Playing for Keeps (12 page)

“That she’s lying?” asked a deep voice that made Olivia feel warmer than the rock soup.

“Well, now, speak of the devil,” Myra said and gave Noah Falcon a wink.

“Me, the devil?” he asked with a dramatic sigh and then pointed at Olivia. “I think that putting up with Miss Lawson’s acting lessons makes me more of a saint. Do you know that I have homework?”

“Something that was foreign to you in high school,” Olivia muttered. “Oh, right, unless someone else did it for you.”

“Well, I’m making up for it now. By the time Miss Lawson is through with me I’ll be able to win an Oscar.”

“A Tony is for theater,” Olivia corrected.

Noah sighed again. “Are you going to make me write that two hundred times as punishment, Miss Lawson?”

“Maybe I’ll just stand you in the corner,” she countered, amazed that he could still make her heart beat faster just by entering the room. After the past few weeks, though, her comfort level with him was becoming easier, and she looked forward to the evening acting lessons much more than she let on. And she had to admit that his progress had been nothing short of amazing.

Myra raised an eyebrow. “How about a spanking?”

“Aunt Myra!” Jessica scolded, but Madison laughed at her aunt.

“Just a suggestion,” Myra answered without batting an eye and then turned her attention to Noah. “I bet your ears were surely burnin’,” Myra told him. “You’re still the talk of the town around here, sweet cheeks.”

“Please, don’t mind her,” Jessica said and gave her aunt Myra a stern look. “I don’t think I’ve taken the opportunity to personally thank you for coming here to Cricket Creek to be in Madison’s play. We’re thrilled.”

“It’s been my pleasure,” he said, and Olivia was sure that every female eye in the diner was on him, but she tried to act as if his presence was no big deal and slowly swiveled around in time to see him fold his long frame onto a stool next to hers. “How’s it goin’, Teach?”

“Just fine, thank you, Pupil.” When his leg brushed hers she felt a tingle but lifted her chin and said, “Were you attempting to sneak up on me again?” She tried to remain calm, but with his leg pressed against hers it was difficult.

“Not sneaking . . . stalking,” Noah corrected with a lazy grin that made her drop her spoon. She left it there, hoping he would think she’d tossed it down in exasperation. The weather had turned spring-fever warm, and he was wearing a short-sleeved midnight blue golf shirt that was the perfect accent for his jet-black hair and steel blue eyes. “What smells so good?” Dark stubble covered his jaw, making Olivia want to rub both hands over his cheeks to feel the soft abrasion. When he reached for the glass of water that Jessica placed in front of him, Olivia couldn’t help but notice his tanned, muscled forearms.

“Rock soup,” Madison leaned over and answered with a chuckle. “My mother’s specialty.”

“Rock soup, huh?” Noah angled his head. “Interesting. I’ll have a big bowl of rock soup and some sweet tea,” he said, as if rock soup was a normal menu item.

“Coming right up,” Myra told him. Just minutes later she served him a tall glass of sweet tea and a steaming bowl of soup. “Here you go, hot stuff. And I’m not talkin’ about the soup.”

“Oh, Myra, please don’t inflate his ego,” Olivia complained in her stern teacher voice. “It’s already bigger than a Macy’s parade balloon.”

Myra, however, had a mind of her own and smiled at Noah. “Seriously, how’d you get so tan?”

Noah swallowed a spoonful of soup and said, “I’ve been working out with the Cricket Creek baseball team in the afternoons.”

Myra fisted her hands on her hips. “Wow, I bet they love that, Noah. It’s very cool of you to donate your time.”

“I enjoy it,” he said, dismissing her compliment with a slight shrug. “We have some talent this year. I’m looking forward to the games.”

“It’s still nice of you,” Olivia added firmly. She’d noticed that it was a habit of his to do good deeds and not want credit. “Don’t play it down.”

“Do you have to argue with me about everything?” He frowned at her, but his eyes were dancing with amusement.

“It was a compliment,” she insisted.

“Oh, and that is coming from someone who can never accept a compliment.”

“Yes, I can!”

“Okay—you look really pretty today.”

“You just said that to prove a point.”

“Um, yeah, and I just did because I meant it!” Noah looked at Jessica and Myra and said, “See what I mean? I can’t win for losing.”

