Free Waiting for You by Heather Huffman Page B

for and found particular amusement in the tales that centered on Kate and Gavin’s days at the magazine. It was refreshing to hear about someone giving Kate the same kind of grief she’d been giving Karise.
    After all of her protests that she didn’t want to jump from one man’s arms into another’s, Karise tried really hard not to spend the entire evening staring at Aidan. Still, after the frustration of the past several weeks, being in the same room with him brought inexplicable joy and she couldn’t quite help staring just a little.
    He’d shaved that day and traded in his T-shirt for a deep blue button-down that made the color of his eyes even more startling. The top button was undone. His exposed throat drew Karise’s eyes to it more than once. She licked her lips subconsciously. Despite his cleaned-up appearance, he still wore jeans like they were invented for him.
    Every so often, the looks they exchanged would time just so, and she’d find herself trapped by his gaze. Whenever she did, heat would radiate out from her core. If looks could caress, his did. Hers, admittedly , was more of a grope. She mentally grimaced at her lack of self control. She placed a hand flat on her belly, willing herself to get a grip before straightening out the folds on her cerulean wrap dress. His eyes followed the movement of her hands, making her wish he were unwrapping her.
    Karise was glad her dark complexion hid the flush she could feel creeping into her cheeks. She renewed her efforts to focus on the conversation flittering all around her. Like William and his friends, these people were young and beautiful. They dressed for dinner, went to interesting places, and seemed to thrive on intelligent conversation. Unlike William’s friends, they weren’t above a good fit of giggles, even if it was directed at their own folly.
    Soaking in the goings-on around her, sipping on a good pinot and nibbling on the assortment of cheese and other goodies laid out in front of her, Karise was happier than she’d been in a long time.
    “What’s this one?” she asked Aidan, holding up her new favorite treat.
    “It’s my Asiago-style creation. It’s so new I haven’t even figured out what to name it.”
    “Heaven on a cracker,” Karise suggested.
    “Try it with fruit.”
    “Don’t make it more appealing,” she protested. “I’ve already made a glutton of myself.”
    “Then I probably shouldn’t ask if you’ve tried this one.” Liz pushed a platter toward her.
    “Don’t put it in front of me.”
    Liz placed a hand on her stomach. “But I’ve already made myself ill, I’ve eaten so much.”
    “Next time I think we should go dancing.” Kate eyed the plate that was now on her end of the table.
    “No fair dancing while I still feel like a whale.” Jessica shook her head.
    “Then find us something else to do so we can burn calories instead of consuming them.”
    “Do you want me to put the food away?” Aidan offered.
    “Touch the plate at your own peril.” Karise placed a possessive hand around her favorite cheese and pulled it closer to her.
    Aidan’s lip twitched , but his response was cut short by Kate’s phone.
    “Uh-oh. It’s Aunt Joan.” Kate answered the phone as she stepped away from the table. She was back a moment later to break the news that Jonathan had an earache, so they needed to leave if they were going to get him to urgent care before it closed.
    “I’ll give Karise a ride home later,” Aidan offered before Karise could even rise from her spot.
    “I don’t want you to go to any trouble.” Even as she said the words, Karise admitted to herself that she wanted to stay.
    “It’s no trouble,” he promised before leaning in to whisper in her ear, “I’ve waited weeks to see you. There’s no way I’m letting you leave this quickly.”
    Not trusting her voice, she nodded.
    “Good.” Kate nodded her approval in response.
    “Text me when you know something .” Worry creased Jessica’s