Beyond the Quiet: Romantic Thriller by Brenda Hill

made me agree to this farce?
    “We’re not lovers,” I corrected, ignoring Terry. “We haven’t been to be d together,” I blurted. Then, horrified at what I’d said, I sunk even lower in the chair.
    She smiled and even had the effrontery to wink at me before making her way to a noisy family of five.
    I pulled my cell phone from my handbag and punched in Maggie’s number. Nothing happened, so I tried again. The damn thing wasn’t working. Of all times...
    “Lisa,” Terry said, his voice soft, “please join me.”
    Once again I grabbed my handbag and stood, almost tripping over the chair in my haste to leave. I hurried to the cashier and asked for the pay phone. Following her pointing finger, I made my way to the phone, Terry at my heels.
    “Please don't leave .” Terry covered the coin slot with his hand. “I apologize if I’m acting like an idiot, but you see, I don’t have much time. I have to make you understand.”
    “I unde rstand all right. You’re a newly-divorced man on the prowl. For some reason, perhaps because I’m a recent widow, you thought I’d be an easy mark. Well, think again. I may have been stupid enough to come here with you, but I’m not stupid enough to stay.” Rummaging in the bottom of my handbag, I found nothing but an old stick of gum wrapped in a lint ball.
    “Damn!” Spinning around, I headed for the cashier.
    “Lisa, please wait.” Something in Terry’s voice tugged at me. I don’t know why. Thank God no one was sitting in this section of the restaura nt; I already felt like a fool.
    “I’ll give you three minutes.”
    He started toward me.
    “Stay right there,” I told him.
    He halted. The look on his face seemed so plaintive that I actually felt sorry for him.
    “Lisa, please let me talk to you,” he said with a desperation I didn’t understand. “I’ll be a gentleman, I promise, and I’ll keep my distance. But I don’t have much time, and what’s left I want to spend with you.”
    “Why? What is it about me that you seem to like so much? I haven’t led you on, so it can’t be that.”
    He said nothing for a moment. “Truthfully?”
    “You’ve got two minutes.”
    “I’m not sure. You’re an attractive woman, true, but from the moment I looked into your eyes, those big sad eyes, especially in such a tiny body, I wanted to wrap you in my arms and give you all the love I’ve been denied.” He flushed. “I know that sounds like corny, but I mean it.” He didn’t move, except to offer me his hand, silently imploring me to take it.
    My heart melted and I took his hand. I knew I’d stay when he’d said he’d been denied. I also wanted to know what he meant about not much time. And maybe part of it, a big part, was the expression in his eyes when he looked at me. Whatever it was, I allowed him to lead me back to the booth.
    Once seated, the server brought fresh drinks and I found myself doubting what I had done. What in God’s name was I doing there, sitting with a man who, no matter what he said, was clearly on the make? Why didn’t I just get up and leave? Getting home wasn’t an excuse; I could find a way if I truly wanted to leave.
    I finally glanced at Terry. And oh my God, I wished I hadn’t. Even though I had never been a woman of much passion, I recognized the heat in Terry’s gaze.
    Years ago on my twenty-first birthday, I’d wanted to do the coming of age tour, to walk into bars and clubs without worrying about being thrown out. Oh, I didn’t party like most people; I never liked drinking until my senses dulled and I stumbled over my own feet. Even today, I avoid people who can’t seem to stop. But I’d loved the idea of being recognized as an adult capable of making my own decisions. So, attracted by the bright neon lights and twangy country music, I’d march into a bar, look around, then go to another. Mac happily accompanied me, getting a kick out of the entire thing. Next I wanted to go to some nudie bars and an X-rated