Free Table for Two by Dara Girard Page A

the subject."
    "Hmm." He toyed with the soft hairs on the nape of her neck.
    "Stop that."
    His fingers stopped moving, but his hand stayed in place.
    "Okay, so that woman doesn't interest you," she said. She searched the room, trying to ignore the warm feel of his hand. "How about—"
    "How about I kiss you right now?"
    "Drake," she scolded.
    He turned and whispered in her ear, "The only woman I am interested in is sitting right beside me, and my only goal is to capture her attention. So why don't you teach me how to do that?" He flashed one wicked grin, then left.
    ***
    At home, Cassie stepped out on her balcony to stare out at the sky. One more day. She only had one more day to deal with this painful temptation and then he would be gone forever and she would be free.
    Mixed among the sound of cars and the hurried crowd below came a deep melancholy voice of a man proclaiming his love to the night sky. He had a booming voice that would do well on the stage and she found herself listening to him in spite of herself. She glanced up and saw another tenant leaning out on his balcony. His name was Glen Randall and for a time, he had hinted at wanting more than friendship, but she had subtly dissuaded him. He was an English teacher at a prestigious local high school. At times they went out together to fight the loneliness of being newly divorced.
    After Glen completed his verse, Cassie shouted up to him, "You must read more prose, my good friend. Too much poetry will poison the mind to think only of despair."
    "Night wanderer, be so kind as to leave me in peace."
    "No. I must save you from yourself."
    "You speak as one who has been made love to."
    "Your imagination works overtime," she scoffed. "I haven't been made love to in a long time."
    "Not with the body, but with the mind. You glow."
    "I sincerely hope not. Nobody would get any sleep."
    He chuckled softy. "You and I were meant for another time. A time of chivalry and romance. A time when a woman accepted the praise a man freely offered. Catch." He tossed down a purple carnation.
    She smelled the flower and smiled up at him. "Thank you."
    He mimed tipping his hat, then disappeared into his apartment.
    Cassie walked inside, sniffed the flower once more, then stuck it in a little vase. One more day and he would be gone. With those comforting thoughts she went to bed.
    Drake didn't come to the third seminar. Perhaps her words had finally sunk in and he felt embarrassed for trying to pursue her. She was sorry. She would have at least liked to say good-bye and give him some tips for his reunion. Maybe they could have been friends. She shook her head. Friends? Who was she fooling? He was a wizard with a plan and she'd made a narrow escape. She should be ecstatic; she wished she were.
    "I can't believe he didn't show up," Adriana said in somber tones at the end of class.
    "It was for the best," Cassie said, trying to be philosophical, although a part of her was upset.
    Adriana blinked rapidly. "But you look so nice."
    "I didn't dress up for him." She paused. "Are you crying?"
    "I'm trying not to. I'm so disappointed it didn't work out. You two would have made the perfect pair."
    "I don't see how that's possible." Cassie handed her a tissue, used to Adriana's sentimental tears. "Don't worry about it. I certainly won't."
    "I was just so happy to see someone recognize how wonderful you are."
    "I don't need a man for that."
    The threat of tears subsided. Adriana tossed the tissue away. "That's not what I'm saying."
    "He's probably embarrassed about yesterday. He made some bad impressions on people."
    "I know. I set those women straight."
    Cassie stared at her with a worried suspicion. "You didn't."
    "Of course I did. I couldn't have them going around ruining his good name when all three had the social skills of kindergarteners. One acts as if she's got gold in her—"
    "Adriana."
    "The other is plain dull and that redhead never stops talking. I said that Drake was intelligent, handsome,