“Are things working out well between you and Ms. Hayes?” she asked.
“Yeah,” he answered, sounding relieved. “They’re working out really well. I like her a lot and…well, shit, I’m falling in love with her. I’m hoping that I convince her that she feels the same about me.”
Veronica smiled. “I’m not sure you can convince her to fall in love with you if she’s not inclined to do so.”
“I don’t know,” he argued. “Have you met my mother?”
“Yes, I have.”
“Well, then you know how determined she is and I inherited that determination, so I’m choosing to believe it’s possible.”
Veronica had to laugh a little. “Good for you. I’m glad that you feel you’ve met your match in Dylan.”
“I think I really have,” he said.
“Is there anything I can do to help you? Do you feel like you need any advice?”
“Normally, I would tell you I had not one clue what I was doing,” he said with a dry laugh. “But somehow, she seems to like me exactly how I am.”
Veronica’s smile deepened and the tightness in her stomach released, leaving her feeling light and happy. “I’m so happy to hear that.”
“Well, I, uh, I do want to thank you and Ms. Proxa for what you did to bring us together. I have to admit I was really skeptical when my mother signed me up without my permission, but you guys seem to have a knack.”
“I understand your skepticism. We get that a lot. Thank you, Mr. Dugan. I wish you and Ms. Hayes all the best.”
“Bye,” he said before disconnecting.
Now that she’d had a couple of conversations with Clay Dugan, Veronica understood that his abrupt good-bye was not meant to be insulting. It’s just how he was. He didn’t waste words and he didn’t like to waste time either.
With a smile on her face, Veronica hung up the phone, grabbed her coffee, and went into the bathroom to finish getting ready for work.
Today was going to be a good day after all.
ChapterTwelve
For one reason or another, Clay didn't get to see Dylan again for five days. Five extremely long, sexually frustrating days.
Every time they tried to make plans, something came up. His brother-in-law broke his ankle the day after their last date and he spent the entire night taking care of his nieces and nephew. Then, Dylan had to work late the next three nights because one of her employees came down with the flu and called in.
Finally, the fourth night, he called her for their evening chat, a habit they'd established that week.
"Are you free tomorrow night?" he asked as soon as she answered.
"Yes, thank the goddess. My boss let me have the night off since I've picked up all those extra hours this week. She's covering for me."
"Do you want to come over for dinner? I'll cook."
Dylan hesitated so long that he asked, "Are you still there?"
"I'm here." She cleared her throat. "Is this code for sex? I just want to make sure that I know what to expect."
"What?"
She laughed a little. "I guess I'm asking what your expectations are."
"My expectations?" Clay was beginning to get annoyed. "My only expectation is for you to come over, eat my dinner, and hopefully not get food poisoning."
Dylan was silent again before she said, "Food poisoning?"