“That doesn’t even make sense,” Olivia said.

“Yes, it does.”

Madison laughed with delight. “I swear, you two really are Amy and Ben. Mom, isn’t it just uncanny?”

“Sure is,” Jessica agreed with a grin, but there was something wistful in her eyes that made Olivia wonder if she’d ever had a special man in her life. Olivia got the impression that Jessica had devoted her time to Madison and her career. But she was so pretty, smart, and talented that the matchmaker wheels in Olivia’s head started turning as she thought about who in Cricket Creek might be right for a savvy Chicago transplant. Jessica needed someone strong who’d be able to hold his own with her. Nobody readily came to mind, but Olivia filed the idea in the back of her mind for future consideration. “But I am sure that the baseball team soaks up every minute of your instruction,” Jessica continued.

“Kinda like me with Livie,” he said before squeezing the lemon wedge into his tea.

“Oh, would you stop callin’ me that?” Olivia pleaded and felt her face grow warm. “My name is O-liv-i-a.”

“What would be the fun in that?” Noah asked and then looked at Jessica and Myra. “If
O-liv-i-a
hadn’t tutored me in English back in high school, I would have missed the regional play-offs where there were baseball scouts on hand. So I guess you could say that she was instrumental in getting me to the major leagues.”

“Oh, come on,” Olivia said and felt another blush creep into her cheeks. “You’re giving me way too much credit.”

Noah took a long pull of his tea but then tilted his head. “Not so far-fetched. You played a hand in my future back then, and you still are if you think about it.” He put his hand over hers and squeezed.

“Nonsense.”

“You mean ‘poppycock,’ right?”

“You ruined that expression for me,” she answered glumly.

Madison snorted. “Well, thank goodness for small favors. I actually said ‘fudge’ the other day and I thought Jason was going to die laughing.” She shook her head. “But if I said ‘poppycock’ I’d have to slap myself.”

“Yep, Livie, you’re rubbing off on me,” Noah said.

“Lucky you,” she responded as a joke, but he didn’t laugh.

“Yeah, lucky me,” he answered thoughtfully and then added, “Hey, it’s a nice night out. When we’re finished eating will you walk over to the Dairy Hut for an ice cream?”

“I have apple pie,” she answered, but Myra reached over and snatched it away. “I’m going to wrap this up for your breakfast. Go have an ice cream with the man, Olivia. Day-um, are you plumb crazy, girl?” She flipped her braid over her shoulder and shooed her with her hands.

“It is a lovely evening,” Olivia answered slowly, but she hesitated. The more time she spent with Noah, the more she was starting to like him. But not wanting to interfere with the play, she had been careful to keep her emotional distance. It was darned difficult, since when she wasn’t with him he was constantly on her mind. She even found herself daydreaming at school. And she had relived the kiss a million times. Walking to the Dairy Hut with him was something she had fantasized about as a teenager. And lately she had fantasized about something way better than ice cream. Oh, boy . . . nice night or not, she should refuse.

“Don’t get too excited,” Noah complained after polishing off his soup.

Therein lies the rub,
she thought with wry humor. His tone was teasing, but she sensed just enough disappointment to be tempted.

Madison gave her a hard nudge and a bug-eyed you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me stare.

Olivia swallowed hard. Being attracted to him was a given. The man was drop-dead gorgeous and a natural-born charmer. But really liking him was traveling into dangerous territory. Add it all together and she could very easily fall for Noah Falcon yet again. And if she’d thought he was out of her league in high school—well,
now
Noah Falcon wasn’t just big man on campus. He was a celebrity. He could very easily sweep her off her feet and then be gone in an instant.

“It’s just ice cream.” Noah leaned in and said close to her ear, “But I’ll even spring for a sundae if you say yes.”

“Do you ever take no for an answer, Noah?” Olivia had to ask. She wondered if eyes were on them and tried to act casual.

“I never go down without a fight when it’s something I want,” he answered without the teasing tone she was expecting.

“I believe it.” Olivia had to admit that he had been working hard to improve his acting skills, and although he was rough around the edges he had the talent and the drive to do an excellent job. She had been involved in live theater long enough to know that his stage presence was going to be compelling. And he had joked about homework, but the character biographies they had just worked on during the past week had helped both of them connect with Ben and Amy. Noah Falcon was nothing if not determined, and she liked that about him. But when he reached for her check, she pushed his hand away. “No, you don’t.”

