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“Well, I’m coming back here tonight, so you can’t be a pervert and bring her home.”
“If I wanted to be a pervert, as you say, I can always afford a hotel room.” I wagged my brows at her as she watched me put the bottle back on the other side of the counter.
“You’re horrible. It’s the first date.”
“No offense sis, but I’ve got this under control.”
“I’m just saying, you should probably give this a different approach than your norm. She seems like a nice girl, and if she’s using a dating site, maybe it’s because she’s leery and has been hurt before. The site is set up like a huge screening room, so some women use it that way.”
My sister had a point. Although, the reality of the matter was I had a short period of time to meet the requirements of my inheritance.
“I’ll take things as they come, but I’m not making any promises. I like this girl, so far. If we hit it off, I’m going to let things run their natural course, and if we end up in bed tonight, whether it’s her place or a hotel, that’s my business.”
She gave me a scolding glare that was so much like my mother’s it gave me chills. She really was becoming a clone, but I’d never tell her that. “Just promise me you’ll be careful with your own heart and I’ll shut up.”
“I’ll be careful.” I grabbed my wallet and keys off the bar and gave my sister a kiss on the forehead. “Don’t wait up.”
My sister knew about the clause in my trust that said I needed to be settled and have a kid before I could get the rest of the money. She teased me about it constantly, especially since my father hadn’t suggested my grandmother do the same for her. We both knew she wanted to see me settled. Then she could stop worrying about me.
I headed out to the car and was soon on my way across town to the coffee shop. The Loving Cup was a local gem, and it brought back memories.
I parked my Jeep up front and fought the urge to check my hair in the mirror. She could take me or leave me as I was.
I walked in and found her already sitting at a small table to the side. It had to be the best sight I’d seen in a while. She was sitting there alone waiting for me. The spot she chose was perfect for privacy, and I glanced around at the other patrons and was thankful it was a quiet crowd.
Her eyes sparkled, and her cheeks turned red as she greeted me with a smile on my way over. She got up and greeted me with a handshake, and I took the time to feel how soft the skin on the back of her hand was. “It’s nice to see you in the flesh.”
I pulled out my chair and took a seat across from her. “Likewise. Have you been waiting long? My sister showed up, and I got held up in traffic.”
“Not long at all, I just sat down. I thought I’d check work my schedule while I was here.”
I nodded and took in the sight of her. She’d let her hair down, and it fell to shoulders in soft waves, the chestnut color complementing her green eyes and alabaster skin. She was a real beauty, natural with a wholesome look, but there was a gleam in her eye that told me she had a slight wild streak in her just begging to come out.
“I haven’t ordered yet, I didn’t know what I wanted, and I thought I’d let you choose something for me.”
“Wow, you trust me with that big of a decision? I’ll see what I can do, but I will admit, it’s been a while since I had a cup.”
“Well, I work here, so I like it all. I’ve tried every combination on the menu, and my favorites include caramel.”
I took her hint and minutes later returned with two caramel mocha lattes and two biscotti.
“Great choice. Thank you.”
“They didn’t let me pay since I was with you and said it was in the house.” I slid into my seat and dunked my biscotti.
“Yeah, one of the many perks of knowing a Loving Cup employee.
I can also get you tickets to and UT game, so if you bleed orange, there’s that.”
“Nice. I love UT.”
“You were saying you do astral photography. I’ve always wanted to try that. I love Orion, and it would be nice to capture that for my apartment.”
I was surprised she knew anything about it. “Many people are fascinated with his belt, but I’ve always preferred the shoulder stars.”
She stirred her latte and nodded. “Betelgeuse and Bellatrix. I know that because I had two cats named Castor and Pollux.”
“The Gemini twins?” I wondered how the two were related.
