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“This is good,” he said, taking another sip. "I forgot how tasty ice cream can be.”
“What?” She gawked at him.
“I watch what I eat.”
“I get that, but don’t you ever have something yummy to eat?”
He frowned.
She studied him closer. Megan said he had always been mature, even in college. He stayed in and studied instead of going to campus events and parties. He had been at the top of his class until he dropped out to take care of his mom.
Why hadn’t he returned to finish his degree once his mom passed? She bit her lip. She wanted answers, but it was none of her business. Besides, they were getting along so well. The last time she mentioned his mom, he bolted.
“Here is the check,” the server said, placing down a small black folder. “Looks like you two are finished.”
“Thank you.” He gave the server his card. “Lunch was divine.”
The server looked at him strangely. “I’ll be right back.” She left to cash them out.
Suzy laughed. “Sometimes you have quite the vocabulary, don’t you?”
“Must be Vivian Cline’s influence.” He shook his head. “Just wait until you meet her tonight. She’s something.”
“Let me guess, she’s quite divine herself.”
He rolled his eyes. “Just see for yourself. Speaking of tonight, a warning: stay away from Nicholas Prows.”
“Oh?”
“He claims to love art, but trust me, the only thing he loves is beautiful women. He’ll leave you with a broken heart. I wish I could ban him from attending my events, but legally I can’t.”
“Thanks for the heads up, but I can assure you I can take care of myself.”
The server returned and dropped off his card. Daniel finished writing the tip and then stood. “Would you like a ride home?”
“Sure, if it’s not too much trouble,” she said, standing. She zipped up her lightweight jacket.
“It is,” he said with a slight smile, “but we don’t want anything to happen to your hair.”
She laughed. “I supposed we wouldn’t. You can come up and meet Stinker if you like.”
“Sounds divine,” he said, sarcasm dripping off each word. I suppose he got his name for a reason, not a pleasant one, I imagine.”
“He’s not that bad.”
“I imagine Megan’s husband might have a different opinion than yours.”
“I’m afraid you’re right,” she said, biting her lip.
He looked at her with amusement. “Which is exactly why we ended up together.”
***
Daniel followed Suzy into her tiny, cramped apartment. He quite enjoyed their lunch together. Her apartment had her touch. Bright yellow curtains hung in the windows, and watercolor paintings were scattered throughout. It was cozy and inviting.
He swallowed hard. Suzy was melting his heart, as corny as that sounded. As much as he hated to admit it, the beautiful young artist had consumed most of his thoughts since meeting her.
This would not do. His number one rule in life was never to get his heart broken by another artist. His mom had done quite a number to his heart. She was the one who was supposed to take care of him, not the other way around.
