Free Table for Two by Dara Girard Page B

and fun and it was their fault for not noticing."
    She studied her friend a moment. "Are you sure you're not interested?"
    "He's not my type." She tapped her chin. "Perhaps something happened. I know there's a reason he didn't come. You could look up his information in your registration and ask him why."
    "No." Cassie picked up her bag and turned off the lights. "The chapter of Drake Henson is now closed."
    Adriana looked disappointed but didn’t argue. "Fine. I'll call you later."
    * * *
    Cassie arrived home feeling eerily depressed despite congratulating herself for avoiding a close call. With a little more pressure he could easily have caught her in his trap. But now he was truly gone. She glanced at his big black umbrella in the corner and thought of the night they had shared a kiss in the rain. What a memory he would be. Oh, well, it was over now. She popped a bag of popcorn in the microwave then flopped down on the couch to watch TV. She began The Attack of the Killer Tomatoes , but her mind wandered to what Drake might have said about the benefits of tomatoes so she changed the channel. She was enjoying a soppy drama when the phone rang.
    She absently reached for it. "Hello?"
    "I'm sorry I couldn't make the class, but I had business to take care of. Did you miss me?"
    Cassie sat up; popcorn spilled everywhere. "Drake? How did you get my number?"
    He hesitated. "Does it matter?"
    "No." She glanced down at the mess. She sighed and began picking up the popcorn and putting it back in the bowl. Relax... it's no big deal , she warned herself. "Drake, don't feel guilty about not showing up. The last day was basically a review. Do you want a brief description of what was discussed?" She sat on the floor and held her breath.
    "No, I called to ask you to lunch."
    Cassie closed her eyes and wrapped the phone cord around her hand, divided between the impulsive need to say yes and the practical need to say no. She decided to tease him instead. "Dinner, lunch, barbecue. Can't you think of any activities that don't involve food?"
    "Oh, sure, especially one in particular." He paused. "No, wait, that could involve food too."
    She grasped the cord until it bit into her hand. "Drake, we need to get something clear."
    "I agree. That's why I'm treating you to lunch." He gave her the name of a classy restaurant and told her the time.
    "But what if I'm busy?" she objected.
    "Of course you're busy. You'll be seeing me." He hung up.
    She growled into the phone, then dialed Adriana's number. "You've got a date tomorrow with Drake." She gave the time and place then replaced the receiver and unplugged the phone, determined to escape the sorcerer's spell.
    * * *
    Early the next morning, Cassie went to the gym dressed in a colorful leotard, which made her feel as if two cantaloupes were strapped to her chest, and a long T-shirt to hide the fact.
    She wasn't alone in the gym. There were a number of avid health addicts, displaying their beautiful bodies as if they expected a film crew to pop up and take photographs. She noticed one beautiful female body aptly displayed in black leggings, a thong, and a sports bra on the stair climber. She passed by the weight room to go into the aerobics class. People were already stretching in front of the large mirror on the main wall.
    Cassie headed toward the back as always. It had taken her weeks to get the courage to join the class, afraid that she would stick out like a Twinkie in a box of ladyfingers. Fortunately, no one paid any attention to her, since they had their own weight issues to deal with. She made a face in the mirror (she hated exercise) and then began to stretch.
    "Ah, she blesses us with her company," a pleasant masculine voice said. "I haven't seen you the last few classes."
    She turned and smiled at Glen. "I've been busy." She had spent her time eating her way through writer's block and then trying a new diet.
    "What's his name?" he asked with a knowing look.
    "It's not a him, it's an it. My