"I think your table's ready, Jessica. Grace and I want to continue with our date."
She did not like being dismissed. Her eyes flashed with furious fire before she stormed off in a huff, leaving a hapless Jonathan to follow quickly in her wake.
Harrison covered my hand again, remorse written into his features. "Grace, I'm sorry about that."
I flipped my hand over and met his warm palm with mine. As predicted, tiny tingles shot up my arm. "Don't be. I don't want an apology from her anyway. It's just a shame she hasn't matured since high school. Even her bosom buddy, Dee, seems to have become a lot nicer."
"Yeah, Dee's great. She and Jessica don't hang out much anymore despite her working at Abbot's Salon. Ever since Jessica took over, she's been a bit of a bitch to her. Some sort of power trip. Dee's considering taking over the salon in Levin when the owners retire. But don't tell Jessica that."
"I'll try to refrain from gossiping with her."
Zara, finally having an opening to serve us, placed two glasses and a bottle of chilled water in front of us. I slowly and reluctantly slid my hand out from under Harrison's. Needing something to do, I picked up a breadstick and began nibbling on it.
"What's good here? I haven't been in years."
"Their grilled snapper with tomatoes and fennel is great. So's the clam linguine."
"Oooh, yes, let's get both and share. Is that okay?"
"Excellent. Can we also get a plate of fries, please?" He addressed Zara.
Zara nodded as she scribbled in her pad. "And to drink?"
"I'll get your house Sav, please."
"And I'll have a Stella. Thanks, Maria."
I sighed and sat back in my chair, surveying the restaurant with new eyes. I'd only come here once, for my eighteenth birthday. I remembered enjoying the food and feeling quite posh in the upscale establishment—well, it was upscale for eighteen-year-old me, anyway.
One glance around showed a softly-lit restaurant that had a soothing ambiance with discreet music playing under the chatter of guests. The tables appeared immaculate, and the wait staff were friendly and professional. I decided to give Zara's insolence a pass, given that I understood the flush of a young crush on an older man of authority.
And what a man to have a crush on, I thought as I peered at Harrison beneath my lashes. Tall, sexy, and virile. I, too, would be tempted to leave a note under Harrison's door if he had been a staff member when I was at school.
I looked away before Harrison caught me drooling over him…and promptly met the furious blue eyes of Jessica.
Jeez, talk about a mood killer.
Ignoring her, I turned back to Harrison with a soft smile.
"This is nice."
Harrison stretched his hands out on the table, palms up, in clear invitation. I clasped his strong, warm, calloused hands without hesitation—and maybe a little pettiness because I knew Jessica was an avid audience member. I blushed prettily as his thumb stroked my knuckles.
"Thank you for saying yes."
"How do you know I'm not doing some sort ofRevenge of the Nerdsscenario?" I winked.
"Well, if you wanna trick me into having sex with you, I'm all for it."
I tipped my dark head back and laughed. "That was such a messed up scene," I giggled, referring to the infamous moment where the main protagonist wore a mask to trick the hot, popular girl at school into having sex with him. The girl thought she was fucking her boyfriend. That movie did not age well.
"Are you going out with me for revenge, Gracie?" Harrison's thumb continued with its lazy pattern on my skin. "Will you make me fall in love with you, only to break my heart?"
My heart shuttered, and I shifted uncomfortably. I tried not to read too much into his words. "Maybe seven years ago, if I knew you were into me, and I had the guts to, then maybe," I shyly confessed.
A beat passed. I kept my gaze on our entwined hands.
"Gracie." The command was soft and coaxing.
