11
It Had to be You
A/N: Sorry it took so long to post. RL interrupts yet again. And, there was a section that I had to wrestle with. It was a tough two out of three.
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Chapter 16
"Not to your liking?" asked Bobby as he observed Sue toying with her food. "Would you like to order something else?"
"It's not the food," she confessed putting down her fork. "It's me. I'm nervous."
"To be with me?" he asked gravely.
"I'm nervous for you," she said anxiously. "What if Jeff has someone watching us right now? What if he's calling him at this very minute? What if…"
"Sue," Bobby tried to stem the flow of words. He reached for her hand and squeezed to get her attention. "Sue."
He caught her attention. She paused and looked at him.
"I know you won't like it but when a source informed me that the bloody ba…," he stopped. "When that person," he amended, "was reported dating again, I did some discreet investigating on the matter."
"You did?" She didn't know whether to be upset or not.
He nodded.
"And what did you discover?"
"Your ex-fiance is seeing someone."
"Who?"
"Does it matter?"
"If you can give me a name then maybe I can believe he's moved on."
"Sheryl Marshall."
"Sheryl Marshall?"
"That's right."
"The boss' daughter?"
Bobby nodded.
"For how long?"
"Two months."
"Two months," she echoed in disbelief. She paused as she processed the new information. "So he's not interested in me any more."
"It doesn't look like it although in my humble opinion that makes him a blasted fool." He looked at her meaningfully causing her face to turn a faint pink.
"So it's over?"
"You don't have to be afraid any more," he said gently. "Not for me…not for yourself."
"I was never afraid for myself."
His grip on her hand tightened.
"We've spent three months apart," he earnestly. "Three very long and very miserable months. Three months that should've been spent getting to know one another better—just as we planned."
Her eyes never left his face.
"If you're willing, I'd like to erase those months and start over again."
"From the beginning or where we left off?" slipped out from Sue's lips before she knew it. "I mean," she said in embarrassment when she realized how suggestive her words sounded, "I'd like to think about it."
Bobby's eyes brightened at her unintentional remark. Perhaps she missed him as much as he missed her.
"You can have all the time you want provided your final answer yes."
Much as she wanted to say yes right then and there, it was difficult to overcome three months of anxiety for his safety. She really did need time…time to adjust to the change in the dynamics of the circumstances.
"I won't push, Sue. I can be a man of great patience."
"Thanks," she said appreciatively as she relaxed.
"I think I better head home," she said gently tugging her hand. Instantly he released it.
"Must you?"
"I have to be up early for work."
"Perhaps a short after dinner stroll?" he proposed reluctant to end the evening just yet.
"Well…"
"Please?"
It would be nice to be together a little while longer, she thought. What would it matter if she spent a few more minutes with Bobby? Besides, how could she resist that puppy dog expression?
"All right," she relented.
Bobby smiled charmingly. "Shall we?"
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"How do you like DC so far?" asked Bobby conversationally as they strolled down the street.
"What little I've seen I like," she responded.
"What have you seen?"
"You want a list?"
"Sure. You showed me some of the sights of Chicago…I'd like to show you DC. So, where have you gone?"
"Well, I've been to the shop."
"That's a given."
"I've been to the shelter."
"Also a given. Any place interesting?"
"Does the market count?"
"You mean you've been in DC for two months and that's all you've seen—the shop, the shelter and the market?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Why not? Too busy?"
"I was afraid I'd run into you," she said truthfully.
He stopped taken aback at her answer.
"It sounds silly now, I know," she admitted with a rueful smile, "but at the time it seemed like a good plan."
He reached for her hand and kissed it. "Thank you."
Sue could feel her heart flutter at the intimate gesture. "For what?"
"Trying to protect me." With his other hand, he began lightly stroking her cheek.
"Bobby?"
"Yea?" He stared into her dark green eyes.
"You're making it very difficult for me to think."
"I am?"
"Yeah, you are."
"What am I doing?" he asked softly as he wrapped both his hands around hers.
"Making love to me."
"Would you like me to stop?"
"No!…Yes!…I mean…I don't know what I mean," said a flustered Sue.
"All right," he said as he carefully he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingertips caressed her jawline. "I won't take advantage of your state of mind at the moment."
Sue felt a strange sense of disappointment at his statement. What was the matter with her? she thought. She should be pleased he was such a gentleman. But a tiny part of her wanted him to sweep her off her feet and take her somewhere where they could make wild passionate love. It was dangerous being this close to him.
Bobby watched as conflicting emotions flickered across Sue's face. He would have to take it slow and easy, he decided. He wanted her to come to him freely and joyously. He could be a very patient man when necessary and it was very necessary in this case.
"If we're getting to know one another, that means we need to see each—just as we planned," he said as they continued their walk. This time, he kept hold of her hand.
"I'd like that," she smiled.
"Dinner tomorrow night?"
"I feel as though I owe you a dinner after tonight."
"What do you suggest?"
"You could come over for dinner."
"Sounds dangerous, Miss Thomas. We'd be alone," he said with a twinkle in his eye.
