Only in Time (A Mystique Antiques Novella) (9 page)

“Forget it, Jonah, it’s nothing. I don’t have time to stand around and reminisce. I have a meeting in an hour. One I can’t be late for.”

She turned to walk away again, but Jonah’s fingers wrapped around her waist at the same time she moved. Stumbling back into him, he wrapped her in his arm. A surge of fire filled Ally’s face. It moved down her chest, sending a tingle across her breasts, then around her belly before making its final plunge toward her thighs.

Sucking in a deep breath, she stared into the sexiest pair of eyes she’d ever seen. A soft moan slipped from her mouth when he squeezed her closer. Her eyes fell lower, to his lips. The heat of his breath caressed her cheek, sending a fruity scent with it. If she leaned back another inch, their lips would meet. Then she’d be in trouble. Would be nothing but a big pile of mush in Jonah’s arms.

He must have sensed her tension. Helping her right herself, he took a step back, putting distance between their bodies. But he hadn’t released her from his grip.

“Look, I know the last time we saw each other, we didn’t end things well. I can’t take back what happened, Ally, but I’d like for us to be friends, again. That’s why I told you to call me. All I want to do is catch up.”

Guilt wavered in Ally’s heart. Maybe she’d been wrong about him. That he hadn’t stayed in Savannah to mess with her. That he honestly wanted to make amends and be her friend, just like he had been years ago. But could she do it? Things had changed between them. Even before they’d moved away. She’d fallen for him. Wanted to take the next step with him and start a relationship, but he didn’t. Even if she agreed to be his friend, he’d eventually want to settle down. She couldn’t handle seeing him with another woman.

“We’re different people now, Jonah. We can’t pick up where we left off.”

“I know and I’m not asking you to.” He hesitated as a group of people passed. When the last person went by, he reached down to her hands, cupping them in his. “Our friendship built over time. I think it could again.”

Yeah, they’d work real hard at it each time he came in from L.A. How could they rebuild their friendship with him gone all the time? Friends grew closer because they hung out. Shared hopes, dreams, even their fears. She couldn’t reconnect with him if he was never around.

“Whatever you’re telling yourself, don’t.” His voice sounded shaky. He even cleared it before speaking again. “Please, just hear me out. I’d like to take you to dinner on Saturday. Not on a date, but just to hang out. I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

Ally parted her lips to refuse him, then snapped them shut. There was no point in arguing. Jonah had given her the puppy eyes. Her greatest weakness.

Damn him.

She exhaled, slumping her shoulders as she offered him a smile. “Okay, I’ll go. What time should I meet you?”

“I can pick you up.”

Which is exactly what she wanted to avoid. Screw it. She’d agreed to go to dinner with him. What would it hurt for him to know where she lived? If they were going to be friends again, he’d find out anyway.

Scratch that. As soon as he visited his parents, he’d know.

“I’ll be ready at seven. Is that okay?”

The spark in his eyes had returned. Giving her a smile that had her heart racing, he nodded his head and then released her hands. “Sounds great. Oh, you didn’t tell me where you live.”

“I live in the second house on the right…over on White Oak.”

Jonah’s eyes widened. “You live near my parents?”

Ally adjusted the hem of her skirt, worrying that she’d picked the shortest one. Each time she crossed her legs, the material crept up a little further. Thank goodness the white tablecloth billowed around her from the waist down.

Moving her eyes across the table, she found Jonah replacing his beer on a coaster. He’d been nursing the drink ever since the server brought it. Must have been his attempt at being a gentleman. She knew how much he could drink. Had spent many nights sneaking out of her house with a bottle for him and Cassie. In fact, both her friends would be dead if she hadn’t been their designated driver.

My how their roles had changed.

Grasping the stem of her wine glass, she placed it to her lips, pouring the last of the contents into her mouth. The soft cherry taste teased her tongue. Guess it was too late to drink in moderation, but she’d try to go slower with the next glass. And there would definitely be another glass.

She had hoped this dinner wouldn’t be awkward like the last two times she ran into Jonah. Maybe it wouldn’t be if she’d kept their relationship on a friendship level. But she didn’t do that. Went and fell for him instead.

What an idiot.

Not realizing how loudly she groaned, she met Jonah’s gaze. Though a smile tugged at his mouth, he didn’t fully give in to the urge. “I hope that’s for the lack of flavor in this food, not because you’re here with me.”

“You don’t like the food?”

One brow arched as his smile finally won the tug-o-war with his lips. “I bet road kill tastes better than this.”

“Eww!” she squealed, covering her mouth at the thought. “That’s so gross, Jonah.”

A hearty laugh shook his chest, tossing his dark curls about his face. She didn’t realize how much she’d missed that sound. How it still made her insides shake.

“I’d rather have a cheeseburger,” he grinned.

“Oooh. That sounds good. I haven’t eaten a cheeseburger in years.”

Jonah’s brow creased. “What? That’s a crime. You need a cheeseburger.”

Pressing her back against her chair, she stroked the tablecloth, making sure her legs remained hidden. “When I was in New York, I barely had time to eat once a day. I busted my butt to get the promotion that brought me here. So when I did eat, I tried to be healthy.”

“You’ve taken care of yourself, Ally. That’s good.” His eyes fell from her face as he tossed his napkin onto his plate. Then he laughed again. “But you know how much I always corrupted you. So guess what we’re doing?”

