Free The Heartbreaker by Vicki Lewis Thompson

she realized. But she was here, and she had a mission—to find out whether Ernie had suggested this alternate plan for her cutter—or Mike. She crossed to the table.
    â€œYou look terrific,” he said.
    â€œThanks.” She had to admit she enjoyed his admiration of her outfit almost as much as she’d hated Colby’s.
    â€œDid you get rid of the sleaze from Chicago?”
    â€œI’ll tell you about that in a minute. But I have an idea. Before visiting hours are over at TMC, why don’t we give your dad a call and see how he’s doing? I’m sure Janice over at the art gallery will let us use the phone, and I’ll just settle the charges with her later.”
    â€œI called him before I walked down here. He’s doing fine.”
    â€œOh.” She hadn’t counted on Mike being so dutiful.
    â€œBut you’re welcome to call him before we order, if you want.”
    â€œMaybe...maybe I will. Do you happen to have the number handy?” She could call without arousing his suspicion, she decided. After all, she was practically a daughter to Ernie.
    â€œSure. I carry it around with me these days.” He took his wallet from his back pocket, pulled a slip of paper from it and handed it to her.
    â€œThanks,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”
    â€œHow about if I order us a bottle of wine while I’m waiting for you?”
    â€œOkay.” She couldn’t very well tell him not to. He had a right to drink wine with his meal if he wanted. But she’d be wise not to have more than a small glass of it herself, especially after seeing that telltale circle imprinted on the leather of his wallet. Maybe he always carried condoms. Maybe this particular one had nothing to do with their dinner date. But she wasn’t taking any chances.
    â€œWhat do you like?” he asked.
    â€œI’ve become partial to a good merlot.”
    He grinned at her. “I’d be willing to splurge on champagne.”
    â€œNot on your life.” Her heart beat faster at his teasing reference to the champagne punch they’d both been drinking the night of the rehearsal dinner. “It’s nearly eight. I’d better go call.”
    â€œGo ahead. The merlot and I will be waiting.”
    Damned if he wasn’t flirting with her, she thought as she left the restaurant and walked next door to the art gallery. And damned if she didn’t like it far too much. -
    Janice was busy with an older couple when Beth entered the gallery, but she looked up long enough for Beth to pantomime using the phone. Janice nodded and Beth went back into the gallery’s small office. Janice kept the gallery open on summer evenings to entice whatever tourists were in town, and she’d advised Beth to do the same with her gift shop. So far Beth had resisted because she used her evenings to create new designs and she needed solitude for that.
    She consulted the number written in Mike’s angular handwriting and dialed.
    Ernie picked up the phone on the second ring. “Hello?” He sounded completely worn-out.
    Remorse washed over her at the thought that she’d woken him up. “It’s Beth. I hope you weren’t asleep.”
    â€œWho can sleep in a place like this?” His tone brightened considerably. “Where’re you calling from, sweetpeach?”
    â€œJanice’s gallery. Mike’s next door at Café Roca. We’re having dinner together.”
    â€œAre you? That rascal didn’t mention you two were having dinner. That’s nice, Beth. Real nice. Is that why you called? To tell me that?”
    â€œNot exactly. I just wanted to wish you a good night’s rest,” she said, “and let you know that Mike seems to think he’ll be able to start on the cutter manufacturing tomorrow.”
    â€œThat’s great.”
    She didn’t notice any hesitation in his reply, so maybe it had been Ernie’s