1022 Evergreen Place - Debbie Macomber [37]
Shirley glanced at him. “Red, please.”
“While Will’s getting your wine, allow me to show you one of my own pieces.”
“I’d be honored.”
Will scowled as Larry led Shirley away, one hand under her elbow. He didn’t quite know how things had gotten so quickly out of control. He sensed an instant rapport between Larry and Shirley, and it worried him.
Will located a waiter and obtained two glasses of red wine. When he rejoined Shirley and Larry and handed her the cabernet, she regarded it blankly for a second, then thanked him.
“We’ve dominated too much of your time,” Will said abruptly, prepared to usher Shirley to the opposite side of the room.
“We have,” Shirley agreed with obvious reluctance. “I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed speaking with you, Larry. Thank you again.”
“No, thank you.” Larry bowed his head slightly and held her gaze a moment longer than necessary.
“Shall we look around?” Will suggested.
“That would be lovely,” she said breathlessly.
Will drew her away from Larry but saw how Shirley’s eyes followed the other man as he strolled about the room, greeting his guests and chatting with them.
As they surveyed the paintings, Will had to appreciate Larry Knight’s talent—although he wasn’t the least bit inclined to appreciate the attention Larry had paid to his date.
Each canvas seemed to mesmerize Shirley. “His use of color and shadow is awe-inspiring,” she said at least a dozen times.
Will knew Larry’s work sold for six figures and up. At those prices they should inspire awe.
An hour later, the room started to clear. Will was about to suggest they leave when Larry unexpectedly sought them out.
Shirley’s eyes lit up as he approached. “Do you two have dinner plans?” he asked.
“We do,” Will said, not giving Shirley an opportunity to answer.
“That’s a shame,” Larry said. “I’d like it if you could join me at a private supper this evening. I fly out early in the morning. It’ll be my agent, the exhibit’s curator, a few other people and me. We’re getting together at a club not far from here.”
“Unfortunately, we can’t,” Will said, trying to sound genuinely sorry.
Shirley shot him a pleading glance. “Can’t we change our plans?”
“Unfortunately, no. I’ve made dinner reservations.”
“Oh.” She was obviously none too happy.
Will locked eyes with the other man, warning him to butt out. Shirley was his date and Larry was treading on his territory.
“Another time, then,” Larry said smoothly.
“Another time,” Will echoed. He clasped Shirley’s elbow as he led her toward the exit.
Once outside, he half expected Shirley to argue, but she accepted his unwillingness to share her company. Her attitude soothed his ruffled ego. It was bad enough that Shirley had hung on every word Larry Knight uttered.
Will had made reservations at the best steak house in Seattle and preordered a bottle of expensive wine. He was surprised to learn that Shirley wasn’t fond of red meat. Maybe he didn’t know her as well as he’d thought….
She was subdued on the ride back to Bremerton. When the ferry docked he insisted on walking her to the parking garage, where she’d left her car.
“Thank you,” she said as they reached her vehicle. “I had such a nice time.”
“I enjoyed myself, too,” he said, hoping to emphasize that the evening wouldn’t have been half as pleasurable without her.
“Meeting Larry was definitely a highlight.”
“I’m glad I could make that happen for you.” Will hated to be so blatant; still, he wanted Shirley to acknowledge his role in presenting her with that “highlight.”
“He lost his wife, you know.”
“Yes, I know.” So Larry had told her he was a widower. Too bad, since Will had made a point of not mentioning it….
“Five years ago. She had a heart ailment. Apparently she’d been born with it but they didn’t find out until it was too late.”
“Tragic,” he said. Those were details he hadn’t known. Obviously the two of them hadn’t been discussing artistic techniques in the few minutes it had taken him to get the wine. Shirley had probably revealed that she was a widow, too.
“Yes,” she murmured, searching inside her purse