I looked around the room, large and airy with a very romantic, ethereal feel. Light pinks and warm grays decorated the walls in abstract paintings and art. It had been my favorite place since Max brought me here on our first date. I giggled as I recalled the night we met.
“What are ya laughing at?” he grinned.
“Remember the first night we came here?”
He leaned back in his chair, his dimple shining in his cheek. “I do. It was my payment for fixin’ your car.”
“I remember watching you walk across that parking lot,” I said, my eyes widening. “I’d never felt my luck change from bad to good so quickly before.”
He chuckled, the low sound reverberating through my body. “Iwas mad at Cane for dumping that project in my lap that morning. And then I find this sexy little firecracker all stranded.”
“Thank God for small favors.”
“No kiddin’.” He tilted his head, a slow, sexy smile sliding across his lips. “That was one of the best days of my life.”
I felt my cheeks heat under his gaze, his words would’ve been just as true coming out of my mouth. Meeting Max Quinn had changed my life in so many ways. I had gone hiking that day to stop from crying. It had been the anniversary of one of the saddest days of my entire life. I had pulled myself up off the floor of the bathroom that afternoon, climbed to the top of Pinnacle Peak, and just zoned out. I didn’t pray a lot, not as much as I always thought I should, but I prayed that day. I felt so low, so down and I was afraid that depression would settle back over me as it had in the past. I had prayed for direction, for guidance, for something to soothe my soul. I had talked to my mom and asked her to help, then I laughed at myself for thinking that. There was no way a deceased person could help. Then I had laughed harder because maybe they could—how did I know? By the time I made it back down the mountain, I had felt a touch of peace. More than I had felt in a very long time...at least until my car didn’t start.
That was the best thing that had ever happened to me.
“I love that dress on you.” Max leaned towards me a bit. He looked tired but happy. “The green makes your eyes look like emeralds.”
I looked down at the dress I had bought a few weeks before but never worn. I complimented it with a gold bracelet and gold hoop earrings. I left my brown hair straight and it hung to the middle of my back.
“I’d love it more on the floor of our bedroom right about now,” he grinned, his pupils dilating.
“We can always go,” I said nonchalantly. “I’m open to the idea.”
He chuckled again, leaning back. “Let’s eat fast and get out of here. I just need a quick glance at this guy Sam’s dating.”
Resigned to our fate, I sat back in my chair, too. “What do we know about this guy?”
He shrugged. “I think his name is Briar or something. Sam just wants to make sure she’s not wasting her time on him. She thinks he’s in love with an ex-girlfriend, I think.”
“Ex-issues aren’t good.”
“Nah, they aren’t. But this guy’s ex, I guess, aborted his baby and didn’t tell him. So that kind of screwed with his head.”
My heart lurched in my chest at the thought. “I’d imagine it would screw with him. Maybe Sam should back off. It sounds like he needs to work things out with his ex—find some peace or something.”
What am I saying? No! No, I want her with this guy and her sights off Max!
“Or,” I continued hurriedly, “maybe she is looking too much into things.”
“We’ll see,” Max said with amusement. The corners of his lips turned up and I knew he saw right through me.
I looked across the restaurant and saw the hostess heading our way. I could see Sam’s blonde curls behind her. “They’re here,” I said as sweetly as I could.
Max sat up in his seat as they approached. “Don’t get overly chatty tonight. I need that dress on the floor as soon as possible.”
The seriousness in his tone made me laugh. “No worries there, babe.”
“The rest of your party is here,” the hostess said, stepping out of the way. “Your server will be right with you. Enjoy your evening.”
“Hey!” Sam smiled happily. “It’s good to see you guys.”
Max rose and pulled out her chair, which she accepted with a wide grin. “Thank you, Max.” He eyed me cautiously, letting me know he was just being polite. I fought against rolling my eyes. “Kari,” she said, turning towards me, “you look pretty tonight.”
“Thank you,” I said as nicely as I could. “I love that color on you.”
