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  Her mouth fell open and then she closed it again. “I uh…what are you doing here? Are you following me?”

  God, she was adorable. “And if I said I was would that freak you out?”

  “A little. I mean, what do you want from me?”

  He grinned. Sometimes you had to be direct to go after what you wanted, and Sadie would soon realize he wanted her. “A date.”

  “Didn’t I already make it clear that you and I wouldn’t be a good idea?”

  “Yet you never said why. Have I done something to offend you?”

  She shook her head making her earrings dangle. “I don’t know you.”

  “I’d like to change that.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  He raised a brow. “Is it my accent?”

  “No. Why would that matter? I’m sure you already know most women love a guy with an accent.”

  “But not you?”

  She looked left and right as if she was about to make an escape. “No. If you must know, your accent is very charming.”

  Rhys grinned. “So you think my accent is charming, do you?”

  She shrugged, not quite meeting his gaze. “Yes but that doesn’t mean I should date you because of it.”

  “I know what it is then. I kind of thought better of you, Miss Sadie Flowers.”

  She frowned, those big brown eyes finally colliding with his. “What are you talking about?”

  “You don’t want to date me because I’m ugly.”

  Sadie doubled over and released a loud belly laugh. The sound was an utter delight and his heart did somersaults because he was the one who’d put that smile on her face. He wanted to put many more there. “You’re kidding me right?”

  He poked his lip out to what he hoped looked like a convincing pout. “Course not. I’m quite sensitive about this ugly mug of mine.”

  Sadie rolled her eyes. “You’re so full of it. I’m sure you already realize how handsome you are.”

  Rhys couldn’t keep the grin off his face if he’d tried. She thought he was handsome? Maybe he was making more headway with her than he thought.

  Sadie narrowed her dark gaze upon seeing his reaction. “I never figured you for the type to fish for compliments. Look, I’m not sure what it is you want but I really have to go.”

  “Do you have any plans for the night?”

  She took a step back. “Whether I do or not, you wouldn’t figure into them.”

  Perhaps it was a white black thing. He’d briefly dated a black woman before he married. The relationship had lasted for a few months before they parted as friends for no other reason than that they were heading in different directions in life. Though race wasn’t an important factor to him, Rhys knew it was for some people, particularly in a Southern state like this one.

  “Is it because I’m white?” he asked with all joking aside.

  Her eyes widened in apparent surprise. “No. Even if you were black I’d give you the same answer. It has nothing to do with you really, but I’m just…I’m not ready to date anyone right now.”

  “Who was he?”

  “What?”

  “Who hurt you?”

  She looked away as if she was trying to hide something and he instinctively knew he hit the nail on the head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “I think you do, but I won’t press. Look, Sadie, may I be frank with you?”

  She shrugged. “I have a feeling you won’t leave me alone if I don’t allow you your say.”

  He felt like shaking her but instead took a deep breath. How could one woman who enchanted him to the point of stalking her be so infuriating? “Sadie, I’ve been out of the dating scene for a while now. I had no intentions of getting involved with anyone either, but I saw you. I’m not saying you and I are going to have some grand passion but I’d like the chance to find out what it is between us. Perhaps I’m reading the situation wrong but I think you’re attracted to me too. Am I wrong?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest not answering.

  “You are aren’t you?” Rhys refused to let go of the subject.

  “As I already pointed out, what woman wouldn’t be attracted to you?”

  “But I’m only interested in what one woman thinks about me. You.”

  “I…what do you want from me?” she repeated for the second time.

  “Anything you’re willing to give me, but for now I’d settle for your company over some coffee. It’s a nice night. We can take a walk to Franklin Street and get a cup there.” When she looked as though she’d protest, he continued on. “Please, just coffee and I swear to you if after that you’re not interested in me, I’ll leave you alone. What do you have to lose?”

  She gave him a long unwavering stare, her expression giving nothing away. Her lips were turned down into in a frown and he had the urge to kiss it away. If he didn’t think the attraction was returned he’d walk away right now, but he’d already confirmed that he was.

  Finally, after releasing a heavy sigh, she nodded. “Okay. Just coffee but that’s it. Nothing more.” The sheer exasperation in her tone made it seem as if she was headed to prison to serve a particularly long sentence.

  He grinned. “Try to keep your excitement contained.”

  She shook her head with a smile. “Did anyone ever tell you that you’re a pain in the butt?”

  Rhys widened his smile, enjoying her candor. “All the time.”

  * * *

  Sadie laughed until her sides hurt. Rhys was an absolute riot with his funny stories and anecdotes. After the first few tense minutes at the coffee shop, he put her at ease by telling her a corny joke. The pun itself hadn’t been that funny, but it was the delivery. They started to talk about work and his classes and what interested him about anthropology.

  Anything remotely scientific should have bored the hell out of her, but Rhys had a way of relaying things in a way that kept her enthralled. She’d noticed that in his class as well. It was no wonder he seemed to be such a popular professor. Not only was he gorgeous and smart, he had a great sense of humor and didn’t seem to take himself too seriously as a lot of the staff who had several letters of distinction behind their surnames.

