In Another Man's Bed

Justine knew it was a mistake thirty seconds after she entered the popular soul-food restaurant. Andrew was well known in the community and so was she. Heads turned, whispers followed. She tensed. "It will be all right." She looked up into Dalton's calm gaze. There was something else there that she couldn't identify. Or so she tried to convince herself. "Two old friends just having dinner." Oddly she hadn't thought of the gossip or speculations as much as the dread of repeating Andrew's condition. Each time she did, his betrayal came back. "I wonder if they still serve bread pudding with rum sauce." Bread pudding had been one of her favorite desserts. She'd mentioned it on one of their three dates. "You have a good memory." "On some things," he said. Not knowing how to take his comment, Justine didn't say anything. The hostess came to the wooden podium and removed two menus from the built-in slot. "Two?" "Yes," Dalton answered. The young woman in her early twenties smiled at him with youthful appreciation. "Follow me." Justine idly wondered if Dalton got that "I'm available look" all the time, then she cast a sideways glance up at his handsome bearded face and knew the answer.Most definitely. Dalton released her arm, then held the cane chair out for her. Justine accepted the menu and hid behind it. "What do you have a taste for?" You.The wicked thought came from nowhere. She was flustered and flushed, and her hands trembled. "I'm not sure." "Something must tempt your taste buds. I know they do mine." She lowered the menu, sure he would be studying his. Instead she found his eyes trained on her. Desire was there, and so much more. Patience, kindness, caring. "Hello. I'm Sally, your waitress. You folks ready?" Justine lifted the menu. Time to stop acting like the awed teenager she used to be around Dalton. I'll have the blackened red snapper, garden salad with house dressing, and iced tea. "I'll have the same." Dalton handed the oversize menu to the waitress. "I'll bring your drink order right out." "Does your mother still live here?" Dalton asked as the waitress moved away. If ever there was a question designed to snap Justine back to reality, it was that one. "Yes. She teaches second grade at a school near the house." "I'm glad she's here to help you," he said quietly. Justine couldn't keep the surprise from her face. She blinked. "Your drinks," the waitress said. She sat them down and left. "I might not have agreed with her method, but she was trying to help you when we were in high school. My rep was pretty bad," Dalton admitted. "But you weren't like that," Justine defended him. "She couldn't have known that," Dalton said. "Although, at the time, my thoughts weren't so forgiving." "Mine either," Justine admitted. "Your order." The waitress sat their food on the table, then withdrew. Justine blessed the food, then picked up her fork. She didn't expect to enjoy the food. Had planned simply to go through the motions. It was easier than arguing. But after one bite, she discovered she was ravenous. "How's the food?" "Wonderful," Justine said. "Have you called Brianna yeRay, Francis is the author of 'In Another Man's Bed', published 2007 under ISBN 9780312356132 and ISBN 0312356137.