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“Even France? Or Italy?”
Angela nodded. “Although I loved Paris, Monte Carlo and the Italian coast, Thailand had the best food and the most spectacular views of the ocean.”
“Your passport must be stamped full.”
Angela shrugged. “I actually went through a couple during that period, but eventually I got homesick and wanted to put down roots. The problem was when I got back everyone I knew was in a different phase in their life and I kind of fell behind. Had to figure out my way.”
“From where I’m sitting you have.”
“Not like you,” Angela responded. “You have a knack for salesmanship. Look at what you’ve accomplished.”
“I watched my father and emulated him. He owned a small real estate firm and he made a decent living, but he never took it a step further. I saw potential there, a niche market that wasn’t being tapped or catered to. He introduced me to some folks he knew and I took the ball and ran with it.”
Angela laughed. “Why are you giving me the condensed version? Can’t you be real with me?”
Daniel stared at her. “I am being real with you.”
“Nope,” she said as she shook her head. “You’ve told me the same thing I could read about you on the internet while I, on the other hand, have kept it one hundred with you.”
He grinned at her slang. “No one wants to hear about my struggles to start a new firm in Miami.”
“Try me.”
“Are you always this pushy?”
Her brown eyes flashed fire. “It’s got me this far in life. Why should I stop now?”
“All right.” He let out a long sigh. “If you must know, I had to take out a small business loan, but it wasn’t enough to cover the start-up costs for Cobb Luxury Real Estate.”
“And?” She urged him to continue.
“The father of an associate of mine lent me the money.” Daniel’s mind went to Alexander Rollins and how he wouldn’t be happy that Daniel was going against his son at Prescott George and supporting Joshua. But it wasn’t like Alexander hadn’t made a killing off the short-term investment and high interest. Daniel had paid him back. “In the end, I was able to open a small office. At first it was just me and Mary. She was my receptionist, my office manager and my marketing person all rolled into one, but I couldn’t have started this place without her.”
“Everyone loves Mary.”
“As they should. She’s been like a mother to me.”
“And what of your own mom? Where is she?”
Daniel shrugged. “She lives in Tampa. Remarried after she caught my father cheating. Started a new life with a new family. Don’t see her much.” He didn’t want to think about those dark days when he’d felt abandoned. Instead, he wanted their conversation to be upbeat. “Was that real enough for you, Angela? Am I keeping it one hundred enough now?”
She stared at him for several long moments before speaking. “It was.” Then she laughed. “But don’t start speaking slang. Doesn’t really suit you.” She rose from her chair and leaned over to gather the plastic containers on the table.
“I can help.” Daniel stood and they both reached for a container at the same time. Their eyes locked from across the table. Daniel didn’t let go of the container and neither did Angela. Instead, an invisible force pulled them closer and closer to each other.
When they were mere inches apart and Daniel could breathe in the fruity notes of her perfume, he thought about whether this was the right decision. He knew he should banish all thoughts of Angela from his mind, but he’d been going crazy for days trying to ignore her. Acting as if he didn’t notice her in the office.
He just had to touch her. He reached out and caressed her cheek with his palm.
“Don’t.” Angela tried to turn away, but he slowly pulled her back toward him.
“Angela.” The precarious control he’d been holding on to finally snapped and his nostrils flared. She looked like she was ready for his mouth on hers. And without thinking of the consequences or whether it was right or wrong, he wrapped one arm around her hips and pulled her close to him, then he kissed her.
