“What’s theTstand for?” she heard herself asking.
So much for sounding cool and aloof.
But this question earned her a look of surprise before he answered. “Thomas… after my father.”
“I should have known,” she mumbled under her breath, swiping his card through the Square reader.
Lee narrowed his eyes at her, but even this look couldn’t dim the way they twinkled.
“What’syourmiddle name?” he asked.
“Is that really the question you want to ask me?”
He raised an eyebrow at her, looking hopeful but cautious. “No. I don’t care if your middle name is Elephant.”
In spite of herself, she laughed, and Lee picked up one of her business cards from the counter and swiped a pen. “What’s your phone number?”
Sure she would regret the decision, Wren took the card and pen from him and wrote down her cell number.
“Here.”
He snatched back the card and read her number, beaming. It was hard not to smile in return. Then he pinned her with his gaze.
“What time do you wake up in the morning?”
She frowned. “What?”
Somehow, his heart-stopping smile only grew. “What time?”
Wren gave him the look she reserved for crazy people. The one where she made her eyebrows draw up together like an arrow. “Uh… I don’t know. Six-thirty or so? Whenever Agnes insists I feed her?”
Lee nodded as if this information pleased him. “Okay. Good to know.”
She added a chin tuck to the crazy look. “Don’t you dare call me at six-thirty in the morning.”
He ignored her and came around the side of the counter.
“Wh-what are you doing?” she asked, stepping back.
Lee stopped. “I’m leaving.”
Wren blinked. “The door’s that way.” She pointed behind him.
“I know. I want to kiss you first.”
Her jaw fell. “You’re unbelievable.” But her heart hammered faster in her chest. She knew what it was to kiss him, and Wren wanted it again.
Lee stepped into her space. “Say no if you don’t want me to." He hesitated a moment as her mouth worked, but no words came out.
“I-I won’t kiss back.” She meant to sound stern, but it came out ridiculous instead.
Lee leaned in and stopped just before his mouth met hers. “I’ll live.”
And then he closed the distance… slowly… until his lips pressed against hers in the sweetest greeting. Despite her words, her lips moved to answer, greeting them back.
“Mmm.” His groan was the sound of hunger meeting restraint, and it came just as his hands cupped her cheeks. He pushed himself away.
The kiss left her blinking and off guard, practically hanging onto him for more.
