Read As If You Never Left Me (Crimson Romance) for Free Online

commitment, aren’t you?”
    “In this case, yes, I think so.”
    “I think in any case, with you.”
    Joely sighed. “You know me too well.”
    Outside in the showroom, the bell on the door rang, indicating the arrival of another customer.
    “Things are hopping today,” said Perry. “I’m glad you came back. This is nothing like a Wednesday at all.”
    “Good.” Joely stood, nodding decisively. “Customers are good. They’ll take my mind off — ” She waved vaguely. “ — all that other stuff.”
    But throughout the busy afternoon, as she helped customers pick out gifts for their spouses, their parents, or even for themselves, the memory of Rey’s kiss tantalized the edges of her thoughts. By closing time, she’d made her decision.
    • • •
    After closing up the shop, Joely drove to the lodge, intending to take Rey to the diner to retrieve his car. But the car was already in the parking lot. Puzzled, she went into the lobby.
    “Hi, Joely,” said Virginia brightly. “How’s business?”
    Joely smiled at the older woman’s typical — and occasionally annoying — perkiness.
    “Great, as a matter of fact,” Joely told her. “Have you talked to Rey this afternoon?”
    “I drove him over to get his car. He seems to be feeling much better.” Her lined features took on a dreamy look. “He’s such a nice young man. You really should think about not divorcing him.”
    Joely shook her head, half bemused and half annoyed. “I suppose he’s told you all our business?”
    “No, not really. Just a little, here and there.”
    “Just enough for you to feel comfortable doling out advice?”
    “Oh, honey, I’d feel comfortable doling out advice on a lot less information than that.” Virginia laughed. “I think you know that, too.”
    “Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.” She shifted her purse strap on her shoulder. “I’d better go. I was going to surprise Rey, take him to dinner.”
    “Go on up, then. You know the way.”
    So she did, but as she got closer to Rey’s door, her feet seemed to forget. Or maybe they were just forgetting how to move. They certainly did slow down appreciably.
    Finally, she stood in front of his door. With an effort, wondering where this small, irrevocable move would take her, she knocked.
    Rey opened the door. He smiled brightly at her, looking considerably perkier than he had when she’d left him. Considerably better dressed, too. He wore jeans and a cream-colored Irish knit sweater. No shoes, though. She looked down at his big feet in his socks and thought about his toes. He had an interesting trick he did with his toes.
    “Hey, Joely. Come on in.”
    She did, brushing deliberately against him as she passed. Lightly, but deliberately. “You look like you’re feeling better.”
    “Much.” He closed the door behind her. “How was your day?”
    “Very good. We’re selling useless baubles and knick-knacks hand over fist.”
    “Great to hear.” He paused, studying her face. “You have something important to say?”
    She grimaced, exasperated. What right did he have to still be able to read her face so well? “Sort of. I thought you might like to have dinner.”
    “Yes. I haven’t had much but noodles and broth today, and I’m starving.”
    “Noodles and broth? Virginia’s secret recipe, I assume?”
    “Yes, and very good. It seemed to kill the bug, too.”
    “I told you, it wasn’t a bug, it was altitude sickness.”
    “And I still think you made that up.”
    “I didn’t, and I’ll prove it to you.”
    “When?”
    “Tonight, maybe. I’m inviting you to dinner. At my house.”
    The air in the room seemed to still as he looked at her, a smile lurking in his eyes, on his mouth. Joely caught her breath. He was like a force of nature, the eighth natural wonder of the world —
    “At your house?” he asked.
    She forced her expression to remain neutral. “That’s what I said. I’ll even cook.”
    He grinned. “Wow. That’s big.”
    “It’s