“Yeah, right,” he muttered on his way out.
The next day, Maggie worked intently on those photo enhancements until noon. She had printed out five of the best ones and put them in the case file, although she still wasn’t satisfied with their quality.
Benton hadn’t shown his face all morning, and she was glad because her stomach had been doing somersaults as it was. She rushed away a few minutes after twelve, made several stops to purchase the things she needed for dinner tonight, and finally got home at one-thirty. After working in the kitchen for two hours-now all she had to do to feed Benton was turn on the oven for about fifteen minutes-Maggie hurried to the bathroom to start on herself. She had cleaned the apartment last night, and everything shone like a looking glass. This morning she had put fresh linen on the bed. Everything was ready for the evening ahead except for herself and a few final touches to the apartment. She had hours to get ready, and she planned to use every minute of them. She began with a foot soak and a pedicure. No part of her was going to remain untouched. She was going to be as perfectly groomed as any woman could be.
And she was going to learn tonight why Josh kept looking at her with hot, desire-filled eyes and never did anything about it.
Her virginity scared the hell out of her. What if he did something about it tonight and then came unglued because she had never been with another man?
“Oh God,” Maggie whispered. If they should happen to end up in bed together, was there anything she could do to prevent his understanding her pristine state? What scared her most was that she’d heard all her life that the first time for some women was horribly painful. If she were in that category, Josh would know in an instant that he was the first.
Maybe she could pretend everything was wonderful, and really, why did she keep thinking it was even going to happen?
Because you’re going to make it happen, that’s why! It’s why you cleaned until midnight last night, and the reason there’s fresh linen on your bed, and why dinner is ready and just needs a few minutes in the oven, and why white wine is chilling in the refrigerator, and two bottles of red are uncorked and breathing on the kitchen counter.
It’s the reason that it’s going to take you at least three hours to get yourself ready for the evening. When you open your door to let Josh in, his eyes just might pop right out of his head, because he’s going to see a Maggie Sutter that he’s never seen before.
Maggie was working on her pedicure when the telephone rang. Walking on her heels so her toes wouldn’t touch the carpet, she picked up the receiver. “Hello?”
“Hi, Mag. How’re you doing, kid?”
“Tim! Oh my gosh, it’s so good to hear your voice. How are you?”
“Couldn’t be better. But you didn’t answer my question. How are you doing?”
“I’m great. Working hard and loving my job.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“I ask how you’re doing and all you can talk about is your job? Baby sister, what about Mr. Perfect? Haven’t you met him yet?”
“Are you trying to get me married off?” Maggie teased, though her heart had begun thumping over Tim’s reference to the perfect man for her.
“Of course I am. That’s what big brothers are for. Seriously, you must be seeing someone. Tell me about him.”
“Sorry, but my dates have been only casual events for years and years. How’s Laurie and the boys?”
“The boys are healthy, happy whirling dervishes, and Laurie is pregnant.”
“Pregnant! Oh, Tim, I’m so happy for both of you. You’re hoping for a girl this time, aren’t you?”
“Laurie is. We’ll know if it’s a boy or a girl in about another month. I’ll let you know, okay?”
“You bet it’s okay.”
“So, what’s going on with your job. Working on a big case?”
“Actually, yes. It’s a homicide, and…and…” Maggie knew the only way to say this was to dive in headfirst. “I’m working with Josh Benton on the case.”
“Josh! Hell’s bells, is he still on the force? Say hello for me, all right?”
“Why not call him and say hello for yourself?”
“Maybe I should do that. Do you have his number?”
“Sure do. Hold on.” Maggie was back with Josh’s business card in seconds. She read off the numbers, assuming that Tim was writing them down. “It’s too bad you two lost touch,” she said. “If memory serves, you were pretty tight.”
“To some degree. Oh, we had some good times, that’s for sure, but Josh came by to see Ma as much as he did to see me.”
Maggie was floored. “I don’t remember him spending time with Mom.”
“Well, he did. His own mother died when he was in his teens, you know, and he took a big liking for Ma. She thought the world of him, too. Used to cook his favorite dishes when she knew he’d be there for supper. You don’t remember any of that?”
“No,” Maggie said quietly. “Obviously my mind was elsewhere when that was going on.” Yes, it sure was. It was dreaming about Josh Benton noticing that you were all grown up and dying to be kissed by him.
“Next time I see him I’ll tell him to expect a call from you,” she said before ending the call.
Maggie found herself even more unnerved about Josh coming over tonight than she’d been before Tim’s phone call.
Maybe her upset stomach was because she’d lied to her brother about never having met Mr. Perfect. After all, she’d met him ten years ago, when he’d dropped by the house to see her mother!
Chapter 5
“N at, I’ve gotten myself into the most ridiculous mess. Before I explain, let me ask how you and your new guy are getting along.”
Natalie sighed dreamily in Maggie’s ear. “He’s wonderful…absolutely wonderful. I think I’m in love.”
“I’m glad. Are you seeing him tonight?”
“He should be here any minute. Why, Maggie?”
Maggie gave her friend an abbreviated explanation of her dilemma. “I invited Detective Josh Benton to have dinner here tonight. He thinks there are going to be other guests. There aren’t. Or there weren’t going to be. I can’t do it. He’s going to end up thinking I’m a total moron. Could you possibly bring your boyfriend and act as though I invited both of you yesterday?”
“Oh gosh, Maggie, we have tickets for that big fund-raiser concert everyone’s been talking about. Dozens of music and movie stars have donated their time and talents, and Tom paid a fortune for the tickets. I can’t disappoint him. I mean, how could I disappoint him?”
Maggie had heard about the big affair for weeks now. It was great that Natalie was getting to go to it. “You can’t,” Maggie said, adding, “I can’t believe I got myself into this.”
“Wait a sec. What time is your detective supposed to show up?”
“I told him seven.”
“Well, the concert starts at nine. Tom and I could come by, talk about the concert and how excited we are about attending it, eat a bite if you want us to and leave. Actually we could already be there when Detective Benton arrives. I can walk out my door the minute Tom gets here, and he’s such a sweetie that I’m sure he wouldn’t mind going to your place first. Would that help you out?”
Relief flooded Maggie’s system. “Immensely. Nat, I owe you, big-time. Come over the second Tom gets there.”
“This Benton guy must be important to you.”
“I don’t know if he’s important or simply a challenge. We…we have a history. I’ll tell you about it the next time we get together, after tonight. Anyhow, I nearly made a huge mistake. Thanks for the rescue, Nat. I won’t forget it.”