Fated Encounter Read online

  “Sure.” She took his card knowing she would never call him. She hurried Joey to the old model Mitsubishi she drove. She was too tired and knew he was too tired for a scolding, so she just strapped him in and they left the diner’s parking lot. Sebastian sat in his car with Mack and Jaime, waiting until she left.

  “I can’t believe she’s never heard of you,” Jaime said.

  “Intriguing,” Sebastian said. “I would like to know Ms. Lang some more.”

  “Never thought I would see you chase a woman,” Jaime said.

  “She’s not just any woman,” he replied. “She’s the woman. Remember how you looked at Bridget and said I’m marrying that girl after graduation? It’s almost the same thing. When she spoke and I looked at her, I knew she was the one.”

  “You’re beginning to scare me,” Mack said. “You’re talking settle-down talk— and not only settle down, settling down with a kid. Are you sure Mrs. T didn’t inject you with something when you dropped off her cheesecake?”

  “Mother wasn’t home when I got there.”

  “Then you have a fever,” Mack said.

  “You make it sound as if I vowed never to get married.”

  “Pretty much,” Jaime said. “I remember you saying you just wanted to be the rich uncle that spoils the nieces and nephews. And how many women have you turned down over the years?”

  “They were not right. This woman is right. I’m telling you. I feel it.”

  “I wish you luck,” Mack said seriously. “Somehow I didn’t get the feeling that she’s interested in you. But the kid’s a nice boy.”

  “I have one word for you,” Jamie said. “Truman.”

  “Anna and I didn’t break up over kids.”

  “On what planet?”

  “We broke up because she tried to deceive me. And on top of that, you guys know we didn’t have the chemistry for marriage.”

  “It sure didn’t sound like that when we went camping.”

  “I didn’t knock you with Bridget,” Sebastian said. “And you were seventeen then.”

  “I’m in your corner,” Jaime said. “Go for it.”

  “I’m with you too,” Mack replied.

  Chapter 2

  Sebastian managed to wriggle Deana’s schedule out of Travis. He was a local boy and this was his backyard. Getting a schedule from Travis was nothing. For two nights he waited out her schedule. Joey was never with her again, and he couldn’t work the nerve up to approach her. He felt like a stalker as he watched her pick up the boy from a neighbor, and then struggled with him on her shoulder to her car, then to her little house seven lots down.

  Deana could not be doing badly as a server, he thought. She lived in a small single family house in a good part of town. In fact, Torrance Construction made those houses a about twenty years ago.

  He called Jaime the following day to check who owned the house. The more he knew about Deana Lang, the easier it would be to approach her. He was certain she could not afford that house on a waitresses salary, and while she may not be married, there might be some significant other in the picture.

  “It was bought by Deana Lang,” Jaime confirmed. “Jeez, Sebastian, are you stalking her?”

  “No, I’m watching her. I want to know more about her before I see her again.”

  “That is stalking,” Jaime said. “Just drive over to her house with some flowers and say hey, let’s go out.”

  “Easy for you to say,” Sebastian said. “You are already married. And if I showed up at her house, she would know I’ve been watching her.” “Then drop by the diner and knock her off her feet. Jeez, Sebastian, a woman has never had you stomped before.”

  “I’m not stomped.”

  “Yeah, and I haven’t known you since you were four. Are you afraid of the kid?”

  “No, he’s adorable— so far.”

  “Yeah, he’s a little spark,” Jaime conceded. “And he did say you didn’t look too bright, now he’s my hero.”

  “I can still kick your butt,” Sebastian joked.

  “You need a date for the barbeque in a few weeks. Start working on it.”

  Deana was getting off her Saturday morning shift when Sebastian drove up to the diner. She waited while he parked beside her car.

  “Hello, Deana,” he said.

  “Hello. Fancy running into to you again,” she said. He was more handsome than she thought; now he had her attention. She was off duty and there was no fussing between Joey and Travis and making sure the customers were happy. It was just the two of them in the parking lot. She should have taken the time to find out whom Sebastian Torrance was, but she was busy all week. Besides, she knew she would never see him again and there was no possibility she would have called him for lunch. The business card, she hadn’t looked at either. It was stuffed in the glove box of her car.

