Ex and the Single Girl (43 page)

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn
’
t notice Ian
’
s SUV parked out front until
after I
’
d walked in and started the coffee, at which point it hit me. I turned around just as the bells on the door jingled.

And there he was. His jacket was crumpled, his hair was a mess, and his eyes were red. He
’
d never looked more adorable. “
I heard th
e bell,”
he said. “
I hoped it was you.”

“
It
’
s six in the morning.”
I couldn
’
t think of anything else to say, and just focused on trying to calm the wild tap dance my heart was performing.

“
I know.”
He motioned vaguely toward the alley, then ran his fingers
through his disheveled hair. “
I
’
ve been sitting on your steps since eleven last night.”

I blinked. It appeared he hadn
’
t gotten any more sleep than I had. At least we were on an even playing field. His face was taut as he watched me. Finally, he looked aw
ay.

“
I
’
m glad you
’
re all right. I was a little worried when you didn
’
t show up.”
He looked back up at me, his eyes questioning. “
I was at the Mizzes
’,”
I said. “
We had my good-bye party.”
He nodded. “
And Peter...?”

“
Gone. He left two days ago.”

A small, re
lieved smile broke on his face. He took a step forward. I took a step back.

“
Your plane,”
I said quickly.

“
Yes,”
he said, stopping where he was. “
It left.”

“
Without you.”

“
Without me.”

I shook my head. “
I
’
m not sure I understand.”

His eyes held on mine. “
D
on
’
t you?”

“
No.”
My brain was still foggy from lack of sleep and too much thinking. “
Why weren
’
t you on your plane, Ian?”

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels, looking like a guilty kid being called to the principal
’
s office. “
I was all packed. I was on my way out the door. But then I realized I had...unfinished business.”

He watched me quietly for a moment. I guessed it was my turn to say something.

“
I have no idea what that means.”
That was a lie. I was beginning to get some i
dea. But he was going to have to spell it out for me. No way was I putting myself out there again. There weren
’
t enough fondue
makin
’
s
in the state of Georgia to get me through another rejection from Ian Beckett.

“
Well,”
he said, pulling his hands out of h
is pockets, “
I realized that we never did that book signing.”

I blinked, surprised. “
I
’
m sorry, what?”

“
The book signing. I committed to it and then never followed up on it. It was horribly unprofessional of me.”
He took another step closer, his eyes growi
ng more serious. “
I should have said something earlier. I
’
m so sorry, Portia.”

“
I see.”
I walked over to the coffee bar and poured us two mugs, handing him one. I settled on one of the bar stools and swiveled outward, facing him as he stood in front of me.

“
So,”
he said slowly, putting his coffee mug down and leaning one arm on the bar behind me, his face hovering near mine, “
if you could find it in your heart to forgive me, I was hoping we might, you know, schedule one.”

I smiled. “
A book signing?”

He nodd
ed. His face was so close I could feel his breath on my neck. “
Yes. I was hoping we could schedule it soon. I
’
m not sure how long I can wait.”

His lips grazed my cheek. I put my hand on his face and moved him until our eyes were level. “
And how long will y
ou be available for this...book signing?”

He pulled my fingers away from his face and kissed them. “
Well, I do have some commitments in England. A public appearance. A university lecture. I will have to leave, Monday morning at the latest, but I can be bac
k in a week. Two weeks, at the most.”
He lowered his hand, intertwining my fingers with his. “
Will you still be here then? Because I
’
m very selective about who I sign books with.”

I smiled. “
I will be here as a matter of fact. I
’
ve committed to stay. Indef
initely.”

He raised an eyebrow. “
You
’
re not going back to Syracuse?”
I shook my head. “
No. I
’
m taking some time off. Changing my dissertation topic.”

He pulled back a bit and smiled. “
Don
’
t tell me. The Marlowe thing?”

I grinned. He laughed, then his face
flashed brilliance and he tightened his grip on my hand.

“
Then come with me. To London. I
’
m sure your family can spare you for a few weeks.”
He leaned in and kissed my lips softly before pulling back again. “
You can do some research. Prove me wrong.”

“
Then
we
’
ll come back here and do the book signing?”

He gave a salacious grin. “
We can do the book signing anywhere.”

I shook my head. “
I need to know what happens next.”

He laughed. “
You
’
re rather into plans, aren
’
t you?”

“
I
’
m a first-timer,”
I said. “
Humor me
.”

He leaned down and kissed me below my left ear. “
Well, the Babb farm is available for rent. Indefinitely, I
’
m told.”

“
So, it could be...
indefinite?”

He kissed a trail over my jaw and hovered, so close I could feel his breath on my lips as he spoke.

“
Ex
cruciatingly indefinite.”

That was the moment. I could almost hear it, like an audible crack in the energy in the room. The Penis Teflon was gone. He was going to stick. I put my arms around his shoulders and wove my fingers through the soft hair at the ba
ck of his neck. I guided his face down to mine and I kissed him softly, knowing for the first time in my life that there would be plenty more where that came from.

So I took my time.

The End

Tha
nks for reading my book! If you enjoyed it, I have some others you might like:

Time Off For Good Behavior

Maybe Baby

The Comeback Kiss

A Little Ray Of Sunshine

The Fortune Quilt

You can find them all on Amazon, or stop by my website at LaniDianeRich.com.

Thanks again!

- Lani