Chapter 4 #2
“Well, if it were me, I’d want to get to know this woman a little better than just the superficial impressions you got from one meeting.
She could be a serial killer or organize her pantry in alphabetical order by can size.
And if I were this woman, I don’t think I’d fall for the love at first sight bit, especially if you’ve been enjoying the bachelor life the way I think you have, so you should probably keep that to yourself.
Romancing the right woman is hard work. And you might be surprised.
She might not want to settle down in a relationship.
Maybe she has plans or dreams she wants to act on.
Or maybe she has a difficult time with relationships. ”
“Do you think she’d tell me all these things if I asked her out on a date?”
“I think it’s a good place to start.”
“What if she turns me down?”
“You sound like a pretty nice guy. I would think she’d at least give you a chance.”
“I hope so. The problem is, whenever I’m around her all I can think about is taking her into my arms and getting lost in her eyes. They bewitch me.”
Faith caught her sigh before it could go out over the airwaves.
“Ask her,” she repeated.
“Thanks for all your help, Doc. It sounds like she needs to be swept off her feet, and I think I’m exactly the guy to do that.”
Faith somehow got her voice and her hormones under control enough to thank the caller and sign off, but it was all a blur. Jake had used up every bit of her last few minutes, and she would give him anything he wanted just for saving her from any more lunatics.
“Whew,” Lucy said as she burst into the room, a bundle of energy spiked with coffee. “That guy was hot.”
“You don’t even know what he looks like. How can you tell he’s hot?”
“I don’t have to see that man to know he’s hot. He just made every woman in America wish she was the woman he fell in love with. How romantic. I could tell you weren’t all that unaffected either.”
Faith knew her face was flushed, so she bent over to grab her bag to give her heart rate a little time to slow.
“Speaking of hot guys,” Lucy continued, following Faith as she gathered her things, “Mark’s cousin is in town next weekend.
Successful accountant, never married, owns his own condo.
And before you say no, he’s actually cute.
Not male-model gorgeous, but definitely in the how-is-he-still-single category. ”
“Lucy—”
“I know, I know. You’re not interested in being fixed up. But it’s been years since Steve died, Faith. You haven’t had a real date since, just those charity function things where you spend the whole night avoiding the guy.”
Faith sighed, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “I appreciate your concern for my love life, but I’m fine. Really.”
“Fine isn’t the same as happy,” Lucy said, her voice softening. “And I just want you to be happy.”
Faith’s smile faltered slightly. Lucy meant well, and she had been a rock during Faith’s darkest days. The least Faith could do was listen to her matchmaking attempts without snapping. “I know you do. But right now, I’m focused on my house and my career. Dating just isn’t a priority.”
“And it has nothing to do with the mysterious caller who just professed his love over national radio?” Lucy raised an eyebrow, her expression knowing.
Faith felt heat rise to her cheeks. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Lucy’s smirk said she didn’t believe that for a second. “Well, when you’re ready to talk about Mr. Mysterious, I’ll be here with a bottle of wine and all the time in the world.”
“I’m going to go ahead and take off,” Faith said, desperate to change the subject. “There are going to be construction workers swarming my house at the crack of dawn tomorrow.”
“Oh, good. Everything worked out with the number you called.”
“It worked out well,” Faith said neutrally. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for giving me that card. Murphy-Madsen Construction seems very professional.”
Lucy watched her friend head off to the elevators, noting the slight tension in her shoulders. Something was definitely up with Faith tonight, but she knew better than to push. Three years of friendship had taught her that Faith’s walls only came down when she was ready—and not a moment sooner.
In the elevator, Faith leaned against the wall and took a deep breath, annoyed at her own reaction to Jake’s call.
She wasn’t some starry-eyed teenager to be swayed by smooth talk and charming dimples.
Love at first sight? Please. She knew better than most how quickly attraction could fade to indifference, how easily promises could be broken.
She pressed her cool palms against her flushed cheeks. This unwelcome physical response to Jake Murphy was just that—physical. Nothing more. It had been a long time since a man had shown interest in her, that’s all. Any woman would be flattered.
As the elevator descended to the parking garage, Faith reminded herself of all the reasons romance was not on her agenda—her career, her house restoration, her hard-won independence.
The last thing she needed was a handsome contractor complicating her life with meaningless flirtation, no matter how her body might disagree.
She had a house to fix. That was the only relationship she was interested in developing right now.