“Hi. You look incredible.”
“Thanks. Come on in. I have to grab my purse.”
I stepped inside and scanned the small space, noting a backpack on the chair with multicolored buttons all over it.
“Nice backpack,” I smirked. “I take it you’re a button collector?”
She glanced at the backpack and laughed. “That’s not mine. That’s Zoey’s backpack.”
“And who may I ask is Zoey?”
“My sixteen-year-old daughter.”
I swallowed hard. She had a six-year-old daughter? Great. Just great.
“Oh. I wasn’t aware you had a daughter.”
“Well, now you are. If you want to cancel our date, I’d understand.”
My brow furrowed. “Why would I cancel?”
“Because I have a daughter you didn’t know about. It’s fine, really. I totally understand.”
I stood there, my hands tucked tightly into my pants pockets, and stared at her. It was apparent that she was uncomfortable going out with me.
“You seem nervous. Why?” I asked. “I don’t bite. But if you asked me?—”
“Stop.” She raised her hand.
“I’m just joking, Samantha. Come on. I promise you’ll have a good time.”
We headed down to the lobby and climbed into the backseat of the Bentley.
“Samantha, this is my driver, Ben. Ben, meet Samantha Hollis.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Samantha.”
“You as well, Ben.”
“So, which fancy restaurant are we dining in tonight?” she asked.
“Carbone.”
“I’ve never been, but I’ve heard good things.”
“I want you to tell me why you’re so nervous tonight,” I said, staring at her.
I wanted to reach out and take a few strands of her soft-looking hair between my fingers.
“You’re not going to drop it, are you?”
“No. I’m not.” I chuckled.
“Fine. I’m not nervous. I just don’t want to have dinner with you.”
“Why?” My brows furrowed.
“Because you’re a man.”
