“I’m also assuming—” He sat next to me. “That you’re mad at someone named Mr. Cross?”
I blushed. “Why is that?”
“Because you’ve shouted out ‘Fuck Mr. Cross’ or ‘To hell with that man’ at least six times.”
“Sorry…” I said. “I thought I was just saying it in my head.”
“Is he an ex-boyfriend or something?”
“Worse.” I shut my book. “My boss.”
“That’s good news for me.” He smiled, leaning closer. “I can see you’re busy, so I won’t take too much of your time, but there’s something subtle I need to tell you.”
“What’s that?”
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and you should go out with me.”
“That’s not subtle at all.”
“No, but it is the truth.” He smiled. “I’m James.”
“Andrea—well, obviously,” I said. “I could take a twenty-minute break for a chat outside, if you want.”
“I would like that.” He stood up and reached for my hand.
Taking it, I moved from the chair.
Before I could step forward, my phone buzzed in my pocket.
“Hold on…” I glanced at the screen and saw three missed calls from Mr. Cross.
No, not today.I slid it under my book and looked at James.
“Lead the way outside, please.”
An Hour Later
“Sorry I took more than twenty minutes.” James ran his fingers through my hair.
“It’s fine,” I said. “I needed a reminder of what ‘life’ is anyway.”
He smiled and leaned forward, pressing a kiss on my right cheek, then my left.
“You should call me when you have more time.” He stepped back and pulled a Post-it and pen from his pocket. “So you won’t feel pressure, and I won’t feel tempted to call you before you’re ready…”
He jotted down his number and folded the paper. Then he slipped it into the front pocket of my jacket.
“It was nice meeting you, Andrea,” he said.
“You, too.”
He looked as if he wanted to kiss me, but he held back and ushered me to the cafe doors.
“I’ll be waiting for your call.”
“It won’t be long.” I smiled and returned to my seat.
I watched him slip behind the wheel of a dark gray sports car before pulling off.