  “I thought we might get a drink,” he said.

  “I can’t. I have to pick up Joey in exactly twenty minutes. See you.” “He can come too.” Sebastian was out of the car.

  She saw that he was well built underneath the polo shirt that hugged his body. She hadn’t noticed these details before. It’s surprising the things you notice when your mind is more relaxed, she thought. Not that he made her relax— scrutinizing her with those vivid blue eyes.

  “I can’t.”

  “Can’t or won’t?” Sebastian asked. “It’s just a drink and if I start boring you, you can tell me to leave.”

  “I have tons of housework. Plus, Joey’s looking forward to his evening of uninterrupted video games.”

  “How about dinner? The three of us could go somewhere nice.” “No,” she said, looking at her watch. She couldn’t be late. The Waynes were leaving in a half hour. She had to get Joey.

  “It would be a public place if you still consider me a stranger,” he said, moving in front of her. He was between her and her car.

  “You’re not earning brownie points by blocking my way. I have to get my son. Good bye, Mr. Torrance.”

  “Rain check,” he suggested.

  “Rain check,” she agreed to get him out of her way.

  She clucked to herself as he waved at her. He was leaning against his shiny late model Porsche convertible in a sexy pose that had her heart beating faster than it should. She didn’t wave back. The first night she met him, he drove a Lexus RX 470. Perhaps it belonged to one of his friends, but she doubted it. Showoff, she thought.

  She made it to the Wayne’s in fifteen minutes. Thelma was helping Trevor with his suit when she arrived.

  “Sorry I’m running behind the clock,” Deana kissed her best friend’s cheek. “Hope I didn’t make you late.”

  “We wouldn’t leave until you got here. I haven’t been to my aunt’s in such a long while, I was hoping for a good excuse not to attend the funeral.” “Sorry I couldn’t oblige you,” Deana said. “You look like a perfect gentleman, Trevor.”

  “I hate these shirts.”

  He was plucking at his dress shirt. Joey was standing with a big grin on his face. That only made Trevor’s smirk worse.

  “I have to run,” Deana said. “Thanks for keeping an eye on Joey for me. I really appreciate it. Tell Carl I say hello.”

  “Not so fast,” Thelma said. “I got some time.”

  “Is something wrong?”

  “If by that you mean you are holding the goods on a certain gentleman by the name of Sebastian Torrance, then yes.”

  Deana’s mouth fell open.

  “Ah-ha,” Thelma replied.

  “Who told you?”

  “Well, it’s not like I was told. I was merely informed that a certain gentleman turned up at Cronus admiring mom and helped with homework. After cookies and milk I learned his name was Sebastian Torrance. I also heard he invited mom for lunch sometime.”

  “How many cookies?” Deana asked.

  “So it is true?”

  “I’m not holding any goods. It was a chance meeting, that’s all. Anyway, who is Sebastian Torrance anyway? A
nd don’t say he’s handsome, I gather that already and great body. He gives t-shirt a whole new dimension of sexiness. You should have seen him this morning.”

  She paused realizing she hadn’t meant to say that.

  “This morning?”

  “Thelma, you have a funeral to attend and I have groceries to pick up.” “You saw him again?”

  “Hello, funeral?” Deana said.

  “The old beady isn’t going anywhere. I want to hear about you and Sebastian.”

  “There’s nothing to tell, other than he’s persistent. I’m leaving before the ghost of your aunt decides to pay a visit because you called her an old beady.”

  “This is not over,” Thelma said as Deana made towards the door with Joey following.

  “I’m sure you will hold me to that.”

  If Deana didn’t know better, she would say Sebastian was stalking her. She had just turned the pasta and sauce section of the supermarket when he entered from the opposite end.

  “Sebastian,” Joey said.

  “Hey sport,” Sebastian walked over to them. “How are you? How did the multiplication go?”