  He seemed to be the total package which made her wonder what the catch was.

  Rhys must have noticed her brief moment of uncertainty because he commented it. “Are you okay?”

  She laughed a bit uneasily. “Yes, why do you ask?”

  “You seemed a bit…I don’t know, uncomfortable. Did I say anything to offend you?”

  “No. Of course not. It’s just…” Sadie shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

  He raised one dark brown brow. “What don’t you understand?”

  “Why me? I’m still trying to figure that out.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “I’m still not following you, Sadie.”

  “What does someone like you want from someone like me?”

  “Someone like you? You’ve got to be kidding me. If I have the privilege of seeing you again, I hope you’ll tell me who it was that hurt you to the point where you don’t see the value in yourself. I find you extremely attractive and honestly I was sitting here thanking my lucky stars I finally managed to convince you to come out with me. I thought I’d have to forget the idea of us going out together. But I saw something special in you that made me keep trying and I’m glad I did. You’re quite lovely, and I wish you could see what I do.”

  She lowered her lids as heat rushed to her cheeks. There was so much sincerity in his words how could she not believe him? “You’re embarrassing me.”

  “What? I find it hard to believe you don’t hear how lovely you are on a daily basis. If not, I’m not sure what the hell is wrong with the men around here. But if I’m embarrassing you, I apologize. I’ll take the spotlight. Ask me anything you’d like.”

  Sadie breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn’t used to people telling her she was attractive other than her sisters. Even Terrell had nev
er really told her that he thought she was gorgeous. He’d told her she was cute, but she got ‘cute’ a lot—never beautiful. “Okay, Dr. Edwards, tell me about that wonderful accent of yours. How long have you been in the U.S.?”

  “Hmm, I’ll be thirty-seven this year and my family moved from Wales when I was seventeen so…twenty years. I’ve lived in this country longer than I have in Wales but I haven’t managed to shake this accent.” He grinned. “I realized right away the ladies seemed to dig it so I played it up a bit. Now I don’t even try anymore and it’s still there. It’s funny because when I visit family back home, they say I sound very American. My brother Colin, on the other hand, spends a lot of time in Europe for his business so his accent is considerably thicker than mine.”

  “How often do you go back to Wales?”

  “Not as often as I’d like, but at least twice a year. My mother moved back about five years ago so I try to see her as often as I can. I also think it’s a good idea for my daughter to be in tune with her roots.”

  Sadie had been in the middle of raising her coffee cup to her lips and stilled. Daughter? He never mentioned he had children. This was the catch. She knew there was something about him that was too good to be true and this was it. “You have a child?”

  “Well, I wouldn’t exactly call Carys a child anymore. She just turned fourteen.”

  “I guess that means you’re divorced?”

  “Yes. I have been for the past eight years but we were separated two years prior.”

  “And how often do you see your daughter?”

  “That’s an odd question.”

  “I mean do you see her on the weekends or every other week or once a month?”

  “Ah, I see. So you think because I’m a man I wouldn’t have custody?”

  Sadie realized how stupid she must have sounded. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  “I understand. In most cases, the mother does retain custody of the child but it’s been just me and Carys since she was little.”

  “Does she ever see her mother?”

  Rhys’s lips tightened briefly indicating it wasn’t a favorite subject of his. “No. At the same time she decided she no longer wanted to be married to me, Lacey also decided she didn’t want to be a mother either. The last time I saw her, she was feeding Carys breakfast when I left for work. I came home, Carys was sitting in the middle of the floor crying with soiled underwear. I had no idea how long Lacey had been gone. For all she cared, Carys could have seriously injured herself. I didn’t even hear from her until a few days later. After that, all communication was through our lawyers. She didn’t even want custody of Carys. It’s been the two of us ever since.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  Rhys shrugged. “I’m over it. I’m more upset about the breakup on Carys’ behalf. She never says so but I think it bothers her how her mother abandoned us. She’s really a sweet kid. You two will get along.”

  Sadie raised a brow. “You assume there’ll be a next time after this?”

  “I’m hoping.”

  “Can I be honest with you?”

  “I’d prefer it.”

  “I’m really not interested in dating a man with children.”

  He froze. “I see. I didn’t peg you for the type to not like children.”

  “No, I love them.”

  “So what’s the problem?”

  “It’s the baggage that comes with it. My last boyfriend had a daughter and when things ended…” She broke off. It still hurt thinking about Malia.

  “Your relationship was severed with her as well?”

  She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

  He reached across the table and took her hand in his. “Sadie, I can’t make any promises about our future but I like you very much. And I wish you’d give us a chance. You don’t have to meet Carys right away. We can see how you and I get along at first. Just please don’t give up on us before we’ve even started. Especially when I think we can have a good thing.”

  Sadie was torn between getting up and walking away and throwing her arms around him. Did she dare take a chance on this seemly perfect man and risk having her heart broken all over again, or would she allow Terrell and Jordan’s betrayal to dictate her actions for the rest of her life?

