The Right Touch

Chapter 20

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While outwardly Darcy attended to the details of the evening with cool efficiency, her mind was rapidly reviewing the events of the past few days. Obviously, Miss Thomas had not heeded her warning to stay away from Bobby. A tiny frown marred her pretty face. She'd been right that day they went to lunch. Bobby had been different. He was in love with Sue and hadn't known it.

But something happened between that day and tonight because now, he couldn't keep his eyes off Sue. Oh, he thought she was too busy conversing with the people on their table to notice but she had. She knew where his attention was focused. And the moment he refused to announce their engagement, she knew she'd lost him to another woman.

Bobby was everything she wanted in a husband. He was attractive, fun and had a promising future with one of the biggest design companies in the city. The fact that he looked well in evening clothes was an added bonus. Well, if she couldn't have him, neither could Sue.

"What's going on in that pretty little head of yours?" Bobby asked curiously. He knew that incident at the table had upset her when he didn't immediately embrace Gerald's suggestion.

She looked around and spotted Sue alone for the moment. She turned to Bobby. "We need to talk. Could we go somewhere a little more private?"

"Sure," he agreed. "Lead the way."

Sue was partially blocked by some plants and a group passing by. Darcy carefully positioned herself so Sue could see her if she looked in their direction.

"All right," said Bobby looking around. He didn't notice Sue behind him. "Not exactly the place I would pick but if you want to talk, this'll do as well as any place."

"I want you to kiss me," Darcy told him.

A perplexed look wrinkled his forehead. "Here?"

"Here."

Intending to place a light kiss on her lips, Darcy pulled him closer and deepened the kiss. Surprised, he responded for a moment before pulling away.

"What was that for ?" he began a questioning look in his eyes. "Public displays of affection are not your style."

"I just thought that you might want to give me a congratulatory kiss," she answered coolly. She shifted slightly when she saw Sue glancing in their direction. She wanted to make sure Sue could read her lips.

"Your friend and her partner did a very nice job with the flowers," Darcy mentioned changing the subject. "You were right about her talent. And when people find out she's deaf, they'll be flocking to their shop to show their support."

"What are you talking about? What does her deafness have to do with her talent?"

"Isn't that why you wanted to meet her? You heard she was deaf and you were curious? And you continued to talk to her because you felt sorry for her?"

"I don't know where you've been getting your information, Darcy, but that's complete rubbish," he beginning to get angry. "I didn't know Sue was deaf when I met her nor do I care."

He stopped when he noticed she wasn't looking at him but behind him. There was a gleam of malicious triumph in her expression.

He turned. Sue stared back, her eyes wide with hurt. She looked at Bobby for a moment before walking rapidly away in another direction. His eyes tracked her movements. She spoke with her dinner companion for a moment, then he rose. Taking her elbow, they headed towards the door. Bobby slowly turned to face Darcy.

"You knew she was there, didn't you?" he accused her.

"Yes."

"Why? Why would you want to hurt her like that? She hasn't done a thing to you except help you out in a tight spot," he said gesturing to the flowers around them.

"She took you away from me," Darcy said simply.

Bobby looked at her with fresh eyes. "I can see we think very differently, Darcy. We'd never be happy together."

"And you think you can be happy with her?"

"I know I can," he said decisively. "Good-bye, Darcy. I hope you find what you're looking for." And he left without another word. He had to find Sue.

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"I'm sorry you have a headache," said Dan as they stood in front of Sue's apartment. "You've probably been working too hard on this benefit."

"Probably," she agreed. She knew that wasn't the reason. It was her heart that ached. "I had a great time until then. Thanks for coming."

He took her hand in his. "May I call you?" he asked hopefully.

She looked at him. Dan was sweet, thoughtful and attractive—but he wasn't Bobby. "I think it would be better if you didn't," she said gently.

When he saw the look on Sue's face when Bobby had come by in the restaurant, he knew he didn't have a chance. "I understand. Bad timing. Maybe if I'd met you first." He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. "I hope he realizes what a lucky guy he is. Good-bye, Sue."

"Good-bye."

She entered the dark apartment lit only by a small lamp in the living room. She dropped her shawl and purse on the coffee table spilling its contents and sunk down onto the sofa. She thought about Dan's words. Bobby would never come close to her again, not if Darcy had any say. Some of the people at their table had been talking about a toast that would be made soon—a toast announcing Darcy's engagement to Bobby. Her heart dropped when she lip read those words. How could he marry someone like Darcy?

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She felt better after shedding a few tears. Even though she loved him, she wasn't going to spend the rest of her life pining away for someone who didn't love her she decided as she changed into more comfortable clothes. She would get over it—she hoped.

Maybe a movie would take her mind off Bobby. Settling down on the sofa, she grabbed the remote and a pillow when she noticed the light on her Blackberry flashing.

"Hello?"

"Sue, it's Bobby," scrolled across the little screen. "Open the door."

She stiffened, "No! Go away. I don't want to see you."

"I need to see you…to talk to you."

"I said go away!" she said firmly.

"If you don't open this door, I'll break it down!" he warned.

"Don't you dare, Bobby Manning!" she hissed. Shutting her phone with a snap, she strode angrily to the door and jerked it open.

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After leaving Darcy, Bobby headed towards the direction of Myles and Lucy. They were standing, ready to leave.

"Wait up, mates," he called urgently, halting their departure. "I need to talk to Sue...to explain. Do you know where she was going?"

"Don't you think you've caused her enough trouble as it?" berated Lucy in a low voice. "She can't eat, she can't sleep, and it's all because of you!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he said shaking his head. "But I need to talk to her. It's urgent."

