Aimee (A Time for Love Book 3) (9 page)

The return trip wasn’t nearly as easy as the trip to the island had been. Aimee’s legs started to ache from pedaling. She knew if she spoke up, Frank would offer to do all the pedaling, but she refused to let him know how uncomfortable she was becoming.  By the time the boat bumped against the dock near the boathouse, Aimee’s legs were cramped, and when she tried to stand up, they wobbled beneath her. She avoided Frank’s outstretched hand and took a step towards the dock. Her leg buckled, and if Frank hadn’t grabbed her, she would have tumbled into the water.

“Thanks,” she muttered.

She knew it was childish to feel so hurt and rejected by the missed opportunity for a kiss, but she didn’t want to be logical. She just wanted the date to be over, so she could go home, wrap herself in a blanket, and wonder why she ever bothered with men.

“Where are you going?”

Aimee didn’t turn around. She was heading towards the parking lot, intent on getting in her car and ending the date as soon as possible.

“We’re having coffee and dessert in the Waterview dining room.” Frank reminded her. He caught up to her and put a hand on her arm. “It’s this way.”

Aimee stopped. Part of her preferred to stomp off to nurse her hurt feelings, but was she being childish? Frank did sound like he wanted to continue the date. Maybe she was reading too much into a single moment.

“They’re serving mud pie,” Frank added.

“Mud pie?”

Professional curiosity persuaded her to let Frank lead her up the stairs to a glass-walled dining room overlooking the lake. Each of the dozen tables was set for two, with coffee cups, a candle in a crystal holder, and a single rose. Frank chose a vacant table near the window and held Aimee’s chair for her. Music played softly in the background, and the couples already seated were watching the water or talking quietly.

One waiter poured their coffee, while another delivered their desserts. Aimee stuck her fork into the pie. The crumb crust was made of chocolate wafers, and the filling appeared to be a soft fudge. She dipped the bite in the fresh cream piped into an elegant swirl beside the pie slice and closed her eyes to savor the taste. She’d half-expected a coffee flavor, but nothing cut the sweetness of the rich, buttery chocolate and the lighter note of the whipped cream.

When she opened her eyes, Frank was watching her.

“I’m doing it again, aren’t I?” she asked.

“That’s okay. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” He took a forkful of his own pie. “Mmm. Delicious, but rich. I can see why the slices are so small.”

“I could make this,” Aimee said, mostly to herself. “Or a better one.”

Frank grinned at her. “A better one? That I’d like to taste! Consider yourself challenged.”

Aimee blinked. She hadn’t meant to brag about her cooking ability. When she enjoyed a dish, she always thought about how she’d make it and whether she could improve upon it. She started to explain to Frank, but then she caught his playful expression and smiled back.

“Challenge accepted,” she said. “I’ll bring it to our next date.”

She tasted another bite. The pie had two layers, any difference in color not noticeable in the dim light. The bottom layer was denser, and the top layer was whipped, more of a mousse. Aimee took separate bites of the crust and each layer and began mentally writing out the recipe. Butter, eggs. Unsweetened chocolate. Cream. She might add a bit more vanilla, maybe reduce the sugar slightly…

Frank finished his own pie and waited until she pushed her plate away. “What’s the expression?” he asked. “In the zone? You were in the food zone.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

Aimee suddenly realized they were the only ones talking. Out loud, anyway. The other couples were snuggled together, admiring the view, or whispering over their coffee. She turned her chair slightly so she could watch the water. The waiter refilled Frank’s coffee, but Aimee shook her head. She didn’t need caffeine.

Her legs were still tired, but the good food and quiet atmosphere were relaxing. They sat without talking as Frank sipped his coffee. The couples began leaving, one by one, and finally Aimee stirred.

“We’d better go, or I’ll be too sleepy to drive.”

Frank took her arm to help her along the dimly lit path to the parking lot. Aimee half-expected Edwina to be waiting for them, but the parking lot was almost empty.

