Free For Your Love by Candy Caine Page B

in.”
    “What happened?”
    “Two weeks before our wedding, my fiancé ran off with my best man, who I had thought was my best friend.”
    “Oh, how awful. I’m so sorry, Richard.”
    “Not as sorry as I was. I had to tell my family, my friends that the marriage was off, fending off horrible questions like—didn’t you see it coming? Even though it’s been over two years, it still hurts.”
    She squeezed his hand gently. “I understand. I’ll never bring up the subject again.”
    “I get enough from my mother.”
    “I can imagine.”
    “No. You haven’t a clue, but let’s not go there,” Richard said wryly.
    The way he said it made Carla laugh. He laughed with her and all the warmth they’d felt prior to his revelation enveloped them both like a cozy blanket. Richard felt a sudden desire to crush Carla to him. To breathe in her wildflower scent as he molded her body to his. He blinked and swallowed hard. What the hell was he thinking? Nothing could ever come of that. The occasional hugs they shared were one thing, but these passionate desires were ridiculous. She was a married woman—taken—and definitely off limits. That would be more than getting involved. It would be playing with fire.
     
    * * *
     
    As Carla drove home, she thought about the conversation she’d had with Richard. How could any woman do such a horrible thing to a guy like him? He was wonderful in so many ways. If she were free, she would want a man just like him. Oh, boy, what the hell am I thinking?

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Twelve
     
    Richard paced back and forth in his condo in Phoenix. Normally, he’d enjoy the view from his living room window of the golf course and majestic mountains in the background, but not today. He was too distracted. His sister, Ellen, had called the night before to invite him to a birthday party she was having for her five-year-old daughter, Sarah the following Sunday. The entire family would be there and he’d be reminded of how alone he really was being unattached and without children. He’d feel left out somehow. Suddenly, he knew he didn’t want to be by himself this afternoon, either and immediately thought of Carla. Of course he did. He thought of Carla a lot. He knew that her husband usually worked on Saturdays so it would be safe to call. Safe to call? It sounded as if they were doing something illicit. They were just friends, for goodness sake. He chose to ignore the fact that he was going to use a shopping expedition as an excuse for spending time with Carla.
    She answered on the second ring. “Hi, Richard!” she said cheerfully.
    “What are you doing?” Richard asked tapping a pen on the kitchen table.
    “Don’t you want to ask what I’m wearing first?” Carla teased.
    “It’s not that kind of phone call,” he said, smiling.
    “Aha! Now he tells me. What’s up?”
    “Are you busy?”
    “Why? What do you have in mind?”
    He went for it. “I need to get a present for my niece and thought you might like to go shopping with me today.”
    “When?”
    “Ten minutes ago.”
    She chuckled. “Where did you intend to go?”
    “Oh, I dunno. Any suggestions?”
    “Are you looking for clothing or toys?” Carla asked.
    “Clothes sound like something her parents should get her. Not much fun,” Richard chuckled, remembering how he hated getting socks for his birthday.
    “Good. I love toy stores.”
    “I thought you just might. Have any in mind?”
    “How’s about the big Toys R Us on W. Dunlop Avenue in Phoenix?” Carla suggested.
    “That sounds like an excellent idea. When can you get there?”
    “Give me about forty-five minutes.”
    “Sounds like a plan.”
    “Okay, see ya, then,” she said and hung up smiling as she raced to get ready.
    Richard was thrilled and did a happy dance into his bedroom before putting on a pair of jeans and a sweater.
    Carla was already there by the time Richard arrived at the store. He gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek. She smelled good,