“Yes, I like your company.”
“I’m glad. And I’m really enjoying your company, Simona,” Donovan added softly. In fact, he enjoyed their time together more than he anticipated, and couldn’t wait to do it again.
“Can I check my schedule and let you know about the concert?”
“Absolutely.” When they reached the hospital parking lot she directed him to her car, and he helped her out of his and into hers. He dug his phone out of his pocket and extended it to her through her open window. “Can you please put your phone number in?”
She programmed her number and handed it back. “I had a good time tonight, Donovan. Thanks for dinner.”
“Anytime. Maybe we can do it again soon.”
She smiled and started her car. “I’d like that.”
Donovan watched as Simona backed out of the space and cursed under his breath. He’d let her get away twice without kissing her. Making a decision, he jumped into his car and followed her.
One, he wanted to make sure she got home safely, and two, he needed that kiss.
* * *
Simona smiled and hummed as she drove, thinking about how much fun she’d had with Donovan tonight. Glancing in her rearview mirror, she let out a startled gasp. Was Donovan following her home? A wave of panic came over her. What was he doing? What if he wanted to come inside? She wasn’t ready to tell him about Yasmine.
She spent the entire drive trying to come up with a plan to get him to leave. By the time she pulled up in her driveway, Simona still had no clue what she would tell him. Taking a deep breath, she shut off the engine and climbed out of the car. Donovan exited his car at the same time.
“I’m not stalking you, if that’s what you’re thinking,” he said, coming toward her with that charming smile.
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, that’s a good thing because—”
He cut her off before she could finish her sentence and her thought. “I just wanted to make sure you got home safely, and...”
“And what?” she asked as he trailed off.
He moved closer and wrapped his arms around her waist. “And I wanted to kiss you good-night.”
Simona’s pulse spiked. Without waiting for a response, he bent and covered her lips with his. The moment their mouths met, heat flared out in every part of her body. He tangled his tongue with hers unhurriedly, as if he had all night. Her body trembled, and she moaned softly. At length, he lifted his head.
He pressed his lips to hers once more and then whispered, “Good night, Simona.” Releasing her, he turned and sauntered back down the driveway.
Simona slumped against her car, heart pounding and legs shaking. She closed her eyes and tried to steady her breathing. When she opened them, he was leaning against his car. “Donovan?”
“I’m just waiting for you to go inside.”
Such a gentleman. This man was breaking down her resolve. She walked to her front door and stuck the key into the lock. Before she could open the door, her cell rang. Frowning, she pulled it out and answered it quickly.
“I didn’t want you to worry whether I would call or not.”
She whirled around to see Donovan standing there with his phone against his ear. “Donovan?”
“Yep. I also realized you need my number so you can let me know whether you’ll attend the concert. Will it work in my favor if I throw in dinner before the show?”
Simona laughed. “Good night, Donovan. I’ll let you know.”
His deep chuckle rumbled through the line. “Talk to you soon.”
She disconnected, waved and went inside. Still smiling, she met Eve coming down the hall holding Yasmine. “Hey, Eve. Hi, Yasmine,” she said, reaching for the eager baby. She kissed her niece on the cheek. “Were you waiting for me, little one?”
Simona tried to make sure she kept Yasmine to her scheduled eight-thirty bedtime. It was only twenty minutes past that time, and she figured her niece was waiting for their usual bedtime ritual of reading, singing, back rub and kissing the two small stuffed animals that slept in the corner of the crib.
“Let me put her to bed, and I’ll be right back,” she said to Eve.
“Take your time. I’ll be waiting to hear all about that dinner date.”
Simona shook her head and continued down the hall to Yasmine’s bedroom. She placed her purse on the dresser and sat in the rocking chair. Yasmine immediately lifted her arms. “Okay. I know you want to sing ‘Itsy Bitsy Spider.’” She sang a jazzed-up version of the tune, plus “Jesus Loves Me” before rising to place the baby in her crib.
They played the kissing game. Yasmine giggled and babbled, “Mamamama,” warming Simona’s heart. The little girl was asleep within minutes of the back rub.
Simona made sure the monitor was turned on and left silently. Eve was sitting at the dining room table with a book open, scribbling furiously. She sat across from her. “How’re classes going?”
Eve put the pen down and removed her glasses. “Girl, somebody should have warned me that brain cells die after thirty. I was always a good student, but this thirty-four-year-old brain ain’t what it used to be. This master’s program in psychology is no joke. If I ever get the notion to go back for a doctorate, please smack me upside the head.” They both laughed. “Enough of that.” She leaned forward with her head propped in her elbows. “I want to hear about your dinner with Donovan.”
“There’s not much to tell. We just went to a bar and grill.”
“What kind of car does he drive, and what does he do?”
“He drives a BMW and works in music management. He says he works in the office, but knows some musicians.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. He’s a really nice guy, but I don’t want a repeat of what happened before.”
“You can’t compare Donovan to Travis.”
Simona cringed at the mention of her ex. She had met the up-and-coming actor at a local theater in San Francisco where a friend was also performing. Her friend had invited Simona to hang out with the cast after the show. Travis Jacobs had been pleasant and likeable, and before she knew it, they were a couple. Initially, things had been great. But as the months rolled by it became less about them and more about him, and his true egotistical nature was on display for the world to see. Every date became a photo op, and after six months she called it quits.
Rather than let it go, Travis spun it to insinuate that he’d initiated their breakup and used it as an opportunity to further his career, making it sound as if he was devastated by the breakup—he had the nerve to shed a tear during an interview—and accused her of being jealous of his fame.
After several months of dodging the cameras, she’d quit the job she loved and relocated to LA. It didn’t help that Simona was dealing with her sister’s death and concerned about her niece.
“Simona?” Eve gently prodded.
“I know. But I can’t do that again. Travis made my life a living hell. I couldn’t go anywhere without a camera in my face. And now I have Yasmine.”
“Did you tell Donovan about her?”
“No. We barely know each other, and I don’t want to start bringing all kinds of men around. Besides, most men don’t want to be saddled with a woman who has a child.”
“I can see your point about not wanting to bring lots