She could tell him yes, that was it, and that would be the end of any discussion. He would accept when she turned down some of his dates. However, for some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to say that. Bottom line, she liked spending time with him. Doing so helped her worry less about Garlan and whatever was going on with him that she didn’t know about.
Garlan had called her that morning and said he had tried reaching her Sunday night. She’d remembered at some point she had silenced her phone while she and Matt had been tumbling between the sheets. Of course, she hadn’t told her son that. She told him she had been out on a date with Matt. He seemed awfully pleased about it. That made her wonder if what she’d told Matt was true, about her suspicions that Garlan was behind Shauna’s matchmaking.
“Iris?”
Upon saying her name, she realized she hadn’t responded to his question. “No, Matt, that’s not what I’m saying.” And since she wasn’t ready to get into an in-depth discussion of how much time they spent together, she said, “I have no problem spending time with you, and yes, a dinner and movie is doable for Saturday night.”
He smiled and then winked at her. “You won’t regret it.”
An uneasy feeling passed through her. Was he expecting more than dinner and a movie? Perhaps another sleepover at his place? If that was what he figured, then he was mistaken. It wouldn’t be happening. Granted, she had thoroughly enjoyed the past weekend with him, but the reason she was so lustful was because she had desperately wanted Matt, and she hadn’t made love with a man in almost a year.
“Ready to go?”
“The waiter hasn’t brought our check,” she said, glancing around.
“He knows to put it on my running tab.”
“Oh? You know the owner?”
“Yes. I represented Alton when a prominent developer tried to take this land because he saw the sandwich shop as stiff competition for the one he intended to open in his hotel. The one on the corner.”
“You won the case, right?”
“Right.”
She smiled. “I’m glad.”
He stood and extended his hand to assist her from her seat. Accepting his hand, she nearly moaned the moment they touched. Tingles rippled through her, and from the fog of desire she saw in his eyes, she knew he had felt it, too.
He led them out of the restaurant. Neither said anything, and she wondered if, like her, he was looking forward to the weekend. Hadn’t she decided moments ago whatwouldn’tbe happening with them this weekend? Why, now, was she thinking just the opposite and looking forward to it?
Chapter Nineteen
“Thanks for dinner and the movie, Matt. I enjoyed both.”
“I’m glad you did. It’s nice to have a theater room at home, but there’s nothing like going out to watch a movie on the big screen.”
“With the smell of buttered popcorn surrounding you,” Iris added.
“I agree.”
While holding hands, they walked to where he had parked his car. Having her hand enclosed in his was something he liked, and he’d held it during most of the movie. He released her hand now as he opened the car door for her.
“Thanks, Matt.”
“You’re welcome.” He watched how easily she slid onto the seat of his car. Since she was wearing slacks, he didn’t get a flash of skin tonight. But he thought she looked good in her navy blue pants and light blue pullover sweater. The latter had been a brilliant idea, as the theater’s air conditioners were usually cold, although the nighttime temperature the week before Thanksgiving was typically pleasant.
He had booked an early reservation for dinner and the same for the movie. It was still not quite ten o’clock, and he wasn’t ready for the night with her to end. When Matt walked to the other side of the car and got in, he smiled over at her before starting the ignition. “Since we didn’t enjoy dessert during dinner, I know this café that has the best sweet potato pie this time of year. It’s still early. How about we go by there to enjoy a slice with coffee and tea?”
She smiled at him. “Sweet potato pie sounds good. I like that idea.”
It didn’t take long to reach the café, and in no time at all, he had her hand in his again as they walked into the establishment to be seated. After giving the waiter their order for two slices with coffee for him and tea for her, Matt sat back in his chair. “When will Garlan come home?”
She smiled, and he was reminded of how he’d felt during the holidays whenever anyone asked when Deena would be coming home from college. A parent was always happy when their child returned home. “Tuesday. We’re leaving for the beach house early Wednesday. Although it will be just the two of us, I want to cook a special Thanksgiving dinner.”
“What’s on the menu?”
“All his favorites. Turkey, dressing, green beans, potato salad, mac and cheese, and for dessert, instead of potato pie, he prefers apple.”
