“You’reworking.” He slams his laptop shut. “I’m ready to get the hell outta here and get something to eat. You coming?”
Biting the inside of my cheek, I hesitate. My first response is to say yes, but my thinking side reminds me of what’s at stake. I’ve been trying to remind myself all weekend that it was best to stay away from Mark.
“How about I make up your mind for you.Sure, Mark, dinner sounds great. I’m hungry as a freaking horse,” he mocks in a high-pitched voice before pulling out from his side of the table and moving over to mine to shut my laptop for me.
Sighing, I give in because I am hungry.
“There’s a Greek place I want to take you to. There’s also a holiday light show close by that started this weekend.” Mark’s voice is so infused with joy that I don’t have the heart to tell him I probably won’t be making any light show with him tonight. It’s bad enough that I’m going to dinner.
“You’re taking me in your car?” I ask once we arrive in the parking garage. I was so caught up in my thoughts, I didn’t realize we walked in the direction of his car.
“Yeah. Parking’s kind of tight around the restaurant and where the light show is. It just makes more sense to take one car. I’ll bring you back to yours after the show.”
I only hesitate for a moment because, despite how wrong this is, I want to go. The thought that I won’t be seeing Mark for the next six days keeps hammering at the back of my mind. I also know there’s a tiny, unlikely chance that we’ll run into my Uncle Will. He and his family live over an hour away, and it’s the middle of the week.
Those reminders allay my fears, and I opt to go with the flow.
“Do you need me to help?” I ask as Mark pulls the passenger door of his Mustang open.
“Yeah, you can get in so I can close the door behind you and get in myself.”
“Don’t get snippy with me,” I say before getting in the passenger seat.
Mark moves in closer. “Why? You plan on doing something about it?” His voice is so deep, and I could blame the colder weather for why my nipples harden, but let’s be real? We know what the actual cause of my physical response is.
That point is made when, instinctively, I angle my head upwards as Mark leans in, retaking my lips. It’s a bit of an odd angle given the position of his chair, but the kiss removes the awkwardness with its heat.
“Didn’t think so,” he says as he pulls back.
I give him a confused look, but then remember the question he asked right before kissing me. Pushing at his shoulder, I cause him to laugh as he closes the car door.
He maneuvers around and transitions his body from the chair to the driver’s seat before removing the wheels of his chair and placing them in the back. It doesn’t take him long to get the entire chair in the backseat, and he starts the engine and pulling us out of the parking space.
I laugh at the roaring of his engine as we pull out. “What’s so funny?”
“I always pictured you in a Mustang. I would’ve thought black, though.”
He shakes his head. “Forest green, baby.”
I smirk. “She suits you. How long have you had her?” Turning to him, I admire his profile while he stares straight ahead, observing the road before us.
“Little over two years. I bought it as a gift to myself once I got the job at Townsend. Had an SUV before. Still have it, actually, just don’t drive it as much.”
Fully turning to him and parking my elbow on the console between us, I ask, “So, how many women have you taken to this restaurant?”
He grins and looks over at me, and the way a piece of his hair falls over his forehead makes me swoon a little. Like, real live swoon. I sigh.
“Only a select few. I found this place because it’s not too far from Connor and Resha’s place. I don’t take my dates out this far.”
I swallow and bite down on the urge to ask him if he’s been on any other dates recently.It’s not my business, I have to remind myself.
“Their food better be good.”
“Would I eat there if it wasn’t?”
Shaking my head, I snicker. “No, you wouldn’t. What’s good there?”
“The chicken and beef gyros are great, but my favorite is the lamb.”
