* * *
"We'll see you down at the pool Madeline!" Rebecca called with a
smile as she and Lloyd headed out the door of the apartment.
"Ok!" Madeline called over her shoulder as she awaited a response
from the other end of the line. She was pacing in her room as she held the
cordless phone to her ear. There'd been a message from Mark when
they'd arrived back at her place; now hopefully they would actually speak
to each other, although the prospect made her a bit nervous. What to say?
How to act?She didn't want to be too friendly, yet she didn't want to give
him the satisfaction of knowing how deeply his actions had hurt her.
"Hello?"
Finally! The deep, masculine voice she thought she'd never hear!
"Mark?"
"Hey, Madeline!" His tone was warm and friendly.
"That wasn't your ex-wife or ex-fiancée was it?"
"Oh, no, that's Renee, my friend's wife."
"From the way she sounded, I wasn't sure. I felt like I was intruding
or something."
"I'm sorry, I should apologize. That's just her way. She tends to get a
little frazzled, but I'm sure she didn't mean to be rude. They had a
birthday party for their two year-old son today. That's where I am right
now."
"Well, I am sorry for not getting in touch with you sooner, but we
rehearsed all day, then headed down to the flea market and-"
"Did you eat?"
"Yes, well actually we had a big lunch and I am still full."
"Are you sure? My friend Bill is a caterer and he made a terrific meal
today. They have so much food they don't know what to do with it all.
Can I interest you in coming over?" It was a tempting offer, but Madeline
decided against it.
"Thanks, but my friends are down by the pool and I just can't be rude
and leave them."
"Oh." He hesitated for only a second. "Well, what are you doing
later? My brother is in town for the weekend and we're going to the
Acapulco Grill tonight. My daughter is babysitting his son so we can get
away. Would you like to join us?"
"Where are you going?"
"It's this little neighborhood place called the Acapulco Grill. Nothing
fancy but they have good bands. It gets pretty crowded on Saturday
nights, so we're going over early. It gets crazy, though. People dance on
the tables." He laughed, apparently amused by the thought.
"Do you?" she asked teasingly.
"Uh, depends on how much I've had to drink!" He laughed again.
Something about the sound of his voice stirred those familiar sensations
within her. It was deep and masculine, yet somehow sensual and alluring.
Definitely a perfect fit with his strong, yet refined physical appearance.
"I guess I could handle that," she replied evenly, masking the growing
excitement within her. In spite of her better judgment, she couldn't wait
to see him again. "What time are you going?" She fought to sound casual.
"Around nine."
"Can I meet you there?" Though planning to show, she wanted to
keep him guessing. He still wasn't off the hook for the previous weekend.
"Sure."
"Mark?"
"Yes?"
"You won't stand me up, this time, will you?"
"No, we'll both be there at nine o'clock," he promised sheepishly,
remembering his deplorable actions.
"Ok, I probably won't get there until about nine-thirty."
"That's fine. We'll be waiting."