Page 13 of Bear In A Bookstore
Could that have been any worse? She hurried to her SUV parked at the curb out front.
“Kora, wait.”
Desi’s masculine voice sent shivers down the back of her neck.
“Nope. Not stopping.”
She was driving away so she could bang her head against the door in the privacy of her own home.
“Kora, come on. Wait.”
His voice was thick with amusement, and damn it, she couldn’t blame him for laughing at her Freudian slip. Keys in her hand, she paused and made a half turn. He casually walked toward her when a small blonde woman intercepted him on the sidewalk with a wave of greeting.
“Hey, Des.”
He pulled back, apparently surprised to see her.
“Jennifer. Nice to see you.”
She smiled big and genuine. Pulling her bottom lip between her teeth, Kora crossed her arms and leaned against her car to watch this little show.
“It is? I’m glad to hear you say that because, well, I was hoping you’d call me after our date last week.”
Whoa. He didn’t call? Kora’s brows arched. Bad move, Desi. But . . . why did that thought give her a pang of satisfaction? Huh. Maybe it was his turn to make an embarrassing slip.
“Yeah, sorry about that.” He scratched his temple.
Liar. He wasn’t sorry at all. Kora cocked her head to assess him. She’d studied body language a lot in order to write the villains in her murder mysteries. Desi was leaning slightly back from the woman, his hands in his pockets, and elbows back. If he were interested in her, his hands would be visible, palms open and he’d be leaning in.
Like he’d been with her at dinner.
Shit.
Jennifer shrugged. “It’s okay. I’ll let you make it up to me by being my date to the gala this weekend?”
Gala? It’s the second time she’d heard about it but had no idea what it was. Kora narrowed her eyes and appraised the young woman looking so desperately hopeful at Desi. She was petite with long blonde hair, a pretty face and husky voice. Dressed in a smart black business suit, she carried herself well as if comfortable in her skin. She should be. She was obviously attractive and the kind of woman most men would trip over their tongues for. Yet, he was looking at her with familiarity and nothing more.
And then his eyes turned to her. Jennifer slowly turned to follow Desi’s gaze, her eyes widening in question. Kora bristled as she realized she’d just become the center of attention.
“I’m sorry, Jen. You caught me a little too late. Kora already asked me to accompany her. She’s new in town and I couldn’t say no.”
Kora blinked; certain she was having auditory hallucinations. What?
The blonde’s mouth dropped. “O-oh, I see. No problem. Maybe a rain check, then?”
Desi smiled warmly, nodded, and took a half-step back. Jennifer got the hint, waved, and continued on her way. Kora watched her go, waiting until she’d slipped into a car down the street to spread her hands questioningly.
“What the hell was that?”
Desi ran a hand over his mouth and grinned. “Looks like you’re going to the gala this weekend.”
“No. No, I’m most certainly not. I hate parties. There’s no way I’m going. What is it even for?”
“It’s the yearly fundraiser for the children’s ward at St. Mary’s Medical.”
She sighed. “Of course it is.”
“The whole town goes. People who don’t show up are kind of frowned upon, talked about a little. The gossip runs strong in Estes Park.” Desi shook his head, clearly enjoying this. “I’d hate to be the shiny new business owner who didn’t make an appearance at the biggest event of the year. It’s for the children.”
