Free One Red Rose by Elizabeth Rose Page B

watched him click off his phone, shoving the device back into the leather holder attached to his belt.
    “Carol,” she whispered, looking out of the corner of her eye. “Carol, he’s here.”
    Carol was busy talking to a client, and Eva knew she’d be of no help. She’d have to face Cooper on her own.
    She sat clutching the rose like a lifeline as Cooper pushed through the door with that never-ending seductive stroll that had first gained her attention over twenty-five years ago. Dressed in tight faded jeans and a t-shirt, he looked every bit as lean as he did back in high school.
    His skin tanned from the construction work that kept him in the hot summer sun, he looked like he’d spent his days surfing at the beach. His blue-gray eyes held that hint of mystery within them and his dark hair was trim and neat. She envied the fact after all these years he still hadn’t begun to gray, while she made her bi-monthly visits to the beauty shop just to keep her blond image.
    “Nice rose,” he said, his eyes skimming over the flower. “Who’s it from?”
    Before she could react, he’d scooped up the card, his eyes flitting over the inscription.
    “I…don’t know,” she said nervously. When she’d first seen him in the hallway, the thought that he might have sent her the rose whisked through her brain. But she should have known better. He hadn’t given her flowers since their first anniversary. Actually, one flower. One red rose, so much like this one.
    “Secret admirer?” he said looking first at the card and then at her. His eyebrow raised more in amusement than anger or jealousy. She wasn’t sure just what to think.
    “Look, I’ll give you the key and you can just go over to the house.”
    She put down the rose and dug through her purse for the spare key she kept in her wallet, not on the keychain. She’d gone to great extremes to change all the locks when he left, and now here she was just handing over the key. His presence had her mind muddled.
    “Are you dating someone, Evie?” he asked softly, using the name she loved that only he had ever called her. It was special, and she never let anyone use it but him.
    Her hand stilled and she looked up at him slowly.
    “No, Cooper. Are you?” She stopped breathing, waiting for his answer.
    “No.”
    It was only a single word, but a word that made her sigh in relief. If he had been dating, she didn’t know if she’d be able to handle the rejection.
    “I’ve stayed true to our marriage,” he told her. “Even though we split up.”
    “I’ll see you at home, later,” she said. She handed the key to him, his fingers closing over hers in the process. A bolt of desire shot through her, and she wanted more than anything to be in his arms once again.
    “Want me to cook up some dinner later?”
    Eva’s mouth watered just thinking of some of the delicacies Cooper used to cook when they first married. He had always loved experimenting with new concoctions in the kitchen. But then when the kids came along, they’d opted for the easiness of macaroni and cheese.
    “No. I’ll just grab some fast food. I have to go to the theater right after work. I’m in a production that lasts through Friday.”
    “Really?” he said, only sounding half-interested. Her love of the theater had not been shared by Cooper. A cold beer and the ball game on television was the extent of his culture.
    “I’m in the chorus,” she said, suddenly feeling very self-conscious.
    He scratched the back of his neck and looked over to Carol who was doing her best to listen now that she’d hung up the phone.
    “Thanks,” he said flipping the key in the air and then nodding toward Carol. The woman looked away quickly, delving into her travel brochures.
    Then as fast as he’d appeared, Cooper Dobbs left, and Eva was saddened by the feeling of emptiness once again.

Chapter 2
     
     
    By the time Eva left the theater that night, she had an armful of red roses. One she’d found under her