"No, we won't," she said instantly. "I'm staying with a friend. She'll be home."
"Ah…a chaperone. Don't you trust me?"
Even after a three-month separation, there was no denying their strong mutual attraction. Having a third person around might help to dampen the sparks between them.
"It's not you—it's me I don't trust."
"I have no objections if you decide to throw yourself at me," he teased.
"I'm sure you wouldn't."
"What about the weekend?"
"I work in the morning."
"That would still leave the afternoon, evening and the long lovely night," he said in satisfaction. "We could do a bit of sightseeing, have dinner at my place and talk…among other things."
"Oh." She looked at him frowning. "I would love to do the sightseeing part but we still run into the same problem if we have dinner at your place."
"And that is?"
"We'd be alone."
He took a step closer and wrapped his arms around her. "Perhaps after tonight I can convince you to live dangerously," he said softly as his lips met hers.
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"Anything interesting happened last night?" asked Janice as she drank her morning coffee.
"What do you mean?"
"I went to bed after ten and you still weren't home."
"Sorry. Did I wake you?"
"No. I sleep like a log…which is a good thing the way my Harry snored."
She watched Sue thoughtfully as she poured out some cereal. In the three months since the pretty blonde had moved in, Janice noticed she rarely went out socially. Her world seemed to revolve around the shop, her volunteer work and home.
"Not that you need to explain anything to me…I'm not your mother," Janice said nonchalantly, " but…was there a reason you came home so late? Car trouble? Problem at the shelter? Anything I could've helped with?"
"Uh..no, nothing like that," Sue fumbled. How to tell Janice she'd invited Bobby over for dinner?
"Like I said," Janice reiterated, "you don't owe me an explanation. You're a big girl." She took another sip.
"I ran into a friend I haven't seen in a while and he insisted we catch up over dinner," Sue blurted.
"He?"
Janice pounced on the pronoun as she eyed Sue. As far as she knew, Sue knew only her co-workers at the shop and the people she'd met at the homeless shelter.
"Uh…yeah. Someone I knew in Chicago."
"Visiting?"
"Uh…no."
"He lives here?"
"Uh-huh."
"That's good." She paused. "Had a good time?"
A smile lingered on her lips at the memory of last night. Seeing him…being with Bobby, she had felt the tight knot of anxiety loosen. For the first time in a long time, she felt contented.
"We did."
Janice's sharp eyes had spotted the change in Sue's expression. Who could this friend be?
"Seeing him again?"
"As a matter of fact, I am. You are, too."
"I am?"
Sue took a breath. "I invited him over for dinner tonight. I hope you don't mind," she added quickly.
Who the heck is this guy? wondered Janice. The same guy Terry had hinted at when he'd first called?
"Not a problem. Does this guy have a name?"
"I think you've heard me mention it before," Sue answered nervously.
Janice looked at her expectantly.
"Bobby…Bobby Manning."
Sue waited for her friend's reaction. She was not disappointed.
"The same Bobby Manning you told me yesterday to tell that you were no longer working at the shop?" Janice asked incredulously. "That Bobby Manning?"
"Uh…yeah."
Damn! thought Janice as she stared at the younger woman. That Terry must be psychic! Step three in his plan had happened!
"And what brought about this change of heart?"
"Change of heart?"
"What made you change your mind about him?"
"We did something we should've done a long time ago."
"And that is?"
"We talked." Among other things, thought Sue.
"I always told Harry it's good to communicate. Communicate, communicate, communicate. That's the key to a good relationship." She put down her coffee cup. "So, now you're friends again."
Sue nodded. "That's why I invited him over. I want you to meet him."
"That'll be great if he's here before seven."
"Excuse me?"
"Sorry," Janice apologized. "I thought I told you."
Sue frowned in consternation. "Told me what?"
"Poker night got switched to tomorrow night instead of Saturday. Sorry." Her face brightened. "But, that means you can have the whole place to yourselves. Don't do anything I wouldn't do," she laughed. She stopped when she noticed the look of dismay. "What's the problem?
"I'll be alone with Bobby," Sue said worriedly.
"And that's a bad idea?"
"Could be a dangerous one."
"Why?
"Things seem to happen when we're alone," Sue admitted ruefully.
"I don't see the problem," Janice said reassuringly. "You're both mature adults. Whatever happens happens."
"That's what I'm afraid of."
"I know this is sounding redundant but why?"
"I haven't known Bobby very long."
"And this is a problem because….?"
"Because I haven't known him very long? Everything's happening so quickly?"
Janice stared at Sue trying to make sense of what she was saying. "Is that how you feel about this guy? He's rushing you?"
"No!" Sue said instantly. "No! That's not how I feel! Which is really strange since I've known him only a handful of days."
"You think you're rushing him?" said Janice thoughtfully.
"No! At least I don't think so," replied Sue remembering last night's kiss.
"Do you care for the guy?"
"I do."
"Is he married?"
"No."
"Involved with someone else?"
"Not that I know of."
"Does he care for you?"
"I think so."
"Then honey, what's the problem?" Janice asked seriously.
"Maybe there isn't one now."
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