Return to Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs Read Free Book Online Page B

Kara. Sonnet herself had a glorious family on her mother’s side—the
big Romano clan of Avalon—and for that, she would always be grateful, just as
she was grateful for her vibrant career and this new, huge opportunity offered
by the fellowship.
    Maybe in the excitement over her news, Orlando would dismiss
the fact that she’d lost his key.
    “I can’t believe you lost my key,” Orlando said after she’d
sheepishly explained what happened. He shrugged out of his cashmere overcoat and
handed it to the coat check girl.
    “I’m really sorry.” Sonnet handed over her coat as well. “I
don’t know what else to say. I’ll have another one made.”
    “You can’t. It’s a co-op. The building supervisor has to get a
duplicate. I’ll take care of it.”
    “Sorry,” she said again, probably for the dozenth time. He was
being nice about it, but she almost wished he’d tell her it was a huge pain in
the ass and get the scolding over with.
    “I know. I’ll deal with it. But listen, since we’re taking this
step, there’s something we need to talk about.” He paused, took her hand and
lifted it to his lips.
    She smiled, taken in by the warmth in his eyes. “Kissing my
hand in public, Orlando? I’m a fan.”
    He smiled back. “And I’m a fan of you. I just wanted to talk
about the whole key thing—the whole sleeping-over thing.”
    She bit her lip. Maybe the fellowship was not going to be such
welcome news to him after all. “I love the sleeping-over thing. I love that you
gave me a key.”
    “I love it, too, don’t get me wrong. That’s why I need to ask
you…”
    …to marry me. Sonnet heard the
words in her head, and even though they hadn’t been spoken aloud, she got
chills. She pictured herself saying yes, flinging her arms around him, being
hoisted off the floor and spun around as they shared a joyous kiss.
    “…because of all the attention he’ll be getting as we get
closer to election season.”
    “I’m sorry, what?” She flushed, embarrassed by her own flight
of fantasy.
    “I was just saying, let’s try to be discreet about you staying
at my place.”
    “Right. This is the twenty-first century, after all.”
    “You and I know that. But there are still plenty of voters who
could take issue with the idea that the candidate’s daughter—”
    “—who happens to be a grown-up with a life of her own—”
    “Sorry, I don’t make the rules. Honey, all I’m saying is let’s
try to keep our private life just that— private .”
    “Are you afraid I’m going to, what, post our status on
Facebook?”
    “Of course not. I’m afraid some dumb-ass from the opposition is
going to try to make an issue of it.”
    “Then why did you bother giving me a key—oh. I get it now. You
gave me a key so I didn’t have to be buzzed up every time, which is totally
indiscreet, right?”
    “Honey. I gave you a key because I want you in my life. I might
want you there permanently, if you know what I’m saying.”
    “God, Orlando, how did you get so romantic? ‘I might want you
there permanently?’ Seriously?”
    “It’s true, I might. But I’m not going to break down and
propose right here and now in the middle of a crowded restaurant.”
    “Well, that’s a relief.”
    “But I am going to propose. And it is going to be romantic and
you’re going to say yes.”
    Goose bumps suddenly covered her arms. But then, questions and
second-guessing kicked in. Was he going to propose because he loved her and
couldn’t live without her, or because it would make his candidate’s daughter
look less like a slut to the electorate?
    She brushed aside the cynical thought. When had she turned into
such a skeptic? Or had she always been this way?
    A large, imposing silhouette filled the doorway.
    “Hey, my father just got here,” she said. “Can we talk about
the key later?”
    Orlando was already striding across the foyer, his hand
outstretched. “Laurence, how are you?” No comment about General