Page 54 of An Unexpected Match

He slid into the passenger side of the car and then, with a light in his eyes, he leaned over and kissed her firmly on the mouth.

Startled, she clung for a moment, savoring the contact, the racing of her heart, the feeling of being wild and romantic and on the edge of passion.

He released her and fastened his seat belt as if nothing monumental had happened.

Arden looked at him in confusion and sudden sadness.

She couldn’t stay.

She couldn’t be a part of his family, loving him the way she did.

She had to leave.

She started the car and focused on driving.

He’d be furious. She’d promised three years.

But if she told him why, he’d have to let her go.

In fact, if he had a clue she loved him, he’d probably fire her to save her the trouble of quitting.

“I missed you and the girls,” he said.

She tried to smile, but felt the wobbly attempt wasn’t very good.

“We missed you, too. Was it a successful meeting?”

She blinked her eyes, trying to clear the tears so she could see.

“Mostly. Larry's finalizing a few details, but the major points are taken care of.”

She concentrated on her driving. She had to keep it together for a little longer.

For a moment Arden had felt as if they were a family, greeting the husband and father returning from a trip. Going to their home where they could shut out the world.

She wanted it so much that the longing was almost a physical pain.

It'd be so hard to leave. So hard to say goodbye.

“What have you three been up to? How did your exam go this morning?”

“I think I did well. I have the last exam on Friday morning.”

“So you’ll be carefree and ready to party Friday night,” he said.

“Friday night?”

“The Andrews party. I asked you a while ago, remember? My plus one?”

She’d completely forgotten.

She couldn’t go.

Could she?

It’d be one last night together, a memory to cherish down through the years.

“I remember. What time is it?”

---