“This is neither the time nor the place to discuss it.” His gaze hardened.
The look was one Stephanie knew all too well. “It’s common courtesy to tell someone why you stopped by.”
“The only manners you need concern yourself with are your own toward your friends. Now I suggest that you join them. We can discuss this later.”
“When?” She wasn’t about to let him off as easily as that.
“Monday.”
She didn’t want to agree, but she could hear the others talking and knew they’d long since finished their wine. “All right, I’ll wait until Monday.”
His gaze rested on her for a long moment. “It would be far better if you forgot I was ever here.’’
“I’m not going to do that.” How could she? She hadn’t been so pleased to see anyone in months.
“I didn’t think you would. Enjoy yourself tonight.” He said it with such sincerity that she wanted to assure him that she would, even though she knew the entire evening was a waste.
“Goodbye, Jonas.”
“Goodbye.” He looped the end of his cane over his forearm and turned away from her.
Stephanie watched him go, biting into her lower lip to keep from calling him back. If there had been any decent way of doing so, she would have sent Jan, Jim and Mark on their way without her. Reluctantly, she went back inside her apartment.
As she had known it would be, the evening was time misspent. Mark’s conversation consisted of an account of the wrongs committed by his ex-wife and of talking about how terribly he missed his children. Stephanie tried to appear sympathetic, but her thoughts were centered on Jonas. They wavered between quiet jubilation and heart-wrenching despair. More than once, she had to resist the urge to tell Mark to be quiet and go back to his wife since it was so obvious that he still loved her. A thousand times over she wished she’d never agreed to this blind date, and silently vowed she wouldn’t do it again, no matter how close the friend who arranged it. Stephanie hoped Jan appreciated what she was going through, but somehow she doubted it.
After the movie, the foursome returned to Stephanie’s apartment for coffee. Jan offered to help as an excuse to talk to her alone.
“Well, what do you think?”
“Mark’s nice, but he’s in love with his wife.”
“Not about Mark. I’m talking about Mr. Lockwood ... Jonas,” she said correcting herself. “I knew it. From the first, I knew. Lordy, girl, he’s hooked!”
“Oh, hardly. Mr. Lockwood has no feelings for me one way or the other.’’ She filled the basket with coffee and slipped it into place above the glass pot with unnecessary force.
“Don’t give me that,” Jan countered sharply. “I saw the way you two were looking at each other.’’
“I don’t even know why he came.” She busied herself opening and closing cupboards and taking down four matching cups.
“Don’t be such a dope. There’s only one reason he showed up. He wanted to see you again. He’s interested with a capital I.” Jan crossed her arms and leaned indolently against the back of the kitchen counter. “He’s so enthralled with you that he can’t look at you without letting it show.”
“You’re exaggerating again.” Stephanie prayed her friend was right, but she sincerely doubted it. Jonas Lockwood wasn’t the kind of man to reveal his emotions as freely as that.
“I’m not exaggerating.”
“Come on,” Stephanie said, refusing to argue, “the guys are waiting.”
“Just do me a favor.’’
“What now?” Stephanie cried, desperate to change the subject. It was bad enough that Jonas had dominated her thoughts all evening. Now Jan was bringing him up as well.
“Just think about it. Jonas Lockwood wouldn’t have stopped by here for any reason other than the fact that he wanted to see you.’’
Jan’s logic was irrefutable, but Stephanie still wasn’t sure she could believe it. “All right, I’ll think about it, but for heaven’s sake don’t tell anyone. The last thing I need is Maureen and the rest to find out about this.”
“I won’t breathe a word of it.” But Jan’s eyes were twinkling. “I’ll give you some time to think things through. You’re smart; you’ll figure Lockwood out.” Jan held the door open for Stephanie, who carried the tray with the four steaming cups of coffee into the living room.
After a half hour of strained conversation, mostly about Mark’s ex-wife, Jan and friends departed. Stephanie sighed as she let them out the door. It was only eleven, but Stephanie hurriedly got ready for bed. Yet, for all the doubts and uncertainty she faced regarding Jonas, she slept surprisingly well.
Sunday morning, Jan was at Stephanie’s front door, smiling broadly and carrying a large stack of romances under one arm.
“What are those for?” Stephanie asked, letting her friend into the apartment. She was still in her housecoat, fighting off a cold with orange juice and aspirin, and feeling guilty for being so lazy.