Page 13 of To Steal a Heart

She had no idea where Sea Haven was but didn’t want to admit that.

“What about you?” A mild curiosity flicked over his features.

“I’m writing … err, I hope to write a novel that’s set here. I came to do research.”

“That’s a wrap,” Marissa announced. “Next week, we’ll pick back up where we left off, so be sure to practice. This Friday night, we have a dance with a live band. There will be a short dance instruction beforehand for those who wish to come early. See you there.”

The pretty brunette Crew had been partnered with earlier stepped up wearing a hopeful expression. “Will you be at the dance on Friday?” Her eyes tightened as she looked at Arden, no doubt viewing her as competition.

It was all Arden could do to hold a neutral expression as she waited to hear what Crew would say.

He offered the girl a polite smile. “Nope. I have to work.”

A thrill of victory shot through Arden. Not that Crew was turning the girl down. He simply had to work. Still, that meant he wouldn’t be getting together with the brunette.

“Oh,” the girl stammered, “that’s disappointing.” She forced a smile. “Well, I guess I’ll see you next week. Bye.” She waved before scampering away.

“See ya,” Crew called after her.

An awkward silence passed before Arden spoke. “It was nice meeting you.”

“Nice meeting you too.”

As tempting as it was to ask Crew out for coffee, she didn’t dare do so. He would probably turn her down like he turned down the brunette. More awkward silence. “Thanks for the dance.”

He nodded.

Here’s where she expected him to make a move, but he didn’t. Normally, Arden was the one being pursued … to the point where she was put off. This was a new turn of events. She wasn’t sure how she felt about it. Hadn’t she wanted to be judged on her own merit? Well, now was her chance. Crew had no idea that she was a Chasing, nor did he know that she was a bestselling author. As far as he was concerned, she was simply a girl in a dance class. She got the feeling that Crew was the type of man who would make a woman work for his affection. She could respect that.

“My pleasure.” His eyes held hers, causing a wave of energy to pulse through her.

Time slowed as she drank in the rich color of his sapphire eyes.Ask me out, she silently begged. One beat passed … two. Disappointment lodged a cold cylinder down her throat. “Maybe we’ll see each other next week?” Had she really just said that? She supposed she’d be coming here again, after all. Geez, Louise, she was such a sap. She wasn’t exactly sure what it was about Crew that she found so engaging. He was a looker, that’s for sure. But it wasn’t just his pretty face that drew her in. Perhaps it was his aloofness that made him so attractive. Or maybe it was plain curiosity or boredom. She was alone in a new place. The writing wasn’t coming. At this point, she’d do nearly anything to postpone staring at that blank page. Not really. But getting to know Crew would provide a welcome distraction. And, with a guy like him on her arm, Hector Covington would eat his heart out.Don’t go there, she warned herself. It would be foolish to drag some guy she’d only just met across the continent to attend a party in the Hamptons. Crew didn’t seem like he would have much patience with a high falutin’ shindig. Then again, she’d only just met him, so it was hard to tell what type of man he was. Of course, she had three weeks to get to know him …

“Maybe,” he said evasively.

His reaction stung. He was definitely shooting her down. Scratch the party in the Hamptons and any other hope of an association with Crew.

She gave him a bright smile which she hoped would convey that she couldn’t care less. “See ya,” she said blithely as she went to retrieve her purse from a cubby underneath the bench that ran the length of one wall. She was tempted to look back as she left the dance floor but didn’t want to give Crew the satisfaction of knowing that she was into him.

CHAPTER 5

Arden stepped outside to a brilliant sunset. She traced the burnt orange and purple ribbons trailing across the sky. The fragrant scent of food cooking from the Greek restaurant a few doors down tingled her senses and caused her stomach to growl. She’d been doing much better about her eating and exercise. Not wanting to step on the scales, she wasn’t sure if she’d lost any weight, but at least her clothes were looser. She wandered in and ordered a gyro sandwich and fries to go.

As she sat at one of the tables, waiting for her order, her mind replayed the conversation with Mom. Arden had no idea who she was going to take to Sylvia’s party. She took a deep breath. Blast Mom for adding unnecessary stress to her life. Mom was right. It would be easier to face Sylvia and Hector if she had a good-looking man on her arm. An image of Crew flashed through her mind. She’d not even thought to get his last name. Maybe she’d look up Sea Haven. It was probably a community around here.

No, maybe she wouldn’t. Crew was nice, but he had no interest in her. Maybe he was involved with someone else. Or maybe Arden wasn’t his type. Either way, she wouldn’t resort to stalking some guy she’d met in a dance class. She wasn’t that desperate to secure a date for Sylvia’s party … yet.

Her thoughts went to her novel. She’d only been in Carmel a few days. Her plan was to get an overall feel of the place before she started writing. Also, she wanted to visit the Kipling mansion, where Olivia had stayed during her time here. Xavier Kipling was in prison, where he belonged. His uncle Zachary and his wife now lived in the mansion. Arden had set up a scholarship in Jaclyn Kipling’s name. Jaclyn was Xavier’s late wife, whom he’d murdered. Arden persuaded Zachary Kipling to donate to the fund and had communicated with him a handful of times over the past year as they worked out the details of his contributions.

Arden planned to go to the Kipling mansion under the guise of updating Zachary about the scholarship. She could then do research for her novel at the same time. Perhaps talk Zachary or his wife into giving her a tour of the mansion. Olivia had mentioned going on an eerie walk along the cliffside with Xavier. Arden would love to walk along the cliff to get firsthand knowledge of the experience.

She looked out at the darkening sky as a feeling of loneliness overtook her. She couldn’t even pinpoint what she was lonely for. It had been years since she’d lived on Honeysuckle Island. Maybe it was a feeling of belonging that Arden missed. She’d gone home a couple of weeks earlier and spent time with Talon and Effie. Seeing them so blissfully happy together and doting on little Naomi made Arden keenly aware that she was alone. Also, Olivia and Flynn were gooey happy in their newlywed bliss. She’d felt like a third wheel when she was with them. Arden was glad that Olivia was happily married to a man she was crazy about. However, Arden missed having her best friend all to herself.

Most of the time, she could bury herself in her writing. However, now that she was struggling with that, it made her all the more aware of the emptiness in her life. Her heart lurched when she saw Crew go by on the sidewalk. He moved with the easy, fluid steps of an athlete. She held her breath, hoping that he would glance inside the restaurant and see her. No such luck. She had the crazy impulse to jump up and go after him. Luckily, before she could make a complete idiot of herself, she realized the foolishness of her inclination.

What was it about this guy that had her in such a tailspin? She’d felt some sort of connection with him from the first minute their eyes caught. What the freak was happening to her? Arden didn’t go gaga over men. It was the first rule of being a Chasing.

Ah, maybe that was the problem. Crew had no idea who she was. Hadn’t she wanted to be evaluated on her own merit? Be careful what you wish for because now she was just a normal person—one of the many girls in the dance class who’d been gazing at him with starry eyes. It stunk to be normal, especially when it was painfully obvious that Crew had no interest in her. She wondered why he’d signed up for dance lessons. He didn’t appear to be concerned about meeting someone to date. Maybe he was one of those rare students who truly wanted to learn to dance.