Moonlight Man by Judy Griffith Gill Page B

blowing it but not quite knowing how or why. “But I still think it would be a wise move for both of us to merge our families and resources.”
    “You make it sound like a bank transfer,” she said. “Taking funds from one account and putting them into another because of higher yield, or something.”
    “Well, I’m sorry, but that’s the way my mind works. I’m a practical man, Sharon. I’ve never pretended to be anything else. However, I can see that you need some time to think it all over before you agree with me that it would be the best move for both of us, and for our children.”
    “Lorne …” How could she tactfully say that she knew now beyond a shadow of doubt that she could never marry him, not for any reason in the world. She didn’t even know why she had ever thought she might be able to, that there could be any benefit in it for her. There was no tactful way to say it. She opened her mouth to give him a very blunt no, but he held up a hand, stopping her word.
    “No. Don’t say anything. Wait. We’ll see each other again New Year’s Eve. You can give me your answer then.”
    “I can give it to you now,” she said. “Maybe you could find someone else for New Year’s Eve.”
    His pale blue eyes looked horrified. “No, I couldn’t! It’s much too late for that, and I’ve spent a lot of money on the tickets, Sharon. I can’t believe you’d back out at this late date. Really, I think you at least owe me the courtesy of attending the dinner-dance with me, and waiting until then to give me your answer. I know you’re planning to turn me down. I’m just hoping that you’ll change your mind over the next few days, after you think about it, see the advantages our marriage would offer you as well as me.”
    With a little nod, he stood, picked up the check, and then held her coat for her. They drove home in silence, but when he had walked her to her door, he bent and kissed her briefly. It was a dry, emotionless little touching of lips that did nothing to make her insides quiver. Nothing. It stirred no feelings at all beyond a faint distaste.
    She sighed quietly. “Good night, Lorne.”
    “Good night.” He looked totally miserable. “New Year’s Eve. Remember. Promise me that much, anyway.”
    She was sorry she had to disappoint him. She knew she wasn’t hurting him, but she was certainly disappointing him. “Yes. Of course. I won’t let you down. I’ll keep our date.”
    She changed from her dress into a short pink wraparound robe sashed at the waist, switched on the bedside lamp, and turned back the covers. She looked at the book lying by her bed, at its glossy, suggestive cover, and knew that its contents paled by comparison to the reality of Marc that kept running through her mind. No, she was in no rush to go to bed and it was early yet. In the kitchen, she turned on the light, put the kettle on, and made herself a cup of tea.
    What a strange proposal that had been, not at all what she had thought Lorne would say if he ever asked her to marry him. And her response had not exactly been what she had anticipated either. She had thought that as time passed they would grow slowly closer together, and they would realize that they could have a warm and comfortable relationship as a married couple. However, maybe warm and comfortable weren’t what she really wanted.
    When the gentle rapping came on her back door, her heart stopped, and she set her cup down with a clatter. Standing, she found her knees would barely support her. She knew who was there, and she knew why he had come. She stepped to the door and opened it, watching Marc’s expression as his gaze swept over her brief satin robe, her bare legs and feet, then back up to lock with hers.
    He didn’t smile, and she noticed dimly that there were lines of tension drawn from his nose to his mouth. He had changed out of his suit and tie, was wearing a flannel shirt, tight jeans, and grubby sneakers. He looked so virile, she thought