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He closed the wine menu. “No merlot or shiraz, I’m afraid. We’ll have to settle for a cabernet sauvignon.” He placed their order with the waiter.
As the waiter walked away, Vivian leaned forward. The tables were quite close together, and she really didn’t want anyone else listening to their conversation. “Thank you again for the roses.”
“I was told the red roses would work for an apology.”
He wasn’t getting away so easily. “I still don’t know why you’d look me up online—it’s plain creepy, don’t you think?”
“Finding information is what I do for a living. I really am sorry, and you’re right. I should’ve asked for your permission before I did that. Aunt Janice is also very angry with me because of what I did. I hope the lilies I had delivered to her will also help. She hasn’t seen them yet; she’s gone to Bozeman with a friend and will only be back later tonight.”
“Janice is so thrilled you’re visiting; I’m sure by this time she’s forgotten all about her anger.” She sighed. “Look, I know the only reason you invited me here tonight is because you want more information about what you’ve read about me and our parents, so ask your questions. I can’t promise I’ll answer all of them, though.”
He picked up her hand, electricity crackled, but he kept his hand in hers. “Has this ever happened to you before?”
She shook her head. They both knew exactly what he was talking about. “Not that I can recall.”
“Me neither. This is the main reason I invited you to dinner—don’t you think we should find out why this keeps happening?”
At that moment, the waiter brought the bottle of wine. Vivian put a hand to her tummy where a flight of butterflies was going crazy. This had been such a bad idea.
*
Aiden had ahard time construing logical sentences. Vivian had taken off her coat, and her beautiful shoulders were such a distraction, he was struggling to look away. He hadn’t planned on mentioning the electrical buzz they seemed to generate whenever their hands touched, but the words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.
The waiter poured the wine. As he stepped away, Aiden lifted his glass. “Thanks for joining me tonight.”
“Thanks for inviting me.”
He sipped on the wine, his eyes not leaving her face. What the hell was happening here?
“So, Aiden O’Sullivan—you seem to know all about me, but I know nothing about you. Tell me about yourself. Janice has mentioned you have a sister and that your cousin grew up with you? Are you all living in Portland?”
He grinned. “Oh, so now you’re taking on the role of reporter? Fair enough.” He nodded. “We all live in Portland. Craig is in advertising, and my sister Riley is a photographer. She has a little boy, Dylan.” He grinned. “He’s three going on thirty. You won’t believe the things that come out of his mouth.”
“None of you are married?”
He grimaced. “Riley nearly got married, but the idiot never showed up at the wedding. Nine months later, Dylan was born.”
She winced. “Ooh, that’s bad. That must have been so hard on her. On all of you. She should talk to Annie. My sister had very similar experience. It’s not easy trusting anyone again after something like that happens to you.”
He nodded. “She’s tough, though. I have the world of respect for the way she’s managed to get her life back on track.”
“Your parents?”
Raising his eyebrows, he grinned. “You really are interviewing me.”
Blushing, she put her hands around her face. “I’m sorry. As you can probably conclude, I haven’t been on a date in a while.”
“How long is a while?”
“Oh, so, now you’re asking the questions again?”
He was enjoying this side of the lovely doctor. “I’ll answer yours if you answer mine?”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s been a while. Probably… two years.”
“That’s very hard to believe. What’s wrong with the men in this town? You’re gorgeous.”
Raising an eyebrow, she chuckled. “Really? Those lines work in Portland?”
