Always The One. Tara Randel

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СКАЧАТЬ she was lying to herself, but there was no way she was going to broadcast her curiosity.

      She rose to gather plates and glasses from the cupboard and set the table for three, even though she was sure her mother would decline. “Sit, please,” he insisted again, then placed a small portion of plain chicken and noodles on a plate to carry to the other room. “Should I add sauce?” he asked. At her head shake, he left, returning empty-handed. She raised a brow.

      “Mom took it?”

      “I’m very persuasive.”

      How well she remembered. When they were kids, he’d managed to talk her into one adventure after another. She was a stickler for doing things the right way, but he’d been able to coax her to the dark side a time or two. Well, not dark, exactly, but definitely gray in her world.

      Like prom night. He’d picked her up in his run-down car, promising an evening she’d never forget. She’d laughed, excited about the final high school dance. They’d stayed for an hour before Derrick rushed her back to the car and they drove to the ocean. It was there, sitting on a blanket in the sand under a full moon, that he gave her a promise ring he’d saved up to buy with money from his part-time job at the pizza place. The tiny chip of a diamond had glittered in the moonlight. It could have been as big as a carat for all she cared, but the fact that he’d picked it out touched her heart.

      Even though it was years ago, she’d occasionally dreamed about her time with Derrick and woken with a sense of loss she found difficult to shake.

      Derrick dished out the amazing-smelling concoction. She picked up her fork and twirled the sauce-covered pasta before taking a taste. “If you get her to eat even a tiny bit, that’s more than I can do.”

      “It’s been tough?”

      “Lately. Once she gets her strength back I have no doubt she’ll run circles around me.” She took a bite and nearly groaned out loud. “This is amazing.”

      “And it’s from a jar. Imagine if I made it from scratch.”

      She couldn’t. If she had her way, he wouldn’t be around that long.

      “What happened to your dad, if you don’t mind my asking?”

      He pushed aside his fork and she thought she saw him grimace. “He wasn’t feeling good one morning. Got up and went to work, but during the day he keeled over. It was an aneurism.”

      Hannah’s voice was quiet when she said, “I don’t think you’re ever prepared whether the end happens suddenly or if an illness is drawn out.”

      “How long has your mom been sick?”

      “Feels like forever, but it’s actually been a few months. She started coughing one day and it persisted. I talked her into seeing a doctor and, long story short, they found a spot on her lungs. After the surgery and subsequent treatment, we’re hoping for positive results.”

      He covered her hand with his. The warmth radiated up her arm and straight to her heart. Okay, there was still a tangible connection to Derrick that hadn’t seemed to lessen, but no way would she trust him. Look what had happened because of that misguided belief.

      Slowly easing her hand from his, she took another bite. A frown marred his forehead but he didn’t press the issue.

      “So,” he said instead. “You’re a teacher.”

      “Elementary. Fourth grade. Ponderosa Day School is private, so it helps to keep my visibility low.”

      “I never would have pegged you as the teacher type.”

      “Why not? I tutored you in art history.”

      “Which I sat through because I wanted to be with you, not learn about old paintings.”

      “I can’t work in a museum. Too high profile.”

      “Because someone might recognize you?”

      She tamped down the old resentment. “We were discouraged from any kind of job that might put us in a spotlight. Teaching, even if it should be given more attention, is never highly publicized.”

      “It’s a noble profession.”

      “I do enjoy the children. Ten-year-olds are quite imaginative.” She pushed the pasta around on the plate. “You?”

      “I work with the Art Crime Team out of DC.”

      She blinked.

      “Hey, those lessons paid off,” he said.

      Envy swept over her, swift and hard. He got to be around artwork? Her dream job? Well, not the crime aspect, but being part of that world. Touching masterpieces. Showcasing new artists. Being in the glamorous world of high-end art. He got to have that job while she’d ended up on the run.

      He must have mistaken her silence with the end of the topic—more like she was incredulous at his career choice—and switched the conversation back to her.

      “So you’re okay with your job?” he asked.

      Was she? It was hardly her dream career, but it was all she knew. “Content.”

      A pause. Then, “And you’re serious about this guy you’re seeing?”

      “I don’t think that’s an appropriate question.”

      “Why not? I’m trying to catch up.”

      “Yes. We’re serious.” She ran her thumb over her left ring finger. Derrick saw the motion and froze.

      “You’re not wearing a ring,” he said.

      “It’s on my dresser.”

      He laid down his fork and sat back in the chair. A wounded look flashed in his eyes before disappearing.

      “I have every right to date, be engaged if I want.”

      “I’m not saying you can’t, I just…”

      “Thought I’d pine over you forever?” She rose, took her plate and tossed the remains in the garbage. “You have a lot of nerve—”

      The doorbell stopped her midtirade. She placed her dish in the sink and hurried to the door. Lynny Dunlop, her best friend and coworker who lived down the street, stood on the other side, a bright smile on her face.

      “Your mother called. Said she and I should have a movie night.” She held up a DVD. “She told me you had an old friend in town and needed to catch up, so I’m here to keep her company.”

      Hannah suppressed a groan. It was obvious her mother wanted to give her and Derrick some time alone.

      “Come on in.” As she shut the door, Hannah shot her mom a chagrined look. Her mother simply smiled.

      “Brought Mama Mia!” Lynny said as she shrugged out of her heavy coat.

      “Perfect,” Sofia said as Hannah СКАЧАТЬ