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“I’ll take that as a compliment. I went to boarding school in New Hampshire. That had a big impact on me,” I said, barely listening to her.
Damn, her blue eyes were killing me.
“So when you were growing up, did you help out at the hotel?”
“I sure did. My dad made sure I learned to do everything from the time I was old enough to fold sheets and towels. I did every crappy job there was in that place.”
I laughed, remembering how I’d hated that work then. But now I was damn glad he’d made me do it.
“Is your dad retired?”
That question was always a kick in the teeth. “Um, pretty much, yeah.”
He was retired all right. At Sing Sing Correctional Facility, enjoying prison food. Dear old dad.
“That’s cool. Do you see him much?” She finished her champagne or whatever it was she was drinking. And I’m pretty sure she sneaked a look at her watch.
“No, not really. I’m so busy with the hotel. It takes up a lot of my time.”
Truth was I hadn’t visited Dad since last Christmas.
And it was time to change the subject and fast. Her line of questioning was getting dangerously close to things I didn’t like to talk about.
“So, Happy Nara, do you have time for some dinner tonight?”
This was one woman I wasn’t going to let slip through my fingers.
But I don’t think she was as happy about my invitation as I’d hoped. She slipped off her chair after throwing some money on the bar for the drinks.
“Gosh, Brodie, I actually have to get back to the office. You know how start-ups are. My workday doesn’t usually end until nine or ten p.m.”
She typed something into a text message
“Looks like my assistant Mimi is really needing me for something.” She smiled and shrugged.
All right, if that’s the way it was going to be…
I stood, too. Even in those sexy heels, she still had to look up at me. And god, I liked how she did that.
“It was a pleasure meeting you.” She extended her hand, which seemed a little formal, but whatever.
“I’d like to see you again. I like your crooked smile.”
Boom. I’d done it.
She looked nervous. Did I look like an axe murderer?
“Oh, thank you.” She fumbled in her bag and produced a business card. “That would be nice.”
I leaned in to kiss her cheek and inhaled the simple shampoo scent of her hair. Clean and beautiful, just like she was.
She gave another little laugh, and I realized her face had turned bright pink.
I’d embarrassed her. Now, if that wasn’t the cutest thing.
Her phone buzzed again, and again she furiously responded to the text.
“Mimi again?” I had to torment her a little, especially since I knew she was beating me at my own game.
“Yes! Yes, something’s going on at the office. I gotta go. See ya.” And she went running out the door.
I watched her stride purposefully past the front of the restaurant window, never looking up from her phone. Good way to trip and fall.
Which I think I already had.
