Her Heart's Desire by Lisa Watson Read Free Book Online Page B

know,” Ivan replied. “I’m not sure she’s going to understand.”
    “To be honest, big brother, I don’t understand why she’s still in your life. Cut her loose, and be done with it.”
    “Debra and I were over a long time ago. She made her choice, and I respected it. I didn’t like it, but I didn’t have much of a choice, did I? She picked Brian to spend her life with, and I’ve been dealing with that decision ever since.”
    “But you haven’t let go.”
    Ivan’s expression darkened. “You know I don’t have feelings for her anymore.”
    “What I know, big brother, is that you’re in a complicated mess because you’re too damn noble to extricate yourself from it. While I can, though I don’t understand it, appreciate your dedication to friends, promises and what you consider your obligations, I’m at a loss to understand how you’re going to get Tiffany to understand this mess you’re in—or to be okay with it.”
    Ivan swirled the beer around in his mug. “I know.”
    Cole held up his beer in a toast. “Here’s to things working out the way you want.”
    Ivan raised his mug, and then downed his beer. “It will. Failure’s not an option.”

Chapter 7
    H ow do you celebrate having avoided another bad romance? With a darn good dinner. Tiffany took a sip of wine and put her feet up on the coffee table. First, a sumptuous meal, and then a movie. She raised her glass and toasted herself. “Works for me.”
    When the phone rang, she leaned over and answered it.
    “Hello?”
    “Hey, Tiffany...were you busy?”
    She bolted upright. “Hi, Ivan. No, not really. What’s up?”
    “Well, I just got home from doing an install. I know it’s short notice, but would you like to grab a bite to eat?”
    Her eyes grew wide. “I—I, um...”
    “I get it, now’s not the best time—”
    “No, it’s not that,” she said quickly.
    She glanced toward the kitchen. “But what if you come here? I’m sort of in the middle of cooking dinner. You’re welcome to join me. I have plenty.”
    “Are you sure it’s not an inconvenience? We can make it another time if you’d prefer.”
    “It’s no imposition, Ivan. Can you head over now? Dinner’s almost ready.”
    “Sure. Text me your address.”
    “Okay.”
    “Great, I’ll see you shortly.”
    Tiffany hung up and eyed her sweatpants and tank top in a panic. She ran into the kitchen and turned the stove heat to low. Then she ran into the bathroom, freshened up and changed into a pair of jeans and a blouse.
    Twenty minutes later, she was pulling the steaks out of the broiler when the doorbell rang.
    A jolt of energy coursed through her veins. She walked to the door, ran her tongue over her teeth a final time, and opened it.
    “Hi.” Ivan smiled.
    Tiffany stepped aside to let him enter. She shut the door, motioning for him to sit on the couch. She headed toward the kitchen.
    “Make yourself at home. I’ll be right back. Would you like some wine?”
    “No, I’m good.”
    She stared at her glass longingly. She wanted to have one to settle her nerves more than anything, but she would wait.
    “It’ll be a few more minutes,” she told him.
    “You have a beautiful home.”
    “Thank you.”
    Ivan took a deep breath. “Tiffany, I don’t want to be presumptuous, so if this is off base, tell me...but I think it’s time to acknowledge that there’s an attraction between us. At least that’s what I took away from our actions at the seniors’ class.”
    Tiffany wrapped her arms around her middle. “What actions?”
    “Unless I missed the mark, we almost kissed. Didn’t we?”
    She could only manage a nod.
    Ivan took a deep breath and continued. “I like you, Tiffany. A great deal, so I need to be honest with you about something. I—”
    Unable to wait, she blurted out, “I already know you have a girlfriend, Ivan.”
    Ivan sat back. His expression relayed his surprise. “Did you say girlfriend? ”
    She nodded and went over to sit next to Ivan