Page 31 of Secrets (Lost and Found 2)

“Jeez. So now you’re waiting forherto make a move?”

“Yes. And if she was interested, why didn’t she ‘invite’ me?” he asked, using air quotes.

“Well, I think that topic deserves a little more attention before you start making assumptions.” Luna was being the thoughtful sister now. “I think you should ‘invite’ her to dinner.” Luna returned the air-quote gesture. “By the end of the evening, I am sure she will give you the green light.”

“And if she doesn’t?” Cullen frowned.

“Then you keep being her friend. Listen, you don’t have to make any decisions about what action needs to be taken. Invite her to dinner and play it by ear. She is probably just as nervous as you are.”

“You think so?” Cullen looked a bit more uplifted.

“Oh, come on. The two of you are just as wacky as me and Chris. Speaking of whom, did he say anything about me last night? Huh? Huh? Huh?”

“Oh, now we’re making this about you?”

“I thought we were finished talking about you,” she teased. “I told you what to do. Next subject. Me.”

Cullen gave her a wry grin. “Yes, the marshal asked about you.” He paused deliberately. “Well, not exactly.”

“What? What?” She was going to choke it out of him if he didn’t answer soon.

“We talked about some personal stuff. I told him my theory about relationships and how people are almost forced to pair up so they’ll be invited to things that only couples get invited to. Like dinner parties.”

“So? Where does the stuff about me come in?”

“I said you were usually my plus-one because you weren’t involved with anyone either.”

“And?”

“And that’s it.”

“That can’t be it! Spill, brother, spill!”

“OK. If you must know, and I know you must, I wanted to let him know you were unattached; and no, I didn’t tell him you were all googly-eyed over him.”

“Thank goodness for some miracles.” Luna smirked. “And what about him? Is he involved with anyone?”

Cullen paused again. “No. He said that after the divorce he had to rearrange his life so he could spend time with his son, plus his schedule is always up in the air. Most women don’t like to be second or third on the list of priorities.”

Luna bit her lip. “So I guess I’m not even on the list.”

“I wouldn’t go that far. He is genuinely interested in you.”

“Did he say that? Did he?” Luna was looking for reassurance.

“He didn’t have to. Jeez, sis, do you need a building to fall on top of you? For a psychic, you really stink at your own personal stuff.”

“Hey, watch it. Listen, being skittish is in our DNA. Look at us. We are in our midthirties and acting like teenagers.”

Cullen chuckled. “You have a very good point there, missy. So how about we encourage each other to make a move.”

“Oooh, Cullen, that would be so out of character for you. And me,” Luna said thoughtfully. “Not the encouragement part. I mean the make a move part.”

“OK. So how do I get Chi-Chi to invite me to kiss her?” Cullen folded his arms and leaned against the worktable.

“Duh. Invite her to dinner. Someplace romantic. After a glass of wine, you’ll both be relaxed. Then you can take her hand across the table and give her a wonderful compliment as you gaze into her eyes.”

“I’m not Cary Grant or evenHughGrant. That only works in the movies.”