AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He bobbed his head and took a step back, giving her room to walk beside him. For a split second he considered extending his arm but decided it might be a bit much for a casual lunch invitation. “Do you prefer fish or beef?”
“Not sure I have a preference.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, it occurred to him that given her line of work saving the animals and the planet, maybe she was vegan or vegetarian. Thankfully, he wasn’t going to have to scramble looking for an appropriate place to eat. He had a list of favorites and his best bet was picking something that offered traditional American fare, a little of this and that, and he knew just the place.
“I must admit,” Kate buckled her seatbelt and turned to face him, “this was a bit of a surprise.”
“A good one, I hope.” He pulled away from the curb.
It took her longer to respond than he would have liked, but finally she bobbed her head. “I think so.”
He was going to have to do his best to make sure that his phone call and invitation shifted from ‘I think so’ into the most definitely a pleasant surprise category. “I’m glad. I have been staring at your phone number for days, debating whether or not to call.”
Her brows buckled and she tugged at the strap across her chest as she shifted in her seat. “Which begs the question, how did you get my cell phone?” The words were barely out of her mouth when she held her hand up. “Never mind. Some days I forget how far-reaching Google can be.”
At this particular moment, he didn’t think it wise to explain about Brooklyn. If this led to anything more than lunch, he’d have to find a way, but for now, he’d be willing to live with what his Catholic friends called a sin of omission. Only a few minutes in average traffic and he was down the freeway to one of his favorite eateries.
“So what made you call?” Her question was addressed to him, but her gaze was on the traffic ahead.
He wasn’t quite sure how to answer. Or maybe what to answer.
“You said you had my number for days. Why did you finally call?” Her more in depth question told him she must have mistaken his silence for confusion.
“Frankly, after what happened with my cousin, I was afraid you might hang up on me. Or worse.”
“Worse?”
He shrugged. “One thing I learned early in life is never underestimate a smart woman. Especially if you’ve pissed her off.”
“Oh, I detect a good story hidden in there somewhere.” The corners of her lips tipped up in just a hint of amusement.
He’d forgotten how beautiful that smile was, but the same as it had in college, the warmth and sweetness of her grin punched him hard in the gut. For the life of him, he couldn’t remember having such a visceral reaction to a woman’s smile. “I remember that smile. From Spanish—”
“Lit class.” The grin widened.
For a moment he tore his gaze away from the road ahead and took in the twinkle in her eyes. “I didn’t think you remembered.”
“How does a mere mortal forget when she’s in class with Texas royalty.”
Oh, how he hated when the media referred to the Baron clan as royalty. “I was hoping it had more to do with my boyish good looks and southern charm.”
Kate tipped her head back and laughed from deep in her throat. The sound made his smile widen and his fingers tighten on the steering wheel. There was no doubt in his mind he was going to love every minute of finally getting to know his redheaded classmate. “You certainly had Senora DeLeon charmed.”
Truth was, he had most of his professors charmed. Except for Doc Benson, his statistics professor, who had a real thing against legacy families. Or maybe just Barons. “Whatever happened to that friend of yours?”
“Joan?”
He shook his head. “The guy who sat near you in class.”
“Oh,” her smile softened, “Steve. We were going to save the world together.”
“Were?”
“You know how it is in school. Everyone is starry-eyed with dreams of grandeur. After college Steve moved on to Woodshull and now he’s somewhere in the South Pacific.”
“A modern Jaques Cousteau.”
“Something like that.” Her smile remained sincere. Whatever happened, there wasn’t any bad blood. “I like the idea of saving my little corner of the planet.”
