But not much depth, either.
She settled on a bar stool, then realized that it didn’t have good mojo. “Will you switch stools with me?”
“What? Why?”
“Just switch.” If she’d asked Zander to switch stools with her, he wouldn’t have had to ask why.
She hooked a high heel over the rung of her new stool—better mojo—and crossed her legs.
Reid picked up one of her hands and, idly, tested the firmness of her fingertips. Then he traced circles around her knuckleswith a touch so light it almost tickled. Very smoothly done. Not only did the contact between them deliver a melody of delightful sensations, it also increased the intimacy between them without a creepy factor.
She waited to feel a rush of affection for Reid. He’d earned it! Deserved it.
The rush of affection didn’t come. She couldn’t dredge up any feelings for him stronger than indifference.
Maybe she’d grown weary of her predictable dating cycle. Maybe her devotion to Zander had grown too big to allow room for—
She wasn’t going to think about Zander tonight.
Why was having fun such hard work? She was exhausted from the exertion of it.
But she wasn’t a quitter.
She gave Reid a dogged grin.
“Another glass of champagne?” he asked.
“Absolutely.” Her earlier clear-headedness had dissipated. She hadn’t planned to get tipsy, but now that she was... Wow. She remembered how fantastic it felt. Self-control was perhaps ever so slightly overrated.
Her surroundings, along with her concerns, were losing their hard edges. Everything wasfine. Nothing to worry about. Not Zander—whom she wasn’t going to think about. Not the peppermint truffle. Not Frank’s mysterious past. Not the big order she needed to tackle Monday morning at Sweet Art.
She worked really hard to be the best chocolatier, friend, daughter, and sister she could be. She wasn’t a burden to anyone, financially or emotionally. She took care of her business, and she helped others. She had her life together. People like her, people who had their lives together, were entitled to let their hair down every once in a while. Right?
Text messages written by Zander and deleted before sending:
Zander
Are you home yet? It’s midnight.
Zander
It’s 12:30 a.m. and I know you wouldn’t want me to worry and that I shouldn’t worry, but I am worried. So let me know that you’re all right, please.
Zander
I’m sorry if kissing you ruined everything between us.
Zander
Your face is the face I want to see when I open my eyes every morning. You’re my sun and moon and stars. You give my life heat and meaning and you also make me sick with anxiety because you’re not home yet and you could be hurt or you could be drunk or you could be making out with someone who’s not me.
Zander
Home yet? It’s 1:00 in the morning. There’s no way I can sleep until I know you’re safe.
Zander
Did you forget to text me when you arrived home?
