When the Wind Chimes - Mary Ting Page 0,1

the small space.

Either I was hallucinating my dream guy, or he had gotten in the cab at the same time. But I had been the only crazy person running across traffic. I’d done a quick check before I got in, but the tinted window had prevented me from getting a clear view.

He clutched a dry, folded umbrella on his lap. I waited in case he was a passenger that hadn’t gotten out yet. A guy in a suit like that might be hesitant to run into the rain.

He blinked the most beautiful chestnut-colored eyes framed with thick eyebrows. The intensity of his stare drew me in and made me forget about the pelting rain, but I imagined cozy nights and intimate dinners. Then a muscle twitched in his jaw, and he wiped away the water I had flicked on his face with my hair.

I covered my mouth in horror. Oops.

“I’m ... I’m so sorry.” I swallowed, expecting him to yell or shoo me out of the cab. “I didn’t see you. I’ll just go.” But I didn’t move.

It’d take forever to get another taxi, because I’d have to get back in the long line and wait my turn. When I finally broke the gaze, I clamped my fingers around the metal door handle just as a gentle hand rested on my shoulder.

“It’s fine. You stay. I was just leaving.”

Combined with the tension in the car, his swoony eyes, and the unexpected touch, his smooth baritone sent a surge of pleasant electricity through me. It had been so long since I’d felt this magnitude of attraction ...

Forget it!

He was probably leaving for a business trip, anyway—he was dressed much better than the average tourist. But then the taxi would have dropped him off at the departure terminal and not across the street.

“What do you mean?” The driver twisted at his waist and propped an arm along the seat back. “You just got in. I can take you both.”

The man gave an uncomfortable laugh. In spot-on timing with the song “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” playing softly in the background, the man said, “I can’t stay.”

Keep me company. I parted my mouth and the words almost escaped. I was surprised how much I hoped he would. So much for my holiday vow to forget men.

“It’s okay. You can stay. I mean, you do what you want. I’m sorry I got you ...” I winced. “Wet. I honestly didn’t see you there. We can share a cab, and I am more than willing to pay.”

Stop rambling. Act like a grown woman.

“No need to apologize,” he said in that smooth voice.

“But—”

Before I could say more, he stepped out and raised his black umbrella, shielding himself as he leaned over the door.

“Brandon, take this lovely lady where she needs to go. Put it on my tab and add the same amount of tip as usual.”

“Thanks, Lee.”

Did he just call me lovely?

“What? Wait.”

“Have a good day. Don’t worry about me. I can call my driver.” He offered a gorgeous crooked grin and shut the door.

I twisted around to get a better look at him and watched him strut away like the weather was perfect. Like a dream, he faded into the pouring rain.

“Where to, lady?”

I faced the bald, middle-aged man and pulled the seatbelt strap over my chest. Then I gave him my sister’s address.

“He called you Brandon. You guys know each other?”

Nosy question, but the man’s kindness had been unexpected. What a gentleman to not only leave in the rain and give me the cab, but to pay for my ride. Nobody did stuff like that these days. It was like something out of an old movie.

The driver looked at the rearview mirror, green eyes glinting at me, and turned on the meter.

“His name is Leonardo, but his friends call him Lee. He calls me every time he’s back from a business trip even though he could call his driver. Not much of a talker, but a big tipper. Told me once he likes to pay it forward.”

I thought about asking more about Leonardo but didn’t see the point. I was never going to see him again, anyway.

As Brandon talked nonsense on the way, my mind drifted to Leonardo and wondered where he lived. What his occupation was, if he had a family of his own. I didn’t usually fixate on a guy just because he was attractive, but he had intrigued me and had made my crappy day a little bit brighter.

My crappy day had