than this for a good pizza.” Suddenly slouching forward, she dropped her forehead into her hand. “Oh, no. It’s happening.”
“What is?”
“I’m beginning to sound like Monte.”
They both laughed. It felt so good to be sitting there with Reed, sharing an easy, relaxed companionship, that Ellen could almost forget about Danielle. Almost, but not quite.
Although Ellen had said she’d pay for the pizza, Reed insisted on picking up the tab. They sat across from each other at a narrow booth in the corner of the semidarkened room. A lighted red candle in a glass bowl flickered on the table between them and Ellen decided this was the perfect atmosphere. The old-fashioned jukebox blared out the latest country hits, drowning out the possibility of any audible conversation, but that seemed just as well since she was feeling strangely tongue-tied.
When their number was called, Reed slid from the booth and returned a minute later with two frothy beers in ice-cold mugs and a huge steaming pizza.
“I hope you don’t expect us to eat all this?” Ellen said, shouting above the music. The pizza certainly smelled enticing, but Ellen doubted she’d manage to eat more than two or three pieces.
“We’ll put a dent in it, anyway,” Reed said, resuming his seat. “I bought the largest, figuring the boys would enjoy the leftovers.”
“You’re a terrific older brother.”
The song on the jukebox was fading into silence at last.
“There are times I’d like to shake some sense into Derek, though,” Reed said.
Ellen looked down at the spicy pizza and put a small slice on her plate. Strings of melted cheese still linked the piece to the rest of the pie. She pulled them loose and licked her fingers. “I can imagine how you felt when you discovered that Derek had accidentally-on-purpose forgotten to tell you about renting out rooms.”
Reed shrugged noncommittally. “I was thinking more about the time he let you climb on top of the roof,” he muttered.
“He didn’t let me, I went all by myself.”
“But you won’t do it again. Right?”
“Right.” Ellen nodded reluctantly. Behind Reed’s slow smiles and easy banter, she recognized his unrelenting male pride. “You still haven’t forgiven me for that, have you?”
“Not you. Derek.”
“I think this is one of those subjects on which we should agree to disagree.”
“Have you heard from your mother?” Reed asked, apparently just as willing to change the subject.
“Yes. She’s emailed me several times. She seems very happy and after a day or two, I discovered I couldn’t be more pleased for her. She deserves a lot of contentment.”
“I knew you’d realize that.” Warmth briefly showed in his green eyes.
“I felt a lot better after talking to you. I was surprised when Mom announced her marriage, but I shouldn’t have been. The signs were there all along. I suppose once the three of us kids were gone, she felt free to remarry. And I suppose she thought that presenting it to the family as a fait accompli would make it easier for all of us.”
There was a comfortable silence as they finished eating. The pizza was thick with sausage and cheese, and Ellen placed her hands on her stomach after leisurely eating two narrow pieces. “I’m stuffed,” she declared, leaning back. “But you’re right, this has got to be the best pizza in town.”
“I thought you’d like it.”
Reed brought over a carry-out box and Ellen carefully put the leftovers inside.
“How about a movie?” he asked once they were in the car park.
Astounded, Ellen darted him a sideways glance, but his features were unreadable. “You’re kidding, aren’t you?”
“I wouldn’t have asked you if I was.”
“But you must be exhausted.” Ellen guessed he’d probably spent most of the day driving.
“A little,” he admitted.
Her frown deepened. Suddenly, it no longer seemed right for them to be together—because of Danielle. The problem was that Ellen had been so pleased to see him that she hadn’t stopped to think about the consequences of their going out together. “Thanks anyway, but it’s been a long week. I think I’ll call it a night.”
When they reached the house, Reed parked on the street rather than the driveway. The light from the stars and the silvery moon penetrated the branches that hung overhead and created shadows on his face. Neither of them seemed eager to leave the warm cab of the pickup truck. The mood was intimate and Ellen didn’t want to disturb this moment of tranquillity. Lowering her gaze, she admitted to herself how attracted she was to Reed and how much she liked him. She admitted, too, that it was wrong for her to feel this way about him.
“You’re quiet all of a sudden.”
Ellen’s smile was decidedly forced. She turned toward him to apologise for putting a damper on their evening, but the words never left her lips. Instead, her eyes met his. Paralyzed, she stared at Reed, fighting to disguise the intense attraction she felt for him. It seemed the most natural thing in the world to lean toward him and brush her lips against his. She could smell the woodsy scent of his aftershave and could almost taste his mouth on hers. With determination, she pulled her gaze away and reached for the door, like a drowning person grasping a life preserver.
She was on the front porch by the time Reed joined her. Her fingers shook as she inserted the key in the lock.
“Ellen.” He spoke her name softly and placed his hand on her shoulder.
“I don’t know why we went out tonight.” Her voice was high and strained as she drew free of his touch. “We shouldn’t have been together.”
In response, Reed mockingly lifted one eyebrow. “I believe it was you who asked me.”
“Be serious, will you,” she snapped irritably and shoved open the door.
Reed slammed it shut behind him and followed her into the kitchen. He set the pizza on the counter, then turned to face her. “What the hell do you mean? I was being serious.”
“You shouldn’t have been with me tonight.”
“Why not?”
“Where’s Danielle? I’m not the one who’s been patiently waiting around for you. She is. You had no business taking me out to dinner and then suggesting a movie. You’re my landlord, not my boyfriend.”
“Let’s get two things straight here. First, what’s between Danielle and me is none of your business. And second, you invited me out. Remember?”
“But...it wasn’t like that and you know it.”
“Besides, I thought you said you were far too old for boyfriends.”
