Thrill Me (Fool's Gold #18)(50)

Maya immediately flashed on being in bed with Del, his body over hers. The sensation of skin on skin was so intense, so real, for a second she thought she was back in time.

She quickly pushed the thoughts away. Although Elaine was her friend, she was also Del’s mother. There was no way they were having that conversation. Talk about TMI.

“Phoebe was beautiful.” Maya pulled out her smartphone and pushed a couple of buttons. “I took a few pictures before the wedding.”

Elaine looked at them. “She looks wonderful. So happy. Good for them.”

“I agree. Zane was nervous, which was great fun. They’re a sweet couple.”

Elaine linked arms with her. “When are you going to find a nice young man and settle down?”

“I have no idea. I’m open to meeting someone.”

Which had been true until last night, Maya thought, wondering if maybe she could get a timing pass on the lie.

“Any sparks with Del?”

If Maya had been swallowing at that moment, she would have choked. “You’re my friend. I love you, but no. We’re not talking about me getting together with your son.”

“Why not? Don’t you think he’s wonderful?”

Maya relaxed. Now she could be honest. “I do. And he’s leaving and I’m not.”

Which was easier than admitting that while he’d seemed to enjoy himself last night, when he’d dropped her off at her place, he hadn’t said a word about them getting together again. Not romantically, anyway. Obviously they would see each other at work.

“Del does love to travel,” Elaine agreed with a sigh, and pointed to a bench. “Let’s sit there.”

Once they’d taken their seats, Elaine unfastened Sophie’s leash. The beagle immediately began exploring the area, without going too far.

Elaine watched her. “I worry about Del being alone. He’s not the type to settle down, but he needs someone.”

“Not everyone wants to be paired up.”

“Del does. He doesn’t talk about it, but he wants to be married. He’s a lot like me. Connections are important to him.” She looked at Maya. “You might like to travel.”

Maya allowed herself a three-second fantasy of seeing the world with Del, then pushed it firmly out of her consciousness. “No matchmaking. Del and I are working together. That’s all.”

Except for the sex. But she wasn’t going to mention that.

“Fine. I won’t push. I’ll daydream, but I won’t push.”

“Thank you for that.”

* * *

MAYA SPENT THE rest of Sunday worrying about Monday morning. She didn’t sleep well for a second night and was running out of concealer tricks to hide the fact. Her stomach was a mess, her brain swirling, and by the time Del strolled into the studio, she was ready to run screaming into the night. Or morning, as it were.

“Hey,” he said cheerfully when he saw her. “How was the rest of your weekend?”

“Good,” she said cautiously, searching for hidden meaning in the words. Only there didn’t seem to be any.

“I’m glad. We’re really interviewing an elephant and a pony?” he asked, sitting in the visitor chair by her desk. “Did I read that right?”

“Priscilla and Reno are a unique love story. They won’t actually be talking. We’ll interview Heidi Stryker, their owner.”

“I don’t know. I suspect an elephant has a lot to say.”

“Because they never forget?” she asked.

“That’s the rumor.”

He grinned at her as though nothing had happened between them. Which, she realized, both relieved and devastated, was probably how he saw things. They’d hooked up for one night and now they were working together again. The evening had been nice, but without emotional significance. Oh, to be able to compartmentalize like a man, she thought. How did they do it? Was it a brain function thing or a hormone thing or the evolutionary equivalent of dumb luck? He was male and got to put their night together in perspective. She was a female and the act of their making love forced her to admit she was in love with him. How was that fair?

Not that there was going to be an answer, she told herself. Therefore, the smartest course of action was to move on.

“You ready?” she asked. “We should collect our gear.”

Del nodded and they stood. Before she could walk out of her office, he gently touched her arm.

“About Saturday,” he began, his voice concerned. “I had a great time. Better than I remember, which is saying something, because what I remember was pretty damned good.”

Tension eased as she was able to breathe again. “Me, too,” she murmured.

“You okay?”

That made her smile. Because a woman would approach the whole conversation differently. With an explanation of what might have happened, what did happen and what could have happened but hadn’t. That would be followed by a detailed analysis of everyone’s feelings.

“I’m okay,” she said, not sure it was true, but willing to fake it until it was.

“Good.”

He released her arm and she headed toward the studio to pick up her camera. On the way she realized she’d been telling the truth. She was okay. In love, but still okay.