Why Not Tonight (Happily Inc. #3)(24)

Ronan stiffened, only to realize his brother was talking about the car destruction, not anything else.

“She was in the house when it happened.”

“Good thing. She wouldn’t have survived that.” Mathias slapped him on the shoulder. “Good to have you back.”

“Thanks.”

Mathias and Nick retreated to their areas of the studio. Nick reviewed his email before heading out back, where he was working on a huge wood piece. Once he’d done the rough cuts with a chain saw, the twelve-foot-high block would be moved into the studio for his detail work.

Mathias spent his days creating glass dishes, light pendants and bowls in various patterns. Every now and then he created something that would be considered “art” but mostly he preferred what he called his utilitarian collection.

For years Ronan worried that Mathias had given in to their father’s judgment and was selling himself short by making everyday objects. Over the past few months Ronan had come to see that Mathias enjoyed what he did. For him, the act of creating was its own reward and having his pieces be on someone’s table mattered to him.

Nothing their father would approve of, but maybe that was part of the joy of it.

Ronan’s two interns arrived. They went to the local community college and worked for him a few hours a week. The morning went by quickly as they created piece after piece, building the parts of his installation.

A little before noon, the interns left and Ronan took a break. He drank some water, logged on to his email and checked on the new pieces, all in an effort to avoid what he really wanted to do. When he’d run out of distractions, he made his way across the parking lot to the gallery and in the back door, heading to Natalie’s office.

She sat behind her desk, her slightly frowning gaze locked on her computer. Gone were the tight curls. Instead her straight hair had been pulled back into a braid. She wore a tailored jacket over a green blouse and she was wearing makeup.

This was work Natalie—he liked this side of her but preferred laughing, playful, relaxed-at-his-house Natalie better.

The need to go to her nearly overwhelmed him. He wanted to pull her to her feet, drop her glasses on the desk and kiss her senseless. Maybe unfasten her braid and a few other things. Need burned hot and bright, blinding him to the reality of where they were and the fact that they hadn’t spoken since—

“Wocka!” Natalie jumped in her chair and pressed a hand to her chest. “You scared me. When did you get so stealthy?”

“Sorry. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Color stained her cheeks. “I’m fine. The road crew guys were supernice and delivered me right to my door. I had my purse, which meant I had my keys. All is well.” She gave him a cheerful smile. “It’s really good I don’t have a cat. He would have been starving. Although I guess I would have called a neighbor or one of my friends to feed him, so he would have been fine. But I didn’t.” She cleared her throat. “What with not having a cat and all.”

She was nervous—not a usual state for her. Was she concerned about what had happened before? He was sure he’d made it clear that while he appreciated her incredibly tempting invitation, he hadn’t been able to act on it. Or was she having second thoughts and was concerned he was going to expect her to make good on her offer?

He swore silently. There had been a time when the whole man-woman thing had been ridiculously easy. Sadly that time was not now.

“I probably should have told you I was leaving,” she told him.

“I know why you didn’t.”

“Do you?” She bit her lower lip. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“Me? Why would I be upset? I thought you were upset.”

“No. Well, maybe. A little.” She stared at her desk, then back at him. “I guess I’m not everyone’s cup of tea.”

“You are. I mean, I like tea. It was a timing thing. I meant that.”

Dear God—what on earth were they talking about? He looked toward the open door, then back at Natalie. They were both at work and this was not the moment, but he wanted her to know that he hadn’t been rejecting her.

She smiled at him. “I think I understand what you’re saying. Did you get your phone?”

It took him a second to realize she meant his cell phone. “I have it with me and promise I will keep it close always. Did you call your insurance company?”

She laughed. “Yes, and at first they didn’t believe me. But I got lucky. A tow truck driver found my car and is pretty sure he can drag it out of what I was afraid was its final resting place. Once he does, I can send pictures to my agent and get the paperwork started for them to total my car.” She did a little shimmy in her seat. “Then it’s new-car time for me! Well, new-to-me, but still!”

“Uh-huh. Are you still determined to buy a red car?”

“Duh. Yes. Red is my color.”

“I’m going with you. You can’t buy a car based solely on color. It needs to be reliable and safe, without too many miles and no accidents.”

She waved her hand. “I’m not worried. I’m going to find a beautiful red car that is perfect. You’ll see.”

“Yes, I will because I will be right there. I want you to promise not to go car shopping without me.”

“I’m perfectly capable of finding the right car.”