  “Great, I got an A,” Joey said.

  “That’s a sport.”

  “What are you doing here?” Deanna demanded.

  “Shopping,” Sebastian said.

  Joey wandered up the aisle. He was checking out the seemingly unlimited selection of Chef Boyardee. He knew better than wandering away from his mother. Besides, if he behaved and Sebastian could keep her occupied until they get to the cookie aisle, he might be able to sneak in a pack of double stuff Oreo.

  Deana kept a close eye on Joey. Now she gave Sebastian a fleeting glance.

  “You are empty-handed in a pasta aisle and no shopping cart,” she noted.

  “Okay, you got me. I followed you. I was hoping we could do lunch after you finished shopping.”

  “You’re stalking me?” Deana asked.

  “No. I would like to know you. What if I just walk beside you?” he asked. “I promise I’m not a stalker. I’m only interested in taking you and Joey to lunch.”

  “You followed me?”

  “Sort of.”

  “How do you sort of follow me?”

  Sebastian took a deep breath. He knew the more he talked, the further he was sticking his foot into his mouth. Deana made him uncharacteristically nervous.

  “I’m sorry if it seems I’m coming on a little strong.”

  “A little?”

  “Deana, I am not always like this, but you fascinate me.” “Oh, so if I cease to fascinate you, you will go away.”

  “I don’t think that is possible at this time. Maybe fascinate is the wrong word. I don’t want to say you interest me, that sound cliché. So if you prefer the more candid version, it’s— I like what I see and I would like to know you better.”

  “You like what you see?” she asked the question in a mocking tone. “Before you waste both our time let me tell you what you don’t see. I am a single mother with an eight-year-old son. He’s not going away and he’ll never be number two in my life. Got it?”

  “That’s a relief,” Sebastian said. Deana gave him a puzzled look. “Thanks for reassuring me that I’m not blind.”

  “It’s not funny,” Deana said.

  “I didn’t say it was. Do you do this to every guy who asks you out?” “Do what?”

  “Intimidate.”

  “I don’t think I’m intimidating. I’m letting you know that you do not fascinate me or if you prefer the more candid version, I don’t want whatever you’re offering.”

  “Then it’s a good thing I’m not offering anything. I’m asking for a chance to know you and your son.”

  “If you’re asking then the answer is no.”

  “Why?”

  “Do I need a reason?”

  “I would like to know what it is about me you don’t like.” “Do you do this to every woman that fascinates you?”

  He chuckled, knowing she’d turned the tables on him using his own lines. Deana looked up at him and into his eyes for the first time since they started their conversation. Sebastian’s blue eyes were set on hers and she found sincerity in their gaze. He had much the same sort of stare Joey had when he really wanted something. It was a look that always touched her heart.

  “If you’re not busy, you can join us for lunch,” Deana found herself saying.

  “Thank you.”

  “It’s a little way from here.”

  “That’s not a problem. I can follow your car.” “Again!”

  He got her meaning and they both laughed.

  The three lunched at a small cheese steak house in the quaint city of Margate. Deana suggested it only because Joey liked the cheese steaks and the tiny array of video games it offered. To her surprise Sebastian joined Joey at the video game machine. They played for the eight or so minutes it took to get their orders ready.

  “I beat him at racers,” Joey said. “His car spun out and burst into flames.”

  “That’s because you rammed me from behind,” Sebastian said. “You’re a sore loser,” Joey said.

  “I am not.”

  “I am only eight years old and I beat you. No,” Joey corrected. “Almost nine. Do you play Playstation?”

  “Yes, and I’m good at it,” Sebastian said.

  “You couldn’t beat me at any game if you tried, especially Grand Turismo. I am the best. Not even my friend Trevor can beat me and he is already nine.”

  “Eat your sandwich,” Deana said.

  “I am eating,” Joey replied. “It’s just warm so I have to make it cool a little.”

  “You’re not eating.” Sebastian noticed she hadn’t touched her sandwich. She was writing figures in a small notepad.