“Do you need a ride?” she asked.

He glanced at his watch. “Back to A Time for Love, if it’s not too much trouble.”

“Not at all.”

“Thanks. I’ll text Edwina and let her know.”

They listened to soft music as they wove through the city. When they reached A Time for Love, Aimee parked slightly beyond the security lights that illuminated the front of the building. She wasn’t trying to start anything, just giving him an opportunity if he wanted one, she told herself.

Frank unbuckled his seat belt and twisted so he could face her. “Thank you for tonight. I had a wonderful time.”

“Me too.”

“I can hardly wait for our next date. And that chocolate pie,” he added.

“It’ll be worth the wait,” Aimee promised. Her voice sounded breathless. Was he leaning towards her? She could smell the fresh scent of his shaving gel, and she held herself still, waiting to see what he would do.

He bent forward. She closed her eyes and lifted her face, and his lips brushed her cheek. “Good night, Aimee. See you soon.”

Then he was getting out of the car, and Aimee could see Edwina at the entranceway to the building, like an over-anxious mother waiting for her teenage daughter to come home from her first date. Did the woman do this for all her clients, or was Frank special? And what would Frank have done if Edwina wasn’t watching?

She’d have to wait until the next date to find out, but the unanswered question left her feeling unsettled as she drove home.

“Hey, Aimee!”

Tish was getting out of her car as Aimee pulled into a space near the apartment building’s front door. Aimee wasn’t really in the mood to talk, but she knew she couldn’t avoid Tish without appearing antisocial. And her friend meant well.

“I just dropped Lucas off, and I’m not ready to go to bed. Want to come in for a little girl talk?”

“Okay.” Aimee knew her tone didn’t sound enthusiastic, and she forced a smile. “Did you have a good evening?”

“Yes. Just dinner and a movie, but it was nice. There was a wreck on the interstate, though, and we sat in traffic for almost an hour.” Tish rolled her shoulders as they headed up the stairs. “I thought my hands would never unclench from the wheel.”

“Lucas doesn’t drive?” Aimee asked.

“He doesn’t have his Missouri license, and he’s not comfortable driving here yet.”

“That’s funny,” Aimee frowned. “Frank doesn’t drive either. Not that I’ve seen, anyway.”

Tish unlocked the door to her airy studio apartment. “Have a seat in the living room. Want a coffee, soft drink, water?”

“Water, please. With lemon, if you have it.”

Aimee took her favorite spot on the overstuffed couch. As always, she admired her friend’s decorating style and wished she had such a talent. A past renovation had turned the apartment into a single large area, and Tish used strategically placed dividers to create “rooms,” each decorated with a casual sophistication that made the most of the space’s limitations.

If I ever get a house of my own, I’ll hire Tish as my decorator,
Aimee promised herself.

A house of her own, or a house with Frank? He would be handy with small repairs and lifting heavy objects. She could just picture him moving a large box, muscles bulging as he waited for her directions.

“Here.” Tish broke into Aimee’s thoughts and handed her a glass of water.

“Thanks.”

“How’re things going with Frank?”

“Great. I think. We had a wonderful time tonight.” She described the date and finished, “But he had a couple of chances to kiss me, and he didn’t go for it. What do you think that means?”

Tish shrugged. “Maybe he’s just being cautious. Edwina does emphasize couples should get to know each other, not focus on the physical chemistry.”

“Then how will I know if we
have
chemistry?” Aimee complained.

“I wouldn’t worry about it,” Tish advised. “Just focus on finding out whether he’s the type of person you could see yourself with. If not, the chemistry doesn’t matter. If so, attraction can grow as you get to know him.”

“Is that what happened to you and Lucas?”

“Oh, no. We had a spark from the very beginning. If I’d paid attention in high school chemistry, I would compare it to some chemical interaction, but all I can say is, he isn’t the handsomest or richest or best-dressed man I’ve ever dated, but he’s the one who makes me feel Hallmark-card mushy.”

