Holy Cannoli! This man was setting me on fire.
I pinched my lips. “You’re not too bad yourself.”
We continued down the sidewalk. “So, what’s your favorite movie?” Grant asked.
I cringed. Ugh! Why did he start there? I would rather start with color. My answer would be normal. “I’m sure it’s not your style.”
He tilted his head toward me. “Try me.”
“Well, ones with Cary Grant, for starters.” I felt heat warm my cheeks. “I likeRoman Holiday,Gone with the Wind,To Catch a Thief,Fiddler on the Roof…” I paused, waiting for him to stop me. “I also likeEmmaor any Jane Austen or Charles Dickens adaptation. Oh, and musicals!” Grant’s lips pulled down and I chuckled. “It’s fine. I know, I have unusual movie tastes.” It was fine.
“I technically saw someFiddler on the Roof.” He grimaced. “My mom tricked me into watching part of it when I was younger. I’m sorry, but it was so boring.”
I chuckled. “You were probably too young to understand its brilliance.” I bumped his shoulder. “How about you? What movies do you like?”
He pressed the crossing button, and we waited at the street corner. “I like action movies like Jason Bourne, Marvel, oh, and the Transformers movies were good. Not as good as the old cartoon, though.”
I hadn’t seen any of those either. Oh, wait. “I sawThorwith an old boyfriend. It was pretty funny.”
What?! I stutter stepped as we began across the street. Why had I brought up old boyfriends? My face burned, and I refused tomeet Grant’s eyes. We walked past a group of teenagers racing on scooters.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked up at him. He wasn’t going to take the bait.I rose to the challenge. “What about you? Have you seen a black and white movie with a girlfriend, maybe?” I forced my face into confidence I didn’t feel.
Grant smirked. “Not yet.” He winked.
A rush of tingles ran up my spine. He reached for the door handle beside us and held it open, allowing me to go through first.
I was wrapped in the aroma of a garlic bread hug. “It smells delicious!” I looked at the sign above the hostess. Leo’s Pasta. “I love Leo’s!” I had never actually been inside the restaurant though.
“Same.” Grant added. “Have you tried their bread dipped in balsamic vinegar?”
“Nope.” I shook my head.
“It’s so good. You have to try it.” Grant turned to the hostess. “Two, please.”
She looked down at her chart, nodded, and grabbed two menus. “Follow me please.”
We followed her through the room with dark wood accents, grapevine painted wallpaper, and low-lit booths to our table.
I sat and took the menu she handed me. No need to prove I had the one on my fridge memorized.
Looking over Grant’s shoulder, I noticed Peter, the man who delivered my takeout. His kind eyes and happy smile lit up with recognition.
Crap! Grant was soon going to know just how much I loved Leo’s.
I ducked my head, hoping that Peter hadn’t recognized me.
“Emma!” He came to my side.
Guess I wasn’t so lucky. I peeked up at him and smiled.
“It’s good you came to see me this time.” He chuckled.
I met Grant’s curious gaze over the table. My cheeks burned with embarrassment. “I told you I liked it here. Hey, Peter.”
Grant chuckled.
“Hey! No movie date night tonight, eh?” Peter raised his eyebrows and gestured toward Grant.
