“I know. It’s been killing me.” His dark gaze burned her. “I’ve tried to love other women. But I realized there’s no other woman like you.”
“But, Alonzo, I’m with Leo now.”
“Leo isn’t right for you.”
Doreen stood, wiping her damp palms on her brown walking shorts. “Leo and I are having a disagreement. We’ll work it out.”
Alonzo pulled his right hand through his thick dark hair. “I’m sorry Paul died. He was a good person. The community misses him, and I know his death broke your heart. I wanted to give you time to grieve him before making a case for myself. But Leo dove in like a vulture.”
“That’s not fair. Leo was a good friend and support through Paul’s illness.”
Alonzo shook his head. “Think what you like. I don’t mean to upset you. But I’m not hiding my feelings any longer.”
There was a buzzing in Doreen’s ears. Was this really happening? Alonzo closed the distance between them. She took an instinctive step back.
“I’m with Leo now, Alonzo. I can’t . . .” Her voice trailed off as Alonzo lifted her left hand, rubbing its bare third finger.
“You’re not wearing a ring.” His voice was low, soft, and persuasive, causing the muscles in her lower abdomen to flutter like hummingbirds.
Doreen tugged her hand free. “He has asked me to marry him.”
“Is that the reason he brought Yvette to Quincy and Ramona’s going-away party?” Alonzo used his right index finger to lift Doreen’s chin when she lowered her gaze. “Leo realized he was a fool to try to make you jealous with Yvette. But I’m not going to quietly step aside this time. I’m taking a page from Quincy’s book and fighting for what I want.”
Alonzo lowered his head and settled his mouth on hers. Doreen gasped her surprise. Alonzo moved in, slipping his tongue between her lips.
His kiss was a dark, demanding drug. This wasn’t the tentative caress of a secret admirer making his plea. It was the impatient seduction of a would-be lover taking a stand. Doreen’s world tipped off its axis. But instead of pushing him away to set things back to order, she clutched Alonzo’s muscled shoulders to keep from slipping away. He wrapped his arms around her waist, tucking her more tightly against him. Alonzo finally released her, allowing her to catch her breath.
“I won’t hide my feelings anymore, Doreen. Will you?” His voice was husky. His brown eyes had darkened almost to black.
Alonzo didn’t wait for her response. Instead, he walked past her and out her front door. Doreen watched him leave. They’d been friends since childhood. But now, after that kiss, she was seeing him as something more.
How could she not have known Alonzo had such strong feelings for her? Had anyone else known? Should she tell Leonard?
But one question would keep her up all night: Why did I wait for Alonzo to end that kiss rather than pulling away myself ?
Jack gathered his courage and his dishes before he rose to clear the table after dinner. “Now that you’ve finished your songs, how much longer are you staying?”
Audra preceded him into the kitchen. “I’m staying for Founders Day, remember?”
Jack swallowed his sigh of relief, but couldn’t contain his smile. “What are you going to do for the next twelve days?”
Audra bent to load the dishwasher. “Do you have any suggestions?”
“A few.” Jack handed her his plate and silverware.
“Fishing, hiking, canoeing?”
“Those too.” He rested a hip against the laminate counter, and, with his gaze, traced the curve of her hips in the powder blue shorts. “For a big-city woman, you’ve connected well with our town. It’s like you’ve been here for years, instead of only three weeks. I’m impressed.”
Audra straightened, closing the dishwasher. “That says more about the people of Trinity Falls than me. Everyone has made me feel like a part of the community, as though I were home. It’ll be hard to say good-bye.”
Jack didn’t want to talk about Audra’s leaving. “Trinity Falls has always been a friendly town. It’s trite, but it’s true.”
“Before we get too far sidetracked, have you spoken with Doreen?”
“About what?” Jack knew what she was asking, just as she knew he hadn’t made up with Doreen.
Audra gave him a skeptical look, settling her hands on her hips. “You need to let her know you’ll still speak during the Founders Day Celebration.”