Sophie’s cheeks burned. She didn’t miss the curious glint in MacKenzie’s eyes, and she ignored it. “Thanks, Mac.” When the girl disappeared into the back room, she turned to Joe, flinching at his dark expression.
“You’re going out with him?” he asked, his hands now hanging stiffly at his sides.
She looked at him straight on. “That’s none of your business.”
“Even after what I told you yesterday?” He took a step toward the counter.
“You didn’t tell me anything!” Realizing she was almost yelling, she lowered her voice and leaned toward him. “Youorderedme not to go out with him. For no reason at all.”
“I didn’t order you.” He leaned closer to her. “I strongly discouraged it, that’s all.”
Her gaze didn’t move from his. “What I do with my dating life is none of your business.”
“What if...” He paused, his eyes holding hers. “What if I want it to be?”
***
Joe couldn’t keep his eyes off Sophie. Somehow they’d ended up with only the counter between them, and for some crazy reason he wanted that counter gone. He couldn’t believe he’d ever thought Sophie Morgan was quiet and prim. This woman was fiery.And beautiful.She smelled so good, like a mix of flowers and sweet-scented shampoo, the combination heady instead of clashing. Her red cheeks looked so soft, her mouth so kissable—
“What are you talking about?” She scowled, but she didn’t move away. Instead, it seemed like she had inched a little closer.
What had he been talking about? Oh, he’d said something about wanting her dating life to be his business. And he did, just not like this, with them at odds with each other. Although it was kind of sexy, he had to admit. He grinned at her.
Finally, she pulled away from him. “You’re nuts,” she said. “And I have a date to get ready for.” She turned and started walking toward the door to the back room.
“Go out with me,” he said.
Not stopping, she let out a short laugh. “Right. Like I would ever do that.”
“I’m serious.”
This time she stopped and turned to face him. “Why should I?”
“Because...” He wanted to tell her something casual, like he thought they would have fun together, or it was something to do, or they were both single so why not. But while all of that was true, it wasn’t the main reason. “Because I like you.”
Was that surprise flickering across her face? Then again, he probably imagined it because now she was eyeing him with suspicion. “Since when?”
Good gravy, why was she asking all these questions? “Does it matter? I like you and I want to go out with you. Is that so hard to comprehend?”
“Not when you put it soromantically,” she said, sarcasm dripping from her words.
He had to admit his game needed some work.A lot of work.But that didn’t change how he felt. “Sophie, please go out with me.” Great, now he sounded like he was begging.
Her stance softened. “You are serious.”
“I am.” For once he stood still, even though his nerves were in high gear. “We can go out for dinner tonight.”
“I have a date, remember?”
“Cancel it.”
Her thin light brown eyebrows shot up, along with her chin. “No. I want to go out with Landon.” She gave him a derisive look. “I don’t want to go out with you.”
Ouch. Double whammy. Not only had she rejected him, but she was also still going to see that slime bucket Ferry.
Joe quickly regrouped. Fine, she didn’t want a date with him? He could accept that. He hadn’t exactly presented himself in the best light to her. But he couldn’t abide her seeing Ferry. The determined set of her chin told him she was going no matter what he said.
Then an idea came to him. “Do you like to golf?”
