David smiled. “Peter and I are ambushed each time we walk through the New York office. After two of our staff came here for a vacation, everyone saw the photos of Sapphire Bay. If we aren’t careful, everyone will want to move here.”
Andrea’s smile warmed his heart. “From my perspective, I can’t think of anything better. The café would have triple the number of customers.”
“More than that. Once our staff try your home baking, you won’t have enough tables and chairs for everyone.”
“My business partner will be thrilled.”
David laughed just as Pastor John joined them.
“Hi, you two. Charlie and Andy are still on the basketball court, Andrea. But they should be finished soon.”
“That’s great. I’ll wait for them outside.” She smiled at David. “Thanks again for showing me your new offices.”
“You’re welcome. Are you sure you don’t want a ride home? My meeting with John won’t take long.”
“We’ll walk, but thanks for the offer.”
David glanced at John and gathered what little courage he had. “Would you and the boys like to have dinner with me? Katie said I need to go to Luca’s Pizzeria before I go home.”
Andrea’s eyes widened. “Umm. That’s really nice of you to invite us, but the boys will be tired.”
“It doesn’t have to be a late night. I could drop you home straight after dinner.”
Andrea’s uncertain gaze traveled to John and then back to him. “I suppose that would be okay.”
It wasn’t the most enthusiastic response he’d ever heard, but he’d take it. “Dinner it is. Does six o’clock suit you?”
Andrea nodded. “Six is fine.”
“Great. I’ll pick you and the boys up then.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
David watched her leave the main reception area. Andrea was a great person and, from what he’d seen, a wonderful mom. All he wanted was for her to be happy and realize just how special she was.
“I hope your intentions are honorable.”
He looked at Pastor John.
“Andrea and the boys have been through a lot. Don’t take advantage of her.”
He shouldn’t be surprised by how protective John sounded. He’d spent enough time in Sapphire Bay to know that everyone looked after each other. “She’s an amazing person. I’ll be careful.”
He liked Andrea more than anyone he’d met. If she wanted to keep their relationship professional, that was okay with him. But he wanted to see if they had more in common with each other than the café.
John collected a box from beside the front counter. “Are you ready for our meeting?”
David pushed his thoughts to one side and focused on why he was here. “I’m ready. Did you speak to the students who were interested in joining the construction team?”
“I have, and they’re excited to be part of the project.”
They weren’t the only ones. Everyone he’d spoken to was looking forward to seeing what the research facility would look like. All he had to do was make sure they built the project on time and within budget.
Chapter 8
David was used to speaking to Fortune 500 chief executives, discussing complex logarithms with IT specialists, and negotiating multimillion-dollar deals. What he wasn’t used to was speaking to two boys whose mom meant more to him each time they met.
He glanced in the rearview mirror and was grateful for small mercies. Andy and Charlie must have decided to take pity on him. They’d said hello, answered his questions, and were still impressed he worked for BioTech Industries.
