Page 19 of Romance and Peppermint Lattes
Maryanne swallowed tightly. “Nolan’s a talented, respected journalist. If I was going to fall in love with him, which I don’t plan to do in the near future, but if Ididfall for him, why would it be so tragic?”
“Because you’re sweet and caring and he’s so...” Carol paused and stared into space. “Because he’s so scornful.”
“True, but underneath that gruff exterior is a heart of gold. At least I think there is,” Maryanne joked.
“Maybe, but I doubt it,” Carol went on. “Don’t get me wrong—I respect Nolan’s talent. It’s his devil-may-care attitude that troubles me.”
But it didn’t trouble Maryanne. Not in the least. Perhaps that was what she found most appealing about him. Yeteverything Carol said about Nolan was true. He did tend to be cynical and a bit sardonic, but he was also intuitive, reflective and, despite Carol’s impression to the contrary, considerate.
Since it was her last day at the paper, Maryanne spent a few extra minutes saying goodbye to her co-workers. Most were sorry to see her go. There’d been a fair amount of resentment directed at her when she arrived, but her hard work seemed to have won over all but the most skeptical doubters.
On impulse, Maryanne stopped at the diner where Nolan had met her earlier in the week, hoping he’d be there. Her heart flew into her throat when she saw him sitting in a booth by the window, a book propped open in front of him. He didn’t look up when she walked in.
Nor did he notice her when she approached his booth. Without waiting for an invitation, she slid in across from him.
“Hi,” she murmured, keeping her voice low and secretive. “Here comes trouble to plague you once more.”
Slowly, with obvious reluctance, Nolan dragged his gaze from the novel. Another mystery, Maryanne noted. “What are you doing here, Trouble?”
“Looking for you.”
“Why? Have you thought up any other ways to test my patience? How about walking a tightrope between two skyscrapers? That sounds right up your alley.”
“I hadn’t heard from you in the past few days.” She paused, hoping he’d pick up the conversation. “I thought there was something I should do about the apartment. Sign a lease, give the manager a deposit, that sort of thing.”
“Annie—”
“I hope you realize I don’t even know the address. I only saw it that one time.”
“I told you not to worry about it.”
“But I don’t want anyone else to rent it.”
“They won’t.” He laid the book aside just as the waitress appeared carrying a glass of water and a menu. Maryanne recognized her from the other day. “Hello, Barbara,” she said, reading the woman’s name tag. “What’s the special for the day? Mr. Adams owes me a meal and I think I’ll collect it while I’ve got the chance.” She waited for him to ask her what she was talking about, but apparently he remembered his promise of dinner to pay her back for the Irish stew he’d eaten at her house the first evening they’d met.
“Cabbage rolls, with soup or salad,” Barbara said, pulling out her pad and pencil while Maryanne quickly scanned the menu.
“I’ll have a cheeseburger and a chocolate shake,” Maryanne decided.
Barbara grinned. “I’ll make sure it comes up with Mr. Adams’s order.”
“Thanks,” she said, handing her back the menu. Barbara sauntered off toward the kitchen, scribbling on her order pad as she walked.
“It was my last day at the paper,” Maryanne said.
“I’ll ask you one more time—are yousureyou want to go through with this?” Nolan demanded. “Hell, I never thought for a moment you’d want that apartment. Damn it all, you’re a stubborn woman.”
“Of course I’m taking the apartment.”
“That’s what I thought.” He closed his eyes briefly. “What did the Rent-A-Maid agency say when you told them you wouldn’t be taking the job?”
Maryanne stared purposely out the window. “Nothing.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Nothing?”
“What could they say?” she asked, trying to ignore the doubt reflected in his eyes. Maybe she was getting good at thislie-telling business, which wasn’t a comforting thought. The way she’d misled her mother still bothered her.
Nolan drew one hand across his face. “You didn’t tell them, did you? Apparently you intend to play the Cinderella role to the hilt.”
