Think. Hed only been in college for two years. She probably hadnt looked much different from her high school graduation picture, with the exception of the braces. And maybe the glasses. Shed told him shed been the president of the Latin Club. Max stopped and paged through the yearbook until he found the photo. There she is, he murmured. Angela Weatherby. President.
This was all too strange. Like it had all been planned out ahead of time. Hed known women-baseball groupies-whod gone to great lengths to meet him, but was Angela one of them? Had she walked into the bar that night hoping that shed catch his eye? The groupies hed encountered were much more obvious about their intentions. Unless she was so good at manipulating men that she knew how hed react if he were forced to chase her.
Max needed some straight answers. Now. But he wasnt even sure what questions he ought to be asking. It would be better to wait and let things between him and Angela play out. A few well-timed questions about high school and college might shake the truth out of her. And then hed know if this was a complicated manipulation or just a simple misunderstanding.
Max hoped it was the latter. Right now, he didnt want to consider anything that might mess up the good thing they had going.
I LOVE THIS PLACE, Angela said, staring into the penguin tank at the Shedd Aquarium. Whenever I need to clear my mind, I come here and watch the penguins. Life seems so perfect for them. Swim and eat, swim and eat.
She glanced over at Max, her gaze taking in his perfect profile. Theyd been together for two days and shed done her best to resist his charms. But his constant assault on her defenses had left her feeling exposed and vulnerable.
It was just sex, incredible as it was. But it was the simple moments like this one, when shed look at him and saw the man behind all the hype and celebrity that threw her. He was just a regular guy who loved pizza and swimming and watching penguins. He was completely content to spend a quiet afternoon with her.
Theyre like us, Max said. But we threw a little sex in there for variety.
Penguins mate for life, you know.
I didnt know that, Max said.
Its true. They search for that one special penguin theyre meant to be with and when they find each other, they settle down, build a nest and have a little penguin family.
It was only after she relayed the penguin information that she realized how he might interpret her words. Did he think thats what she was after? Was she even sure what she wanted? Angela had been so careful not to think about the future. Whenever her thoughts spun out to the weeks and months ahead, she stopped herself.
Two days. Forty-eight hours. And already she was in serious trouble. It wasnt going to last, Angela told herself. In a week or two, hed give her some sort of lame explanation and hed move on. Why not just enjoy what they shared for what it was?
It must take them a while to find their mate, Max said. They all look alike.
They know. They can feel it. He looked at her and Angela smiled. They stick together through sickness and bad weather, protecting each other. From the time they meet until the time they hatch their first baby, they dont even eat. And then, the couple shares all the responsibilities for the newborn.
Max slipped his arm around her shoulders and they silently watched the birds leap into the water and jump back out again. If only life could be so simple for humans. Shed already made so many mistakes and now, Angela wasnt sure shed be able to go back and fix them.
How would she explain everything to Max-how shed been in love with when they were teenagers?
How shed once dreamed about a day when theyd be doing just this. How shed decided to write about him in her book and how his personal life was splashed all over her Web site.
No matter how she fashioned her explanation, she could never make it sound better than common stalking. But it wasnt like that. What had begun as a complicated mess was now perfectly simple-she wanted him, he wanted her, and theyd found each other.
If she really believed they had a future together, then shed have to come clean. The barbecue would be difficult to navigate with all her secrets still intact, so shed have to tell him before then. Either that, or break up with him.
What do you think about that? Max asked.
Startled out of her thoughts, she blinked, then turned to him. Think about what?
About mating for life? Is it possible?
Of course. Zoologists have studied penguin colonies and-
I meant for humans. Is it the natural order of things to spend your life with just one person?
I dont know, she said. Look at the divorce rate nowadays. All those couples went into marriage thinking it was forever. And then it wasnt. Relationships are hard. I think two people have to be temperamentally suited for each other. And then they have to work at it, every day, forever.
Have you ever thought about getting married?
No one has ever asked me, Angela admitted. But I do believe in the penguins. I think theres one person out there for each of us and we spend our life trying to find that person. Sometimes, we think weve found them, and then we realize we were wrong. But when we actually do, itsperfect. She forced a smile. And what do you think? Are you a believer in the penguin theory of love or do you side with my parents?
Your parents dont believe in romance? he asked.
