waved a waiter over, and soon a table was set up at a far wall. She smiled her thanks to Mark. He melted visibly and that pumped her up.
Now what? She was seated, and turned slightly and could survey this dining room.
Bingo!
Rudd and a brunette, not a sexpot, but shapely and attractive, especially the way her hair framed her face. And worse, the woman was closer to Rudd’s age.
About forty feet away, Rudd facing offset away from her table.
Aloha ordered a ginger ale in a champagne glass while she studied the menu. She gulped at the prices.
When her drink arrived, she hadn’t yet decided what the rest of Plan B was. But the waiter did not know about Raymond Biggs, so she determined to simply order and eat alone and not pretend as if she were waiting for her date who was becoming increasingly late.
She felt on display, for many of the men had watched her entrance frankly. And some women with envy.
Rudd still hadn’t noticed her. Aloha could tell that he was very tired. At least he hadn’t lied about that. Plan B was dying with no action.
Damn.
Self-consciously, she ordered a chef’s salad.
—Let us engage the battle, Bonnie ventured.
—Done.
Aloha rose, straightened her dress and walked to their table.
The level of conversation in the restaurant dropped off significantly, but maybe that was her imagination. The tinkle of dishes, flatware, and ice in glasses rang louder than the noise warranted.
She breathed deeply, stepped around a table of eight, and into his line of vision.
“Rudd! I thought I saw you over here. How are you, sweetheart?” She stepped over to him, bent over so that he could see her breasts were unconstrained, and kissed him on the cheek.
The woman could see what Rudd was staring at, too. And it wasn’t her bare shoulders.
Half the room was watching.
“Aloha,” he stammered. “What are you doing here?”
She extemporized as she straightened up. “I had an absolute great day and was topping it off with a celebration—but it seems my date isn’t going to show up.” She pouted. “What are you doing here?” Would he take the bait and ask her to join them? And if he did, would she accept?
The woman was watching closely, eyes alert to some kind of subtext to which she wasn’t privy.
Avoiding the question, Rudd stood as he was supposed to. “Er, ah, Aloha, I want you to meet Amanda McMullen. Amanda, this is Aloha Blaze.”
Amanda stuck out her hand. “My pleasure. What a wonderful name you have.”
The compliment startled Aloha. “Thank you.”
“Won’t you join us?” Amanda was being polite, following protocol, but clearly curious.
Aloha sat quickly before Rudd could change the invitation. “Well, okay. Maybe until my dinner arrives.”
—Should I nail the bastard?
—Wait. See what happens. Roll with it.
“What were you going to celebrate?” asked Amanda innocently.
Aloha shrugged. “Something very special, but very personal. I don’t really want to say here.”
“Oh, certainly. Forgive the intrusion.” Amanda sounded as if she were from South Carolina or Georgia. She smiled at Aloha.
Dammit, I want to hate this woman. Aloha felt crushed. It wasn’t turning out as she hoped it would. Amanda was personable. Aloha could see how men could be attracted to her. Especially Rudd. Who needed someone. Someone Aloha hoped was herself. But might not be. And this someone was within shooting distance of his own age. Shit.
She turned to Rudd. “It’s surprising to see you here.”
“I don’t think so. I’ve had this scheduled.”
“Scheduled?” Amanda said. “That, sir, is a strange term for a date.”
“Poor choice of words,” Rudd said, his steel gray eyes cutting into Aloha. He drank his entire gin and tonic. “Pilot lingo,” he said lamely.
Aloha saw the waiter delivering her salad.
“My salad’s come,” she said. “Guess I should go back and eat.”
Amanda was obviously trying to follow the interplay between Aloha and Rudd. “Would it be better if I went to the ladies room for a few minutes?”
Aloha found it hard to hate Amanda. So Aloha nodded vigorously.
Rudd obviously hadn’t known what to say, but his eyes widened and changed from cloudy to clear. He laughed aloud. He stood. “That would be so very kind of you.” He pulled her chair out.
As they both watched Amanda wend her way across the room, Rudd said, “You got guts, young lady.” He sat and leaned toward her. His arm scrunched up the immaculate table cloth and he paused to straighten it. “I give you that. You know what you’re doing is legally considered stalking?” The twinkle in his eye belied his words.
“Yeah, right after your statutory rape charges.” Oh shit, she’d admitted something.
He stared into her eyes and covered her hand with his big one. “That is not something I haven’t suspected but am unable to do anything about.”
He knows! He knows something anyway. No, he’s just best-guessing. Under the table, Aloha slipped off her high heels.
She made her voice small. “You’re not angry at me?”
He rolled his shoulders. “I don’t think I could ever be angry with you.” He gestured at the restaurant in general. “You are resourceful, bright, and determined. You did not come in here with a challenge in your eyes—fire, yes; blood, no—you are wise beyond your years. Not only that, but you are one hundred percent knockout gorgeous.”
She couldn’t slow her heart.
“Who is Amanda?” she asked in a small voice.
Rudd leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “I’m not sure it’s any of your business.”
“I’m sorreee.”
“What are you going to do now?” he asked. “It’s your party.”
“Rudd,” she whispered urgently, “don’t do this to me!”
“Do what?”
“This. I don’t know what’s going on.”
“At
