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“I wanted to work in the food industry, but not necessarily restaurants.” He slices the flaky white fish and puts a piece in his mouth, tilting his head to the side as if testing it.
I wait as he finishes. “Good?”
He nods. “Did you know you only have to eat fifteen almonds a day to get the health benefits? You actually shouldn’t eat more, because you can overdose on the good nutrients.”
I’ve just crammed a giant grilled shrimp in my mouth, so I nod my head, doing my best to act interested.
“The old adage ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ should be modified to ‘an apple spread with almond butter.’”
“That must be great for your business.” I imagine if Dotty were here, she’d say Well, I’ll be dogged. Ruby would groan and say she’s aged fifteen years.
“But you don’t want to talk about almonds.” He smiles in a suggestive way that makes me cringe.
“You’re so wrong!” I place my hand on my chest, leaning forward. “I find almonds fascinating. It’s why I wanted to talk with you more. Maybe I should prescribe them to my patients.”
It’s the first time I’ve seen Ralph disappointed by his favorite edible. “I’m not sure they’ve been tested for clinical use.”
“Still, the health benefits are outstanding. Didn’t you say that?”
“I suppose.” He looks down at his fish, cutting another piece while I stab my last giant shrimp. “It’s primarily in the areas of heart disease and eye health.”
“Didn’t you say almonds help with diabetes?”
“And lowering blood pressure. It’s mostly vascular benefits.” He’s finishing off his fish, and the band is back from their break.
I’ve had my last bite of salad, and Kenny returns to the table. “Save room for desserts or coffee?”
I glance at my untouched second margarita and decline. Ralph does the same. I’m about to take this as a cue to make my escape, when he finally manages to catch my hand in his.
“Let’s have that dance now.”
“Oh… well… I don’t know. Aren’t you supposed to wait twenty minutes after eating?”
“That’s swimming.”
He drags me out onto the floor amidst a crowd of couples paired up and moving slow. The band plays Jimmy Buffet’s “Treat Her Like a Lady,” and I hope Ralph takes it as a sign, even if it is about the ocean and not a girl.
He puts one hand on my waist and pulls me close, holding my other in his. His cheek is against my temple, and he leans close. “You should always be treated like a lady, Andrea.”
My nose wrinkles as we sway side to side. “Thanks.”
While I endure the dance, I look over Ralph’s shoulder at the sun, disappearing on the horizon. The sky is streaked in dark blue, purple, neon orange, and pink. It’s really beautiful with the clouds sliding in across the face, although as I watch them, they look pretty dark.
“You think it’s going to rain?” I’m thinking about the convertible Jag. I left the top down…
“I hope not. We’ve had enough rain for this season.” Ralph actually stiffens and turns us so he can look at the sky.
I’m now facing the bar area, and as I blink absently to the crowd. Like a magnet, my eyes are drawn to another set of equally stormy ones watching us. I lean forward to get a better look, and my stomach flips.
Gray is sitting at the bar, eyes fixed on me and scowling. His jaw tightens as he traces our movements, Ralph’s hands on my body.
I try to jump back, but I’ve unintentionally moved closer to my date. “Andrea,” he groans. His arm tightens around my waist. “Let me hold you closer.”
“Oh, I’m sorry!” I struggle to move away, putting my hand against his chest. “I was just looking at something. I didn’t mean to—”
“I’m sure you’re nervous. It’s been a long time since you were with a man, but I’ll be gentle.”
My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline. “Hang on a second, Ralph. I didn’t mean to send the wrong message.”
