Hannah shrugged. She’d never minded the long hours. ‘It’s all right if you enjoy your job.’
‘And do you?’
‘Yes, I do. Occasionally, like everyone, I think I’d like a change but I’ve no idea what else I’d do and I’m quite good at it.’
‘Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you have to stick with it. Not if it doesn’t make you happy.’ She felt a raw nerve had been touched.
‘True.’ Hannah wondered if she’d made the right decision, taking time out from her job.Stop it, she told herself.It’s not forever. You wanted to do it. You can’t get cold feet now you’re actually here.
Live in the moment. Enjoy yourself, especially when you’re having dinner with a hot, twinkly-eyed Irishman who seems to be three steps ahead all the time.
Right on cue, he said, ‘Are you all right? You look as if you’re wrestling a personal demon.’
‘No, not at all,’ she lied, not wanting to tell him she’d taken a sabbatical or why. With his knowledge of food, he’d think she was a bit of boring and she was enjoying his flirty admiration. And if she was honest with herself, she was starting to feel a bit nervous. Work, her familiar routine and her little flat suddenly seemed a long way away. She thought about asking him what made him happy but decided that she didn’t want some heavy, potentially philosophical discussion. She wanted to be Hannah the tourist, here for a fleeting moment. She wanted to enjoy some harmless flirtation. There was definitely a frisson between them and, what the hell, why not enjoy it? Why not be someone she wasn’t for one evening?
She lifted her glass in toast. ‘Thanks for inviting me for dinner.’
‘Thank you for rescuing me.’
‘I never asked. Who was she? And should I have been aiding and abetting you or standing up for sisterhood?’
‘Aiding and abetting? Is that what they call it these days?’ He raised a teasing eyebrow, clearly referring to their kiss.
She lifted her chin, hoping she wasn’t blushing at the memory that was so indelibly printed on her brain it was still sizzling. ‘I didn’t see you complaining.’
‘What’s not to like? I enjoyed being rescued by a damsel.’ His eyes flashed his approval. ‘Are you always that quick-thinking?’
Hannah considered the question, unable to look away from his steady, interested gaze as his eyes danced with wicked amusement.
‘No,’ she said crisply. He was altogether too sure of himself and while she was enjoying herself enormously, she wasn’t going to let him have the upper hand. ‘Apparently the sight of you squirming in that chair upset my equilibrium.’
‘Squirming?’ He feigned outrage.
‘Yes.’ Relish tinged her words. ‘Like a fish on a hook.’
‘Is there no romance in your soul?’
She tilted her head to one side as if considering the question and then wrinkled her nose. ‘It would appear not, and you still haven’t answered the question.’
With a sigh he said, shaking his head, ‘Spoken like a true lawyer. In my defence, it was a rather forthright young lady with, shall we say, a crush. I’d met her once before at a party and I had no mind to upset her by rejecting her as bluntly as I think I may have needed to. I was hoping to avoid a confrontation which, thanks to your noble actions, I was able to do.’ He paused before adding, ‘I am in your debt.’
‘Don’t worry, I won’t hold you to it.’ The thought didn’t sit well with her, implying some kind of transaction was owed.
‘That’s a shame.’ There was a definite challenge to his voice.
She rolled her eyes. ‘You think a lot of yourself. Dinner will do fine.’
He grinned at her. ‘If you’re sure.’
‘I’m sure.’ Her severe tone didn’t dampen the knowing look in his eyes. They were playing a game and it was up to her whether she decided to capitulate or not. At the moment the jury was out.
The food, when it arrived, was delicious; big on flavour and low on pretentiousness, which was a plus in Hannah’s view.
‘May I?’ Conor had lifted his dessert spoon and dipped it into her soup before she could answer.
‘Go ahead,’ she said watching as he tasted the smooth pinky-orange bisque. She had to admit it smelled divine.
‘Mm, that’s good. Touch of tarragon in there, I think.’
