Free That's (Not Exactly) Amore by Tracey Bateman

and exhausting. But one good thing about Tabby and David being married now is that they don’t stay out late. A nice dinner and they’re home by nine thirty. By ten, I’m hopping off the subway (even though David tried to give me cab money). I like the subway. I know it’s weird. But it reminds me of Dad taking me to work with him during the summer when I was a kid. It was what we did together.
    Shops are closing up, but people still clog the sidewalks. Of course there are a couple of clubs and restaurants open. I peek inside Pierre’s, a little French restaurant, as I walk past. Next to the window, a man is on his knee, offering a ring to a stunned woman. I stop and stare. “Say yes,” I whisper.
    As though she really needs my prodding, she hesitates before reaching forward. Tears spring to my eyes and start to roll. I reach up to wipe them from my cheeks and that’s when they notice me—the Peeping Tom. The woman says something to the would-be groom. He turns and scowls.
    “I’m sorry,” I say, even though there’s no way they can hear me.
    I move on. And my heart nearly stops. Coming toward me, utterly handsome in his uniform, is Mark Hall. He smiles as though he’s genuinely glad to see me. “Laini! How are you?”
    Lousy, I want to say. Lousy because you never called me, you jerk. Instead, I swallow my pride and smile. “Good. Just headed home.”
    “I’m sorry I haven’t called.”
    “Oh. It’s okay. Really, don’t worry about it.”
    He falls into step beside me. “I wanted to call. Truly. But they put me on midnight shift for a few days to cover for a guy that broke his arm, and it lasted longer than I expected.”
    “You couldn’t have called after you got home?” Oh, I could just kick myself for bringing that up. Why do I have to say what’s on my mind all the time?
    A completely apologetic expression stretches across his handsome face. “The schedule threw me for a loop. Working all night. Sleeping when I could and still doing everyday stuff like laundry. I felt half dead. I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t worry about it.” I pat his arm because it seems like the thing to do. “I forgive you.”
    His hand shoots up and covers mine. “I want to see you again.” The intensity in his eyes convinces me.
    “All right.”
    “How about Saturday night?” He grimaces. “No. You go to your mom’s on weekends. I don’t mind coming to Long Island for a date . . . if you don’t mind.”
    Is he kidding?
    “I don’t mind. But I have to warn you—my mom is pretty against me dating a cop. She’s got fear-of-death issues since my dad passed away.”
    He nods gravely. “I understand. Not everyone can be married to a man in law enforcement. It’s a dangerous job. She’s right to be concerned for her daughter.”
    Great. Mom’s going to love that. “Call me tomorrow,” I say, sliding my hand out of his. “I’ll give you the address and we can decide on a time.”
    I watch his mouth as it spreads into a smile. Wow. He’s really cute. Even cuter than I remembered.
    “Do you want me to walk you home?”
    I shake my head. “I’m sure you have a beat to walk or something.”
    Amusement covers his face. But not the kind that makes me feel mocked. It’s more like delight. “I do have somewhere to be. If you’re sure you’ll be okay.”
    “I’ll be fine. It’s barely ten.”
    Reaching forward, he squeezes my shoulder. “Okay, I’ll see you Saturday night, then. That’s the day after tomorrow.”
    As if he really had to tell me.
    When I walk in the door, I’m shocked to find all evidence that someone has just moved in swept away. There are no boxes, no packing bubbles or crates . . . nothing. Just a clean room. I would think I’d imagined the whole thing if not for the sound of someone singing in the shower. Off key, I might add. Which makes me feel better. I sing great.
    I slip on a pair of lounge pants and a loose sweatshirt and head to the kitchen. I run water into the