Golden Lies - Barbara Freethy [69]
"You."
"I know that, but you look like you have something on your mind."
"I do. You," he added with a slow smile that took her breath away.
"I'm sure you have a lot more interesting things to think about."
"I can't remember one." He paused, his gaze still intent on her face. "Are you really going to marry that stiff shirt who was at the hospital the other night?"
"Martin? I told you I'm not engaged to him."
"Does he know that?"
"He should," she replied. But she had a feeling she'd let things drag on too long where Martin was concerned. "It's a tricky situation. Our families are friends. Martin works at the store. He's a vice president now. Somewhere along the way someone got the idea that we would make a good match. So we started going out, but—"
"But you don't want him," Riley finished.
"He's a good man. I could do worse."
"You could do better."
"You don't even know him. And why should I care what you think?"
"No reason," Riley agreed. "It's none of my business. A week ago I probably would have thought you were a good match, too."
"Not now?"
He didn't answer right away, just continued to study her with a thoughtful expression on his face. Then he said, "You're not exactly what I thought. You're more complicated. The person most people see isn't the person you really are, is it? Somewhere in there lies the problem with Martin."
How could he know her so well after a few days when people she had known her whole life didn't have a clue?
"I think on the outside you're cool and collected but inside you're teeming with frustration and maybe a little anger," he continued.
"That's enough," she said, shaken by his assessment.
"Am I wrong?" he challenged.
"You're oversimplifying things. And even if you're not, you're no different. You play the tough guy, but that's not who you are."
"That is who I am."
"And more. Caring and loyal ... Your grandmother said you gave up your career in the marines to come back and take care of the family business when your grandfather got sick."
He shrugged. "It wasn't a big deal. I was ready to come home."
"And your family was important."
"My grandparents are important to me, just those two people. I wouldn't use the general term family. Are you done with the analysis, Princess, or is there more?"
"You always call me princess when we get too friendly. I wonder why."
"It's a reminder that we don't travel in the same circles."
"Today we do."
"Tomorrow we won't."
He was probably right, and she should be happy about that. He'd been a thorn in her side since the day they'd met. But he'd also been other things, including the first man in a long time she felt she could really talk to, say the things she wanted to say, not the things she was supposed to say.
"Riley?" a feminine voice called out with a delighted squeal.
Paige looked up to see a gorgeous, statuesque redhead heading straight toward them. Riley jumped to his feet just in time to be swept into a tight hug against a pair of very large breasts. He must be in heaven, Paige thought, sitting back in her seat.
"Riley, you devil, I've missed you," the woman said with a sparkling laugh. Then she planted a long, smacking kiss on his lips that he didn't make any move to avoid.
As their kiss went on, Paige cleared her throat. Riley still didn't look over at her. "Riley," she said more loudly as the two broke apart. "Who's your friend?"
He finally turned toward her. "This is Brenda Sampson -- Paige Hathaway."
"Paige Hathaway?" Brenda raised an eyebrow as she cast Riley a speculative look. "Moving up in the world, are you?"
"Right now I'm having lunch."
"Did you order the hot roast beef sandwich?"
"It's the best," he said.
"I put it on the menu just for you. I'll go have a word with the chef, make sure you get extra meat and fries. It was nice to meet you, Miss Hathaway. I hope you enjoy your lunch. And, Riley, you better call me soon. It's been too long."
"I will," he promised. He returned to his seat as Brenda moved on to greet another table of customers.
"You have lipstick