So hot it made me sweat.
“And you,” he said, his voice dropping to a deeper rumble. “Enjoy the rest of your afternoon.”
“Don’t work too hard,” I answered, forcing myself to sound casual.
He chuckled. “With the gala this weekend, I’m afraid this trip to your store was the only break I’m going to get anytime soon.”
“Gala?” Georgia asked, cutting in.
“To celebrate the groundbreaking of the project,” he said, his hand on the door. “A work event dressed up like it’s a party. It’s really no more than a distraction.”
“I can’t imagine the people who come to an event like that,” I said. “Although the neighborhood block party we throw every summer isn’t something to shake a stick at.”
He chuckled, and I thought about the bar of chocolate in his pocket.
It must be getting melty.
“Why don’t you come with me?” he asked, pulling his hand from the door. “Check it out for yourself?”
I stuttered, and he flashed me that smile again.
“I…”
I stood there, my mouth hanging slightly open. Usually, I felt confident and happy when I was in the store, but every now and then some supplier or customer would make a comment about how young I looked.How did a kid like you end up owning your own business?
Or worse, they’d ask to talk to my dad.
It didn’t happen often, but it made me feel exactly as I felt right then—like I was shrinking.
“I… I…” Struggling to get the words out, to offer some sort of polite excuse, I finally forced a sound past my lips.
“I’d love to,” I said.
“Great. I’ll be in touch with the details. And don’t worry, it’s not black tie.”
“Okay,” I said, still trying to understand what was happening.
Still struggling to believe that I had just been asked on a date by Dominick Russo, and that I had said yes.
“Very good,” Dominick answered, extending his hand. I gave him mine, and he lifted it toward his face, holding it inches away from his cheek and the coarse hair of his beard. He held it there for a moment, then kissed the back of my hand lightly and released me. “I’ll follow up to confirm details. Friday night?”
I nodded, still feeling the callused pads of his fingers against the back of my hand. “Yes, Friday night works for me.”
“Until then,” he said, nodding to Georgia once more before turning on his heel and exiting the store.
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding and felt dizzy all over again.
“Did Dominick Russo just ask me on a date?” I asked Georgia.
“Better get some cute undies,” she teased. “Because fate has come spanking.”
