92 Pacific Boulevard - Debbie Macomber [117]
She wondered if the driver was in some kind of trouble. She set the radar device aside and climbed out of her patrol car. When she recognized Dr. Chad Timmons, she stopped abruptly.
“Do you have a problem, Dr. Timmons?” she asked in her most professional voice.
He’d lowered his window. “Can I talk to you?”
“About what?” she asked, although she was pretty sure the subject matter wouldn’t be to her liking.
“I’d rather do it over a coffee.”
“I’m on duty.”
“Afterward, then.”
She shook her head.
Obviously frustrated, Chad sighed. “I’d like to clear the air between us.”
“No. Our…encounter was a long time ago and, from my point of view, highly embarrassing. I prefer to forget it.”
“Unfortunately, that isn’t the case for me.”
“It’s over.”
“Apparently it was over before it could even start,” he said. “If you don’t want to have coffee with me, then—”
“I don’t.”
“Okay, but give me a chance to settle this in my own mind. That’s all I’m asking. Some closure, much as I hate the word.”
Gloria sighed, unsure what to do.
“Ten minutes, fifteen,” he said, no doubt sensing her indecision. “Is that too much to ask?”
“I don’t see what purpose it would serve. From what I heard, you’re dating Sarah Chesney now.”
That she was aware he was seeing another woman appeared to please him immensely, because he broke into a wide grin. “Sarah and I are friends, nothing more. What’s this I hear about you and Zack Birch?”
“Are you keeping tabs on me?” she demanded angrily.
“No more than you are on me,” he countered.
She couldn’t argue with that, so she said nothing.
“Ten minutes, Gloria. You name the time and place.”
She glanced at her watch. “All right, meet me in two hours. That’s when I get off.”
He smiled in triumph and she wanted to wipe off his smug grin. “Where?”
She was going to suggest the Pancake Palace but changed her mind. Someone might overhear their conversation and she’d rather not risk that. “Meet me at the marina by the totem pole,” she said. “Ten minutes. That’s it.”
“Fine. Do you want me to bring a stopwatch?”
Despite her irritation, she grinned. “That might not be a bad idea.”
Two hours later, Gloria had changed out of her uniform and parked in the lot next to the library. The foot ferry from Bremerton was just getting in, and the first wave of shipyard workers disembarked. Her hands clenched the steering wheel. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d regret this.
Waiting until the last possible moment, she left her vehicle and walked toward the marina. Chad was already there, waiting for her. She hadn’t seen him in a couple of months and was struck, once again, by his classic good looks, which were precisely what had attracted her the first time they met. That night had been a disaster, one she had no intention of repeating.
Chad leaned against the railing, exuding confidence and poise. Where she’d once found that appealing, now it annoyed her.
As she approached, he handed her a coffee. Wordlessly she accepted it and looked at her watch. “Your ten minutes are ticking away.”
To her surprise, he turned toward the railing, resting his arms on it as he held his coffee and watched the gently bobbing boats in the marina. “I never thought I’d enjoy living in a small town,” he said. “You didn’t either, did you?”
“Are you going to waste your ten minutes with chitchat?”
He went on as if she hadn’t spoken. “I took this job at the clinic thinking I’d give it six months.”
“And move on.”
“Right.”
“You should have.” It would’ve been a relief to her if he had. Then she wouldn’t risk seeing him—and remembering.
“I stayed because of you.”
“Oh, please.” She didn’t hide her sarcasm. This was the last thing, the absolute last thing, she wanted to hear.
“I’m not making it up, Gloria.” He paused. “How long has it been?”
“I forget.” She hadn’t, but she wasn’t about to let him know that their night together still lingered in her mind.
“I can’t stop thinking about you,” he said quietly.
“Try harder,” she advised.
“Do you suppose I haven’t?”
“It was one night.