shame that he didn’t feel the same way.
But he wasn’t about to spill that to her when she was so obviously uninterested. Because he might have lost his mind but he wasn’t about to part with his pride. There were limits.
But he had thought, for a while, that there was something more there for her too. He wasn’t an adolescent or so inexperienced that he hadn’t noticed when she’d looked at him with a slow-burning smoulder in her eyes. Maybe it had even been the catalyst for his own silent smouldering. But something had changed her mind. Something more involved than what she’d just stated was behind this scheme of hers. And even if she wasn’t in love with him, the part of him that was her friend, that cared so much, just couldn’t stand by and let her make a big mistake. Not if her motives weren’t genuine.
He was going to find out what was going on. Whether she liked it or not. Because it mattered to him. He might not be able to show how much he cared right that minute but he could show it in another way. He could help her find the right guy for her.
He could also try and persuade her that that guy was right in front of her nose.
CHAPTER THREE
SHE spent most of her fourth date with Bryan studying him and comparing him. To Sean. Damn the notion that had occurred to her that he looked like him. Because the thought had got stuck in her head and she’d felt the need to make sure that he didn’t. Only to end up realising just how short Bryan fell of the ideal that, apparently, was Sean O’Reilly.
It wasn’t Bryan’s fault. He was a nice guy. A nice, sweet, gentlemanly kind of a guy. But, having now compared him with Sean, Maggie knew that they’d be lucky to make it to a fifth date.
Damn Sean. Not that he’d done anything beyond just being there. In the background, all the damn time of late, as it happened.
Somehow she managed to smile her way through dinner and remain attentive through drinks. But the end of the evening couldn’t have come soon enough. She was just going to have to keep looking. Because somewhere out there, there had to be someone who could measure up to what she couldn’t have. Ever. No question about it.
Bryan insisted on walking her to the large front door, even though she insisted she knew the way. But she wasn’t cruel enough to jump out of his car and run. After all, it was hardly his fault.
It was dark, clouds covering what there was of the moon. And, with the large old country house that was divided into apartments being so far from the road, there wasn’t even a glow from streetlights. But Maggie knew the way, and even had to reach a hand out to steady Bryan when he stumbled on the edge of the path.
‘Sorry.’ He smiled at her in the dim light. ‘I’m supposed to be making sure that you’re all right.’
She smiled back, linking her arm through his as they made it to the door. ‘We talked about having low lights put along the path but no one has quite got round to it yet.’
‘I could help put those in for you.’
‘No.’ She almost sighed with relief as they reached the bottom step, the low glow of the hall light shining down on them. ‘It’s fine. Those of us who own apartments here do that kind of thing between us.’
‘Well, you’ve only to ask.’
‘I know.’ She removed her arm from his and turned to smile up at him. He really was just such a nice guy. Uncomplicated, open, sincere…
‘It’s fine, really.’
Bryan continued to smile at her. ‘I just hope I can make it back to the car in one piece.’
‘I could walk you back a little.’
‘Now, that would kind of defeat the purpose of my getting out of the car in the first place, wouldn’t it?’
‘I guess it would.’
There was an awkward silence as Maggie suddenly realised that Bryan was looking at her intently. Oh, God. He was going to try to kiss her, wasn’t he?
‘Bryan—’
‘I just want to say how much I’ve enjoyed spending time with you, Maggie.’ He stepped closer.
Maggie froze. He was going to kiss her. Her mind searched frantically for the words to get her out of the inevitable. She could hardly run screaming into the house, having encouraged him for this long, now, could she? He didn’t deserve it.
She swallowed hard. One kiss wouldn’t kill her. In a way she guessed she owed him. And then she’d find a way to let him down gently. First thing tomorrow.
With a breath she found words. ‘You’re a very nice person, Bryan.’ ‘And so are you.’
He stopped an inch or two away from her and asked, ‘I was wondering if you would mind if I kissed you?’
She smiled weakly. ‘That would be all right, I think.’
Lifting his hands, he cupped her elbows and moved his head closer to hers.
Maggie held her breath and hoped fervently he wouldn’t try for anything more than a kiss. Her guilt only actually stretched so far.
But all he did was brush his mouth across hers. Then he blinked down at her, his nose close to hers, and said, ‘Thank you.’
Maggie blinked back. That was it? ‘You’re welcome.’
Bryan stepped back and released her elbows. ‘I had a lovely time, Maggie. I’ll call you tomorrow.’
Still blinking in astonishment, Maggie nodded as he turned away. ‘OK.’
There was a small scuffle of gravel followed by a brief grunt. Maggie raised her eyebrows. ‘You OK?’
‘I’m fine!’ he called back to her. ‘Don’t worry. I’m almost at the car now.’
After another few seconds she heard a door open and saw the dim light from the car’s interior. Then the engine started and she waved as the headlights spun over her.
She glanced up at the dark sky and sighed.
‘Well, he’s a keeper.’
Her head jerked in the direction of Sean’s voice as he stepped out of the dark and into the circle of light at the door. ‘How long have you been there?’ He smiled slowly. ‘Since just before that passionate kiss goodnight.’
Her chin rose an inch. ‘I had no idea you were into voyeurism.’
‘I could take it up with all this romance in the air.’ He stepped around her and looked upwards. ‘I don’t think I’ve come across a guy so swept up in passion that he took the time to ask permission for a kiss and then said thank you afterwards.’
‘And I suppose you wouldn’t wait to ask?’ The words dripped with sarcasm but she wavered when he fixed her with his dark eyes, his smile slow and sensual.
‘Hell, no.’
Her