  “Fortunately, I am not eight and need all my energy,” she replied. “Almost nine,” Joey said.

  “Almost nine,” Deana agreed.

  “Can I play racers for five more minutes?” Joey asked. “My sandwich will be cool by then.”

  “No.”

  “Pleeeasssee,” Joey said. “Just five minutes.”

  “Three,” Deana said.

  “Four,” Joey countered.

  “Three and that’s the final offer,” Dean said.

  “Okay.” He ran to the raceway machine. They had this discussion every time they visited the cheese steak factory.

  “Maybe I should try Joey’s tactic,” Sebastian said. “Can we go to dinner? Pleeeasseee,” he imitated.

  “No, and there’s no bargaining there. So, what does Sebastian Torrance do?” Deana asked, closing her notebook.

  “I’m a professional goof-off,” he said. He followed the statement with a wide grin. He reeked of sex appeal. He had a nice wide mouth that may have looked ridiculous on a less appealing face. There was nothing ridiculous about Sebastian Torrance. His blue eyes were fixed on her. There was so much depth in the multi-toned layers. He had a strong chin punctuated by a shallow cleft adding just a touch of boyishness to his features. He didn’t have dimples when he smiled, just the small creases of one who was used to laughing and smiling a lot. But, Deana thought as her eyes inevitably wandered to his mouth again, that mouth just begs to be kissed.

  She smiled at the thought in her head. She hardly had the time to balance a budget, work, raise a son and plan for a great future. A relationship of any sort would be distracting. She hadn’t come this far in the nine years on her own by allowing a nice face to derail her plans. Still, she thought again, it might be nice to test the strength of those lips. And she hadn’t dated since pitching tent in Florida over a year ago.

  Sebastian’s heart hammered against his chest when she involuntarily licked her lips. It was an unconscious action and she followed it by using one hand to knead the back of her neck. He was salivating just thinking about kissing that neck, feeling the quickening of the pulse, seeing her head fall back and giving him all the access he needed. The thought sent shivers racing down his spine and to more sensitive
places. Get it together, he cautioned himself.

  “Seriously,” she said.

  “I inherited a company called Torrance Construction. Have you heard of it?” he asked.

  “I can’t say I have, though I might have passed a billboard or two. But then, I’m never in the market for a new house. I have never seen you at the diner before. But judging from Travis’ reaction you must show up when I’m off shift.”

  “My friends and I use to hang there when we were younger. We got older and well, Cronus became a different type of diner. I’ve only started visiting again because Jaime’s wife bought a cheesecake there for Thanksgiving last year and it was a huge hit.”

  “Uh-hmm,” Deana said.

  “So how do I get into the Deana Lang dating book?” Sebastian asked. “I would love to take you and Joey to dinner some time.”

  “I don’t have the time for dating,” Deana said.

  “So there is no one in Deana’s life?”

  “There’s Joey and heaven knows he’s enough. Hang on.” She looked at her watch. “Got to get him or he’ll forget the time.”

  “I’ll do it.” He was out of his seat before she could get up. She watched as he went over to her son, whispered something and Joey immediately left the machine. She arched her brows in surprise; it would take a great deal of muscle and bargaining for her to get him away from one of the arcade machine.

  “Mom,” Joey said, “you should have told me Sebastian’s taking us to dinner.”

  Deana shot Sebastian a mean look. He smiled at her and gave a quick teasing wink of the left eye.

  “Not tonight,” Deana said because Joey had a gleeful spark in his eyes. “That’s fine,” Joey said and took a bite from his sandwich.

  Joey didn’t notice the interchange. Sebastian winced and Deana smiled. She had kicked him under the table as soon as he sat.

  Lunch was perfect until it came time to pay.

  “Dutch,” Deana suggested.

  “No, my treat.”

  “We were heading here anyways.”

  “Come on, I’m old-fashioned. I believe a guy should pay. Humor me.”

  “I’m modern, Dutch is fine. Did anyone ever tell you, you have a domineering streak?”

  “No, but I’ve been called persistent.”