out of it.”
“And your problem with that is?”
Before Val could answer, Laurie glanced up and immediately got to her feet. “Don’t mind me,” she said with obviously forced cheer. “I think I’ll take my decaf into the music room. Lots to do. See you.”
Listening to the suddenly inane chattering of her friend, Val followed the direction of Laurie’s gaze and found Slade standing on the doorstep, shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot. She should have guessed, should have been prepared for what the sight of him would do to her. She wanted him every bit as badly now as she had the night before when she’d let her hormones drive reason from her mind.
“Mind if I come in?” he asked, when Laurie had gone.
Val shrugged, feigning an indifference she was far from feeling. “Suit yourself.”
Rotating his hat in his hands, he sat down across from her and peered at her earnestly. “Look, I don’t know exactly what happened last night.”
“Oh, really?”
He scowled at her, then at the hat, finally tossing it aside as if it were a distraction. “You know what I mean. It was like we took a giant leap from the first date to the fifth with no stops in between. I want you to know that wasn’t what I had in mind when I asked you out.”
“What did you have in mind?” she asked, curious about what might have happened if that red dress had stayed in the closet.
“Starting over, just you and me, trying to find out if what we’re feeling is just plain crazy or something real.”
As if the explanation made him uncomfortable, he got back to his feet and busied himself pouring a cup of coffee before rejoining her.
“Look, you know I made a lot of mistakes with Annie’s mom,” he began again, that earnest look back in his eyes. “I never intended to get caught up in something like that again. And you and me, well, there are a lot of strikes against us. We’re not exactly from the same world.”
He was so serious, so determined to set things right, that she couldn’t help leaning forward to confide, “I’ve gotta tell you, if your world contains escargots, we really don’t have a lot to talk about.”
A half smile came and went at her teasing. “I was trying to impress you, prove I could be the kind of man you’re used to. It’s not my fault you wore a dress that could make a man forget his own name, much less his intentions.”
Val sighed. “That dress was probably a mistake. It was supposed to get your attention, but it was definitely a fifth-date dress.”
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking since last night. I’d like to try this again,” Slade said, studying her worriedly. “Unless you figure we don’t stand a chance.”
“I’ve never thought that.”
“Good.” He rose, grabbed his hat from the chair where it had landed, shoved it onto his head and moved toward the door. He had it open and one foot out, when he turned back. “By the way, have your reached your own conclusions about what happened in that room last night?”
Val held back a grin. “I’m still thinking about it. Could be you’ll have to refresh my memory.”
He laughed at the taunt. “Fifth date, darlin’, and not a minute before.”
Val figured they’d better cram dates two, three and four into a very tight timetable, beginning with a picnic by the creek tonight. Just to be sure they didn’t skip ahead, maybe she’d invite Annie along.
Of course, that would defeat the purpose of the two of them spending time alone to discover just how suited they might be. She was still debating with herself when Annie inadvertently solved the problem by announcing she was going to watch a swimming and diving meet with her diving instructor and some of the other students.
“We won’t be back till real late,” she told Val pointedly. “In case you and Daddy want to go somewhere.”
Val grinned at the lack of subtlety. “Thank you for letting me know.”
“You weren’t out very late last night,” Annie said, her expression troubled. “How come?”
“We decided to have an early evening. Your dad has to get up before dawn.”
“But he doesn’t need much sleep. You can stay out as late as you want next time,” Annie advised her.
“I’m sure your dad will be pleased to know he doesn’t have a curfew,” Val said. “Now why don’t you get your things together and I’ll take you into town, so your