Free Not This Time by Vicki Hinze Page B

needed to feel special and didn’t even know it. After Max’s grand exodus.
    A phone rang in the background. “Gotta go, gorgeous. Info coming in I need now. I’ll call again as soon as I can.”
    “Just one thing, Joe.”
    “What?”
    “I want to be clear. You didn’t call just because I asked you to. You would have called me anyway?”
    “Beth, you were attacked. I just told you I’m crazy about you. Whether or not you want to believe it, I needed to know you were okay. Worry is part of the crazy-about-you package.”
    She smiled, her emotions in riot. “In that case, and because you trusted me, I’m going to take you at your word, so if you’re joking around, knock it off.”
    “I’m not joking around.”
    A little thrill raced through her. “It’ll last maybe a week.”
    “Live dangerously and let’s find out. Gonna risk it?”
    She laughed. “You break my heart, Joseph, and I’ll have to sic Nora on you—and Peggy Crane.” The Crossroads director was as tenacious as Nora.
    “Woman, you’re a piece of work. I tell you you’re gorgeous, I’m crazy about you, and you threaten to unleash Rambo and Cupid on me. Sha, you need to ease up and just be. You’ll get used to me.”
    That was the problem. She could get used to him so easily, and then he’d recover from this insane but temporary interest in her and return to his usual kind of woman. “I am used to you.” But she hadn’t yet answered how muchhe was like Max. “I’m okay short-term. But long-term, you need someone more your type.”
    “I have a type?” His voice took on a hard edge. “Is this your way of saying I’m not good enough for you, Beth?”
    Shame . “Don’t be absurd. You’re amazing.”
    “So my type isn’t someone like you. It’s … what?”
    “Your phone is ringing again.”
    “I asked you a question.”
    “Some gorgeous superwoman.”
    “If I weren’t relieved, I think I’d be insulted, but forget about that. Honey, the truth is, I have to stretch to touch the soles of your feet.”
    Tears stung her eyes. Was that genuine? Sincere? “Now you’re baiting me.”
    “I bait for fish. I never play games with anyone’s heart. It’s bad form.” He paused while the phone rang yet again. “Bad timing, but I really have to go now. Be careful—and don’t tell anyone about this phone. Not even Sara.”
    “Why?”
    “Trust me.”
    “Me? Trust a woman magnet?”
    “You’re clearly immune to the magnet. Trust the man.”
    Oh, but she wasn’t immune. She so wasn’t immune. “Okay, but I wouldn’t mind if you finished up fast and got your body down here.”
    “Are you coming unglued?”
    “I don’t come unglued.” Why had she said that? She’d lost her mind and her dignity.
    “ ’Course not. You miss me, eh?”
    “Like a sore tooth. The truth is, I haven’t gotten a decent cup of coffee at Ruby’s since you were here. The waitress doesn’t fawn over me.” She’d loved their conversations at Ruby’s. He was a wonderful listener and told fascinating stories. And bluntly put, she needed a hug. Strong arms around her, a solid chest to lean against. She could stand on her own, she could hold up others, but it’d sure be nice to lean on Joe just for a while.
    “No risk of getting an overinflated ego around you. It’s always about the coffee.” He feigned a sigh. “I’ll do what I can. Keep the phone on your body at all times. Promise.”
    “I promise.”
    “Not in your purse, on you. I’m always just on the other end.”
    “On me. Got it.” His calm seeped to her. Grateful for it, she smiled. “Same here.”

    The doorbell rang.
    It wasn’t yet dawn. Before Beth could drag herself awake, Sara bolted past her to the door. With her hand on the knob, she stopped cold and shot Beth a terrified look.
    “What?” Beth made a mental note to insist that Sara throw those stupid shoes away. They were crippling her.
    “It’s going to be bad news. Good news would be a phone call from him.”