“Yes, I do,” he insisted and with lightning speed he slid his hand across the counter and grabbed the slip of paper.

“Give me that!” Olivia reached toward him, but he stood up and held the ticket just out of her grasp. “No-ah Fal-con!” Without considering that they were in a public place, Olivia jumped up and lunged toward him. She lost her balance and suddenly found herself flattened against Noah’s chest and clinging to his wide shoulders.

“W
ould you let go? I bet everybody’s looking at us,” Olivia frantically whispered in his ear.

Olivia’s back was to the dining room, but she assumed correctly. Everybody was looking at them with curiosity. Silverware stopped clinking and glasses paused in midair. “You’re the one clinging to me,” Noah replied, and damned if he didn’t wish they were all alone and away from prying eyes.

“Oh,” she said with a little nervous titter and then stepped back. “Right. Well, you were the cause!” She pointed at him, and for a second he thought she was going to poke him in the chest again.

“You know, you keep doing that,” he said and gave a quick wink to Myra, who was doing her best not to laugh.

“Doing what?”

“Blaming me for what you’re already doing.” It was the first time he’d had Livie in his arms since he’d rumbled back into town, but not a day had gone by that he hadn’t wanted to grab her and kiss her once again. It didn’t help that the script itself was chock-full of sexual tension.

“I don’t do that,” she protested.

“I beg to differ. She does, doesn’t she?” Noah looked over Olivia’s shoulder at Madison for help.

Madison put her hands in the air. “I’ve already learned not to get between you two when you argue. I’m staying out of this.” But then she grinned and looked over the counter at Myra and her mother. “Besides, it’s way too entertaining. These two are going to flat-out light up the stage, aren’t they?”

“I’ll say,” Myra said. “Y’all need to get a room.”

“Aunt Myra!” Jessica warned and shook her head upward.

“I’m just sayin’,” Myra answered with a shrug.

“Well, keep your thoughts to yourself,” Jessica pleaded, but Myra just laughed.

“Oh, Mom, it’s pointless. Let her go.”

“Thank you, Madison,” Myra said but then frowned. “Wait—I think I thank you.”

“See what you’re causing?” Olivia accused Noah with a shake of her head. Her hair slipped over one shoulder, and while the simple white blouse and her usual khaki pants shouldn’t have been provocative, Noah couldn’t stop staring at her. Although her hair was rarely secured in a tight little bun anymore, she still had that prim-andproper thing with sensual undercurrents going on, and tonight in particular it was driving Noah nuts.

“What?”

“Trouble.”

“Who, me?” Noah pretended innocence. Lately it was like getting a double dose of heat every time they rehearsed, and he was holding back but hanging by a thread. Luckily there was a kiss in the next scene, so he had that in his favor. He would just have to mess up so they’d have to do the scene over and over. The thought made him chuckle. He was also amused that Olivia seemed to have forgotten all about the bill. He handed the check and a twenty to Jessica behind his back. “Let’s head over to the Dairy Hut.” He certainly needed something to cool him off, but watching her lick an ice-cream cone might not do it.

“I just have to pay my bill.” She gave him a pointed look and reached for her purse.

Jessica waved her off. “It’s been taken care of.”

When Olivia opened her mouth to protest, Myra stepped in. “Olivia, for pity’s sake let the man buy your doggone dinner. It was only a bowl of soup!”

Madison pointed her fork at Olivia. “Aunt Myra’s right, Olivia. You’re always staying after school, volunteering your time, and helping others. Allow someone to do something nice for you for a change.”

“I’ll say.” Myra came around the counter and handed Olivia the apple pie. “Now you two lovebirds head over to the Dairy Hut before they close up for the night. Tell Big Joe I said hi.”

“See y’all later,” Noah said with a wave. “Hey, and the rock soup was delicious.”

“We’re not lovebirds,” Noah overheard Olivia whisper to Myra before she turned to leave.

“I call ’em like I see ’em.” Myra whispered back. “It’s only a matter of time. And take it from someone who has made some mistakes . . . don’t let something special slip through your fingers.” She added the last a little bit louder.