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Authors: Michele Dunaway
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sorry.”
“It’s okay. You told me about your sister. I have memories, like that advice I gave you, but as I’ve gotten older, I admit they’ve faded. I have to see pictures to really remember.”
She toyed with the empty wineglass stem. The fact she’d had two glasses had to be the reason she was telling him all this, right? “But he died doing what he loved. There’s something in that, I guess.”
“Your mom never remarried?”
“She never will. She says one great love was enough and she’s in a good place. She works at a perennial nursery and designs landscapes. She volunteers at the symphony. She’s always busy. Evelyn and I would love it if she found someone, but she’s not even interested in looking.”
“What about you? Do you believe in that one great love?”
She couldn’t help herself. “Do you?”
“Ah, the questions return. … For a moment you were doing so well.”
The wry grin returned as he shook his head in mock disbelief. Her fingers again itched to feel his hair. Wanted to see it cascade over him as he lowered himself over her. She waited while he tore off some remaining pretzel.
“Fine. I’ll indulge you,” Joe said. “Yes, I do believe in it. My parents are great role models. So, yes, I do eventually want something like that. But as you complained about earlier, I’m nonstop busy. I never get around to calling anyone, and I’m not a nine-to-five guy, so it’s hard to sustain a relationship. Things are always complicated.” She noticed a hitch in the way he said those last three words.
“Complicated is my middle name,” Taylor admitted. “And I could see how your schedule gets in the way. But you do get time off.”
“Which I use to rock climb, box, to try to keep my house clean and train for marathons.”
Her eyes widened. “Really? You box?”
His lips twitched. “Most people are impressed with the marathons.”
“Tell me more about boxing. I’m looking for a project.”
He frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I’m struggling to find an applied project for my master’s degree. It’s like a thesis, but instead of doing a written paper, I’m trying to come up with a photography project that has impact, that makes a difference. I need something my professor will agree with, and maybe, just maybe, will allow me to enter into the competition.”
“Is money involved?”
“If I win, and I can’t even enter unless my professor recommends me. Right now, I just want to get this degree done.”
He again intertwined his legs between hers as he stretched out. “Well, perhaps you could do the Guns ’N Hoses competition. That’s in November. I’m five and oh. I helped the firefighters claim victory last year.”
“I can’t wait until November. It has to done by the end of July. And what is guns and whatever?”
“Hoses. It’s the police versus firefighters boxing match. All proceeds go to charity. The Backstoppers.”
“Sorry, it’s clearly very important to you, but I have no idea.” She brightened. “I’ll Google both of those.”
“Do. The event is huge. Over seventeen thousand people attended.”
“And you run too.”
“Yes.”
Which explained why he was so fit, other than staying in shape for work. The pink shirt showcased bulging biceps and hard pecs. He’d been pure temptation all night. “I’m not really into sports other than baseball or hockey,” she admitted. “I can’t afford to go much, but I’m what you call a see-it-for-free-on-TV fan. Presley’s always carries the games.”
“You’re still a fan. That’s what counts. So, I saw your ex. Anyone else in the picture?”
“No.” Her fingers tightened around the edge of the metal table. “I’m glad he’s moved on. I was shocked, that’s all. It’s a big city. I didn’t think I’d run into him ever again.”
“Well, the table seemed pretty tight. He was holding her hand.”
“He’s probably with her.”
“Well, if you see him again, hopefully it
“It’s okay. You told me about your sister. I have memories, like that advice I gave you, but as I’ve gotten older, I admit they’ve faded. I have to see pictures to really remember.”
She toyed with the empty wineglass stem. The fact she’d had two glasses had to be the reason she was telling him all this, right? “But he died doing what he loved. There’s something in that, I guess.”
“Your mom never remarried?”
“She never will. She says one great love was enough and she’s in a good place. She works at a perennial nursery and designs landscapes. She volunteers at the symphony. She’s always busy. Evelyn and I would love it if she found someone, but she’s not even interested in looking.”
“What about you? Do you believe in that one great love?”
She couldn’t help herself. “Do you?”
“Ah, the questions return. … For a moment you were doing so well.”
The wry grin returned as he shook his head in mock disbelief. Her fingers again itched to feel his hair. Wanted to see it cascade over him as he lowered himself over her. She waited while he tore off some remaining pretzel.
“Fine. I’ll indulge you,” Joe said. “Yes, I do believe in it. My parents are great role models. So, yes, I do eventually want something like that. But as you complained about earlier, I’m nonstop busy. I never get around to calling anyone, and I’m not a nine-to-five guy, so it’s hard to sustain a relationship. Things are always complicated.” She noticed a hitch in the way he said those last three words.
“Complicated is my middle name,” Taylor admitted. “And I could see how your schedule gets in the way. But you do get time off.”
“Which I use to rock climb, box, to try to keep my house clean and train for marathons.”
Her eyes widened. “Really? You box?”
His lips twitched. “Most people are impressed with the marathons.”
“Tell me more about boxing. I’m looking for a project.”
He frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I’m struggling to find an applied project for my master’s degree. It’s like a thesis, but instead of doing a written paper, I’m trying to come up with a photography project that has impact, that makes a difference. I need something my professor will agree with, and maybe, just maybe, will allow me to enter into the competition.”
“Is money involved?”
“If I win, and I can’t even enter unless my professor recommends me. Right now, I just want to get this degree done.”
He again intertwined his legs between hers as he stretched out. “Well, perhaps you could do the Guns ’N Hoses competition. That’s in November. I’m five and oh. I helped the firefighters claim victory last year.”
“I can’t wait until November. It has to done by the end of July. And what is guns and whatever?”
“Hoses. It’s the police versus firefighters boxing match. All proceeds go to charity. The Backstoppers.”
“Sorry, it’s clearly very important to you, but I have no idea.” She brightened. “I’ll Google both of those.”
“Do. The event is huge. Over seventeen thousand people attended.”
“And you run too.”
“Yes.”
Which explained why he was so fit, other than staying in shape for work. The pink shirt showcased bulging biceps and hard pecs. He’d been pure temptation all night. “I’m not really into sports other than baseball or hockey,” she admitted. “I can’t afford to go much, but I’m what you call a see-it-for-free-on-TV fan. Presley’s always carries the games.”
“You’re still a fan. That’s what counts. So, I saw your ex. Anyone else in the picture?”
“No.” Her fingers tightened around the edge of the metal table. “I’m glad he’s moved on. I was shocked, that’s all. It’s a big city. I didn’t think I’d run into him ever again.”
“Well, the table seemed pretty tight. He was holding her hand.”
“He’s probably with her.”
“Well, if you see him again, hopefully it
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