Free Illusions of Love by Ella Price Page A

scenery. I have always wanted to go.”
    Before
I could speak the waitress came over and we ordered our dinners. Once she left
I didn’t speak. I wasn’t sure what to say. The thought of him being that far
away bothered me. I thought he would be in town for good. I had thought of
certain possibilities. If he moved to France that would definitely make it
impossible for anything to happen between us.
    “Where
do you live?” he asked after a few minutes.
    His
voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I looked at him. “I own a house not
too far from downtown. What about you? Where are you staying?”
    “The
Royal Hotel downtown. I don’t like it. I am looking at finding another hotel
soon. I haven’t exactly settled down long enough to buy a house and I won’t be
here long enough to rent or buy,” he said as he watched me.
     “I
have an extra room,” I said speaking before I thought about what I was saying.
“I mean there is no room service or butlers, but it isn’t a bad place,” I said
quickly hoping he wouldn’t agree to it. I didn’t know what I was thinking
inviting him to stay with me. I was beginning to think the wine was getting to
me.
    He
laughed. “I don’t need room service or butlers, and it a nice offer. I wouldn’t
mind seeing it. I am sure anywhere is better than the place I am in.”
    “Maybe
after dinner then.” I knew I sounded a little breathless and nervous. I felt
like such an idiot. My whole plan was to not let him get to me and I invited
him to live with me.
    He
nodded. “That’s sounds good. It will only be for a month or so, and if you get
tired of me you can always kick me out.” He sounded playful. I was glad he was
disregarding my obvious discomfort.
    The
waitress arrived and set our plates in front of us. I was relieved the food was
here. We ate in relative silence other than a few comments about the news or
the city.

 
    After
dinner we walked back to his car in silence. He held the door for me and I slid
in the passenger seat. He got in his seat. “I can take you back to the station
so you can get your car. Then I will follow you back to your place,” he said as
he drove.
    “Sounds
like a plan,” I said forcing a smile as I attempted to fight the butterflies
starting to form. I didn’t understand why he had such an effect on me.
    “Are
you sure you are ok with me staying with you?” he asked as he glanced at me.
    I
nodded. “I am barely there anyway. I am sure you are just as busy,” I said
brushing it off like it was no big deal.
    “Ya
I am, and like I said, a month tops.” He was smiling like he knew he affected
me.
    I
brushed it off. I was relieved when he pulled into the station parking lot. “My
car is the red Camaro,” I said pointing my car out.
     “That
suits you,” he said looking from the car to me.
    “I
like it. Just follow me,” I said smiling as I climbed out.

 
    I
was tense the entire drive to my house. I kept trying to figure out why I offered
to let him stay with me. I had a big house, so I had plenty of room. It was a
six bedroom eight bath Victorian. I got it at a great price and I redid the
entire thing. It was way too big for me. I kind of figured I would have kids
one day and that was why I bought it. Lately I wasn’t thinking that way much
anymore, and I was considering selling it. I was beginning to think I was meant
to be alone. I hadn’t even really attempted to date. I just worked.
    I
pulled into my driveway and he pulled up next to me. I climbed out as he did.
    “When
you said house I thought you meant a little two bedroom, not a house like
this,” he said amused.
    “I
got a really good price on it. I redid the entire thing. It kept me busy when I
wasn’t working,” I said as I walked to the door. He followed me and I was
annoyed at how aware of his presence I was.
    He
followed me in and I shut the door while he looked around. “This is really
beautiful. It seems a little big for you,” he said as he spoke.
    I
shrugged