Chapter 115

I always found it best to be direct. “Tell me why you’re here, Mr. Soames.”

“I, uh—”

At that moment, Ingrid came in through the door, carrying two boxes of pizza. She raised her eyebrows in surprise at seeing our client. “Mr. Soames? Is everything okay with our account?” Ever the worrier, was Ingrid.

“Everything is as it should be, Ms. Norris. I was simply in the area and thought I’d stop by and see this place, as I’d never been inside. Have a good afternoon.” He left without another word to me, or a glance in my direction.

Ingrid’s brown eyes stared me down. “What did you two talk about? You weren’t your usual self, were you?”

“Haha.” I took the boxes from her and set them on the lower counter so they wouldn’t be visible to passersby. “He was about to say the reason when you arrived.”

She grabbed a slice of pepperoni pizza. “How long was he here?”

“Not long,” I replied around a mouthful of meat lovers. “He was acting a little nervous, which is unusual for him, in my experience.”

Ingrid grinned. “Oh, and how much experience is that exactly?”

“Shut up,” I snapped. “You know what I mean.”

“Please.” She rolled her eyes. “The way you were looking at him, you wanted to eat him up like that slice of pizza you just gulped down. Didn’t you notice the way he was looking at you?”

I almost choked on my breadstick. “What are you talking about?”

“Men.” She snagged another slice and chewed for a minute before continuing. “Did you know that every time I get an order from Donal’s firm, he’s the one who calls it in? Not his secretary or one of the other architects, but the man himself. He always asks how you’re doing when we’re on the phone. The man is smitten, I’m telling you.”

“Why am I just now hearing this?” I groused, not sure what to do, if anything, about this new knowledge.

“Because I didn’t think it was important until I saw you with him just now.” She wiped her hands on a napkin. “I know he’s a bit rigid, but I think you and he would work well together.”

“Based on what evidence?”

“A woman knows.”

“Pshaw,” was all I had to offer.

* * * *

I loved Sundays, mainly because I did absolutely nothing except sleep, eat, and read, or sometimes watch a show or movie on my laptop. Ingrid was married to Sheena, and with their two pugs and three cats, they had a happy family of their own.

I had tried relationships before, but I was either too acerbic, or not adventurous enough in bed, or not the right build, or looks, or whatever. The dating game had gotten old fast, then work had become my passion because I could at least exert some sort of control over that.

If Ingrid’s instincts were correct about Donal’s interest, then what did I do about it, if anything? Was I kidding myself, or was that just years of bitterness talking?

As difficult as I could be, what was it like for someone like Donal? Did I even have a chance with the man? And how did I go about finding out more? So aggravating, this dating thing, or whatever it was.

Thoughts in a whirl, I decided to go to the grocery store early, for once, and stock up for the week. There was a Publix five blocks from the condo, so I chose to walk, especially since the wind was brisk and in the teens with wind speed. At least the sun was out.

I dressed in dark green jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt and sweater, with a jacket on top. A thick red scarf around my neck, I added a fuchsia knit cap and matching gloves, and put on sturdy boots before heading out with my shopping bag, wallet, keys, and cell phone.

The walk to the grocery store was chilly enough I could only focus on getting to my destination, and not Donal. When I stepped inside the warmth of the store, I stopped and stood for a minute, trying to get feeling back in my legs and hands.

“Excuse me, you’re blocking the way,” a familiar voice said. I closed my eyes. No, it couldn’t be.

I turned and saw the man of my thoughts, dressed in midnight blue and dark gray today. Speak of the devil. “Sorry,” was all I said before moving toward the carts to get one of my own.

I decided it best to focus on my reason for coming to the store and not think about the man being in the same place as me. These coincidences were becoming unnerving. I went down the necessary aisles, grabbing what I needed before heading to the self-checkout.