Read Online Write to Me by Nona Raines - Free Book Online Page B

palms in a sign of surrender. “Whatever you say.”
    Gloria replaced the lid on the shoebox and sighed. “Come on. Let’s go get that coffee.”
    ****
    The following Thursday,Gloria had finished sweeping the salon floor and was about to turn off the lights when someone tapped at the front door.
    Bryan. Her heart quickened in excitement even as a shadow of dread settled over her. He shouldn’t be here.
    “Gloria.” He spoke from the other side of the glass. “Let me in. We need to talk.”
    She shook her head. “Please go home.” She wanted to do the right thing. Why was he making it so hard for her to be strong?
    He didn’t budge. “Please. I have something for you.” He held up a square white box that looked like it came from a bakery. He’d brought her cookies? She was about to refuse again when he added, “I made it for you.”
    She wavered, touched that he’d gone to the trouble of making something for her. Curiosity got the best of her, and she unlocked the door.
    “It’s really not a good idea, you being here,” she said even as she stepped back to let him enter.
    He swept past her to set the box on the front counter. “I couldn’t let things end like that.” He turned and looked at her. The fire in his eyes brought out a mist of perspiration on the back of her neck.
    She spoke quickly to distract herself from the heat rising inside her. She nodded at the bakery box. “What’s in there?”
    He opened it. On a plate stood a quivering white custard swimming in a caramelized sauce.
    Gloria gaped in surprise. “You made me a flan?”
    “You said it was your favorite dessert. That your abuelita used to make it for you and your daughter.”
    And he remembered. That moved her as much as the fact he’d made it for her. The thickness in her throat made it impossible to speak.
    He misunderstood her silence. “Doesn’t it look right? I’m not much of a cook, but I found a recipe online.”
    “No. No, it looks delicious.” She swallowed hard. “But I don’t understand.”
    “Gloria, spending time with you…” He shook his head. “It’s made me realize that I’ve been living in the past. I don’t want to do that anymore. I want to live in the now. I want to get to know you better and see where that takes us.”
    Yes, yes! But… “What about Courtney?”
    “Courtney doesn’t want me. She’s made her decision.”
    “But if you still love her—”
    “It’s not love. It hasn’t been for a while. I guess I just didn’t want to face it.” His intense gaze seared her. “It wasn’t ’til I met you that—”
    Gloria held up her hand. “Stop.” She felt too trembly and lightheaded to hear any serious declarations. This thing between her and Bryan was still too new, too fragile to put a name to. She just wanted to enjoy the moment and the possibilities ahead.
    She nodded at the dish he’d brought. “It looks so good. I can’t wait to taste it.”
    “Take it home. It’s yours.”
    “I’d rather share it with you.” She let her gaze tell him what else she’d like to share. “I have no plates to serve it on. But I think there’s—hold on.”
    Behind the reception desk was a counter that held a coffee pot. Also on the counter, next to a container of creamer and a box of sugar packets, were some plastic spoons. She took one and came back around.
    Using the plastic spoon, she scooped up a mound of custard and syrup, lifted it toward Bryan’s mouth.
    “No.” He took the spoon from her. “You first.”
    She opened her lips for his offering. The flavors of vanilla and caramel swirled and melted in her mouth. She closed her eyes and moaned.
    “Good?” His voice was a low rumble.
    “Mmm…” Her eyes fluttered open when his thumb brushed the corner of her mouth, swiping away a drop of sugar syrup. As he brought it to his mouth, she clutched his wrist. “No.” Their gazes locked. “Mine.”
    Bryan went still as Gloria licked the sweet glaze from the pad of his thumb. He