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“Hi, Anderson,” I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady.
He smiled and I felt my heart flutter. “The table is ready,” he said, offering me his arm. I stepped forward to loop my arm through his, and let him lead me to our table, where he pulled out my seat and then took his seat across from me.
“So, how’s your day been going so far?” he asked. “You know, since I last saw you at the office and you ruined my suit?”
“I’m so sorry about that,” I said, feeling my face flush.
He laughed. “I’m just messing with you.”
“Like old time’s sake, huh?” I said, chuckling.
“Of course,” he said with a wink. He paused for a moment. “So, does your brother know where you are?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I told him we were having dinner to go over the numbers some more…” My voice faltered at the way Anderson’s eyes roamed over my dress. I knew he had to be wondering how Tobias had fallen for such an excuse considering what I had decided to wear.
“Right,” he said. “How about we eat first before getting into that?”
“Sure,” I said.
Anderson waved his hand, and a waitress approached us, delivering menus. Moments later, I decided on getting a grilled chicken Caesar salad, while Anderson settled on steak and potatoes.
“What’s been going on with you, Joanna?” he asked after we had placed our orders.
“A lot,” I said with a sigh. In the moment, it occurred to me that I had no desire to fill him in on the things I’d been forced to endure at the hands of Zander. “I was living in Miami for a while,” I said, figuring it was best to keep it simple.
“And you traded in Miami for cold Chicago winters?”
I smiled. “Hey, I’m not scared of Chicago winters. I am from here, you know.”
Anderson laughed. “So, what were you doing out there in Miami?”
“Working in Finance and…just hanging out.”
Anderson reached for his cup of water, and once again, I felt his eyes roaming over me. “Well, from what I can tell, the years have certainly been good to you,” he said.
I smirked. “I can say the same for you. The years have certainly made you a lot nicer, that’s for sure.”
Anderson gave a hearty laugh, and I couldn’t help smiling at the sound.
“Now, what makes you say that? Was I really that bad?” he asked.
I placed my finger on my chin as if deep in thought. “Well, maybe not to everyone, but you certainly were to me.”
“Aww, come on!”
“Toothpick, munchkin, bonehead…” I said. “Those are just a few of the names I remember you calling me. I’m sure there were others that I’m forgetting.”
Anderson placed a hand on his chest, feigning being hurt. “You know those were all said out of affection, my love.”
“Sure,” I said, ignoring the way my face flushed again at the sound of him referring to me as ‘my love.’ I reached for my glass of water and took a sip.
“And you have to admit,” he added, “you were a little obnoxious back then.”
“Was I?” I said. “Well, maybe there was a reason for that.”
“A reason like what?”
Me having a crush on you, I thought, but didn’t dare say, regardless of the way his eyes bore into mine, challenging me to answer. Luckily the waitress returned with our food, sparing me from responding.
