It was a relatively short drive back to Tommy’s, only about ten minutes or so. The roads had been cleared and heavily salted, and traffic was light due to the holiday. Mary hadn’t looked his way once; he knew because he was watching her with his peripheral vision.
She really was a pretty woman, he decided. From the side, he could see that her pert little nose had just the tiniest upturn at the end, and that her eyelashes were even longer than he’d first thought. No, she was no glamorous vixen, but she was very attractive in a quiet, understated way. She had the kind of face that grew more beautiful every day for what lie beneath it, he realized with shocking, sudden clarity. Ageless beauty that a man would never tire of.
Mary pulled next to the Honda, but left her Jeep running and gave no indication that she was getting out.
“Thank you,” he said, knowing the words were insufficient. “For everything.”
Mary nodded. “You’re welcome.”
His hand was on the door handle, but he didn’t want to leave yet. The Jeep was warm, and clean, and filled with Mary’s light, fresh fragrance. “What errands do you have to run on New Year’s Day?” he asked. It was a not-so subtle attempt to prolong the inevitable. He knew it, and suspected she did, too. “Maybe I could help.”
Another smile, this one not as forced, but hinting of sadness. “Thanks for the offer, but Max and I have it covered.”
Well, that was clear enough, wasn’t it? Aidan was disappointed, but not completely ready to throw in the towel. “I’d like to repay your kindness. I’m not sure where I would have ended up if it wasn’t for you,” he said honestly.
“Not necessary.” Aidan opened his mouth to speak but Mary put her hand up to stop him. “But if you feel the need to do something for me, how about promising me you won’t get yourself all liquored up and try to get behind the wheel again?”
Aidan winced. He supposed he had that coming, but it still stung to think Mary believed he was in the habit of driving under the influence. It was a taste of what Mary must have felt when he asked if she was in the habit of picking up inebriated strangers and taking them home with her.
“It was a stupid thing to do,” Aidan admitted. “And not something I make a habit of.”
She nodded slightly, but he wasn’t sure if she believed him or not. Maybe she was thinking exactly the same thing about rescuing his sorry ass the night before.
“Mary? Would you mind if I called you sometime?”
He heard her breath catch, and for a moment he felt a slight surge of hope, but then she said, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Shit. “Would it be okay if I gave you my number then?” Mary was about to protest, so before she could deny him outright, he added, “Please. Just in case you ever find yourself doing something uncharacteristically stupid and in need of a friend.”
Her features softened, and she accepted the small card he handed her. Aidan took that as a small victory. “Anything. Anytime. Anywhere. You need something, you call me, alright?”
“Thanks, Aidan. Happy New Year.”
Her words brought a hazy memory to the forefront of his brain. A clock striking twelve. Soft lips touching his as a delicate fragrance filled his lungs. Happy New Year, Aidan.
Aidan climbed into the POS Honda, wishing he had his Benz. What must Mary think of him? Coming on to her. Getting soused. Trying to get into a car that was, in the daylight, truly a piece of shit.
And yet she had been kind to him, despite all that. She’d taken him home, given him a warm, safe place to sleep it off, washed his clothes, cooked him breakfast. Had even been thoughtful enough to have juice and ibuprofen waiting for him when he woke. She had asked nothing in return.
And what had he done? He insulted her.
Aidan shook his head, wondering what had come over him. He wasn’t usually such an ass, and never to a sweet, kind woman like Mary. Then again, he didn’t meet many women like her.
He was nearly back to Pine Ridge before the car’s heater actually kicked in and he started to regain feeling in his numbed fingers. He decided he would do something nice for Mary, but what? Dinner? Flowers? Candy? Or maybe a complete all-access weekend pass to the spas and salons at the Goddess?
Maybe all of them. Hell, why not? Money was no object. And he wanted to do this, if for no other reason than to see her pretty brown eyes light up.
Aidan drove right to his townhouse, excited to put together a surprise gift package for Mary, but the wind quickly left his sails. How would he get in touch with her? He didn’t know her last name. He didn’t have her number. And he’d been so preoccupied with looking at her that he hadn’t noticed a house number, or even a goddamned street for that matter.
Sinking down into a chair, Aidan ran a hand across his face.
Well, shit.
Chapter Four