Heâd followed her for three blocks, undecided whether he would call out or just fade back into the shadows of their mutual memories. The weight of the past had frozen his vocal cords, but the sight of her graceful figure drew him like a magnet.
He repeatedly told himself there was no reason for so much trepidation. There was nothing between Mari and him now. The common ground they once shared was shadowed by his shame for his fatherâs actions as well as the bitterness he felt toward Mari for refusing to see or speak to him for half a lifetime.
He nearly did a complete turnabout in the revolving doors of the Palmer House Hotel, telling himself it would be best to just walk away. But at the last second, impulse drove him to speak her name.
âMarianna.â
She glanced around.
Mariâs eyesâGod, heâd forgotten their power. The sounds in the bustling, luxurious hotel lobby faded as the color washed out of her cheeks. He felt a stab of regret. Itâd been the sight of her breathtaking face thatâd compelled him to pull up short and call her name.
For a few seconds, they remained motionless. The single word heâd uttered had been the first theyâd shared since theyâd both lost loved ones in one cruel swipe of fateâs hand.
âMarc,â Mari mouthed.
âI was at your performance and I followed you,â he explained rapidly. When she continued to stare at him, her expression rigid with shock, he realized how strange that sounded. âI just wanted to sayâ¦you were wonderful.â
She set down her cello case and straightened, seeming to gather herself. Her small smile seemed to give him permission to step closer. âSince when does Marc Kavanaugh listen to anything but rock music?â
âGive me some credit, Mari. A lot can change in fifteen years.â
âIâll grant you that,â she replied softly.
He couldnât stop himself from devouring the sight that had been ripped away from him so long ago. She wore the black dress that was standard apparel for a symphony member. The garment was simple and elegant, but it couldnât hide the fact that womanhood had added some curves to Mariâs slender form.
In all the right places, Marc acknowledged as his gaze lingered for two heartbeats on her full breasts. He glanced down at her hands and noticed she was twisting them together, betraying her nerves. Mari was a cellistâa brilliant one. She had the hands of musicianâ sensitive and elegant. Even though sheâd been young and inexperienced when theyâd been together so long ago, sheâd had a magical touch on his appreciative skin.
âLook at you. Marianna Itani, all grown up.â
âYou, too.â
Maybe it was his imagination, but her lowered glance seemed almost as hungry as his inspection of her had been.
She returned his smile when she looked into his eyes. âEvery inch the newly elected Cook County Stateâs Attorney.â
âHow did you know about that?â
She shrugged. âI read about it. I wasnât surprised. It was a foregone conclusion youâd excel at whatever you did. You always got what you wanted, once you made up your mind about it.â She swallowed and glanced away. âI was sorry to hear about your divorce.â
He raised an eyebrow. âIâm sure that didnât make any headlines. How did you know about that?â
She looked uncomfortable. âI still have a few contacts in Harbor Town. I keep in touch.â
Not with me though, Mari. Fifteen years of silence. Marc banished the flash of frustration, knowing how fruitless the emotion was.
âRight.â He nodded, understanding dawning. âI wouldnât be surprised if Walt Edelmann over at the Shop and Save was the first person to know about my divorce outside of Sandra and myself. Itâs almost supernatural the way that man acquires gossip.â
Her radiant smile made a dull ache expand in his chest. âDo you think Walt still works at the Shop and Save?â
âI know he does. I donât go back to Harbor Town often, but, when I do, I always see Walt. Heâs a standard fixture. He and my mother chat almost every day, which is code for exchanging juicy news.â
Her glance ricocheted off him at the mention of his mother. The light from the lobby chandeliers made the dark gold highlights in her brown hair gleam when she lowered her head. âWellâ¦you know how small towns are.â