“Of course.I’ve visited six times so far.”
Katie removed the container labeled mushroom ravioli.Definitely one of her favorites.She went after the second, lifted it from the bag.“You can never go wrong with shrimp and risotto.”
“Harry said these are two restaurant favorites.”He reached around her, so close she could smell his designer cologne.“He also told me to try the hot peppers and—” he pulled out the last two packages, “—New York style Cheesecake with raspberry sauce and cannoli.”
“All great choices.”
He carried the containers to the table, set them down while Katie gathered plates and silverware.“Next time we’ll try the…” He cleared his throat, corrected, “I meant next time,I’lltry the hot peppers.”
That was sonotwhat he meant.He wanted to share the hot pepper experience with her, which meant he wanted to see her again.Which meant…?Whatdidit mean?Maybe the better question should be,what did she want it to mean?
Katie studied the back of his dark head as he bent over the containers.Ian Finnegan was the most confusing yet intriguing person she’d ever met, and she might as well be honest—shewantedto learn more about him.
Sure, she could rely on gossip or listen to speculation, and she could even ask Aunt Dolly for details regarding her “nephew”.The woman would share way more than necessary.But the best way to learn about a person was to spend time with them, ask questions, listen to what they said and didn’t say because it all meant something.And it was the curiosity and the intrigue that prompted Katie to forgo caution and let Ian know she’d like to see him again.“Next time, I’ll place the order, and you better be ready for some serious spice.”
He turned to face her, his gaze intent, searching, as though he weren’t one hundred percent certain what she was offering.“Next time?”
That look made her hotandcold.“How else will we see who can tolerate the hottest dishes?”
His features relaxed, pulled out the dimples on either side of his cheeks.“A challenge I accept.”
Katie raised a brow, enjoying the lightheartedness of their banter.She’d never been one to tease, but it felt natural and fun.“A challenge you’ll lose.”
“Maybe.”His words wrapped around her like an invisible web pulling her close, closer… “Or maybe we’ll both win.”He stepped back, away from her and whatever “moment” they’d just shared, and when he spoke again, his voice was cautious, his expression unreadable.“I’m really hungry.How about you?”
“I’m always hungry.”
Reference to food provided the perfect segue from talk of challenges, winning, and whatever subliminal messages may have been thrumming between them.As they ate their meals, Katie asked about a curious story floating through Lina’s Café this morning.“I heard you fixed Uncle Jack’s sister’s car.”
Ian forked two raviolis, nodded.“Edith Finnegan?I did.That woman’s car is as old as you are.The fuel injectors were filthy.I told her she needed to drive it more and get it over twenty-five miles an hour, but you would’ve thought I told her to take it to the racetrack.”He popped the ravioli in his mouth, chewed.
She watched the cleft in his chin move as he chewed, slid her gaze to his jaw.While she didn’t like to admit it, he was definitely movie-star handsome.“Edith Finnegan is a bit of a…recluse.”
“Ah.I know someone else who’s a bit of a recluse.”
An eyeroll and a huff.“I amnota recluse.That woman barely comes out of her house.Uncle Jack says she spends her life behind the curtains in her living room.Always peeking into other people’s lives and making them her own.It’s kind of sad.I’ve often wondered why she’s like that.”
Ian had worked his way through half of the ravioli on his plate.“My guess is some guy burned her, and she shut down.”
The thought of prune-faced, miserable Edith Finnegan ever looking at a man was hard to picture.“You think?”
The look he gave her saiddefinitely possible.“Just my guess.She was pretty fidgety, didn’t look me in the eye, only said a few words.I pulled the car out of the garage so I could work on it, and I swear she was watching me.”
“Oh, she was watching you.People comment about the curtains moving when someone goes by, and how she sits there all day waiting for activity.”
“Wow.She left some sugar cookies on a card table in the garage.Store-bought, but a cookie’s a cookie, right?”
“No, you can’t compare a store-bought sugar cookie to a homemade one.That’s just plain crazy.”
“I ate three.”Ian laughed, forked another ravioli.“If you haven’t noticed, I love my food.”
Katie glanced at his half-empty plate.“I’ve noticed.You probably should have brought two pizzas the other night.”
Big smile.“I thought about it.”
“I’ll bet you did.”She often ate alone because Norah wasn’t available.Sharing a meal with Ian was enjoyable, and she hadn’t expected that.There was a lot about Ian Finnegan she hadn’t expected: the kindness to others, the humor directed at himself…the–
“I told Edith she needed to get that car out on a regular basis, take it on the highway… blow out the carbon.I even offered to do it, but the way she looked at me?I think she thought I might steal it.Anyway, it’s in good shape, and Jack seemed happy about it.”He shot her a look, rolled his eyes.“As happy as Jack can get…I mean “Uncle” Jack, even though he’s really my second cousin.”
