Page 12 of Love on the Line

Purse hitched on her shoulder, nibbling her lip, she glanced around the lobby as if looking for someone. She strode to one of the lounge chairs and settled her purse on the cushion. Taking a seat, she pulled out her phone. She swiped and typed, but kept looking up from time to time.

Could she be searching for him? Damn the insecurity he’d never felt in his life. And damn the feeling this one mattered. Like he might not get another chance if he screwed it up. And why that bothered him compounded the whole thing.

He made his way across the lobby and caught the exact second she saw him. Yeah, he caught the way her eyes got wide and the quick flush of her cheeks as she stuffed her phone back into her purse. And yeah, he liked the way that made him feel because she had been searching for him. But she also had that skittish look to her. Like a curious cat that got too close to the fire and had to make a dash for it.

Anne stood and ran a hand down her pants. “Hi, again.”

“Hey. How was the session?”

“Good. I always learn something.” She glanced at the rotating door of the lobby.

Not a good sign.

Wyatt took a breath. Enough of this. He wasn’t some cowering high school kid. “Can I buy you a cup of coffee?”

She blinked and cocked her head. “Thanks, but no. I have papers to grade.”

“No. I didn’t mean now.” Strike one, but he wasn’t giving up yet. “I meant maybe this weekend. Would you like to get coffee? In a place where they bring it to you so you don’t have to carry mine? Come on, I owe you.”

Retreat blazed in her deep-blue eyes. She forced a smile. “Thanks so much, but I’m not really a coffee drinker.”

“But you had some today.”

She shrugged, and the cute way her mouth twisted to the side made his belly flip. Oh man, she probably had gotten a cup just so she could help him with his. Another reason to like her.

He dragged a hand down his face. “So, you don’t like coffee?

“Not so much.”

“But you know people who like coffee, and you like them?”

Her eyes narrowed, and her lips twitched. “I like people who like coffee.”

He might still split a rib. “Does your dog like coffee?”

Anne laughed. A pure, sweet, sound that reverberated through his body. And holy crap, her entire face lit up brighter than stadium lights when she smiled. It made him want to do whatever it took to keep her laughing.

Refreshing.

She shifted and pressed her lips together. “I really should get going.”

Uh-oh. She’d retreated again. Maybe he could buy some time. “Did you park in the garage?”

She nodded.

“Me, too. I’ll walk you out.”

“Can you drive?” She gestured to his leg.

“Yeah. Right leg’s fine.”

“Oh, of course.” She glanced at the elevators. “You don’t have to walk me to my car, especially with the crutches.”

“I’m pretty sure I have to.”

“Why?”

“My mother. She would have killed me if I let a woman walk alone to her car in a dark parking garage.”

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