But his insistence on paying the bill reminded her that he didn’t necessarily feel the same way.
And that was fair. She had felt a frisson of electricity between them more than once during the night. They were well-suited to each other, and they had chemistry, whether she wanted to admit it or not.
Dalton was a gentleman, and he wouldn’t force her into a relationship she wasn’t ready for. But she was feeling nervous about how this evening would end.
What if he tries to kiss me?
As he placed a few bills under his glass for a tip, a fantasy of him kissing her entered her mind, unbidden. She could feel her heart racing, and practically taste the masculine scent of him.
Rattled, she grabbed her bag and scrambled up before he could pull her chair out.
To his credit, Dalton didn’t react. He simply rose himself and they headed through the now-crowded restaurant together.
It had been quieter when they first arrived, but now it seemed like there was a former classmate of Ella’s, or a friend of her mom and dad’s at every table, smiling at her knowingly and checking Dalton out without a hint of subtlety.
Just put one foot in front of the other,she told herself. Don’t worry about whether people are judging you.
At last, they made it outside. The cold breeze felt good to her heated cheeks, and she instantly started to feel more like herself.
She slowed her pace and allowed Dalton to open the truck door for her again. But she scrambled in quickly before he could offer her his hand to help her up.
He got into the truck, and as soon as he turned the key, Elvis was crooning “Blue Christmas” on the radio.
“Oh, this is a good one,” Dalton said appreciatively.
“I like it too,” Ella said with a smile. “Andy used to sing along.”
“Oh yeah?” Dalton asked.
She nodded, smiling at the memory.
“Well, we wanted him with us tonight,” Dalton said. “What do you say?”
“You want us to sing?” she asked, surprised.
“Sure,” Dalton said. “Unless you’re chicken?”
Ella answered by belting out her best Elvis impression.
“Wow,” Dalton hooted. “Here we go.”
The next thing she knew, he was singing along as well, his deep bass hitting every note with a passionate delivery that made him seem like an actual rock and roll heartthrob.
The song was over too soon, and Ella found herself breathless with laughter at their impromptu concert.
“That was good,” Dalton said, nodding to himself. “Honestly, I think we should take this show on the road.”
Ella could only gasp for breath and laugh some more.
“What other talents have you been hiding from me?” he asked her, cocking one eyebrow up when he glanced over.
“None,” she promised him. “And I know I can’t sing.”
“Of course you can,” he chuckled. “I’ll bet you can dance too.”
“Not really,” she told him.
“You’re telling me you didn’t take ballet lessons at that cute little place in town?” he asked.