“How are the wedding plans?”

Tish waved a hand. “All under control. You, Charlene, and Dana will be bridesmaids, of course. Dana’s talked me into asking my sister Meryl to be matron of honor, and my father’s performing the ceremony. Now that I’m getting married, my family’s revoked my black-sheep status.” She rolled her eyes, but Aimee could tell she was secretly pleased.

“That’s great.”

“Maybe. If my mother doesn’t succeed in taking over the reception plans.”

Tish chatted about her wedding for several minutes. When Aimee finished her water, she set the empty glass on a coaster and stood up.

“I’d better be going. It’s getting late.”

Tish walked with her to the door. “I do have one thing to ask of you,” she said. “Keep an eye out for Mandy, will you?”

“I’ve only seen her once!” Aimee objected.

“She has to come back eventually.” Tish paused in the open doorway. “I don’t know what’s going on with her, but it wasn’t a simple case of cold feet. Maybe it was something with her family, or maybe her fiancé cheated. I don’t know. But if you find out she needs help, let me know.”

“I will,” Aimee promised.

“And anytime you need to talk about Frank, I’m here.” She gave Aimee a quick hug.

“Thanks.”

By the time Aimee climbed the stairs to her apartment, she was feeling wrung-out from her day, and she had an early shift in the morning. She hoped her phantom roommate hadn’t chosen this evening to return, but the apartment was as quiet as ever, and she was asleep within minutes.

She didn’t receive a text about her next date until the following afternoon. She had finished her shift and was packing her tote bag when her phone chimed. Edwina’s message read, “A Time for Love at 10 AM Saturday. Casual. Save pie for next time.”

Aimee reread the message. Edwina certainly wasn’t giving away many details, was she? Casual, so no fine dining or art show. And Frank had obviously told her about the pie. She had jotted down notes for the recipe but hadn’t had a chance to try it, so she didn’t mind the delay. But what would she and Frank be doing?

“A sports event,” Tish guessed when Aimee told her. “Lucas and I had a date at a baseball game. Or maybe something at a park? Wear jeans. You’ll be safe.”

Aimee took her advice and showed up at A Time for Love in jeans and a neat red t-shirt. Work had been stressful Friday, as it often was in a hospital where gossip and worries over budget cuts were constant fare. She had a quiet evening spent unpacking the last boxes from her failed move to Colorado and then went to bed early. By Saturday, she was ready for something more enjoyable.

“Hi, Aimee,” Whitney greeted her when she walked into the lobby. “Edwina’s in her office. You can go on back.”

Aimee was looking for Frank, not Edwina, but she didn’t object.

“Come in.” Edwina motioned her inside, and once Aimee was seated, she asked, “How was your date Thursday night?”

“Good. Great, actually. Very romantic.” But not romantic enough for Frank to kiss her.

“Normally, in Phase 2, I plan the first three dates, and then each half of the couple plans a date. I have a date planned for tomorrow. But Frank didn’t want to wait, and he’s planned today’s date. So, unless you tell me you don’t want to, you’ll go on his date today and mine tomorrow, and then you’ll plan one for next weekend.”

And in a week, she’d have to decide if she was ready for marriage preparation? Aimee hesitated, and Edwina’s gaze sharpened.

“Is there a problem?”

“No,” Aimee said. “At least, I don’t think so. Another date tomorrow is fine.” And then she’d have some serious thinking to do.

“Is there anything you’d like to talk about?”

Not with you
, Aimee thought. Edwina was a lovely person; Aimee just didn’t feel comfortable discussing her concerns over Frank’s apparent lack of physical attraction to her. She shook her head. Edwina studied her for a moment, and Aimee thought she was about to say more. Instead, she said, “Frank’s waiting in the conference room just down the hall. Enjoy your date.”

Frank was watching the hallway, and as soon as he saw Aimee, he came out and wrapped her in a hug. “It’s good to see you! You look great. Ready to go?”

“Where are we going?”