Chapter Fifty
V ickie watched a myriad of emotions play across Thatcher’s face. “How about you? Why are you alone? And more importantly, why are you the king of no dates? I mean, clearly someone who gets compared to Patrick Dempsey probably has plenty of women chasing him.”
Thatcher shrugged. “To tell you the truth, I ignore any advances that come my way. And I don’t do set ups.” He regarded her seriously. “Honestly, I’ve just been alone for so many years I’ve stopped looking for someone to spend my life with.”
“Have you ever been in love?” She was proud of herself for being forward and asking such a personal question. She didn’t normally delve much into other people’s personal lives. But after that kiss. . . she wanted to know as much about him as she could.
“I’ve had crushes. Been infatuated. Been attracted. But I’ve never actually experienced the kind of love that sticks.”
“Nice to know I’m not the only one who hasn’t been in love.” She sighed. “Most of the time I feel like a pariah.”
He leaned closer to her. “Well you’re not. My inability to keep from kissing you earlier should’ve told you that.”
Vickie laughed. “So you were unable to keep from it?”
“Guilty. But in my defense, I’ve waited a long time.”
True. He’d also kept her in a constant state of confusion. “I thought you only saw me as a research partner. I mean, after you picked me up from the airport, I didn’t hear from you for two weeks.” She still didn’t understand how his mind worked.
Thatcher groaned. “I know you must think I’m a total idiot. I guess it’s just hard for me to let someone into my life. It’s been easier for me to let you in as a research partner than a potential. . .” he trailed off. “A potential something else.”
Something else? What did that mean? She wanted to ask him, but held back. This needed to be something he could verbalize without her prodding him. Instead, she grinned. “Well, being your research partner has certainly been interesting.”
Thatcher slid over until he was right next to her. He reached out and lightly ran his fingers along the curve of her jaw. She felt her heartbeat quicken at his touch. There were more questions she wanted answered, but for this second, what she wanted most was for him to kiss her again. She leaned forward and met his waiting lips with hers. For a moment, she closed her eyes and was lost in him.
Just then, Buster wriggled between them, forcing them apart. Vickie met Thatcher’s surprised gaze and they burst out laughing.
“Looks like someone’s feeling left out,” Thatcher said, still laughing. He looked at his watch. “I probably do need to get you home soon though.”
She nodded. Kissing him made her feel out of control. Wonderful, but out of control. “Sorry we didn’t get more work done tonight.”
He stood and helped her up from the floor. “Come here,” he whispered. He pulled her into his arms. “We may not have gotten a lot of work done tonight, but I had fun. And I hope you did, too.”
She nodded against his chest. “Thanks for dinner.”
“Do you think maybe we could do this again soon?”
Was he asking her for a date? Or trying to set up time to work on his project? “Sure.”
He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “Tomorrow then? After church? We could probably get a lot of the presentation figured out in a few hours.”
“Sounds good.” Guess she had her answer. Today, she was his ‘potential something’ but tomorrow she was back to research partner.
∞∞∞
After church the next day, Thatcher picked her up for lunch. And so far, he hadn’t mentioned working. Their conversation had been purely personal.
“Are you ready for the holidays?” he asked, once they were seated and waiting for their food.
“I was. But not so much anymore.”
He shot her a puzzled look. “What gives?”
“Thanksgiving will be fine. I’m going to visit my dad’s side of the family in Knoxville.” Vickie could hardly believe they were only a couple of weeks away from Thanksgiving. “But Christmas is what I’m dreading. I was supposed to visit Gram, but it looks like she’ll be staying in Texas.”
“So will you see your parents for Christmas then?”
She shook her head. “My parents are going on a cruise over the holidays. So I’m on my own. Unless I decide to fly to Texas.”
He reached across the table and grabbed her hand. “If that falls through, I’d love for you to go with me to my family’s Christmas.” He grinned. “If you don’t mind too much food, lots of little kids running around, and board games.”
“Sounds like an idyllic family.” His invitation startled her. You didn’t invite your research partner to meet your family for Christmas. So that must mean that he definitely saw her as more. Vickie had the sinking suspicion they could play this game forever. She knew that eventually, she’d have to get up the courage to ask him how he really felt about her. But in the meantime, she’d wait to see if he’d volunteer the information. A girl could hope.