The Marrying Kind

She picked up her fork and continued eating. What could she say?

After several minutes of silence, he said, “Haven’t you thought about me? At least once or twice?”

She thought about not answering, but he’d been honest with her. “Yes, a time or two. But only because you’ve acted oddly.”

“Ah.”

She’d hurt his feelings. She knew it, but couldn’t help that. She knew she had no chance of a happy ending with someone like John. It would be useless to moon over him.

More time passed, then John spoke again. “If I asked you out to dinner or a movie or something, would you go with me?”

“John, even if I said yes, I don’t sleep around. It would only take once or twice going out and you’d be fed up with me. So what’s the point?”

“If that happens, then I’ll have only myself to blame. Okay? I’m not going to force myself on you. Either we get together because we both want to, or we don’t. Those are the rules I play by.”

“I suppose I could go out once, but it shouldn’t get back to the people at the bank. Do you agree to that?”

“Sure, I can see why that makes sense. I guess I should apologize about wanting to hold hands while we were in the bank. That was bad of me, but I just wanted to touch you so damn bad.”

Her gaze collided with his in surprise. “I—I’m not sure—”

“I apologize, Diane. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m always in control, I promise.”

HE WAS OUT OF CONTROL.

After he left Diane at the bank, John wanted to grind his teeth. He hadn’t realized getting her to talk about her life would stir him up so much. She was such a special person, and totally unappreciated by her parents. He’d wanted to pull her into his arms right there in the restaurant.

Which had caused him to be too honest with her.

Then he’d had to retreat and regroup. But tomorrow was Friday and she’d agreed to see a movie with him. First they’d have dinner and then go to the late film.

He’d need to work out at the gym after office hours before he could trust himself to be around her. Looking forward to a date hadn’t happened to him since ninth grade. But he’d found a woman who inspired him.

His dad called him that afternoon, but John could hardly keep his mind on the conversation. It kept veering back to Diane.

He’d have to convince her to go out with him again. He’d have to find something she liked to do, to tempt her the second time. He’d see what was playing at the Dallas Theater Center. Maybe she’d like to go there. Or he could take her to Antares for lunch, up in the Reunion Tower. That was fun, especially if she was afraid of heights. He could hold her against him to keep her safe. He smiled, thinking about the possibilities.

“Son, are you listening to me?”

John brought his attention back to his father. “Sorry, Dad. Say it again.”

His dad continued on with his monologue, and John tried to force himself to listen, so he wouldn’t be caught off guard again.

Before hanging up, his father said, “By the way, Angi and I want to invite you over for dinner Saturday of next week. Are you free?”

“Yes, but may I bring someone?”

“Oh, you’ve found someone new?”

“Yes, and I’d like for you to meet her.”

“Of course. Who is she? Angi might know her.”

“I don’t think so. But I’ll have to check out the date with her. We haven’t been seeing each other much yet.”

“Okay, I’ll tell Angi to count on two of you for dinner. If she won’t come, find another date.”

“Right.” As if anyone would be interchangeable with Diane. He didn’t think so. She was unique.

And somehow that scared John to death.

DIANE FOUND HERSELF in front of her closet again. It really was time to go shopping, for something other than black or gray suits. Luckily she found a casual plum-colored dress in the back.

She hurriedly redid her makeup and wished she’d agreed to go out on Saturday instead Friday, after an entire day at work. But she hadn’t thought about that in time. She’d been too swept away when he’d asked her out.

She hadn’t intended to accept, of course, but he’d sounded so desperate. That amazed her. No one had ever been desperate to date her. She’d had a steady relationship in college, with a guy who assumed she’d marry him…until he’d fallen in love with another woman.

Diane had been hurt at first, until she realized she really didn’t miss him. She just missed having someone. So she kept to herself and finished out the semester. Then she’d gotten a summer job in a bank and found her future. She liked the decorum of a bank, the security. Even changing her studies to fit a career in banking, she had finished her degree early and gotten hired by Guaranty National right after graduation.

She was satisfied with her existence. She didn’t have much of a social life, but she’d learned to live without others since she was very young. Diane didn’t intend to marry just to have someone around.

But she intended to enjoy the evening, since she’d given in to John’s invitation. It wasn’t something she’d ever make a habit of, but for tonight, she’d make the best of it.

Diane was just spraying perfume behind her ears when she heard a car out front. She leaned over to look out the window and saw John getting out of his Mercedes, early as usual. She picked up her purse and keys and waited until he knocked on the door.

When he did, joy flooded her, unexpected joy. She didn’t think this silly date would mean that much to her. Obviously she needed to get out more often.

She swung open the door, a smile on her lips. But it wasn’t John at the door. It was one of her neighbors, a flight attendant who shared the apartment with five of her colleagues.

“Oh, hi, Betsy. How are you?”

“I’m fine, but I was wondering if you could keep an eye out for a package for me. I’m going out tonight and I figured you’d be here.” She smiled, as if she hadn’t said anything hurtful.

“I’m sorry, Betsy, but I’m going out, too.”

“You are? You don’t usually—” The woman broke off to stare at the handsome man climbing the stairs. “Damn! Which one of my roommates has a date with him?”

Chapter Four

The unexpected swell of satisfaction surprised Diane. She hoped she didn’t show that to her neighbor as she quietly said, “I’m going out with him, Betsy.”

John reached the two women. “You ready, Diane?” he asked.

“Yes, John. I just need to lock my door.”

Betsy stuck out her hand as she turned to do so. “Hi, I’m Diane’s neighbor, Betsy.”

“Nice to meet you, Betsy.”