As Tristan slipped into the driver’s seat, Jecca looked back at Nell, and they grinned at each other. They had escaped! Tris, so beautiful in his tuxedo, started the engine.
Jecca was almost afraid to look at him for fear she’d throw herself on him. It was as though her body was vibrating.
Her breath seemed to catch in her throat. If Nell weren’t with them, she was sure she’d be dragging him into the backseat.
“Anybody hungry?” he asked, and she marveled at how cool his tone was.
“I want to go to Al’s for milk shakes,” Nell said.
Tris looked at Jecca and any doubts of what he was feeling left her. His eyes showed her the white-hot passion that was running through him. She knew that their time together was coming, but for now . . . well, this was foreplay.
Smiling at her understanding, he glanced at Nell, then said, “How does a 1950s diner sound? The hamburgers are smothered in greasy onions and the pickles are spicy.”
“I think we’re dressed perfectly for it,” Jecca said, looking at her couture dress, his tux, and Nell’s pretty sundress. She was smiling, remembering the dance and thinking of what was to come.
“Then Al’s it is.” He put his hand on the gearshift, but removed it. “Nell, close your eyes.”
“Oh yuck! Not kissing!”
“Yes, kissing,” Tristan said as he looked at Jecca.
It wasn’t going to be easy to subdue the desire she was feeling, but she so very much wanted to kiss him. She leaned toward him and her lips met his easily. It was a kiss of pure happiness, glad to be together, to at last see each other, to have told the world they were together. But more importantly, it was a kiss of promise of what was to come.
But in spite of her good intentions, the kiss deepened. Jecca’s hands tightened on the back of Tristan’s head, and his arms began to enclose her more fully. He was the one who had the presence of mind to pull away.
“Yeah,” he said as he put his hand back on the shift lever. “Later.”
“Can I open my eyes now?” Nell asked.
" wanc“As if you weren’t peeking,” Tris said, and Nell giggled.
It took Jecca a moment to still her heart. “Your arm?” she asked as he pulled onto the road.
“I got them to remove the cast while I was in Miami. I wanted to put both my arms around you.”
“I’m still here,” Nell said.
“I meant you too,” Tris said. “A plural you.”
“But if your arm has healed, you won’t need Reede to take over your practice, will you? You can go right back to work.”
Tristan gave her a half smile. “It’s still weak, and I think I need some time for rehabilitation. What do you think?”
“Definitely,” Jecca said. “Lots of time.” She wanted to add “maybe the whole summer” but didn’t. She turned to look at Nell. “How’s your father?”
“He hurts but he’s okay.”
Jecca looked at Tris for verification and he nodded.
“Did you paint my playhouse?” Nell asked.
“On paper. I drew several color possibilities, and Lucy and I got fabric samples.”
“Fabric?” Tris asked. “Why do you need that and what have you ladies not told me?”
Nell giggled again.
“We have our secrets,” Jecca said. “But I can tell you that we’re going to make up for lost time in restoring the playhouse. I haven’t heard from Bill Welsch.”