“That makes it easy, then.”
“Let’s hope so,” said Beau. He gave Mark’s name to the man.
Red shoes guy, who never did give his name nor did he invite them to sit on one of the many sofas in the showroom, brought them a list. Cindy held it, and Beau leaned over her shoulder to read. She closed her eyes, loving the overall manliness that was Beau Mckay. He was big muscles and spicy scents. Okay, she was kind of glad he guarded his man card.
“This.” Beau pointed to an item halfway down the list.
“A pizza artisan kit?” asked Cindy.
“Yep, that’s the one.” He plucked the list from her hands and gave it back to Red shoes along with his credit card.
“I’ll have it delivered.” Red shoes ran the card.
“Are you sure?” Cindy asked again. Of all the items listed, the pizza kit seemed … dinky.
“Yep, Mark and Allie met over pizza. I was there. It’s perfect.”
She smiled. “Mission accomplished.”
After Beau signed the receipt, they went back to his car. Cindy slid into the passenger seat, trying not to think of it asherseat. Beau had kind of blown rule number three out of the water with that kiss. She wasn’t exactly sure what that left her with when it came to her future. She had been okay without a man until she metthisman. And what a wonderful specimen of a man he was, too.
Beau reached for her hand as he pulled into traffic, and Cindy let him take it. She let him take it because in about fifteen minutes he would return her to her car and she would drive away, and her life would turn back into a pumpkin. So for fifteen minutes, she could be the girl Beau Mckay held hands with—and maybe kissed again.
“Where did you study screenwriting?” Beau asked.
“Columbia.”
He let out a low whistle. Cindy smiled. She was proud of her alma mater. He asked another question, and she did her best to keep up her end of the conversation while her pulse pounded in her wrists and warm ooze filled her veins.
Beau pulled to a stop in front of the Ritz Hotel, and her pulse kicked up a notch. Cindy extracted her hand from Beau’s. Wow—he took one phenomenal kiss and jumped right to this? She knew he was a playboy, but—just wow! Prince Charming was losing his charming title pretty quickly. Le sigh. He’d slid so easily into that role too, with his sable hair and cleft chin.
She leaned into the door. “I don’t know what kind of vibes you think I’ve been sending, but—”
Beau threw his head back and laughed. “No. I need a gift card for Mark and Allie—it goes with the pizza stuff. Trust me.” He ran around and opened her door.
“I’m a little worried to ask how they met.” She took his hand to help her out of the vehicle, and he held on while they walked the sidewalk, went through the double doors, and marched up to the concierge desk.
“It’s a great story. But kind of a long one. Like, sit at a restaurant and talk while people bring you food long.”
“Are you trying to trick me into going out to dinner with you?” She grinned.
“Smart girls are so hard to date.”
“I—” she started, trying to find a way to tell him no and not shut the door on all that was happening between them. She’d like nothing more than to actually go on a date with Beau, but if Patricia ever caught wind of this, she’d be out of a job and out of a house faster than you can butter a biscuit. Not to mention the problems her absence would create at the studios. She had a family there, and they counted on her.
“Good afternoon,” greeted the concierge.
Beau made short work of purchasing a gift card for an overnight stay, and they were back in the car and on their way before he asked again.
“So … a story and a snack?”
“I can’t. I’ve got a lot on my plate right now.” They pulled into the mall parking lot. “It’s that red Accord over there.” Cindy bit her lip. “Thanks—I had fun.”
Beau hooked his finger under her chin. “You know what else would be fun?” He cupped her cheek.
“What?” Her breath caught.
“This.” He closed the distance between them. This time, his kisses were playful, short, but lots of them. They smiled between, teasing one another. Cindy giggled.
