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“Fine, show me the conference room, but just so you know, I have horrible memories of that room.” In a word:waterboarding.
As Tim and I make our way out of the ballroom, I realize how comfortable I am with him. Not only is he turning into a good friend, but I really appreciate not being the only single person in my friend group. That’s no thrill ride, let me tell you.
As we approach Conference Room A, a wave of nausea rolls over me. I wonder if I have some kind of post-traumatic stress from my last interview. But when Tim opens the door, I see the interior looks nothing like it did last Saturday. It now looks like a charmingly elegant dining room. Although nowhere near as nice as the real deal.
“So, this is where we’re going to have our dinner dates?” I ask.
“That’s what I’ve been told,” he says. “I thought you might want to have supper here tonight to get used to it.” The look of disgust that washes over my face alerts him that I’m not hot on that idea. “Or not.”
“I like the Premier Club,” I confess. “I feel like I’m eating supper in one of those fussy period pieces.”
Looking uncertain, he asks, “And that’s a good thing?”
“I’d much rather eat with the characters ofPride and Prejudicethan the ones fromDie Hard.”
“And this room makes you feel like you’re inDie Hard?”
I snort-laugh at the expression of confusion on his face. “No. But I still want to eat in the Premier Club.”
He holds out his arm for me to take. “Do you also have a preference which table you’d like to sit at?”
“The one we ate at the other night was perfect.”
While I follow Tim, I suddenly wonder what it would be like to be on a real date with him. I know I can’t let thoughts like that flourish, so I quash them by reminding myself that he’s not interested in anything but revenge.
Having said that, this handsome man is still my dinner date for this evening, and I plan on enjoying myself.
CHAPTER TEN
TIM
I nearly swallowed my tongue when Paige walked through the front door of the club.What was she thinking wearing a dress like that in public?I probably sound like my grandfather, but seriously, strapless black leather? At least she wasn’t carrying a whip.
As we walk into the Premier Club dining room, I wave to the maître d’. “We’ll be at table seven, Martin. Please send over a bottle of the Far Niente Cabernet.” It suddenly occurs to me Paige may not want red wine so I turn to her and say, “If that’s okay with you.”
She arches one eyebrow which makes her look like a stern schoolteacher—in a black leather dress. “I will never say no to wine with an actual cork in it.”
“I’ll take note of that,” I tell her as we walk to our table. Once we’re there, I pull out her chair for her before taking the seat to her right.
“So yes or no on the dress?” she asks. “I don’t want to wear it if it sends the wrong message.”
Trying to buy myself some time, I ask, “What message are you afraid it might send?”
Paige doesn’t answer right away because our server comes over to fill our water glasses. When he’s gone, she says, “I’m worried it might make me look cheap.”
I practically choke on my own spit while saying, “I’m guessing you’re not.”
Her face scrunches up in disgust. “Of course, I’m not.” After a beat, she asks, “Are you?”
I slowly put my napkin in my lap before answering, “No. Even though I went out on a lot of dates when I first moved home, I made it clear I wasn’t looking for a physical relationship until I was ready to be exclusive.”
“Smart thinking.” She takes another sip of her water.
“I have no intention of getting intimate with someone for a very long time. Once bitten, twice shy, you know?”
“I do,” she agrees. “My problem is that I can’t find any guys to go out with. Elk Lake isn’t exactly a hopping singles destination.”
“Which is why you’re going onMidwestern Matchmaker.”