  Chapter Four

  Sadie ran around her kitchen making sure everything was perfect for the meal she was cooking for Rhys. Everything had to be just right. They’d been seeing each other for the past two months and technically this was their sixth date, but she was as nervous as if this was the first time. She still couldn’t believe how well things were going between them or that she was dating such a hunk in the first place.

  Not only was Rhys drop-dead gorgeous, taking her breath away whenever he gave her his lopsided smile but he was funny and a true gentleman. He held the door open for her, wouldn’t allow Sadie to get out of the car until he came around the passenger side to let her out. When it was chilly, he offered his jacket and when they were out together his attention was solely on her.

  She’d never been with a man who didn’t look at other women. Sadie knew she wouldn’t win any upcoming beauty contests and those extra pounds still plagued her but the way Rhys acted one would have thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world, wrapped up into one big ball of sex kitten. Sadie wasn’t totally unaware of some of the curious looks they received when they were out together.

  On their last date, their waitress had openly flirted with him and when Rhys didn’t take the bait, keeping everything casual, she’d sent a what-the-hell-is-he-doing-with-you look Sadie’s way. It was the look Sadie knew well. She’d gotten it a lot with Terrell and she was getting it a lot with Rhys which also probably had a lot to do with him being white and she being black. It didn’t seem to bother him one iota and she vowed she wouldn’t let it bother her either.

  Her sisters seemed thrilled that she’d managed to move on and had found someone who made her happy. Sadie was still cautious though. Everything was going too well. Rhys was perfect and that worried the hell out of her. There still seemed to be the cloud of his daughter hovering over them. She hoped to God the two of them got along if the relationship progressed to the point where the two of them would finally meet.

  Sadie laid out her best china and placed candles in the center of the table. She ran back to the kitchen and pulled out the lasagna and placed it on the center of the stove. It looked just right with the cheese bubbled to a golden brown crisp and the sauce oozing from the layers. She hoped he liked it. Sadie didn’t make her Italian Sausage Lasagna for just anyone.

  Once she was satisfied that dinner was to her liking and everything was set up for Rhys’s arrival in a half hour, she took a quick shower and put on some makeup with five minutes to spare. As she headed out to the living room to wait, the phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID she sighed when she saw who it was from and debated on whether to take the call. Realizing if she didn’t take the call now, she’d get no peace so she picked up.

  “Hi, Mom.” Her mother hated being reminded she was the mother of four grown daughters ranging from twenty-eight to thirty-five hence no one dared call her mother. Sadie slipped sometimes and was reprimanded for it but her mind was elsewhere today.

  “Don’t you 'hi, Mom’ me, girl. How come I haven’t heard from you in nearly a month? You move away and start going to school and think you’re too good to call your own Ma now? You’re letting your sisters rub off on you. And how many times have I told you not to call me Mom? I’m way too young to have a daughter your age. I was practically a baby when I had you.”

  Sadie didn’t bother pointing out that her mother was in her early thirties when she’d been born but she didn’t want to start an argument, nor was she up for a marathon chat with her mother. “I’m sorry I haven’t called, Jackie, but I will. I’m actually in the middle of something right now, but I can give you a call tomorrow and we can catch up.”

  There was a pause on the other end of the line be
fore Jackie spoke. “Oh? And what exactly do you have to do that would keep you from talking to me?”

  Sadie took a deep breath and silently counted to five before answering. “I was actually expecting company and he should be here shortly.”

  “He? You’re seeing someone else now?”

  “Yes. I’ve met a really nice man. I like him a lot but it’s still in the early stages; only time will tell how things go.”

  “Don’t you think it’s a little soon for you to be dating again after Terrell? If I was embarrassed the way you were, I wouldn’t date for a very long time if ever. But I hope you at least found someone in your own league this time around.”

  Her mother’s words were like a knife to her heart. Jackie Flowers was never shy in vocalizing how inadequate Sadie was in the looks department compared to her older sisters. She told herself, Mom didn’t mean anything by it but sometimes she had to wonder. “Do you mean you hope the guy isn’t a jerk like Terrell?”

  “Well, baby, Terrell is a man and men will do what they do, especially one who looks like him. Men have a saying about finding an ugly woman and making her the wife because she’s not going anywhere and she’ll be loyal. I’m not saying you’re ugly or anything but let’s be realistic, Sadie, you won’t be appearing in People’s fifty most beautiful people like Rose did.”

  Sadie’s chest tightened as she gripped the phone so hard she was sure it might snap in half. “I’m sure you have a point.”

  “Well, like I was saying, you’re not ugly. And if you lost that baby fat, I think you could be quite attractive. In the meantime, I think you should find yourself a homely guy. You at least know he won’t cheat on you like Terrell did.”

  “Really? Are you serious?”

  “It’s just a thought, Sadie.”

  “Hmm, I’ll keep it in mind just in case things don’t work out with Rhys.”

  “Rhys?” Her mother snorted on the other end of the line. “What the hell kind of name is that?”