Way to Her Heart. Melanie Schuster

to the movies, to an amusement park and on a couple of picnics with Alexis’s little dogs, Sookie and Honeybee. Sydney had a ball every time, and Sherri found herself getting more and more comfortable with Lucas. And now they were going on their first couple-only date, a momentous and, for Sherri, completely unforeseen occasion.

      Alexis was beyond pleased with the situation and she continued to express her joy the whole time she was doing Sherri’s hair the day of the big event. They were in Alexis’s private styling area at Sanctuary One, the flagship location of the posh spas Alexis had owned for several years. After giving her friend’s thick hair a touch-up and a trim, she had blown her dry and was styling it with the aid of a ceramic flat iron.

      “I can’t believe you’ve finally come to your senses. It’s about time you started acting like a real woman. Hooking up with a real man like Lucas is just what you need,” she gloated.

      “Alexis, give it a rest! You’re repeating yourself, for one thing. That’s the third time you’ve said that real woman–real man thing. And nobody said anything about hooking up in the slutty way. We’re going to the recital and because Sydney’s going to a sleepover after, Lucas and I are going out. It’s not the beginning of the world or the end of it, so just chill, can’t you?”

      “Don’t play with me,” Alexis said sternly. “I have some real hot curling irons within striking distance of your stubborn head, so now isn’t the time for messing around.”

      Sherri felt her cheeks getting warm—not because of the aforementioned hot irons, but because Alexis had hit on the real truth of the matter. As much as she tried to deny it, there was more to this date than hanging out with a good friend. Every time she was around Lucas she experienced all kinds of sensations, and not just the warm, fuzzy, family-friend kind. This was the other part of the new perspective she’d gained from spending friendly time with Lucas. Her sex drive wasn’t totally dormant after all. She’d been telling herself that she simply had no desire for a man, but the way she reacted to Lucas’s touch was telling her the truth. There was something about Lucas that constantly reminded her that she was a woman—a fully functioning woman with the same desires as any other healthy female. The sensation was both exhilarating and intimidating, and although she was reluctant to talk about it to Alexis, she wasn’t going to run away from it. But she did plan to downplay the big event to Alexis. She knew her friend would tease her relentlessly to the point of making her nervous, which she didn’t want, not at all. All she wanted was a nice, relaxing evening with a friend. Surely that wasn’t too much to ask for, right?

      “So where are you going? What are you going to wear?” Alexis was eager for every detail as she finished styling Sherri’s chic bob.

      “I’m not sure. He said it was a surprise. We’re going after Sydney’s dance recital so whatever I wear to that is what I’ll have on. And that’s that,” she said airily.

      Alexis looked mildly frustrated. “This isn’t fair. You stayed all up in my business when I was dating Jared and you won’t even toss me a crumb about Lucas, my own brother-in-law. How selfish can you be?”

      Sherri grinned unrepentantly. “Pretty darned selfish, I freely admit it. Yes, I did get all up in your Kool-Aid when you were dating Jared, and I got all in Emily’s business with Todd, but that was different.”

      “How was that different? Lean back so I can take a weed whacker to those shrubs over your eyes,” Alexis ordered.

      “It was different because I was being the voice of reason for you two. Y’all were in love and you needed an objective viewpoint from a concerned and loving friend. It’s not like that with me and Lucas. We’re just two friends enjoying each other’s company. Ouch!”

      “Don’t be a baby—you’ve had your eyebrows waxed before,” Alexis scolded.

      “It never hurt like that,” Sherri protested. “You did that on purpose to get information out of me, but I keep telling you—there is none. We’ll probably go get something to eat after the recital and that’ll be the end of it.”

      Alexis opened her mouth to let her friend in on the fact that Lucas was after something much more than a casual friendship, but she prudently changed her mind. When Sherri figured it out for herself they’d have plenty to talk about. Then she’d get to be the voice of reason for her intelligent but unaware friend. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror as she finished Sherri’s brows.

      * * *

      The dance recital had been a smashing success, mostly because of the adorable little dancers in their clever costumes but partly because Lucas had contributed the refreshments. He’d arranged for a vast array of canapés and desserts to be delivered from Seven-Seventeen, the fine dining restaurant owned by the brothers VanBuren, and he had also provided staff to set up, serve and clean up afterward. He’d made quite an impression on the dance moms—and not just for his generosity. Several of the women in attendance had given him the once-over, devouring him with their eyes.

      Sherri had overheard one of the older dancers ask Sydney if he was her mom’s boyfriend and Sydney had answered “yes,” which was both endearing and alarming to Sherri. She was going to have to have a little chat with her daughter soon, that much was obvious. But for now, she was just going to enjoy the evening.

      It was off to a great start. When Lucas came to pick her up at her condo promptly at nine, he was not only looking and smelling good, but he’d also brought her a big green plant. He’d insisted on picking her up at her condo rather than having her follow him to the site of their outing.

      “When I take a lady out, I pick her up and bring her home. I know it’s old school, but that’s how I roll. You don’t mind, do you?”

      When he looked down at her with his long-lashed eyes sparkling and his ridiculously sexy smile, she couldn’t think of a single reason to protest the arrangement. She’d driven home from the dance studio in minutes and even changed clothes, taking off the coffee-colored slacks and matching blouse she’d worn. Now she was wearing a hot orange tank dress made of a supple rayon knit fabric that showed off her slender figure and her legs. Because he was much taller than she was, she could wear her bronze strappy sandals with the four-inch heels and not worry about towering over him; she still barely reached his shoulder.

      Sherri never wore a lot of makeup, but she’d added a little blush and lipstick, along with another coat of mascara and a bit of smoky eye shadow. A pair of big gold hoop earrings and an armful of Indian bangle bracelets in gold with bright pops of color completed her ensemble. When she saw the smile on Lucas’s face, she was glad she’d made the effort. He’d changed clothes, too, she noticed. He was now wearing a pair of dark slacks and a really nice shirt that brought out his green eyes nicely. It was her turn to smile as she held out her hands for the plant.

      “Lucas, this is a beautiful ficus,” she said. “It’s so sweet of you.”

      He ignored her outstretched hands and took the big plant over to the window, placing it gently on the floor. “It’s heavier than it looks,” he said. “And you look gorgeous, by the way.”

      “Thank you. I was just thinking the same about you,” she answered with a smile.

      The smiles continued as the evening progressed. First they went to a restaurant called Sweet Tea and 3 Sides. It was a barbecue joint that had some of the best food in town. As soon as they walked in the door people were calling her name, waving at her and, in a few cases, coming up to give her a hug. After they were seated, Lucas began laughing softly.

      “What’s so funny?” Sherri asked.

      “I was laughing at myself because I wasn’t sure you’d like this place, but ever since we came in the door it’s like being with a celebrity. Do you know everybody in Columbia?”

      Sherri grinned as she shook her head. “I don’t know everybody in Columbia, but I do treat a lot of children so a lot of people know me as Dr. Sherri. I have my regular practice and I work at the free clinic, too. And more to the point, I love barbecue. I love to eat it, but I don’t like to grill, so I’m here