was nice, but she wasn’t going to fall for a bank account even if there was a handsome man attached.
The bottom line was, while she might be tired of always being a bridesmaid, she was even more tired of the constant matchmaking schemes of Sarah and her other friends. Perhaps being single was simply God’s plan for her life.
Lindsey held up the broken heel and shook her head. She undid the second sling back and plopped her feet up on the coffee table. “Sarah told me you’ve gone into the security business.”
Kyle started shutting down his laptop. “I spent a few years working in international finance and couldn’t believe how lax security was. I saw a hole in the market and decided to start a company. We deal primarily in fraud investigation and financial security systems. We’re just now expanding here in Dallas, so this visit is part business, part pleasure.”
“Sounds like an interesting line of work,” she said, thinking that she wasn’t the slightest bit surprised that he’d made something of himself.
“The hours are a bit crazy some days, but I love the travel perks. Sarah told me you’re working for an adoption agency?”
She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Not quite as exciting as seeing the world, but I feel as if I make a difference.”
“I’m sure you do,” he said.
Lindsey looked away from those intense sea-blue eyes and tried to convince herself that the odd feeling in her stomach had everything to do with the romantic atmosphere of her best friend’s wedding—and nothing to do with being in the same room with Kyle Walker. Or perhaps the salmon hors d’oeuvres she’d indulged in from the buffet weren’t agreeing with her.
She shot him another glance and saw him looking at her intently. She felt her breath catch and that odd feeling swelled. Was it possible that for once Sarah’s intuitions had been on target?
Kyle was surprised that an hour and a half had already passed. He and Lindsey had swapped story after story as they caught up on the past few years. He’d forgotten how much he used to enjoy being around her, talking to her. The unique way she interpreted life had always captivated him.
“The last time I saw you, you were making plans to intern in D.C. for the summer. Did you ever go?” she asked.
“Yes, and I ended up working for that same firm after graduation.” He lost his train of thought for a second as he admired her toffee-colored eyes. “And the last time I saw you, if I remember correctly, you had just received an A minus on your algebra final.”
“All thanks to you and your brilliant tutoring. Fortunately for everyone, my career has little to do with mathematics.” With her bare feet propped up on the coffee table, she looked content and relaxed. “College seems like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it?”
He nodded. All except for that one day when he’d looked across a pile of math books at her and suddenly wondered what it would be like to kiss her. He’d be risking their friendship, but he thought it might be worth it. But before he’d had a chance to act on the notion, her mother’s cancer diagnosis had whisked her out of school. Out of school and out of his life. Missing his chance with Lindsey was one of his few regrets.
And now, all these years later, she was sitting across from him again, making him want to forget the urgent phone call from his coworker, Monday’s business meeting downtown and more importantly, the fact that he lived a thousand miles away. He hadn’t expected that seeing her again would dredge up these feelings and remind him of the dozens of times he’d wondered what would have happened if he’d asked her out all those years ago.
“The Star-Spangled Banner” played, jolting him back to reality.
Lindsey rummaged through her purse and then held up her cell phone. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“Not at all.”
He watched while she took the call, making a determined effort to rein in his unruly emotions. Somewhere between listening to his best friend say “I do” and watching him kiss his bride, Kyle had dropped off the edge of insanity. His life was fine. Complete. He didn’t need a woman to find happiness. He caught another glimpse of her beautiful eyes and wondered at the truth of that statement.
Lindsey’s face was pale as she flipped the phone shut.
Kyle leaned forward, sensing something was wrong. “What’s up?”
“That was the hospital. My father’s just been taken to the emergency room.”
TWO
Kyle watched as Lindsey grabbed for her purse, her hands shaking as she stumbled to her feet. “I’m sorry. I’ve got to go.”
“Whoa. Slow down.” He jumped up from the couch. “You’re not going out anywhere by yourself.”
“I’ll be all right.” She slung her purse across her shoulder. The rosy blush she’d had all evening had completely disappeared from her face. “Apparently he fell and hit his head.”
“You’re in no condition to drive.” He slid his laptop into his black leather briefcase before snatching up his tuxedo jacket. “I can drive you to the hospital and then take a taxi back to my hotel once I know everything’s okay.”
She stared at his shirt, tears suddenly glistening on her eyelashes. “Are you sure?”
He stopped himself from reaching out to touch her cheek. “Trust me. Even if they’re still here, which I doubt, Sarah and Brad won’t miss either of us.”
“You have a point.” She cocked her head. “What about your shirt?”
He glanced down at the chocolate smear, then pointed to the shoes she’d just picked up off the floor. “I’d say neither of us will win a prize in the best-dressed category.”
Her faint smile brought a tinge of color back to her cheeks. “I’ll go grab another pair from Sarah’s bedroom.”
“Good. I’ll let someone know where we’re going. I’ll meet you back down here in a couple minutes.”
The relief that washed over her face made him glad he’d been with her when the call came in. It also made him realize how much he’d missed her. And how much he didn’t want their time together to end.
He glanced at his watch. Nine forty-five. The hour time change from D.C. would make the late night even later for him, but he could grab a couple hours of extra sleep in the morning. All that mattered right now was getting Lindsey to her father.
Five minutes later, they were speeding down the freeway toward the hospital. Lindsey sat beside him, her fingers nervously toying with the strap of her purse. “I appreciate you doing this for me. You were right. I don’t think I could have driven.”
“It’s not a problem. It gives me a chance to see a bit of the city.”
Lindsey’s soft laugh filled the car. It was a laugh he’d like to hear more of. “I can think of prettier cities at night, but you’re a sport.”
He switched to the fast lane, thankful
