The Baby's Guardian. Delores Fossen
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churning nervously, and she placed a hand there, silently chiding herself to calm down. For goodness’ sake, she was just going to dinner with a casual friend. A casual friend who made her insides feel as wobbly as Jell-O.
The doorbell chimed, and she turned from the mirror and quickly walked into the hallway, not stopping until she reached the front door. Her hand on the doorknob, she took several calming breaths, smoothed her hair and opened the door.
Her breath hitched at the sight of Cam. He was dressed casually in black pants, a dark gray shirt and gray blazer. As usual, his charming expression produced his to-die-for dimples.
“Hi, gorgeous.”
“Hi.” She stepped aside. “Come in.”
“Thanks.”
“Thank you,” she responded when he handed her a bouquet of lilacs. She brought the flowers to her nose, deeply inhaling their light fragrance. “They’re lovely.”
“Not as lovely as you.” Appreciative eyes ran over her, infusing heat throughout her wobbly body.
“I didn’t know where we were going. I hope I’m dressed all right.”
“Perfect,” he assured her.
“Let me put these in water.” She backed away toward the kitchen and motioned to the living room. “Make yourself at home.”
When she looked up from getting a vase out of the cabinet and arranging her flowers, he was leaning against the door frame, watching her with an expression that turned her knees to jelly.
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.” He held out a hand, and after a second’s hesitation, she walked over and took it.
“Okay.”
“Ready?” At her nod, he led her back to the front door and followed her out. “Then let’s go.”
A short while later, they were seated in a crowded karaoke bar. Cam ordered hot wings, blue cheese dressing and cheese fries for them. Glancing around the picturesque bar, she laughed and took a sip of her iced tea. His choice of eateries was completely unexpected to her.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head. At his continued stare she elaborated, “When you asked me to dinner, I imagined something different.”
“Like?”
“A fancy five-star restaurant,” she admitted.
“Disappointed?”
“No, not at all,” she said quickly. “This place is great.”
“Are you sure?” He watched her closely. “We don’t have to stay—”
“Cam, it’s fine,” she assured him, and sighed contentedly. “In fact, it’s perfect. I’m already unwinding from my grueling day.”
“Me, too,” he agreed.
“What do you mean, you too?” She pointed an accusing finger at him. “You were supposed to be resting today, not exerting yourself.”
“I was resting. Honest.” He held up three fingers of his right hand in a Boy Scout pledge. “But I was anxiously anticipating our date tonight.” He winked at her. “And that was very taxing.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Were you?”
“Was I what?” She took a bite of a fry and chewed while awaiting his response.
He leaned closer and asked, “Were you anticipating our date?”
“I was so busy I really didn’t have the chance to think about it.” That was a teeny exaggeration, and she sensed he knew it. She’d spent the majority of the day obsessing about what to wear tonight.
“Right.” He made quick work of his own fry and grabbed another one.
“I didn’t.”
“I believe you.” She had the feeling he didn’t in the least. They were silent while he chewed on a wing, and she ate more fries before he wiped his hands on a napkin and stood. “I’m going to sing. Don’t go away.”
Angela’s eyes widened, and she gasped. “You’re going to sing?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He walked away and bolted onto the stage.
She watched with her mouth open, thinking he must be joking. However, he chose a song and waited for the music to start. When it did, he began singing Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
Angela sat forward expectantly to watch what she thought would be a typical mediocre performance. Boy, was she wrong. He had a very good voice. He sang as if he’d been born with a microphone in his hand, and his dancing wasn’t bad, either. He immediately got into the song, and so did the boisterous crowd. Angela grew hot just watching him gyrating his hips, dancing across the tiny stage and really putting everything he had into his performance as if his life depended on it.
She quickly began clapping her hands and dancing in her chair as she watched his performance. Soon she noticed women were swooning over him—some going as far as to stand in front of the stage shamelessly reaching for him, clapping and cheering him on as if they were at a rock concert and he was the main attraction. She couldn’t blame them. He was a handsome devil, having left his jacket on the back of his chair before going onstage. His long-sleeved shirt clung to his hard muscles, leaving little to the imagination about his fabulous physique.
She felt a twinge of something that seemed like jealousy, which quickly turned to pride when she remembered he was her date, not theirs. He slowly ran his hand over his gorgeous bald head and stared straight at her and winked, knocking her heart out of its normal rhythm. Lord, the man oozed sex appeal, and when used in full force, it was deadly. She willed her breathing to regulate as she watched the remainder of his act.
All too soon, as far as the crowd was concerned, he finished and they lauded him with huge applause, whistles, cheers and pats on the back as he made his way back to the table where he picked up his beer and downed half the contents in one swig.
“Whew! That was hard work.”
“You were great!”
“Thanks.” He took a smaller drink. “In another life, I wanted to be a singer.”
“Really?” At his nod she asked, “Did you ever pursue it?”
“Nah, I thought it best to concentrate on a more stable career.” He admitted, “My friends and mother readily concurred.”
“Any regrets?”
“No, I love corporate law.”
“That’s how I feel about nursing. It’s great having a career that you enjoy, isn’t it?”
“There’s nothing better. I can’t imagine getting up every day and hating going to work.”
“Me, either.”
“You’re enjoying your new position being in charge, then?”
“Very much,” she answered. “It’s tons of work, but I’m thriving on the daily challenges.”
“I hear you’re doing a great job.” He grinned at her startled expression.
“From whom?”
“I have my sources,” he said mysteriously, biting into a wing.
“Alesha?” She nodded knowingly.
“I’m not saying.” He made a zipping motion across his mouth, causing her lips to curve into a half smile.
“I’ll bet you’re happy Derrick’s campaign is behind you so you can concentrate on your law firm.”
“It