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“Keep telling yourself that.” Jared shook his head and moved towards the door. “Later.”
Noah knew what his friend was talking about, but there was nothing to be careful about. Nothing had happened. Nothing was going to happen. A little flirting was harmless. Yes, there was some heat between them, but nothing had transpired. Thus, there was nothing to be careful of.
CHAPTER NINE
Noah
“I think we’ve done all we can do for today, plus, I’m starving.” Noah couldn’t help look her over. Yes, his stomach was growling, but every time he was around Jordan, his hunger for her grew.
He and Jordan were alone for the first time in the Slap Shot dining room. The painters were done and had packed up and left. Jared had stopped in earlier but had meetings this afternoon. It was just the two of them.
Somehow, they managed to agree on a menu and submit it to the printer. They put the liquor order in, ordered all the printed items they needed, and Jordan made the schedule for their first week.
Her cheeks were flushed, and her professional up-do bun was a little looser than normal. A few strands fell loosely around her face. She let out a breath and wiped a few of the rogue hairs from her face. It was obvious she was tired. It had been a long day of planning for the grand opening.
“Let me take you to dinner,” he offered.
She shook her head. “No, I should check on The Sin Bin. I could have Tony make you something, if you’re hungry.”
“You aren’t on the schedule anymore, and you know Emily is there tonight. She’s quite capable, and you know that because you trained her. Jordan, I’m not taking no for an answer. We accomplished a lot today and we deserve a nice meal. We have to eat.”
“Yeah, I guess,” she reluctantly agreed, as she fidgeted in her seat. “But I look a mess. I can’t go anywhere like this. Give me a few minutes to freshen up.”
Noah sat back in his chair and waited, while Jordan disappeared to the back. He had no ulterior motives tonight. It really had been a long day; he knew she was tired and needed to eat. It was the gentlemanly thing to do. Plus, it gave him a little more time with her.
When Jordan returned, her hair was freshly pulled back in a clip.
“It’s a wonder what a brush, a little face powder, and fresh lipstick will do.” She grimaced. “Why didn’t you tell me that I looked like a hot mess?”
Noah held back a chuckle and shook his head. “Hey, you looked beautiful to me.”
“Oh please,” she scoffed. Pulling a compact mirror from her purse she fussed with her hair as if she were giving herself one last look. “So where do you want to eat?”
Holding out his arm to her, he grinned. “I have a place in mind. It’s been a favorite of mine since I got to town.”
“Oh? So you do eat at places other than The Sin Bin?” she asked, a hint of friendly sarcasm in her voice. And as if her attitude magically changed, she willingly took his arm, lacing her arm with his.
He led the way to a small bistro a few blocks down. “Yes, sometimes. I mean, I eat a LOT.” He chuckled. “And I don’t cook.”
“I see a pattern. You like your food places nice and close. This one is just a few minutes away. The Sin Bin and Slap Shot are right next door to your apartment building.” She pulled away to look at him. “So you really don’t cook at all?”
Sitting down in a booth and no longer arm in arm, he felt chilly without her touch. “Not really. I mean, I can heat up boxed mac and cheese, ramen, oatmeal, and I can scramble eggs. Oh, and I make a mean grilled cheese sandwich, because like I said, I like to eat.”
“Ah, all the staples,” she teased. “You can use a microwave and boil water is what you’re saying?”
“And don’t forget about the griddle.” He nodded. “But thanks to The Sin Bin, Harrison, Sam, Tyler, and their wives, I stay well fed.”
Noah caught the attention of the waitress. “Could we get two house specials, please? And two white wines. Thank you.”
“You ordered for me,” she said, looking a bit stunned.
He wondered if he’d overstepped, but he smirked. “Trust me.”
She smiled. “I guess I have no choice.” Her words were playful.
“If you don’t like it, you can order something else. But I don’t think you’ll have to.”
The waitress brought their glasses and filled them with wine before hurrying off to the kitchen.
