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Lilly straightened and said, “Not yet. I’ll tell him at some point. It shouldn’t be an issue between us. It’s not like he was there.”
“You don’t have to get defensive, sweetie. I’m just saying it should be sooner rather than later. It shapes the way you see the Transfigured. Whether you intend it to or not, it likely shapes the way you see him.”
“I know,” she sighed. “It’s an unfair bias and I’m working on that, aren’t I? Just by even considering dating a Transfigured?”
“Absolutely. Just be careful sweetie,” Marissa cautioned. A moment later, she smirked and added, “No sex on the first date. He won’t buy the cow if he can get the milk for free.”
As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Lilly asked, “Do you really think I’m going to hand over my V-card to him on the first date?”
Marissa considered her for a moment and then said, “You never know.”
“Also, just to be clear. In this analogy, I am, in fact, the cow?”
Marissa snorted and said, “Sorry. It was getting too deep. I had to lighten the mood. You’re not a cow. I promise.”
Lilly rolled her eyes and said, “Night.”
“Have fun. You look totally hot,” Marissa called to her as Lilly retreated downstairs to answer the door.
By this time, Lilly had reached the main floor. She looked through the peephole, took a deep breath, and then opened the door.
He grinned and said, “Your friend was right, Lilly. You do look totally hot.”
Flushing, Lilly said, “That would be my roommate Marissa. But thank you.”
As she reached for the dressier of the two coats she owned, he smoothly took it from her and assisted her into it.
“Are you ready,” he asked.
She nodded and said, “I am. By the way, thank you for the flowers you sent earlier. They’re lovely.”
“You’re welcome, Lilly,” he said as they stepped into the brisk night air.
He steered them toward a silver Mercedes sedan, his hand on the small of her back. Even through the thick coat, she could feel his hand as if he were branding her. Lilly had never felt this level of sexual tension before from a casual touch. Thankfully, when he moved to open the passenger side door, he broke off contact momentarily. She slid inside before he could assist. She took another calming breath as he circled around to his own side of the car.
When he slid in, he said, “Thank you for agreeing to have dinner with me.”
Before she could filter her thoughts, she blurted out, “I honestly found it a little difficult to say no.”
He gazed at her, a frown forming on his lips. That was when she realized what she’d said.
“No. Not at all like you’re thinking, Talan. You’re my boss. Well, technically, my boss’s boss’s boss’s boss. That should have been enough reason to tell you no, but...I didn’t want to.”
“For me as well,” he admitted, the frown disappearing from his face. “I don’t make it a habit to date employees. I don’t really make it a habit to date.”
She was uncertain how to respond, but luckily she didn’t have to because he added, “I can’t seem to help myself where you’re concerned though.”
Another flush spread across her face, but she was determined to keep it together. Instead of acknowledging it, she asked, “So where are we off to?”
“ L’agriturismo,” Talan answered. “It’s means farmhouse. Do you like Italian food? I probably should have asked.”
She watched as he navigated them back onto the street and said, “I do, thank you.”
“Then I think you’ll enjoy it. I’m told the restaurant takes an organic, ‘local food only’ approach to their menu. I thought it might interest you.”
“It does. I can’t imagine what they’re able to create in the dead of winter, but I bet it’s going to be fabulous. You’ve got to appreciate that kind of dedication to craft,” she said.
“Yes,” he agreed as he reached across the center console and took her hand. Lilly ignored the fluttering of nerves in her belly and twined her fingers with his.
