Read Online The Night She Got Lucky by Susan Donovan - Free Book Online
Authors: Susan Donovan
Tags: love_contemporary
Ads: Link
Lucio would pull Rick from a street riot that erupted in Jakarta when the Indonesian government collapsed. And more recently, Rick would hand over his luxurious San Francisco home for Lucio to use for as long as necessary, which, at this rate, could be the rest of his life.
Though Lucio sat in a smattering of afternoon sun on an August day, he felt a hot shiver go through him. It made him sit up straighter, his body suddenly on alert.
Ah, of course
. Yet again he was thinking of his most recent chance encounterwith the beguiling Ginger Garrison. For more than two weeks now, her business card had been burning a hole in his wallet, while the memory of herthat taste, her scent, those legshad been burning a hole in his trousers.
Of course he couldn't contact her. According to the old woman who'd officiated at Rick's wedding, Ginger was a newspaper editor and a mother of two teenage boys. She was also recently divorced from an unfaithful husband. Lucio knew he had no business bringing all his troubles into her normal, all-American life. It didn't matter how much he desired to cash in that rain check, how he longed to take her completely. For many nights now, he'd dreamed of doing just that. Lucio smiled to himself as he sipped his beer, knowing that the taking of Ginger Garrison would have to remain there, in his dreams.
The last thing that woman needed in her life was another man she couldn't rely on.
Lucio heard the apartment door open and close. He called out to Piers to tell him he was on the balcony. You're late, he said, half over his shoulder.
When Piers didn't reply, Lucio swiveled around, seeing his friend motionless, his expression blank.
You okay? Lucio set down his beer.
Sure. Sure. Piers joined him out on the balcony, sitting in the weather-worn director's chair next to Lucio. I'm just a little embarrassed that you saw all the pictures of Sylvie.
It's nothing to be embarrassed about, Lucio said, carefully studying his friend. As a rule, Piers didn't broadcast what he was feeling at any given moment. His pale mouth maintained a firm and straight line in most every circumstance. His small greenish-blue eyes were no-nonsense, designed to see the bigger picture of earth and sky, a talent that made him one of the most respected landscape photographers of his generation. Lucio had heard more than one person describe Piers as a cold fish, but he knew better. Piers was a serious man. Focused. Determined. Passionate. But to those who didn't know him well, he could come off as
un poco distante
.
You know you can talk to me about her, Lucio said, leaning toward him. She was a wonderful person. I know you loved her more than anything in the world, and I am truly sorry she's gone.
Piers nodded so quickly it was barely detectable. He stared at the buildings of China Town between themselves and the bay. She always thought fondly of you, Lucky.
Lucio sat back in his chair and stretched out his legs before he spoke.
I have always considered her a dear friend. Lucio wasn't certain how far Piers wanted to go with this line of conversation, but he knew he needed to reassure him. They'd never once discussed what had happened in the months after Lucio left London for the Azores, leaving Sylvie with a shattered heart and Piers with the job of picking up the pieces. She'd married Piers eight months later, in the garden of her parents' Devon cottage. She'd been a beautiful bride. And she'd barely spoken to Lucio.
In general, Lucio wasn't proud of his record with women. In particular, he saw Sylvie as his most shameful offense. Lucio hung his head, wishing he could turn back time, make himself a more decent man with one wave of a magic wand. He would have gone about things differently. He would have let Sylvie down easy, taking more time to explain that she was a wonderful woman, but his only true love affair was with the camera, the light, the pursuit of the shot. Instead, he'd just left a note. He'd been an idiot.
?Que
Though Lucio sat in a smattering of afternoon sun on an August day, he felt a hot shiver go through him. It made him sit up straighter, his body suddenly on alert.
Ah, of course
. Yet again he was thinking of his most recent chance encounterwith the beguiling Ginger Garrison. For more than two weeks now, her business card had been burning a hole in his wallet, while the memory of herthat taste, her scent, those legshad been burning a hole in his trousers.
Of course he couldn't contact her. According to the old woman who'd officiated at Rick's wedding, Ginger was a newspaper editor and a mother of two teenage boys. She was also recently divorced from an unfaithful husband. Lucio knew he had no business bringing all his troubles into her normal, all-American life. It didn't matter how much he desired to cash in that rain check, how he longed to take her completely. For many nights now, he'd dreamed of doing just that. Lucio smiled to himself as he sipped his beer, knowing that the taking of Ginger Garrison would have to remain there, in his dreams.
The last thing that woman needed in her life was another man she couldn't rely on.
Lucio heard the apartment door open and close. He called out to Piers to tell him he was on the balcony. You're late, he said, half over his shoulder.
When Piers didn't reply, Lucio swiveled around, seeing his friend motionless, his expression blank.
You okay? Lucio set down his beer.
Sure. Sure. Piers joined him out on the balcony, sitting in the weather-worn director's chair next to Lucio. I'm just a little embarrassed that you saw all the pictures of Sylvie.
It's nothing to be embarrassed about, Lucio said, carefully studying his friend. As a rule, Piers didn't broadcast what he was feeling at any given moment. His pale mouth maintained a firm and straight line in most every circumstance. His small greenish-blue eyes were no-nonsense, designed to see the bigger picture of earth and sky, a talent that made him one of the most respected landscape photographers of his generation. Lucio had heard more than one person describe Piers as a cold fish, but he knew better. Piers was a serious man. Focused. Determined. Passionate. But to those who didn't know him well, he could come off as
un poco distante
.
You know you can talk to me about her, Lucio said, leaning toward him. She was a wonderful person. I know you loved her more than anything in the world, and I am truly sorry she's gone.
Piers nodded so quickly it was barely detectable. He stared at the buildings of China Town between themselves and the bay. She always thought fondly of you, Lucky.
Lucio sat back in his chair and stretched out his legs before he spoke.
I have always considered her a dear friend. Lucio wasn't certain how far Piers wanted to go with this line of conversation, but he knew he needed to reassure him. They'd never once discussed what had happened in the months after Lucio left London for the Azores, leaving Sylvie with a shattered heart and Piers with the job of picking up the pieces. She'd married Piers eight months later, in the garden of her parents' Devon cottage. She'd been a beautiful bride. And she'd barely spoken to Lucio.
In general, Lucio wasn't proud of his record with women. In particular, he saw Sylvie as his most shameful offense. Lucio hung his head, wishing he could turn back time, make himself a more decent man with one wave of a magic wand. He would have gone about things differently. He would have let Sylvie down easy, taking more time to explain that she was a wonderful woman, but his only true love affair was with the camera, the light, the pursuit of the shot. Instead, he'd just left a note. He'd been an idiot.
?Que
Similar Books
