“How about I walk you home?”
“I’ve got my bike.”
“Okay, how about I walk you home and we walk your bike with us?” He grinned at her.
They locked up the theater and headed outside. He took the bike and rolled it beside them as they walked. When they got to her apartment, he couldn’t help but recall how it had felt to carry her up the stairs in his arms. He could almost feel her there.
He dismissed the thought as she opened the door. “You want to come in and have a drink?”
“Sure would.” He stepped inside, glad to have a chance to spend more time with her. He’d missed her these last days. Missed her smile. Missed teasing her. Missed… well, everything about her.
They took a couple of beers and went out on her balcony, settling onto a pair of comfortable chairs.
“It was nice being back at the theater,” he said.
She turned to him and smiled. “It was nice having you back.”
His heartbeat quickened at her smile and he had to keep from dropping his mouth open in surprise. Was he falling for this woman? He’d sworn off women after the whole Anna episode.
But Tori was so different than Anna. She didn’t seek out the spotlight. She was just a normal person, like him. He tried to sort out his feelings as they sat and chatted about the grand opening. Her eyes sparkled when she talked about it, full of excitement.
“You’ve done a remarkable job with all of this. I don’t know how you figured out so much about booking in a traveling troupe of actors, and so much about lighting and everything, but I’m impressed.”
A look of momentarysomethingcrossed her face before she smiled gently. “I’m just glad it’s all working out.”
He rose. “I should go. I still need to run by the shop and see if Jonny got that bike I was working on finished.”
She stood. “I didn’t mean to monopolize your time.”
“Oh, you didn’t. Not at all. I enjoyed working at the theater… and this nice break this evening.”
They headed inside, and she walked him to the door. They stood there facing each other, and he had the strongest urge to… kiss her. He blinked twice, surprised by the thought.Kiss her?
He cleared his throat. “I… I was wondering if you’d…” Get your words out, man. “Would you like to go out to dinner with me? Like a… date?”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “A date?” It was barely a whisper.
“Yes.” He nodded, holding his breath, waiting for her answer.
“You think that’s a good idea since we’re working together again?”
He chewed his lip. He hadn’t considered that. “Yes, I think it would be okay. Don’t you? We seem to be getting along fine now. And… I’d like to take you out.”
She stared at him for a moment, and he swore her gaze dropped to his lips before meeting his eyes again. “Okay, that sounds nice.”
“Tomorrow night work?”
She nodded.
“I’ll pick you up here at six.”
“Okay.”
“But I’ll be by the theater tomorrow too. Don’t worry.” He turned and hurried down the stairs, wondering what he’d done. He’d asked Tori out on a date. How long had it been since he’d gone on a date? Had he made the right decision to ask her out? She was right, they were co-workers. But soon the opening would be over and he wouldn’t have an excuse to see her so often.
Unless, of course, they were dating.
Tori closed the door softly behind Gavin and leaned against it. Gavin had asked her on a date. A date.
