LANCE WALKED INTO THE LOCAL STARBUCKS, LOOKING FOR ADRIENNE. She’d called after he returned from Forest Park to see if her photos were done, since he’d promised a rush job before the holiday. He spotted the waving hand, but he couldn’t have missed her regardless. She had a presence that drew the eye. He moved toward her table.
“Hey there.” He handed her the disc. “Your photos are on here. I focused my edits on the ones you wanted, but I also did light edits on the rest, just in case. I really think they turned out great.”
He meant it. Adrienne worked for a boutique public relations firm that wanted to feature her in a marketing package about the city, and he could see why. Her mocha skin; thick, coily, natural hair; and athletic shape made her an engaging subject.
Adrienne looked up at him, smiling. “I was so excited about your work that I told one of my friends to call you. She needs engagement photos.”
“I appreciate the referral,” Lance said. “Thank you.”
“Seriously, you’re amazing,” Adrienne said. “I forwarded the preview shots you sent last night to the team. They said it captured the exact mood they wanted.” She was hunched forward, animated. “Thanks again for your willingness to drive all around the city for the shoot.”
“No problem at all,” he said. “I’m glad everybody liked them.”
“I hope you’re not in a rush,” she said. “You should get some coffee or a cold drink and join me.”
“Thanks,” Lance said. “I was actually planning to head right back though.”
“Oh, come on, the holiday’s almost here.” Her smile was infectious. “Take a few minutes to relax.”
Lance relented, smiling. “I guess a few minutes won’t hurt.”
He ordered a tall latte and returned, sitting across from her.
“So we talked about my work at the PR firm yesterday,” Adrienne said. “What about you? Is photography your main job?”
“It is,” he said, “and I’m on staff part-time at the church.”
“I love Living Word,” she said. “I moved to St. Louis last year, and my roomie told me about it. How long have you been there?”
“About ten years.”
“And you’re from St. Louis?”
“Born and raised.”
She leaned in with a pause. “I was trying to figure you out yesterday.”
“How so?”
“You’re like, all business,” she said. “You answer a question and won’t volunteer much more. But I know there’s a lot more, because a person with that much creative passion is usually a deep thinker and a deep feeler.”
“Wow. All that, huh?”
“See.” She pointed at him. “See how little you said. You’re a mystery to me now.” She laughed. “ ‘How to unlock Lance Alexander.’ ”
He chuckled. “I’m really not that deep. Trust me.”
She sipped her berry drink. “I hope you don’t mind my asking, but the woman you share a house with . . . Are you two in a relationship?”
“Kendra? It’s complicated, but no.”
“Not the ‘complicated’ thing.”
“Not that kind of complicated.”
They laughed together.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “That question was probably way out of line, but I was wondering.”
“Nah, it’s cool.”
“It’s just refreshing to meet someone who’s God-fearing, passionate about what he does, handsome but not full of himself . . . I’m sure that tells you the type of men I’ve come across.”
“I’m sure I’ve been those men.”
A brow went up. “Aaand he stops right there.”
Lance sipped, offering a faint smile. It wasn’t the first time a woman had charged him with being cryptic. It was his default setting.
“What are you doing for the Fourth?” she asked.
“I’m not sure yet.” It depended on how Kendra was feeling, which was unpredictable, and what Trey was doing, also unpredictable.
“Well, my roomie has this big cookout every Fourth of July,” Adrienne said. “You may have heard about it. A lot of people from Living Word come.”
Lance nodded. “Darrin told me about it.”
“I hope you can come by for a little while at least. I really do think you’re an interesting person to get to know.”
“Thanks for the invite,” Lance said. “I’ll definitely keep it in mind.” He stood, extending his hand. “Pleasure doing business with you, Adrienne.”
She shook it, holding his gaze. “Likewise, Mr. Alexander.”
Questions flooded his mind the minute he left. What was wrong with him? Yes, he was guarded. Yes, he aimed for propriety. But he usually had to fight himself to do it, especially with a beautiful woman—a beautiful woman who, he now knew, was clearly interested. Temptation would do its dance, and the old Lance would show up, with old memories of what it was like when he had no boundaries. Why did he feel none of that, not even an urge to flirt?
And why, as he hopped into his car for the short ride home, were his thoughts so quickly shifting to Kendra?