Drawing in a breath, a twinge of uncertainty pulsed in her heart. “I’m not sure I want to know. Because you’re right. You were a bad influence.”

His eyes sparkled with humor, making her belly roll. Just like old times.

“We’re leaving this dump,” he said, motioning for their server to bring the check. “Then we’re going to find the closest burger joint so I can buy you a cheeseburger. We’re going to live on the edge, tonight.”

It was Ally’s laughter that filled the air this time. Not just because of what he said, but because for the first time since seeing him, she had hope. Maybe their friendship could be repaired. She’d give it a shot. What was life without taking chances?

* * *

A bell chimed as the elevator doors opened. Ally gazed at the green carpet, debating on taking another step. She couldn’t believe she’d agreed to this. Swinging by Jonah’s hotel suite so that he could change.

Yeah. Not her best decision.

She must have stimulated too many endorphins after eating. Lord knows she’d enjoyed every single bite of her food. The conversation had been good, too. Like they hadn’t missed the last six years of each other’s life. The only thing missing was Cassie. Ally knew Cassie would have enjoyed a good burger.

Moving through the hallway, Ally followed Jonah as they passed several doors. She couldn’t avoid gazing at his body. He still towered over her by a good eight inches. Had the same confidence to his step that she remembered from high school. Still filled his jeans in all the right places.

Her eyes made their way to his bottom, admiring the firmness of it. Yeah. Definitely all the right places.

Heat filled her cheeks at the thought. And before she could look away, Jonah cast his gaze over his shoulder, catching her in the act.

A volcanic eruption couldn’t describe the sensation engulfing her face. It was as if she’d stepped off the elevator and into the pits of hell.

“You doing okay? You got quiet on me.”

Nodding her head as fast as she could, her stomach tightened as he waited for her to step beside him. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about dinner. That was the
best
cheeseburger I’ve ever eaten. I swear, I don’t remember a big ball of meat and grease tasting so good.”

“Nice analogy,” he winked, bumping his shoulder into hers. “But I agree. It was pretty good. That place has the best food.” His hand brushed the front of his shirt where mustard stained it. “And messy.”

“Well, if you wouldn’t have inhaled your burger…”

“Touché.” He stopped at the last door on the right of the hallway, swiping his key in the door. “I appreciate you coming up with me. It won’t take me long to change.”

“Well, I couldn’t be seen in a
dark
movie theater with a guy who has a mustard stain on his shirt. I have a reputation to keep, you know.” She couldn’t help but razz him after he did the same to her at the restaurant.

He didn’t seem to mind. Even flashed her a smile before pushing the door open. “After you.”

Sweeping past him, she entered the suite, noting the bar setting on the right. Rooms spread in different directions, the kitchenette being the closest. Coming to a stop near the recliner, she studied the layout until the door clicked shut behind her. Jonah brushed past her on his way toward one of the other rooms.

“Do you want something to drink?” he asked, jabbing his finger over his shoulder.

“No, I’m fine. I’ll grab something at the theater.”

One shrug later, he disappeared down a hall.

As a doorknob clicked in the distance, she debated on whether to sit on the sofa or make her way to the window. Sitting down would involve patience. Something she didn’t have at the moment.

Pacing near the couch, she wished she’d taken Jonah up on the drink he’d offered. Anticipation burned in her belly with thoughts of him, shirtless, just a few feet down the hall. No way could she sit still and wait for his return.

It didn’t take her long to reach the window. She parted the curtains, letting her eyes fall to the cobblestone that made up River Street. While many years had passed, she still remembered walking on that same street with her father right after they arrived in Savannah. She’d been too young to appreciate the history of the area, but the stone road fascinated her. And any memory of her father warmed her heart.

“See anything interesting outside?” Jonah’s voice buzzed in her ear. She didn’t realize he’d reentered the room, or that he stood less than a foot behind her. When she gazed over her shoulder, she came eye level with his lips.

Her heart took an extra beat.

Trailing her eyes up to his, she watched a spark of humor play inside them. Then his lips curled upward. “What is it, Ally?”

“Nothing.” She offered him a smile, turning her eyes back toward the road. “I was thinking about how much fun I’ve had, tonight.”

A low rumble of laughter worked past his lips. “You didn’t think you would?”

She wanted to deny the truth in his question, though she knew she couldn’t. Not if they wanted to rebuild an honest friendship.

Taking in the bold scent of his cologne, she stepped from the window to face him. “I don’t know what I expected, Jonah.”

Her eyes fell to the floor. She didn’t want to dredge up the past. Their evening had been too enjoyable to walk down this road. One that would require total honesty on her part. Honesty he may not want to know.

She started to step away, until the warmth of his hand swept across hers. Her eyes darted back to his. The playful spark they once contained had switched to smoldering heat. Then he stroked her palm with his fingers.

Snapping her lids shut, she prayed her eyes would stop stinging. She couldn’t let Jonah see this side of her. Not when she didn’t know what his intentions were.

“Look at me, Ally.” The heat of his hands caressed her face as he cupped it. Her eyes flew open, locking with his bright ones. “I know our last moment together didn’t end well. I saw the pain in your eyes that day. Believe me. It wasn’t one-sided. A day hasn’t gone by that I haven’t thought of you.”

Tears welled in her eyes, clouding her vision. One blink sent a warm stream down her face.