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“Says the man who’ll move on as soon as a better opportunity comes along.” As soon as the words escaped, Violet cringed. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair.” From the first day she’d met Hayden, she’d known KGOLD was only a stepping stone for him. Talented and ambitious, whywouldhe stay more than a year or two? She could think of a hundred more reasons for him to leave than to stay.
A lead weight settled in Violet’s stomach when the man who was so adept at quick comebacks didn’t immediately answer.
“That’s a story for another day,” he said finally.
“Maybe one day you’ll share it with me.”
Hayden squared his broad shoulders, his expression serious. “I like it here. You see, there’s this female radio host who likes to challenge me. It might be worth sticking around to prove I’m not the scoundrel she seems to think I am.”
She sighed. “Fine. You win.”
He leaned half across the table, his eyes bright. “What’s my prize.”
“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to get to know each other better. As long as it’s not a date.”
The smile lines around his eyes crinkled. She liked those lines, ditto the lines surrounding his mouth, visible above the line of his beard. “If it helps, I have it on good authority my cooties are non-transferable.”
She knew better than to questionthatstatement.
“What are you doing next Saturday afternoon, say from about two until five?”
Whoa.“And you thinkI’mrigid with my schedule?”
“I have my reasons,” he said. “What I have in mind will be a great way to get to know each other.” Crumpling his cup, Hayden added it to the trash can under the sink.
“To be clear, aweekfrom this Saturday?” Violet wasn’t about to let on that’s when she normally tackled her laundry. “I should be around. Care to give me a clue?”
“I’ll let you know one night soon.When we pass each other”—he swiped one palm past the other—“like two ships in the night.”
She didn’t care for his vagueness, but fine, she could be patient. First the meeting with Charles, and now this . . . whatever it was. Violet took another bite of the meatloaf sandwich. “As long as—”
“I give you my word it won’t be detrimental to your health or well-being. No pressure, no strings.” Rising to his feet, Hayden planted his palms on the table and leaned close. “I wish I knew what you’re so afraid of, Violet.”
She didn’t even know how to respond.
“You might be interested to know ourgetting to know yououting has a lot to do with what I discussed with Chuck.”
“Part of the method to your madness?” Violet willed her pulse to slow.
“Something like that.” He paused in the doorway. “See you in the sound booth.”
“I’ll be there,” she said, but he’d already disappeared. Violet relished her last bite of the meatloaf sandwich. Hayden was right about one thing—his sandwichwasmighty tasty.
Hayden stuck his head around the corner. “Oh, and by the way …..”
She looked up, still chewing.
“I made the meatloaf.” He tapped the doorframe with a wide grin. “Glad you enjoyed it.”
Chapter Five
VIOLET WOULDN’T LIKE Chuck’s idea. Once she heard it, that little wrinkle between her brows would surface. Then she’d twist her lips and clam up. Hayden could read the woman better than she knew, not that it had anything to do with psychology. Maybe he should have told her the plan from the start, but Chuck wanted to be the one to tell her. Above all, he didn’t want Violet to feel blindsided.
“Hayden, your order for Booth 9 is up.”
“Thanks, Wendy.” After picking up the plate of lasagna from the kitchen line, he delivered it to the teenage couple’s booth. They couldn’t be any older than sixteen, too young to be canoodling in public. If he wouldn’t be at risk of being fired, he’d squeeze between them and intercept the overactive flying hormones. He was only the part-time assistant manager, so that wouldn’t be a good move.
Hayden quietly cleared his throat. “Your lasagna to share. Can I get you anything else?”
