away again.
Peyton didn’t mean to make him uncomfortable. He’d been so kind to her since her arrival at the university. She changed the subject. “I’m glad I found you. I wanted to ask if you’d be willing to serve on the fund-raising committee for the community center.”
“I’d be honored. Thank you.” Vaughn seemed relieved at the new topic. “Who else is on the committee?”
“I’m going to ask Olivia Stark.” Peyton named the university’s biology professor. “Darius’s parents have volunteered. We’re also going to ask Stan Crockett and CeCe Roben.”
“Both of his parents?” Vaughn’s brows rose toward his shaved head. “That should be interesting. I’m glad Darius is cochairing the committee with you.”
Had she imagined the smugness in the music professor’s response? “Vaughn, is Darius right about a matchmaking group?”
“Maybe you and Darius shouldn’t spend so much time together.” Vaughn started walking toward her office. “You’re starting to sound as paranoid as he is.”
“That doesn’t mean we’re wrong.” Peyton fell into step beside him. “Are you a part of this group?”
Vaughn glanced down at her. “First, tell me if you’re enjoying his company.”
“I am.” She enjoyed talking, debating, confiding in him. And last night’s lovemaking had been a revelation.
“Isn’t that all that matters?” This time, there was no mistaking the smugness in Vaughn’s tone.
“You have a point.” But what will she do when the town’s most eligible bachelor loses interest in her?
Darius bounced his pencil’s eraser on his desk as he waited for Peyton to answer her office phone. It was just after ten o’clock Tuesday morning. He hadn’t stopped thinking about her since he’d woken up. He was still second-guessing his decision to leave her last night. Darius stared blankly at the document on his computer screen, too distracted to review the story notes.
“This is Dr. Harris. May I help you?”
Darius relaxed at the sound of her voice. It was strange and wonderful the effect she had on him. He pictured her sitting at the overly organized desk in her office. Was her hair pinned up? “Dr. Harris, this is Darius Knight. Are you free for lunch?”
“Are you asking me out on a date, Mr. Knight?” Her voice teased him.
“Don’t you think it’s about time?” Darius lowered his voice. Although he doubted anyone could hear his conversation above the usual shouts, ringing telephones, and clacking computer keyboards in the Monitor’s office.
“Yes, I do. But unfortunately, I have a class.” She sounded disappointed. “Why don’t you come to my place tonight and I’ll make you dinner?”
It was Darius’s turn to be disappointed. He smothered a groan at the missed opportunity. “I wish I could. I’m covering the town council meeting tonight.”
“How late will it end?”
Darius skimmed the agenda he’d collected from the Trinity Falls Town Hall office on his way to work. It was long. “Pretty late. Then I’ll need to come back to the office to file my story.”
“Is it like that every week?” She sounded concerned.
Darius enjoyed the hint of caring in Peyton’s question. “It’s not as bad as it sounds.”
“Can we have dinner tomorrow?” Peyton paused as though checking her calendar.
“I’d like that.” Although he’d rather have breakfast with her.
“Great. We can talk about the fund-raiser.”
Had they gotten their signals crossed? “That’s not what I had in mind.”
She laughed at his sarcasm. “Vaughn and Olivia agreed to be on our committee.”
“So did Stan and CeCe.”
“Wonderful. We have our eight members, which is excellent since we have less than five weeks to pull this off.”