No One But You

in some time.” She hated croaking out the words, but her throat had suddenly gone tight. Vaguely, she was aware of the boys already tucked in the backseat, watching them. Apparently Dan needed a ride home, which wasn’t unusual. She drove him more often than not.
    “Hey, Mr. Royce.” Jake wedged between the seats to smile up at his new friend. “What are you doing for supper? You gotta eat, right? How about pizza? What do you think, Mom?”
    “That I should have seen this coming,” she quipped, but she didn’t have the heart to say no. She’d gotten a glimpse into Wyatt’s life. Maybe he was successful, but he was alone and she knew what that was like. Mariah couldn’t help caring. Perhaps a new friendship was rising from the ashes of the old. “It’s fine with me, but Wyatt has plans.”
    “Which I can change. We’ll give my agent the night off. Pizza sounds good.”
    “Awesome.” Jake grinned in victory and sank back into the seat, his voice animated as he discussed plans with Dan.
    “Awesome,” Wyatt parroted, with humor gentle in his eyes as he waited for her to climb into her seat. “I guess I’ll follow you?”
    “I’ll try not to lose you in traffic. We’re only going about four blocks.” She eased behind the steering wheel, looking up at the man, who’s dark hair was once again tousled by the wind. So much time had passed, they had gone down separate paths, and yet it felt as if nothing between them had changed. The romance was gone but the friendship remained. “We’ll see you there.”
    “I’m looking forward to it.” He closed her door before he walked away. She watched him go when she should have been sorting through her keys, starting the car and getting on her way. But she couldn’t take her gaze from the solitary figure at the shadowed edge of the lot. How many years had he been alone? And why was her heart tingling?
    He raised his hand in a wave, perhaps sensing her gaze, then the darkness swallowed him.
    But the tingling in her heart remained.

Chapter Five
    The restaurant’s neon sign glowed with the force of a full moon as Wyatt exited his car and hit the door locks. Two teen boys spilled out of Mariah’s SUV two slots down.
    “Cool car.” Jake jogged over.
    “Thanks. They have good pizza here?”
    “The best. Right, Dan?”
    “Totally.”
    Mariah. She still took his breath away. Impossible, but true. She breezed closer and the kids led the way, heading to the front door with the single minded purpose of hungry teen boys. Wyatt fell in stride beside her. “I remember being just like that. I could eat an extra large pizza in one sitting.”
    “It’s true. I stand as a witness.”
    He caught the door for her. Too bad his heart wasn’t fluttering. He wished it would. Nothing had touched it in so long.
    “Mom, Dan and I are gonna hit the games,” Jake called over his shoulder. “Mr. Royce, you can come if you want.”
    “Thanks, but I’m video game challenged. It’s embarrassing. So I guess I’d better keep your mom company.”
    “Good idea.” The boys headed off, weaving through the restaurant.
    “I think my son likes you.” Mariah led the way to the right, where round tables lined a long span of windows. “I’m not sure that’s a good thing.”
    “I don’t blame you for questioning it. I’m a shady character.”
    “Yes, you are.”
    “Let me get your coat.” Wyatt’s low voice vibrated in Mariah’s ear, he was so close.
    “I can get it.” But his hand settled on her shoulder, helping her anyway. “Wyatt, I’m perfectly capable—“
    “I know. It’s called being a gentleman. At least that’s what I’m shooting for.” Humor warmed his words, like the Wyatt she remembered.
    She shrugged out of the garment, doing as much of the work as she could. “I’m pretty independent these days.”
    “You always were. I never knew how to deal with that.” Blue glitters danced in his eyes, doing strange things to her—or, more accurately, to the girl she’d once been. No way would she allow the adult, much wiser Mariah to be charmed by blue glitters.
    She thanked Wyatt for helping with her chair, and glanced across the busy restaurant to check on her son. He and Dan had chosen side-by-side games. Except they weren’t alone.
    “Does Jake have a girlfriend?” Wyatt asked as he settled in the chair next to her.
    “That’s a new development.” The teenage girl seemed to be drawing all Jake’s attention, instead of the game. She was