“What did you do to get almost disbarred? Or is that the investigative journalist in me going to far?”
“Not too far, but a story for a different time.” He glanced at his watch. “We have about twenty minutes to finish our food and get to our lane.”
She ate another shrimp. “About that. The whole bowling thing. Since we’re being so upfront with each other, I lied about that. I’ve never bowled a day in my life. Not even lawn bowling.”
“Cece Davenport.” He gave her a look. “You’re not supposed to lie to your attorney.”
She grinned as she took a French fry. “You weren’t my attorney when I told you that.”
“I’ll allow it then. Fortunately for you, I am quite the bowling expert. I’ll show you what to do. If that’s all right.”
“That would be great. I’m prepared to roll a lot of gutter balls and completely embarrass myself, but at least your expectations will be low.”
“I don’t know. I think even if every ballisa gutter ball, I’m still going to want to see you again.”
That left her without a reply. She’d really thought this would be a one-time thing. She wasn’t interested in getting tangled up with a man who would most likely disappoint her. She was happy single.
Just her and Peanut.
But Joe was such a different kind of guy. Not at all like the men she was used to. Was she insane to think he wouldn’t disappoint her?
“Okay,” he said. “I can see you weren’t ready for that. One thing you’ll soon figure out about me, if you haven’t yet, is that when I want something, I go after it. I don’t let fear or worry hold me back. To use a baseball analogy, it means I swing at everything that looks good, but my batting average is terrible.” He was studying her like he was sizing her up. “And I’m all right with that.”
She was all right with it, too. “You miss a hundred percent of the shots you don’t take.”
His brows lifted. “Quoting Wayne Gretzky? I’m impressed.”
She shook her head. “Don’t be. That was one of my dad’s favorite sayings. He was a big hockey fan.”
“Sounds like a great guy. And it sums up my attitude toward life.”
“I’m not like that at all. Not anymore. Not since I got burned.” She ate her last fry. “But maybe I should be.”
He smiled. “As your attorney, I approve.” Sandwich gone, he pushed his basket away, then dropped a generous amount of money on the table. “Ready to knock some pins down?”
“You’re very optimistic.” She got her purse.
He stood and held out his hand. “Someone’s got to believe things can still go right, even after they’ve gone wrong.”
It was hard not to smile around the guy. She wasn’t about to tell Joe this, but she was already thinking he might be good for her.
She took his hand.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Paige felt like a queen. Not a queen bee, but an actual queen. And not just because her date had a British accent. Graham treated her like royalty. Opening doors, helping her with her chair, offering his arm, giving her his full attention.
As though she was the most important person in the world. It was heady stuff and not something she’d ever had from a man before.
When she’d arrived at the restaurant, he’d taken one look at her, lifted her hand to his mouth, kissed her knuckles, and declared, “You’ve quite taken the wind out of me, I’m afraid.”
With a smile and a little heat in her cheeks, she’d thanked him.
He’d blinked and stared a bit longer, then shaken his head. “If I’d known you’d look like that, I’d have worn a better tie.”
Laughing and utterly charmed, she’d taken his arm and they’d gone inside Salt & Cedar.
Now they sat at the best table in the house, overlooking the Gulf and part of the nearby marina. The last rays of the setting sun streamed through the tall, arched windows, warming theinterior of the restaurant to a golden glow. Outside, the marina lights were just coming on, adding to the romance of the setting.
