Page 44
By the time she arrived at Alec’s apartment, Tori was tired but energized at the same time. Wearing a simple green shift dress and off-white cardigan, along with beige flat sandals, she felt pretty and ready to spend time with a good-looking man.
Alec opened the door. Dressed in jeans and a navy polo shirt, he looked handsome and casual.
His gaze roamed over her and his lips curved. “You’re always a lovely sight.”
“Thank you.” Tori held up a bag with two bottles of wine. “I wasn’t sure what you were cooking, so I brought white and a red. Pinot Grigio and Cabernet.”
“I’m grilling. How about steaks and asparagus.”
He took the wine from her and leaned forward to place a soft kiss on her lips.
Deciding not to decipher how she felt about the kiss, Tori followed him into the kitchen. When he put the bag down, she moved closer and then wrapped her arms around his neck. “What time is dinner?”
The corners of his lips moved. “How about I let you decide?”
They weren’t talking about dinner. She wanted to get any physical intimacy between them over. The awkward first time would be enjoyable, of that she was sure, but afterward, they could move on and learn more about each other.
Alec responded with enthusiasm when she pulled him down for a deep kiss that soon became heated. His hands traveled down her back to cup her butt.
It was midnightby the time Tori parked at her house. She pulled into her driveway and almost made it to her door when her neighbors called out.
“Hey there, Tori. Are you okay? It’s very late.”
She took a deep breath. The older neighbor meant well, but he was terribly nosy.
“I’m fine, Mr. Walter. Just went out with friends.”
“That’s what I told that Hamilton fella. He sat out here in his truck for an hour waiting on ya.”
Her heart thudded until it echoed in her ears. “Who?”
“One of the twins. The one that just had that car wreck.” The old man was animated now that he had her attention. “I know it was him since he’s got a leg brace. Otherwise, you can’t tell them apart. They sure are identical.”
Tori let out a long, shaky breath. This could not be happening. “What was he doing here? He say anything?”
“We talked for about a minute.” Mr. Walter gave her a cheeky smile. “He said he’s been doing physical therapy twice a week and still limps.”
It was best to back away from Mr. Walter. He would continue to talk for hours if given the chance. Tori took a step back. “I’ll give him a call. Thank you, Mr. Walter.”
“He and his brother, they’re both war heroes ya know?”
“Good night, Mr. Walter.”
“Went to war myself. I was much younger…”
Tori escaped into her dark house and leaned against the door.
She raced to her bedroom and fell face first onto the bed. Tori fought to keep from reaching for her cell. Whatever was Tobias doing back in town? And more importantly, why had he been waiting for her? It made no sense whatsoever.
The moon was full. Its light shined through the thin curtains on her bedroom window casting beautiful shadows across her bed.
As much as she wanted to revel in the wonderful night she’d had with Alec, a part of her was angry. Why couldn’t she have a bit of peace? If anything, after all this time, she’d finally moved on and enjoyed a wonderful night of lovemaking and a good meal.
That damned Tobias, he ruined everything. Her heart was shattered and he refused to allow it to heal and move on.
Tori punched the pillow, rolling to her side in an attempt to get comfortable. Finally, as slumber edged in, her cell phone dinged.
It was a text from Allison.
Call me in the morning. I have some good juicy gossip.
Tori blew out a breath. The nosy part of her really wanted to call and find out what happened. But for a few hours, she preferred to bask in the afterglow of finally having sex. The first time in years that she’d had sex with someone other than Tobias.
Then she noticed a big bright number one next to the message icon. A part of her knew it was a mistake to listen to it, but her fingers moved independently.
“Tori. It’s Tobias. We should talk.”
By the hollowness in his voice, she wondered if he was still having a hard time processing their son’s death. Perhaps he’d returned from the wedding sooner because he had questions and wanted to probe deeper, ask more questions and such.
Tomorrow would be soon enough to find out. Did everyone have so much drama after a date with a new guy?
Tori didn’t allow the continuing thoughts to linger. Instead, she allowed sleep to take over.