"What's so important that it can't wait until tomorrow?" Myles asked.

"She's hurt," Bobby explained. "Darcy said something that Sue completely misinterpreted. I have to make her understand."

"Understand what?" demanded Lucy.

"That until two days ago, my blasted stupidity prevented me from realizing I'm in love with her!" he said earnestly.

Lucy stopped, taken aback at the fervor in his statement. She looked at Myles.

"Such honesty should be rewarded," Myles remarked to Lucy.

Lucy relented. "She said she had a headache so she asked Dan to take her home."

"Thanks," he said hurriedly and rushed off.

Lucy faced Myles. "And how is he going to get into the apartment to talk to her? She won't be able to hear him knock and Levi's at Charley's for the night."

"Mr. Manning looks like a smart man. He'll figure a way. Where there's a will, there's a way," Myles assured her. "If not, we may be getting a call from the police saying they're holding someone for breaking and entering." He looked at Lucy. "Now that Sue's taken care of, do you think you could spare some of that attention for us? We do have a room booked here for the night, you know," he smiled suggestively.

"And I have the perfect nightgown for you to see," she replied in kind.

"Ooo, Miss Dotson," he grinned appreciatively. "I can't wait."

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A frustrated Bobby Manning stood outside Sue's apartment. He realized the moment he raised his hand to knock on the door, that it would be futile. Sue wouldn't be able to hear him. Fuming, he looked around thinking how to get in. Breaking down the door seemed a little drastic but if that's what it took to see her, that's what he'd do.

He was seriously contemplating doing just that when his cell went off—wrong number. However, it gave him an idea. Praying, he punched in Sue's number for her Blackberry and hoped she'd answer.

"C'mon, c'mon," he urged. "Pick up the phone." Just as he was about to hang up, she answered.

"Hello?"

"Sue, it's Bobby," he coaxed. "Open the door."

"No! Go away!" He could hear the determination in her voice. "I don't want to see you!"

"I need to see you," he pleaded, "to talk to you."

"Go away!'" she repeated

In desperation he warned her, "If you don't open this door, I'll break it down!"

"Don't you dare, Bobby Manning!"

The door was yanked open and an angry Sue stood there. "I said, 'Go… "

Her words were cut off when Bobby swept her into his arms to kiss her. For a second she responded to his kiss, then struggled to push him away.

"Go away!" she ordered as she retreated into the room breathing heavily. The kiss had affected her more than she was willing to admit.

"NO!" he said adamantly as he stepped into the room and slammed the door behind him. "Not until you listen to what I have to say!"

The pair stood facing each other. She had every right to be upset but he could also see the hurt in her eyes. It tore at his heart. He changed his tactics and tried to speak calmly.

"The past four days have been the most miserable ones of my life," he said quietly. "I can't live without you."

"How can I believe you after what Darcy said?" she demanded wanting to trust him but afraid to.

"I never said anything of those things to her," he protested. "As far as I'm concerned, it's pure, unadulterated rubbish."

"Why would she say you said those things?"

"Because she must've figured out that I didn't love her any more. I'm in love with you."

"What?" she asked incredulously, her anger disappearing.

"I fell in love with you before I ever met you." He looked at her to make sure she understood.

"Me?" she whispered in disbelief.

He nodded. "Jack asked why was I more upset about seeing you with Dan at lunch than I was about my decision to break up with Darcy. After spending a sleepless night tossing and turning, the dimness of my poor addled brain cleared and I realized the reason I was upset is because you have become a very important part of my life. I need my daily dose of sunshine to stay chipper and that sunshine is you," he smiled.

"When did you intend to tell Darcy?"

"Tonight. I planned to end our relationship after the benefit. Her unspeakable meanness towards you just precipitated the break up a few hours earlier."

She blinked her eyes rapidly trying to a absorb everything Bobby was saying. He loved her—not Darcy.

"Do you understand what I'm saying?" he asked softly as he put an arm around her drawing her closer while his slender fingers caressed her face.

Sue stood very still at his touch as her heart beat faster.

"I love you, Sue," he whispered, "truly, madly, deeply. Marry me."

His eyes swept her face, then slowly, he bent down and kissed her gently on the lips. At first resistant, Sue's lips responded as her arms wrapped around his neck. Drawing her even closer, the kiss deepened until they had to break apart to breathe.

Pulling away so she could read his lips, he gently stroked her face. "If anyone had told me you could fall in love with a voice, I would have thought that person a complete idiot. But that's what happened. The more we chatted, the more I got to know you. And each time you stole a bit of my heart until there was only room for you. When I finally met you, I couldn't believe my incredible luck that you were even lovelier in person than I had imagined."

Sue's face flushed with pleasure.

Bobby laughed softly. "Jack and Tara knew I'd fallen in love with you even then. It took me a little longer to realize it," he shared.

"I think I fell in love with you that night we baby sat Josh and Megan," she admitted. "The way you spoke to Megan when Josh and I won that game, convinced me how special you are."

"Jack called me dense," he said ruefully.

"Well, I would've agreed with him if you married Darcy," she teased.

"Is that the way you speak about the man you intend to marry?" He frowned at her. "You are marrying me, aren't you?"

"I don't think I have much choice," she told him.

He looked at her with a perplexed expression.

"I can't sleep, I can't eat, and I've been absolutely miserable for the past four days. Lucy tells me those are the classic signs of being in love," she said solemnly with a twinkle in her eye.

"What's the treatment?" he asked pulling her closer.

"Only one known cure," she said softly as she drew him down to kiss him. "To be with the person you love—and that's you, Bobby. I love you."

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