She gave one last look at her reflection in the mirror, reminding herself they were only meeting for dinner to discuss a music program. Nothing more. Then she grabbed her keys and left the house.
When she arrived at the restaurant Lorenzo’s Table, she spotted Nate straight away. It was like her senses were drawn to him no matter how crowded the room. When he saw her, he waved and smiled, and her knees shook. Trying to walk balancing on heels was always a challenge, trying to do it on unsteady legs was dangerous. Thankfully, she made it to the table with no mishaps.
“You look great,” he said as he rose and pulled out her chair.
He didn’t look so bad himself. A white dress shirt rolled up to the elbows exposed tanned, ropey arms. A few opened buttons showed the tan continued onto his chest. His hair looked damp from a recent shower and finger-combed. God, he was gorgeous.
“I wasn’t sure if you would show up,” he said.
Jade flicked her wrist to glance at her watch. “Am I late?”
He shook his head. “I’ve pissed you off a time or two.”
“You didn’t piss me off.”
He arched an eyebrow.
“Okay, maybe you did a little,” she admitted.
He chuckled, and her heart hammered.
“But after your donation to the school, I couldn’t stay mad. So, thank you.”
“It was my pleasure.” Hearing the word pleasure roll off his lips conjured images that had nothing to do with violins and drums.
A waitress showed up at their table, forcing Jade to think of food instead of fun things with Nate. She gave the woman her order of pasta carbonara and a glass of shiraz.
When the waitress turned to take Nate’s order she paused with her pencil on her notepad. Instead of asking for his order, she narrowed her eyes and stared at him for a beat. “You look familiar. Where do I know you from?”
Nate shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve just come into town.”
She tapped her pencil on the pad. “Are you an actor? I’m sure I’ve seen you on TV.”
Oh God. Was this waitress going to expose Nate’s secret? And how could he sit there so calmly while she was giving him a thorough inspection?
“I’ve been on a health food commercial,” he said, smiling. “That must be where you’ve seen me.”
“Hmm, must be.” But she didn’t look convinced. And before she asked any more questions, Nate gave her his order and she left.
Feeling a little unsettled that Nate’s secret could’ve been exposed, Jade placed her elbows on the table and leaned forward. “Does that happen often?”
“No. Hardly ever. I can always put them off track if it does.”
“Have you done a health food commercial?”
“Nope.”
They both laughed.
“I thought she would work it out,” Jade said more seriously.
“My disguise is solid. Unless my wig gets caught in someone’s fingers.” He grinned.
“It must be exhausting keeping up with the double identity.”
His expression closed.
“Sorry. It’s none of my business. I’m not that interested anyway.” She began rearranging the cutlery.
