Page 14 of Pure Temptation in Cowboy Boots

“That’s a fact.” He concentrated on the perfectly balanced spoon.

“You know me so well.”

“About as well as anybody.”

“Things would never be the same between us.”

He laid the spoon down. “They’re already different.” He glanced at her. “Am I right?”

Oh, yes. The blue eyes she’d always taken for granted now had hidden secrets, and she was already wondering how those eyes would look filled with passion. Passion for her. The thought made her body tighten and throb in ways that had nothing to do with friendship. “You’re right.”

“Let’s get out of here.”

Anticipation leaped in her, making her shiver. “What about your dinner?”

“I wasn’t hungry to begin with. But if you want, we could have Janice box it up.”

“Let’s not bother. It won’t last in this heat.”

“Probably not.” He reached for his wallet.

She opened her purse.

“Put your money away, Tess.”

She glanced at him. “But we always split the bill. I don’t want you to think that just because⁠—"

“New game, new rules. You’re my date tonight, and dinner’s on me.”

The gesture thrilled her more than she was willing to admit. “Aren’t you taking this a little too literally?”

“Nope.” He slid out of the booth. “I would expect any man in my position to have the courtesy to buy you a meal.”

Her feminist conscience pricked her. “What, as some sort of barter arrangement?”

He took his hat from the hook at the end of the booth and settled it on his head. “No, as an expression of gratitude.”

Her breath caught in her throat at his gallantry. No wonder he’d had women falling at his feet. She’d never quite understood it, but then, he’d never turned the full force of his charm on her.

Janice ambled over toward them. “Leaving so soon?” She glanced at their plates in surprise. “Was something wrong with the meatloaf?”

“No,” Tess said. “We⁠—”

“Goodness, you’re flushed.” Janice put her hand against Tess’s cheek. “You’re feeling feverish, child. I’ll bet you’re coming down with the flu.”

“I think she might be, too,” Mac said. “That’s why we decided to leave.”

“My Steve came down with the flu last week. You wouldn’t think a bug could survive in this heat, but it seems to be going around. Best thing to do is stay in bed.”

Tess felt her face heat, and she didn’t dare meet Mac’s gaze. “Right.”

“Look at you!” Janice exclaimed. “You’re burning up! Better get on home.”

“What’s wrong with Tess?” called Sam Donovan from his stool at the counter.

“Flu!” Janice called back.

“Flu?” asked Mabel Bellweather, popping up from the booth where she’d been sitting with her sister Florence. She hurried to Tess’s side. “Should I call your mother, honey? She’d want to know if you’ve come down with the flu.”