“Because the thought of eating dinner with her made me tired.”
I wince but nod in understanding. “Energy vampire?”
He huffs a laugh. “I’ve never heard that before but it’s perfect. I don’t always mind, but tonight, I just wanted to relax.”
“So you asked a complete stranger to eat dinner with you instead?”
“Yeah. I don’t like eating alone. You needed a table. I figured if you turned out to be an asshole, this booth is big enough that I could avoid conversation.”
I look around the massive circular booth and nod. It could seat sixpeople comfortably. “That’s very well-thought-out for an impromptu invitation.”
“I’m quick on my feet. And it wasn’t that impromptu.”
“It wasn’t?” I lean back surprised. “But, that was the first time we saw each other.”
He nods. “I saw you earlier.”
“You did? Are you sure?” I wrack my brain trying to recall this morning.
“Very. You’re hard to miss.” He takes a sip of his drink, obscuring his face.
I cock my head to the side. “I can’t tell if you mean that as a compliment or a diss.”
He puts the drink down and looks away as if he’s thinking. “If you need to qualify, it certainly wasn’t a diss. But I wasn’t trying to flatter you either. It’s just…a statement of fact. You’re eye-catching. Attention-holding…”
“Keep going,” I drawl.
He smiles. “You’re striking, sexy, expressive, magnetic.”
I’ve been starved of this kind of attention for so long that I’m about to start purring. If I’m not careful, I’ll end up humping his leg.
“Okay, that’s enough. You don’t have to say anymore.”
“I want to say them. I’ve been thinking them all day.”
I blush. “Well, who am I to stop you?”
He smiles wide like he’s very pleased and gazes down at me, his eyes soft and focused on mine. “I like your dress. Blue is a good color on you.”
I have to stop myself from pressing my hand to my chest. His dark eyes are hooded and liquid mahogany brown. “Thank you. I appreciate a man who pays attention.”
“Then you’re in the right place because you’ve got my full attention the way nothing else I’ve seen today has.”
I lift an eyebrow in surprised delight. “Is that so?”
“It is.”
“Here we are,” our server announces and puts the plates down with a flourish.
My eyes widen as the procession of tray-carrying servers follows suit until our entire table is covered with plates of food.
I stare at it wide-eyed. “Oh my God, did you order everything on the menu?”
“Almost. I wasn’t sure what you wanted.”
“Wow. That’s so…”
“Thoughtful?”
