Page 10 of In the Arms of a Hero

“What I mean is that I’d love to stay. But I’m not going to. I want another date with you. I want to see you again. Get to know you. I… this isn’t just about… um…” Unused to what he was trying to say, he fumbled the words, trying to get them right.

Her kiss-swollen lips curved upward slightly. “This isn’t just a hookup?”

The words had formed a question, but he could hear the hope in them. Rubbing her cheek with his thumb, he shook his head. “No… it’s not a hookup. I’d really like to see you again.”

She nodded slowly, and her eyes sparkled in the light as they stared at him. “Okay, Aaron. I’d like that, too.”

“You have a wedding to shoot tomorrow. What about Sunday afternoon?”

Her brows lifted. “So soon?”

“I don’t want you to think I’m not interested.”

The silent seconds that followed seemed to last forever. Her top teeth landed on her bottom lip in an effort to keep her lips from curving, but her beautiful smile shone through. “Sunday sounds good. I have no plans.”

“Then I’ll pick you up at one. Dress warmly. I’ll take you out on the bay.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, I haven’t been out in so long!”

Her blinding smile kicked him in the chest, and he battled to keep from shouting in excitement. Maintaining his composure, he bent and kissed her lightly. He nuzzled his nose alongsidehers until his lips were at her ear. “Lock up behind me, and I’ll see you in just two days.”

With that, he turned and walked out, afraid that if he didn’t put some distance between them, he would go back and continue kissing her all night. After jogging down the stairs and out into the chilly air, he breathed deeply. He had no idea what was happening between him and Belinda, but he was filled with a hope he hadn’t felt in a while.

6

Belinda walked up the steps to her apartment Saturday evening. The wedding she’d photographed had not been complicated or extensive. She had even gotten lucky with the sun being perfect on the side of the church with the stained glass windows in the background, and not one headstone marred the background of the shot.

The reception had been fun, and the bride's parents had included a plate of food for her. Now, it was late, and she was ready for the day to end so she could concentrate on the man she continually saw in her mind. Aaron Bergstrom.

As soon as her key slid into the keyhole of her front door, Bess’s door opened, and her sister popped out.

“I thought you were going to text me when you were on your way home!”

“Shit, I’m sorry. I always do that, don’t I?”

“Yes, you do!” She lifted a brow. “So tell me, what was on your mind instead of your sister?” Belinda watched as Bess’s lips twitched before she burst into laughter.

“How do you know anything was on my mind?”

“If you tell me you haven’t been thinking about Aaron, I’ll call you a liar straight to your face.”

Inclining her head to the side, she offered, “Come on in, Sis.” She and Bess often joked that they should have a door between their two apartments since they ran back and forth between each so often. Belinda walked back to her bedroom, desperate to get into comfy clothes.

She jumped into the shower to quickly wash off, not surprised when Bess followed her into the bathroom and sat on the closed toilet seat so they could keep talking. “I admit I have been thinking about Aaron, but I feel rather stupid.”

“Why?” Bess yelled over the shower water pounding over Belinda.

“I’m thirty years old, for God's sake. Not only am I no longer in high school but I’m not even in my twenties! Feeling giddy over a guy just seems… oh, I don’t know… silly?”

“I’m only two years younger than you, and I certainly don’t think it’s silly to feel excited when you meet someone you’re interested in. It’s not as though you don’t know anything about him. You knew him in high school!”

“Well, that’s hardly a rousing endorsement! Twelve years is a long time, and neither of us is anything like we were back then.”

“I just mean that you at least have some kind of history of growing up in the same place. It must give you a point of reference when you’re talking.”

Belinda knew her sister never had any problem finding something to discuss with anyone, so she wondered why Bess's comment had such a wistful tone. Before she had a chance to ask, Bess continued her interrogation.

“Have you decided what to wear tomorrow?”

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