Dolby(17)
Author: Maryann Jordan

 

But she’d never been stared at the way Jonathan stared at her. She’d never had someone see the real her. And while there was much he didn’t know, she was willing to take a chance for the first time. A chance with life. A chance with him. She pressed her lips together, fighting the urge for them to curl into a smile while keeping their trembling hidden. “Okay.”

 

“Okay?” he asked, brows raised.

 

“Yeah, okay.” She nodded, her head light as she tried to remember to breathe. “I’d like you to stay. I’d like to get to know you, too. Whatever we felt the night at the lighthouse, I can’t deny it was special. So maybe, just maybe, it’s time to step out of my comfort zone again.” As she said the words, she prayed she wouldn’t regret them. But continuing to stare into his blue eyes that reached into her soul, searching and soothing at the same time, she was filled with a certainty that she would not regret letting him into her life. Friends? I hope so. More? Unable to stop her lips from curving upward now, she was willing to think that more could be exactly what she needed.

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

Dolby wasn’t often surprised, but everything about Marcia so far had caught him off guard—including how much he wanted to get to know her more. Nerves had slithered up his spine as he’d driven up to her house. Doubt wasn’t his usual emotion, and sweaty palms weren’t what plagued him, but now he was afflicted with both.

 

As soon as she’d answered the security call and he’d heard her soft voice, he’d had an overwhelming desire to vault over the gate just to see her again. But when the camera on the security panel didn’t work, he wanted to jump over the gate for another reason, and that was to make sure she understood that her security system needed to work to its fullest capacity. The house she rented was obviously prime real estate, and the owner should take steps to make sure she was safe.

 

Then she’d opened the door. He’d locked his body into place, fighting the urge to pull her into his arms. The confusion and uncertainty in her eyes gutted him. And when her wide eyes stared into his, and she finally admitted she trusted him, it was all he could do not to rush inside. Following her down the hall slowly, he devoured her with his gaze, struck with her beauty in the full light of day. Her hair was down, the silky tresses shining in the sunlight pouring in from the windows. Her leggings showcased her legs while the long shirt hung below her ass and fell off one shoulder, exposing the black camisole strap. Her feet were encased in fuzzy pink slippers. Easy. Comfortable. And understated sexy.

 

He’d wanted her to sit next to him on the sofa, but she’d perched on the end of an opposite chair, her hands clasped tightly together in her lap. The last thing he wanted to do was make her more cautious. Almost always jovial and at ease, he had to work to adopt a casual air. Then she’d asked about how he’d found her, and he felt fear in his gut that she’d reject him. But as his dad flashed through his mind, honesty was the only thing he would offer.

 

I was eleven when I overheard my mom ask Dad where he’d gone after work. “Honey, I went to the bar with some coworkers. Sam was retiring, and they decided to take him for drinks.”

 

“Did you forget that we were supposed to have dinner with the neighbors?”

 

His face had registered shock and then regret. “Oh, sweetheart, I did forget. And it’s all on me. I could have told them no since his official retirement party is next week anyway. I’m so sorry.”

 

His mother was irritated and didn’t hide it, but by the time they went to bed, they were holding hands again. The following day, I asked Dad why he didn’t fib and just say he got held up at work.

 

“Son, I’d never lie to your mother about anything. To me, she’s the most important person in the world besides you boys. And lying about something simple just leads to lying about something big.” Dad placed his hand on my shoulder and looked me in the eye. “You’ll know one day when you find the woman who owns your heart. Never lie to her. ’Cause that’ll cut deep into trust, and you want that woman to trust your words.”

 

He wanted to know what had happened to Marcia that caused such anxiety, but he’d never force her to relive something that she wanted to keep private. Even though the scars on her wrist were hidden by the long sleeves, he knew they were there, and his chest hurt. Lifting his hands to the side, he gentled his voice even more, seeing her ready to bolt while visibly struggling to stay strong. Promising that he’d only searched her enough to find her address, he observed the fear moving through her eyes. With regret pulling at his core, he stood. “I’ll leave. I never wanted to make you uncomfortable, and it’s apparent that I have. I hope you’ll keep my phone number in case you ever want to contact me, and I really hope you do. But I’ll leave it on your terms.”

 

Marcia didn’t move. In fact, her chest barely lifted when she breathed, even when she jumped to her feet. Neither of them spoke, but the air was thick as emotions seemed to swirl about the room. He couldn’t ever remember being this nervous, but she still didn’t move as he stared. With a heavy heart thinking he’d messed up his chance with her, he finally said, “Goodbye, Marcia. It was truly a pleasure to have met you.”

 

He turned and walked toward the front door, knowing he’d never see her again and hating that he’d caused her pain while his own heart ached in his chest.

 

“No, wait!”

 

Those words slammed into his back like a shot, and he turned slowly, thrilled she might call him back and also terrified she was angry. He could barely believe his ears when she begged him to stay, admitting that she was cautious, something he already knew. And then, when she said she wanted to have the chance to be his friend, it was all he could do to keep from crowing that he hoped they could be a lot more.

 

Walking toward her, he didn’t stop until his large feet were just in front of hers. She held her ground and his gaze at the same time. He wanted so much for her to trust him. To tell him what had happened to hurt her in the past. His inner voice let him know it was something big. But no matter what it was, he wanted to right the wrongs of the past. He almost laughed when she wondered what he saw in her. Christ, if she only knew. Giving it his best shot, he replied, “What I see is a beautiful woman whose strength shines out despite a haunted specter in her eyes. I see someone who challenged herself, moved past her comfort zone, helped a stranger, and made me want to know more about you. That’s what I see when I look at you.”

 

She just stared, and his palms began to sweat as his fingers twitched. Sucking in a deep breath, he needed to leave before he fell under her spell even more. And then she uttered one word that caused his heart to stutter. “Okay.” All the air rushed back into the room, and he gulped to suck in the oxygen. From the look on her face, it appeared she had to remind herself to breathe as well.