She watched them on the wide steps in front of the building.She was kind of hoping that Reaves would leave, but they stood there chatting, Ollie scanning the road, no doubt wondering where she was.
As much as she was enjoying the view from the spot where she'd parked across the street — she could look at Ollie all day — she needed to make a move.
She climbed out of Xander's truck and locked it behind her.A shiver ran down her spine as she let her gaze travel over Ollie.He was fairer than Reaves, taller, leaner — more of an athletic build.His hair was the kind of brown that looked like he'd spent time at the beach — sun-kissed, honey-blond highlights.
She made a face, hoping that they were natural.She could just imagine the crap her brothers would give her if she told them she'd dated a guy who had highlights in his hair!Their idea of a haircut was to grab the clippers when someone told them they needed to — and not worry about who or what they'd been used on last.
She hitched the strap of her purse higher on her shoulder and backtracked to the crosswalk so that she wouldn't have to parade up and down the street in front of them to get to the one closer to the building.
When she was on the other side of the road, Ollie spotted her.Damn!Goosebumps raced over her skin when he smiled and lifted his hand in greeting.He was gorgeous.He was dressed casually enough — a red T-shirt stretched over his lean chest, his jeans the kind of blue that reminded her of a summer sky.He was wearing a ball cap, but he took it off as he trotted down the steps to greet her.
She waved back but didn't hurry.As much as she was looking forward to spending some time with him, she felt a little nervous now that she was here.She felt like the country mouse come to visit the town mouse.He might think she was a hick by the time the evening was over.She didn't know how these apartment dwellers lived — what was important to them.Sure, she liked him so far, but they really were from different worlds.
She inhaled deeply just before she reached them.She needed to forget all that and just focus on spending a fun couple of hours with a nice guy — and his dogs.She pursed her lips.Although, what kind of guy confined two Dobermans to living in an apartment in the middle of town?His priorities had to be at least a little screwed up to—
"Hey, Callie."
She froze when he came straight to her and rested a hand on her shoulder as he leaned in to kiss her cheek.Pretty forward!
"Hi."She gave him a tight smile as he stepped back.
Then Reaves did the same thing!Okay, so maybe this was apartment-dweller, Napa Valley, California normal?She'd seen movies where people in Europe greeted each other with two kisses on the cheek.Maybe that was where it came from.
"Hey."She forced herself to relax and stop judging them as she smiled."Are you coming to walk the dogs too?"she asked Reaves.Ollie had said that he was just leaving, but maybe it'd be better if he came along.
He gave her an odd smile."No, I needed to talk to Ollie about a couple of things.I'm just leaving."
Callie nodded.
"I'll call you later," Ollie told him.
Reaves nodded."Yeah, or tomorrow.Whatever."
She felt like there was some weird vibe between them, but maybe it was just her.
"I hope he's not leaving because of me," she said as they watched Reaves walk away down the street.
Ollie made a strange sound, and she raised her eyebrows."Does that mean yes, he is?"
"It's all good."He met her gaze and smiled."What do you say — do you want to load the dogs up and take them out to a place where they can get a real run?There's a park close by if you'd rather go there, but they'll have to stay on leash, and..."
She smiled."I'm more than happy to be the reason they get to go somewhere else — somewhere they can run free.I think you already know that I can relate.I don't do well when I'm kept on a leash either."
"Yeah."
She felt bad when she saw the look on his face.She hadn't meant to accuse him of anything, but he looked as guilty as hell.
He gestured for her to come with him up the steps and into the lobby of his building.Once they were inside, Callie tried to look all around without looking like her head was on a swivel.It was beautiful in here.The floors were shiny, polished — marble, maybe?She didn't know.There was artwork on the walls, but it was nice — you could tell that it was of the rolling hills and vineyards, even though the colors were blurry.It felt like golden light on beautiful countryside — not the kind of artwork that you'd swear was a kid's finger-painting but that rich people paid millions for.
The man sitting behind the desk nodded at them, and Ollie nodded back before ushering her toward the elevators.
"Thanks for coming."
"Thanks for asking me."
He shifted from one foot to the other while they waited for the elevator, and she started to wonder if this was maybe a bad idea.They hadn't spent much time together since he'd picked her up last Wednesday to bring her to the Jacobs estate so that she could be with Becca in the run-up to the wedding, but the little time they'd been around each other had been easy and fun.This felt stilted and...weird.She fiddled with the strap of her purse, wondering if she should cut her losses and tell him that it wasn’t going to work, that she should go.
Just as she opened her mouth, the elevator dinged and the doors slid open.
