Free It's Just Love by Kate Richards Page A

believe it is.”
    * * * *
    The woman was more sensible than he’d given her credit for.
    “There is someone for everyone, and in fact a number of
someones,” he said, delighted to discuss his favorite topic. “Any two people
who have enough in common can have a successful relationship if they have the
right level of commitment. That’s the premise behind my latest book.”
    “Really,” she murmured.
    “Yes. It’s quite fascinating. I can show you a chart that
depicts the success I’ve seen with various couples based upon the number of
factors that match between them.”
    “How interesting.”
    She didn’t sound fascinated, but perhaps that was because
she didn’t understand the full concept. The waiter chose that moment to return
for their dinner orders, and between being served their salads and trying to
pay attention to the couple across from them, the topic was lost.
    Coral’s face intrigued him. Her tan backlit her green eyes
that sparkled as she told him a story about some particularly great surfing on
a trip to Maui. He felt as if he had spent the day with her on the cresting
waves, sharing her triumph at succeeding to ride the huge rollers and her pain
when a bad fall took her to the sand and scratched a groove into her calf.
    “And I still have the scar, but it only reminds me of
Hawaii. I hope to go back one day or maybe even Australia, the Gold Coast.
Waves like no place else.” Enthusiasm rang in her voice, and he fought a sense
of envy.
    Sure, he loved his work. It was important and brought him
great satisfaction. But what did he do for sheer enjoyment? Buying the sailboat
had been fun, sailing it might be even better. Maybe he didn’t need to be Mr.
Responsible all day, every day? The unfamiliar idea made him uncomfortable.
    “I’d love to take a year and follow the waves, all around
the world, like that old movie, Endless Summer .” She smiled, and his
heart thumped. But of course. She was a pretty girl, a lovely woman, and any
man would like her to turn that grin in his direction. “Maybe buy a little
sailboat and just sail away forever.” She leaned back in her chair as the
waiter set her plate in front of her. “This looks great. Thank you.”
    He took a bite of his halibut. “Very tasty.”
    She swirled linguini around her fork and lifted it to her
mouth. “Mmm, better than that. This is delicious.”
    They ate in silence for a few moments, listening to the
awkward conversation from the other table. Nothing improved over there. Elise
tried a topic, something about farming, then, after a few moments, Charlie
mentioned a study he was conducting at work. Nothing. Despite the fact that
their failure to communicate proved him right, Gage hated to see the two so
unhappy. Maybe they would give up after tonight. Going through the process two
more times couldn’t be bearable.
    Coral pushed her plate away. “I can’t eat another bite.”
    “Not even dessert? I hear they have a chocolate tasting
plate that is pretty good.”
    She smiled again, her lovely full lips parting. “Oh, you’ve
got me. Chocolate?”
    Gage waved the waiter over and spoke to him, and in a few
moments, the man returned with an oval porcelain plate the size of a turkey
platter, scattered with a wealth of small desserts. Coral sucked in a breath.
    “Ohh.” Her hand hovered over the plate. “I don’t know which
to try first. Which one will you have?”
    “I never eat sugar.”
    She deflated, and her arm dropped to the table.
    “Except this once.” He couldn’t stand her sadness. “You pick
one for me.”
    She lit again, and his world improved. “Okay. Hmmm, did you
know there would be so many?” She tilted her head, giving him a quizzical
glance.
    “Nope. But if you can’t finish them, I’ll have the server
package them to take home with you. Now, choose one for me?”
    She lifted a small pastry with a swirl of dark frosting
across the top. “I think this is an éclair, but it looks like it’s filled