I repeat his words, meeting him in the middle. Once we each take a sip, he simply says, “Hi,” with that damn panty-melting smirk again.
“Hi,” I respond shyly.
This is a different version of Braden, and I’m not sure what to make of it. He’s not being…Braden-like. He’s more subdued, prompting me to ask if something is wrong.
“No. I’m just out of practice. Sorry.” He grins adorably, almost appearing shy.
“With what?”
“Dating?” He smiles nervously, and it’s impossibly endearing.
That, in addition to his answer, causes me to laugh.
“What?” he asks.
“Nothing.” I shake my head.I still can’t believe he’s here. “So is that what this is? A date?” I can’t help but ask.
“I’d like it to be. If that’s okay with you?” He quirks an eyebrow.
“Um, I guess.” I shrug, not having a reason otherwise and wondering if that small spark of hope is dangerous. I’m choosing to ignore it for now. “You said you had a meeting?”
“Yeah. The same client I came to interview when we first met. We did his deposition today.”
“How did it go?” Not that I know what that is or anything, but I figure it’s polite to ask.
“It went well, and then we came here for a drink afterwards. I like the guy.”
“That probably makes it easier to work his case.” Then what he says registers. “Wait. Have you been here watching me the entire time?” This is so strange, I’m not sure what to think.
“Yes. It was harder than hell to stay in my seat and not come over, but I wanted to give you a minute to get comfortable.”
“How long are you in town for?”
“Until Sunday, if all goes as planned.” He winks at me, and I can’t help the butterflies that come to life.
“Did you decide all this yesterday?”
“I scheduled the deposition on Monday. These arrangements came next.”
“What if I was already busy tonight?”
“That would have been a problem.” He smirks. “Lucky for me, it worked out.”
“But what if it hadn’t? Would it have stopped you fromcoming?” I ask, realizing my mistake in verbiage the second his expression changes, and roll my eyes.
“Oh, Mouse, you make it so difficult to behave. It’s hard to resist goading you when you give me such perfect opportunities.”
“Don’t worry. I don’t expect anything less from you.”
“Yeah, but my goal is to have you expecting more.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I’d like you not to think of me asonlya player.”
“Why?”
Before he has a chance to answer, the waiter arrives. “Here you are. Would you like me to go over the selections for you?”
