He'd been driven to find his place in the world, to be more than an outsider.
His fingertips brushed across my cheek.
I'd missed that touch so much, my heart bled at feeling it again.
"When are you coming back to me?" I asked softly.
"As soon as I can."
Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to mine.
"Wait."
Chapter 19
When I got to my desk, I found a voice mail from Christopher.
I debated for a moment whether I should continue to pursue the truth.
Christopher wasn't a man I wanted to invite any deeper into my life.
But I was haunted by the look that had been on Gideon's face when he told me about his past, and the sound of his voice, so hoarse with remembered shame and agony.
I felt his pain like my own.
In the end, there was no other choice.
I returned Christopher's call and asked him out to lunch.
"Lunch with a beautiful woman?" There was a smile in his voice.
"Absolutely."
"Any time you have free this week would be great."
"How about today?" he suggested.
"I occasionally get a craving for that deli you took me to."
"Works for me.
Noon?" We set the time and I hung up just as Will stopped by my cubicle.
He gave me puppy-dog eyes and said, "Help."
I managed a smile.
"Sure."
The two hours flew by.
When noon rolled around, I went downstairs and found Christopher waiting in the lobby.
His auburn hair was a wild mess of short, loose waves and his grayish- green eyes sparkled.
Wearing black slacks and a white dress shirt rolled up at the sleeves, he looked confident and attractive.
He greeted me with his boyish grin, and it struck me then - I couldn't ask him about what he'd said to his mother long ago.