“So, why did you leave your old firm?”
“It was in New York.And I wanted to move to Butler.And that’s not a commute I’m willing to make.”
“And you can just leave?”
The waitress appeared again, covering the table in plates.She had to make three trips to get everything over to us.
Vance loaded up his plate while I was too busy gaping at the food.“I’m opening a branch in Denver.I’ll be running it myself, but I’m still part owner of the business.”
“Wouldn’t it make more sense to move to Denver?To be closer to work?”
He set the plate that was full of tacos down in front of me.“Since I don’t want to live there, no.”
I blinked at the mountain of food.“But what if you don’t like Butler?Isn’t a house pretty permanent?”
He pushed the nachos and guacamole close enough so I could reach them, then put a napkin and cutlery next to my plate.“I can’t see myself moving anywhere else.”
Picking up a chip, I dipped it into the salsa.“I’m not sure how much help I’ll be furnishing your house, to be honest.I don’t think we have the same taste.”
Surely he could hire an interior designer.What did he need me for?
He’d filled his own plate, arranging his cutlery.“I want the house to be more personal.A space I can feel at home in.And who better to ask for help than the person who’s made her house not just a house but a beautiful home.”
Now I knew he was full of confetti.I lived in a cramped apartment and slept on the couch.“I mean, I’m happy to help, but—”
“Perfect.It’s decided, then.”
I decided to finally take a bite of my delicious nachos.And an hour later, we’d eaten almost half the food, and I knew a lot more about Vance than before.And not once had he frowned.I’d found out that his whole family lived in Hawaii, but he had a house there as well, so he could go whenever time allowed.Which hadn’t happened in five years since he worked all the time.He also adored his nieces and nephews and video-called them every week.
Vance checked his watch and nodded to my almost-empty plate.“You ready?”
A glance at the table confirmed there was a lot left over.Enough to feed me for a few days.My face flushed in embarrassment at the question I was about to ask.“Do you mind if I ask for take-out containers?”
“Of course not.Do you want me to order more?”
Okay, now I’m moving from slightly uncomfortable to mortified.
“No, no, that’s more than enough.”
He waved the waitress over and asked for the containers and the check.I dove into my bag to find my wallet, emerging victoriously a few seconds later.New record set.
I was met with Vance’s frown, and the grin slipped off my face.He nodded to my wallet.“What are you doing?”
“Paying my half?”
“Absolutely not.”
And with that, he stood up and walked over to where the waitress was busy typing something into the cash register.I watched him talk to her, then hand her his card.She passed over a few empty plastic containers, then gave him his card back.He stalked back to the table, his attention focused on me.
He garnered a lot of attention just by walking through the restaurant.I certainly wasn’t the only one watching him.But he didn’t seem to notice, his eyes fixed on mine.
Handing me half the containers, he put the food inside the ones he was still holding.I bit my lip, unsure of how to dispel the tension that seemed to have settled over us.
After filling up four containers, Vance led me out to the car, one hand in its usual spot on my back, the other holding the bag of leftovers.At this point, it would be almost weirder if he made me walk without touching me.
My phone rang as I was about to get in.Since it was the realtor, I didn’t delay answering.
“Malena.I’m glad you picked up.Have you thought about the offer?”
