“Reese?” Savannah called.
My body shook out of its stupor. “What? Huh?” I had to force the words out since my mouth had become sticky with dryness.
“Hello again.”
Oh, god. Did his voice have to be so deep?
It had been a long time since I had any action.
“Hello.” I nodded like I was a damn student, and he was a teacher greeting me on the first day of school.
“What are you doing here?” Savannah asked. Thank goodness. I couldn’t find words to save my life.
He moved closer to the desk, leaning on it. His massive body hovered directly above me.
“I’m here to take Reese out to lunch.”
I gasped and started to look around as if I didn’t know my name. “Me?”
He smiled.
Oh, god. He smiled.
His mouth was perfect, but his smile? Seeing it reminded me of the sun rising after a long night of thunderstorms.
I ducked my head and started arranging the Post-it notes, pens, and anything else I could grab on my desk. “It’s not quite my lunchtime. And as you can see,” I stopped and held up the stapler and a bright-pink Post-it notepad, “I have a ton of work to do here.”
I could’ve slapped myself in the back of the head for how dense I felt.
“It’s after one o’clock, just in time for your lunch break,” Savannah conveniently supplied. “Marissa can watch the front desk,” she added, referring to our new part-time intern.
If Savannah hadn’t been holding her newborn, I might’ve kicked her at that very moment. Instead, I peered up at Chael, a fresh refusal on my lips, but that’s where it got stuck. His smile was gone, and in its place was a steely expression, as if he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“The Mexican restaurant two doors down already has our table set,” he informed me.
I shook my head to refuse, but what came out of my mouth was, “I love their tacos.” I winced and rolled my eyes. “I mean, this is about the nursing home case, right?”
He rose to his full height, his facial features relaxing as if my agreement to have lunch with him gave him relief.
“Sure.”
I stood and felt my weaker leg almost give out due to the crazy, nervous feelings shooting through my body. I ran my hand over my right thigh, squeezing and massaging it to stop my leg from seizing up as it sometimes did.
“Enjoy your lunch,” Savannah said.
I glanced back at her with her baby in her arms.
“I need to grab my wallet,” I said, going to step behind my desk.
“No.” It sounded like a command, and I instantly froze midstride. “Lunch is on me.”
That sounds a lot like a date.
I quickly shook the thought off. It was ridiculous even to conceive. This man was looking to be helpful. He was a PI, and I’d gone to the firm he works for, for help.
I exhaled and turned to face him. “That’s very nice of you.”
Then Chael held out his arm as if he wanted me to intertwine my arm with his. I couldn’t possibly do that. A look from this man nearly sent me sputtering and stumbling. A touch would indeed send me into a puddle on the floor.