They think I need to choose someone to marry for practical purposes, not because of some overwhelming passion. I was the oddball in our family. My parents and sisters were the scientists, always looking at life with a purely objective, rational eye. I spent my whole childhood lost in silly romantic fantasies. I loved fairy tales. My mother thought they were horrible stories that sent young girls all the wrong messages. She banned certain books from my reading list and Id just sneak them out of the library with my best friends library card. She wouldnt allow me to read Wuthering Heights because Cathy commits suicide over her love for Heathcliff.
Do your parents have a happy marriage?
No, Angela said. Maybe. I dont see any passion there. I know they respect each other, but I was never really sure if they loved each other. What about yours? Are they happy?
Max nodded. Yeah, I know they are. They have their disagreements, but they love spending time together. They golf and play tennis. And Im pretty sure they still have sex, so thats a good thing, right?
I think so, she said. I hope that when Im older, my husband still wants me.
You want to get married, then? Max asked.
She shrugged. I dont know. I suppose if the right man comes along.
And the perfect guy. He would be
Angela laughed. You want a list? I dont know. Hed be honest and kind. Funny. I think humor is important.
Rich?
Angela shook her head. No. Id want him to be passionate about his work, but money isnt a deal breaker. I guess thats it. Honest, kind and funny. And maybe spontaneous and romantic, too. She frowned. It doesnt seem like much. I really should have found a guy by now, dont you think?
Maybe youre like that penguin right there,
Max said, pointing to the tank. Maybe youre still searching.
She slipped her arm around his. And maybe shed found him already and was just too stubborn to ac knowledge it, Angela mused. Lets go get some lunch. And then I have to get back to the office. Ive been taking too much time off work and leaving everything to Ceci. Its really not fair.
Do you ever take a vacation? Max asked.
Angela shook her head. Not really.
Then why dont we go somewhere this weekend, just the two of us.
I dont know, she said. Maybe next weekend?
If they were both out of town next weekend, then neither one of them could attend the barbecue. Id have more time then.
He shook his head. That doesnt work. Ive got plans. My parents are throwing a barbecue. He paused. You wouldnt want to come with me, would you?
No! Angela quickly replied. I mean if Im in town, I should probably get some work done.
Its probably for the better, Max said. Theres this woman they want me to meet. The daughter of one of my mothers friends. Ill just go and say hello.
Angelas breath caught in her throat. This was where her real life intersected with the life theyd created for themselves. She risked a sideways glance, trying to read his expression. Was it possible that his mother hadnt mentioned the name of this woman? So you have a blind date? she asked. Whats her name?
This was it. The truth was about to come out, right here in front of the penguin tank. Angela was glad. She hated all of the secrets between them. Shed make her explanations and if he couldnt except them, then it would be over.
He paused, then shrugged. I dont know. She went to high school with me, but I dont remember her.
Relief washed over her. He didnt know it was her.
Relief washed over her. He didnt know it was her.
Though the urge to tell him was still there, Angela decided to take more time to consider her approach.
She loved the penguin tank and didnt want one of her favorites spot ruined by a bad memory.
She cant possibly be as beautiful as you, he said.
Angela felt guilt snake through her. Did he know?
Had Max already figured everything out? This was her fault for hiding things from him in the first place.
She should have walked into the bar and admitted her reasons for being there. If she had, she certainly wouldnt be stuck in this mess now. No, considering his hatred of the press, he probably would have tossed her out on her ear.
I wouldnt be so sure about that, Angela said. Shed tell him at lunch. Shed confess everything and then let the chips fall. If he was still in her life at the end of the day, then they might actually have a future together.
DATE NUMBER THREE, he said. Let me see. Penguins at the aquarium, a long swim, take-out pasta for dinner, and early to bed. I think I deserve top scores, dont you?
Angela nuzzled her face into his shoulder, her naked body pressed against his. Youre getting awfully confident. You expect top scores for take-out pasta?
It was from a great restaurant. Face it. You like me. You think Im hot. Im irresistible. I managed to talk you out of going back to work, didnt I?
Youre not that irresistible, she said.
Shed been awfully quiet since theyd left the aquarium. Max knew what was on her mind. She was trying to work up the courage to admit that shed known him all along. His first impulse was to attach some ulterior motive to their meeting at the bar that night. But after he thought about it for a while, Max realized that there might be another reason she didnt want to admit their common past. Shed been one of those girls that nobody noticed in high school, the girls who watched from the sidelines. The girls that a guy like Max wouldnt have bothered to talk to.