page8 (1/2)

Yet again he felt bad about insisting she come with him, but he needed her The board ive the down “Do you mind if I put the top down? It’s a beautiful day”

“Not at all I love a convertible”

Tanner leaned over her to unlock the roof from the windshield A floral scent that fit her perfectly assaulted his nose Maybe the weekend wouldn’t be so bad He flipped the other lock above his head When he pushed a button, the roof slowly folded down behind them

“I like your car It suits you,” Whitney said

“Thanks I greanting one of these and when I finished ht one”

“I’ve always loved two-seaters I’ave him a weak smile

So at least they had that in co multicolored scarf out of her purse With deft efficiency she wrapped it around her head and tied it under her chin Great, now he had Old Mother Hubbard with him Why did she dress like she did?

“The only co the top down is that it’s hard on a hairdo”

He’d never really thought of her as having a hairstyle Her hair had always been just pulled back behind her neck when he’d seen her Today was no different She didn’t seem to make any real effort to stand out where her appearance was concerned What was she hiding from? Noith the scarf around her head she looked drabber than ever That ith the exception of when she smiled At those times she captured his attention completely

It disturbed him on a level he didn’t want to exa about his matchmaker in the past feeeks Even when he and Racheal had been dating he’d wondered what Whitney would think about this or that, or what she was doing These were not things hisRacheal had seemed perfect for hi about another woman?

Especially Whitney There could never be any real interest there They clearly didn’t want the sas out of a relationship He had no plans to ever love a woman His parents had seen to that

Tanner’s attention re as he made his way up and down the steep streets of San Francisco lined with houses and businesses He glanced at Whitney a couple of times She seeht her looking at him She made him feel both uncomfortable and pleased

As they waited at the toll booth at the Golden Gate Bridge she said, “I love this bridge It’s like this big s it”

“I’ve never thought about it like that For , froth of the wires”

“Or ”

Tanner looked at her and grinned “Agreed”

“Did you know that as soon as they finish painting it they have to start over again?” Whitney had her neck craned back, looking up at one of the three soaring towers

He smiled “I did That’s a lot of red paint”

Tanner paid the toll and they started across the bridge

Halfway over the bay Whitney said, “The thump-thump of the tires reminds me of a heartbeat” A few seconds later she continued, “It’sto me that I actually know someone who has held a heart in his hand”

Tanner grinned “I’ their acquaintance

Traffic was heavy, even for a Fridaythe city for the weekend The road widened and the driving becae Tanner had been accused of being a fast driver but Whitney didn’t see in and out of traffic Her hands remained in her lap and her chin up as if she were a flower enjoying the sunshine

As they headed off the bridge toward the green rolling hills on the way to Napa she asked, “So what’s expected of me this weekend?”

“Mostly to act as if you like me”

She met his eyes “I’ll try”

For some reason it disturbed him that she didn’t already like hih-handed a couple of times—”

Her brows rose “A couple? How about all the time?”