His eyes returned to the front of her dress as she secured her seat belt.“You could’ve warned me.”
“I didn’t know he’d want to meet you.”
“I’m talking about the dress, not your father.I had to shake his hand with my eyes glazed over and my tongue hanging out.”
She chuckled at his exaggeration.“Where are we going?”
“I made a reservation at a place called Angelo’s.”
Vanessa was familiar with the Italian restaurant, which had a small, intimate vibe.“Perfect.”
He started the engine, and they were off.She didn’t try to make small talk on the short drive, and neither did he.When they arrived, he opened the door for her again.His callused fingertips lingered at the small of her back as they entered the restaurant.
They were seated at a corner table.The place was crowded with couples and larger groups.With its simple black and white décor, and framed photographs of family members on the walls, it had an elegant, old-world charm.
Paul surveyed the room in a methodical sweep while she studied the menu.She got the impression that he’d memorized the layout of the restaurant, and taken a mental picture of every customer, within sixty seconds.
Vanessa didn’t know whether to be amused or offended by his inattention to her.She was sitting across from him with her breasts half-showing, and he was focused on their surroundings.Maybe they should have stayed in.
“Your brother is an interesting character,” she said.“We had a chat this morning over coffee.”
Paul moved his gaze from the nearest exit to Vanessa.He squinted as if the thought of her having coffee with his brother—the morning after “having coffee” with him—was distinctly unpleasant.
“I take it the two of you are competitive.”
He arched a sardonic brow.“What gave you that impression?”
When the waitress arrived to take their drink order, she ordered a dirty martini, figuring she might as well begin as she planned to go on.He asked for club soda—with lemon.She smothered a laugh at the in-joke.
“Where did you get that dress?”he asked.
“Out of my suitcase.”
“You look incredible.”
“I’m glad you noticed.”
“Every man in the room has noticed.”
“Is that why you’re acting like my bodyguard instead of my date?”
His shoulders stiffened.“Sorry.Professional habit.”
“From your security job?”
“Yes.It has nothing to do with you, or what you’re wearing.”
She believed him, and some of her tension eased.Bennett had often criticized her for dressing too sexy, which was ironic, since he was the one who’d been unfaithful.He’d been projecting his weakness onto her.
The waitress brought their drinks.Paul ordered a dish with grilled chicken while Vanessa chose a summer salad.
“Salad?”he said.
She sipped her martini with relish.“I’ll get dessert.”
They made polite conversation about the lemonade stand, and her day with Emily.She didn’t pry for personal details.She was determined to enjoy herself, stay cool, and maintain an emotional distance.This was a summer fling, not the start of a beautiful relationship.The less she knew about him, the better.
Her resolve to keep things light didn’t hold up to her second martini.By the time she’d reached the bottom of the glass, she’d forgotten all about it.She nibbled an olive from the toothpick, wondering about Paul’s previous girlfriend.Kyle had ribbed Paul about her last night.What had he said about her?She was never going to leave… someone.
