Heart of Gold - B.J. Daniels Page 0,12
hurried to answer an even more insistent knock.
He closed the bedroom door only just enough that he could still see and hear. Yep, he definitely was curious about this boyfriend.
* * *
CHARLIE TOOK JUST a second to try to calm her banging heart before she opened the door. She plastered a big smile on her face, one she hoped said, Everything is fine. There isn’t a cowboy math teacher in my bedroom.
But as it was, she didn’t have to worry about Daniel taking one look at her and knowing something was wrong.
He barely glanced at her as he pushed past, breathing hard from the climb. “I was beginning to wonder if you had stood me up.” He stopped in the middle of the living room and turned toward her. “Charlie,” he said, still sounding winded and annoyed. “You have to move in with me. I’m not climbing three flights of stairs every time I want to see you.”
She waited for him to notice the dress, but his gaze had gone to the kitchen.
“I really could use a beer,” he said as he took a step toward the refrigerator. “You have beer, don’t you?”
“No, I’m out.” It was a fib. But they weren’t staying here while he had a beer—not with Shep in the bedroom probably listening to every word. “Let’s get a drink at the restaurant,” she said, anxious to get him out of the apartment as quickly as possible. As she reached for her purse where she’d dropped it when she got home, she saw that the bedroom door wasn’t closed all the way and cursed under her breath.
Moving to the door, she grabbed the knob and slammed it hard. Her nerves felt frayed. Which explained why when Shep had grabbed her wrist earlier, she’d felt a tingling. Seeing Lindy again and finding Shep sitting on her apartment steps had her more shaken than ever. She wouldn’t be able to relax tonight until she was away from this apartment in some quiet, safe restaurant with a glass of wine in her hand.
“About dinner,” Daniel said. “I was thinking we could have a little something here instead of going out. Maybe watch a movie on TV.”
“There’s nothing here to eat or drink,” she said quickly. “I was really looking forward to a nice dinner somewhere before the movie.”
He groaned. “I’ve had a really rough day.”
Daniel had no idea what a rough day was. She doubted he’d gotten a package with a dead mouse in it or seen his dead stepsister. “Do you like the dress?” she asked, trying to change the subject as she twirled around. “I bought it with you in mind.”
He nodded and closed the distance between them, cupping her bare shoulders with his hands. “It’s a great dress. Another reason to stay in tonight.” He slipped one strap down her arm. “Why don’t we get you out of it—”
She pushed the strap back up. “I’m starved. We can talk about my dress later. I have my heart set on dinner and a movie just like we planned.”
Daniel groaned again. “You’re killing me. All right,” he said with a heavy sigh. “It’s freezing cold outside but if you’re determined...” He sighed. “You drive a hard bargain.” He put his arm around her and they headed for the door.
She’d been looking forward to this date, but she felt as if she was juggling not only her job and the Amanda problem and Lindy and Shep but also now Daniel.
Of course Shep was right. She should just tell Daniel everything and then she wouldn’t have to keep secrets from him.
Why was she so worried about how Daniel would take the news? If he loved her as much as he said, he would understand. He’d probably be protective and concerned about her.
Was she demented? Of course he wouldn’t understand. She’d had years to think about it and she didn’t understand. Anyway, he’d just said he’d had a rough day. This wasn’t the time to tell him about the worst thing she’d ever done in her life.
CHAPTER FOUR
WHAT A JERK, Shep thought as he heard the two of them leave. He opened the bedroom door to peek out. He’d gotten enough of a look at Daniel to know he didn’t like him—even before the man had opened his mouth.
Going to the window, he looked down on the street in time to see them drive away. No surprise, Daniel drove a muscle car with a muffler that made it sound more souped up