surely it wouldn’t be Rory calling?  She snatched up the phone.
    “Oh, Jonny.”  Melissa sank back onto the pillow with a vast sense of relief.  “It’s lovely to hear you,” she croaked, and then realized Jonny had called to discuss—no, dissect would be a better word—last night’s encounter with Rory Hepburn.  “Thanks for the wonderful party, but I have a headache.  Can I call you back?”
    “Aha.  A late night, I presume?”
    “Not too late.”  That was the truth.  Her flatmate, Amy, had been out on a date and Melissa had been in her bed by ten.
    “What do you think of him?”
    “He’s absolutely charming.  Too charming.”  She hesitated.  Jonny might report the conversation to Rory, since he claimed Rory was his best friend, so she'd better not say too much.  But the temptation to talk about Rory, find out all she could about him, was huge.  “Probably too good to be true.”
    Hoots of laughter came down the phone.  Melissa grimaced, and held the receiver several inches from her ear.
    “He already has a girlfriend.”  Melissa clamped the phone to her ear