Page 8 of Queen of Diamonds
Then near the end of their first year Tyrone’s mother had called, panicked because she owed a dealer money that she didn’t have, and the dealer had threatened to kill her. She had a brother who lived in Philadelphia who’d agreed to let her stay with him for a while, and Tyrone planned to take her there.
Rand had driven him to the bus station, but he’d had a bad feeling and had tried to talk Tyrone out of going. He’d offered to give Tyrone the money to wire to his mother, but his friend had refused.
“I won’t be able to pay you back,” Tyrone had said.
Rand had responded that he didn’t have to.
“I’m not your charity case.” There had been anger in his friend’s voice, so Rand had let it drop, something he would always regret. Two hours after arriving home, Tyrone had been shot and killed, along with his mother.
The world had lost a beautiful soul, a young man who would have made a difference. After hearing about his friend’s death, Rand had sat in their dorm room, in the dark, as one question churned in his mind. What kind of difference would he make in the lives of others working for his father, his only goal to make more money? Didn’t they have enough? The next day Rand changed his major to criminal justice and, in homage to his friend, joined the FBI after graduation. Although his father had been disappointed, Rand had never regretted his decision.
Life had been great. He had a job he loved and a wife and daughter who were his world. Then his little girl died from the flu. The fucking flu, something he’d never thought to worry about. One day she’d been fine, the next morning feverish, and two days later she was gone.
His marriage hadn’t survived the heartbreak, and he’d lost everything important to him. The breakup of his marriage had hurt, but he could recover from that. It was losing his daughter that he couldn’t come back from.
On Sunday Kinseyfollowed the hostess through the restaurant. As soon as Rand saw them approaching, he stood. He was dressed in a blue button-down—the sleeves rolled up—and black pants. His eyes tracked her approach, and he had that killer smile on his face. What else was a girl’s heart to do but flutter at the sight of him looking sexier than any man should?
“You look lovely, Kinsey,” he said as he pulled out a chair for her.
“Thank you.”If you melt in a puddle at his feet, Kins, I’ll never forgive you.
She’d spent an hour trying to decide what to wear, finally choosing a white sundress and white strappy sandals. The all white against her olive skin and dark hair was an eye-catching contrast, and the outfit was sexy without being trashy. Based on the appreciation in his eyes, he liked her choice.
“This is nice.” She glanced around the room. “I’ve never been here before.” Lush green plants in pots on the floor and flowering plants in hanging baskets gave the place a tropical atmosphere. The tablecloths were pale rose, the floors a rich, dark wood, and the large window next to their table framed a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean.
“I’ll admit that I was half-afraid that you’d cancel.”
She peered over the top of her menu. “Would you have been disappointed if I had?”
“Heartbroken.” He tapped two fingers over his heart.
“Then it’s a good thing I’m here. I’d hate to know I was the reason for your broken heart.” Every time his lips curved up in a smile that was just short of wicked, she wanted to sigh. He was dangerous. To her, for sure.
Their waiter appeared. “What can I get you to drink?”
“Kinsey?” Rand said. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
“A pinot grigio would be nice.”
“A club soda with lime for me,” Rand said.
“What’s good here?” she asked after the waiter left.
“Everything. I particularly like the salmon with the citrus glaze, but their beef dishes are also very good.”
She set down her menu. “The salmon sounds great.” They chatted about the view and the hot weather for a few minutes until the waiter returned with their drinks.
Rand ordered the salmon for both of them, and when they were alone again, he said, “Tell me something about Kinsey Landon.”
“Not much to tell. I recently graduated from the University of Miami. I worked part-time for Summer Fashions my last two years of school, and after graduation they offered me the position of junior buyer. That’s about it.”
“I have a feeling there’s much more to you than that. What do you like to do for fun?”
She shrugged. “Haven’t had much time the last few years for play, what with working my way through college.”
“Unacceptable. You’re too young not to have some fun in your life.”
“Maybe you could show me how to have fun.” He was easy to talk to, and she really liked that.
