“Deal,” she replied with a firm nod. “Oh, there’s an Asian fusion place up near the Triangle that makes the best Korean short ribs. I’ve been craving them for ages.”
“You’re joking, right?” Daniel said with a frown. “The only way we eat Korean is if I cook it.”
“You cook?”
Daniel nodded. “Just tell me when and where.”
“I’ll text you my address.” Her subtle grin left him breathless as he watched her walk away.
Once back at his desk, Daniel sat for a long moment, running all the different ways this could go wrong through his head. Getting even more involved with Samiah was the last thing he should be doing. He knew this.
But he’d be damned if he cared.
***
Samiah spotted Taylor sitting alone at their favorite high table and gave herself a mental high five for not being the last one to arrive for once. She would never be first. She’d learned that Taylor was one of thoseyou’re on time if you’re five minutes early, you’re late if you’re on timekind of people. It had to be that military upbringing. That’s probably why Daniel always made it to the office before she did, even on the mornings when she did clock in on time.
The corners of her mouth drew up, and she realized just the thought of him brought a smile to her face.
Oh, God.Shesohated herself right now. When had she become this girl?
For one thing, she shouldn’t have forgiven him so quickly. He deserved to sweat a while longer. At the very least she should have let him go on thinking that she had a real date tonight.
She’d caught his reaction when she mentioned that she had plans. That beautiful, well-pronounced jawline betrayed him, stiffening in response to her announcement. As if he had any right whatsoever to be jealous whenhewas the one who’d gone all “we should just be friends” on her.
Her nails bit into her palms as the anger of the last few days crept back in, yet, in an instant, her heart grew all melty at his charmingly awkward apology.
Samiah rolled her eyes. She’d totally becomethatgirl.
But she kinda liked it.
“Over here!” Taylor waved her over. “London had to take a phone call,” she said, pointing toward the door that led to the bar’s outside patio.
Well, damn. Guess she’d have to take away that mental high five.
“Have you all ordered yet?”
“Ceviche, a cheese plate, and those fried Brussels sprouts that are to freaking die for. Oh, and margaritas, of course. Watermelon’s okay, right?”
“It’s my jam,” Samiah said.
“Are you ready for this?” Taylor asked. She flattened her palms on the table and released a deep breath. “I decided to take the homeschooling job.”
“Wow. Really?” Samiah’s eyes widened. “Tay, are you sure—”
“Hey! About time you made it,” London said, cutting her off. She rounded the table, giving Samiah a hug before climbing onto her chair just as the waiter arrived with their tapas and margaritas. “So, did she tell you about her new job as a schoolteacher?” London asked, popping a crispy Brussels sprout in her mouth.
“Not a schoolteacher,” Taylor argued. “It’s basically what I’m doing now, just with clients all under four feet. And they’re paying me two hundred bucks a class! That’s six hundred a week! Twenty-four hundred a month.”
“Yeah, not to brag, but I got all As in math,” London said.
Taylor stuck her tongue out at her. “Well, I didn’t, so let me flex my quick addition skills for a minute.” She took a sip of her margarita before continuing. “Seriously, guys, do you know what I can do with an extra twenty-four hundred dollars a month? And for only three hours of work per week? I couldn’t pass that up.”
“But it’s not only three hours. You have to take time to plan out the classes, then do the evaluations on the back end,” Samiah said. “And drive all the way out to Bee Cave.”
“Yeah, I know. I can handle it.”
“So what does this mean for your plans to grow your fitness consulting business?” London asked.
