Page 97 of Here & Now

“My parents both work, and they don’t want to leave their jobs. My sister is a newlywed with an infant, so it’s not practical for her to move, either.”

“What about you?” he said, eyeing her closely.

Was he asking out of politeness or personal interest? She kept her answer simple. “My life is in Michigan.”

“Do you have a boyfriend back home?”

She stiffened, and he must have noticed.

“Forgive me if that was too personal. I just thought that might be the reason you don’t want to move.”

She shook her head. “My job and family are there.”

“I understand,” he said and took another drink of wine.

When the waiter brought their food, she dug in immediately, mostly because she was in a hurry to get down to business. The sooner this meeting was over, the sooner she could call Zane.

“How long have you lived on the island?” she said to prevent him from asking her more personal questions.

Her strategy worked. He talked about himself throughout dinner, and she half listened as she ate pasta and glanced out the window at the beautiful scenery.

When the waiter came to clear their plates, Scott ordered them dessert without even asking her.

She struggled to contain her irritation. “You didn’t have to do that.”

He flapped his hand dismissively. “You like chocolate, right?”

She almost lied but couldn’t quite bring herself to do it. “Yes.”

“I’ve never met a woman who didn’t.”

It sounded like he was bragging about how many women he knew, and her impatience reared up.

“Why don’t we talk business while we’re waiting for dessert?”

“I apologize. I’ve been enjoying your company so much I almost forgot that’s what we were here for.”

I haven’t! She forced a smile. “Thank you, but I’m anxious to hear what you have to say about the house.”

“Of course.” His cell phone rang on the table, and he glanced down at it. “Do you mind if I take this? It’ll only be a minute.”

“Go ahead.” She averted her gaze out the window to where the water glistened in the sun and a boat sped by, pulling a parasailer behind it. Parasailing reminded her of Zane and how he’d offered to take her. As frightened as she’d been at the prospect, she’d prefer that to her present company.

By the time Scott hung up, the waiter had arrived with their dessert.

She’d never been so disappointed to be served chocolate cake in her life. She just wanted this to be over with so she could get out of here.

“How about some ice cream to go with your cake? I’m sure the waiter wouldn’t mind getting some for you,” Scott said.

The waiter nodded enthusiastically, but she shook her head. “No thank you. I doubt I’ll even be able to finish this.”

In her agitated state, she hadn’t noticed how close the plate was to the edge of the table until it was too late. Scott and the waiter stared at the front of her dress, which was now smeared with dark chocolate frosting.

Several things happened at once. The waiter moved the plate back, apologizing profusely, and Scott dipped a napkin in his water glass. The next thing she knew, he was reaching out to wipe the stain off her CHEST.

Oh, hell no, she thought, scraping her chair back so he couldn’t reach her. Suddenly Zane strode up to their table looking like he might explode. Where did he come from?

She barely remembered what happened after that. In her embarrassment, she must have snapped at Zane, and he slunk off looking dejected. She almost ran after him, but then Scott started blabbing again, and she couldn’t think straight.