Page 29 of Love on the Line

“He looks so young.”

“Baby face. We ride him about it.”

In three years, Anne would be thirty-five, headed into high-risk pregnancy. Father Time nudged her in the ribs. If she wanted a family, she couldn’t afford to waste time with someone who had no interest in one. She glanced at Wyatt.

“You okay?” He leaned over and rested a hand on her knee.

He seemed to read her like a book, missing nothing. The skin-to-skin contact on her bare knee and inhaling his spicy scent wiped her brain clean. “What?”

The band started playing, and Wyatt brought his mouth close to her ear so she could hear him. “You look upset.”

His warm breath teased the sensitive spot below her earlobe, and her nipples hardened. Her reactions to him were out of control. She might melt right there on the barstool like soft-serve ice cream on a hot summer day. “I’m, uh, good.”

He eased back, and she crossed her arms to cover her breasts. Although she’d like to fan her burning face.

“Are you too warm? We can…” He hitched an eyebrow, and then the tension drained from his face, replaced by a slight twitch of his mouth.

Crap. He must have figured out what was making her so hot. Or rather who. “Really, I’m fine.”

“Okay, cool.” He leaned his elbows on the bar, spreading his shoulders. Not that she noticed.

At all.

They didn’t talk much because of the loud music, but Wyatt stayed connected to her, moving a hand to her knee, or her shoulder, while tapping his fingers to the beat. Every contact kept her body in a heightened state of awareness.

Whatever the future held, she might as well enjoy the time tonight with Wyatt. She squeezed his hand and smiled at him.

His eyes lit up. “I think they’re playing my song.”

“Hey, Anne,” a voice called out over the music.

Anne turned. Emily and her friend, Kate, waved frantically, beers in hand.

“Oh my gosh. What are you doing here?” Anne leaped off the barstool and hugged Emily. When she let go, Emily stared pointedly at Wyatt, who had stood.

Anne introduced them, and Kate gaped up at Wyatt, eyes wide. She might faint if she didn’t breathe soon. Not that Anne could blame her. He had that effect.

The band announced a break, and the room quieted enough for conversation.

Emily laughed. “We’re out for Anti-Valentine’s day. Gonna get a ride home later.”

Anne had told the girls she was going out with Wyatt, or they would have invited her for sure. After recent breakups, Kate and Emily were taking a rest from dating. But even dressed down in jeans and T-shirts, the perky brunette and redhead still turned heads.

Dan rounded the bar and grabbed Wyatt’s arm. “Thank God you’re still here.”

Wyatt cocked his head. “What’s up?”

“We had to cut the set short. Pete left. Sophia’s in labor. He’s headed to the hospital.”

“What?” Wyatt did a double take. “He said she had three weeks.”

“I know, but I guess she’s early or something. Don’t ask me.” Dan’s shoulders tensed, desperation written all over his face. “You gotta fill in for him. We have a lot riding on this. If we don’t finish playing, they’ll never have us back.”

---