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“For Wednesday night.” He motioned toward the bag. “The shoes are in there.”

“I already told you I can’t…” Well, I could go now because I didn’t have to work, but he didn’t know that.

“You can’t what?” He continued to take the dress out of the bag. “I realize this isn’t a thrift shop dress, but I didn’t think you would mind.”

When he turned and smiled, my heart fluttered. My extensive internet dive on him last night described him as a brutal attorney with a knack for finding success in anything he touched. They used words like ruthless, cold-blooded, and relentless.

I didn’t see that side.

“I told you I had to work,” I said.

“That may have been true yesterday, but it isn’t anymore.”

“How would you know that?”

“I met the owners this morning,” he said. “Lovely people. Did you know they were planning to retire to North Carolina to be closer to their grandchildren?”

“They always talked about it, but I didn’t think it would happen so fast.”

“I pushed up their timeline.”

“You bought the diner?” Why is he invading every aspect of my life?

“You needed the night off so…” He shrugged. “Are you a size seven shoe?”

I nodded.

“Perfect.”

“I’m still processing that you bought a diner so I could go on a date with you.”

“Well, that wasn’t the only reason I bought it,” he admitted. “It’s only a mile from here and it overlooks the lake. It’s the perfect addition to this project of mine. I was thinking I could even have a shuttle to bring guests to and from the diner, and once things really get going, maybe I could add some shops over there too.”

“You’ve put a lot of thought into this,” I said.

“This project has been in the works for a while. I just needed to find the right location.”

“Do you care that you put people out of work? There are single moms who rely on that paycheck. And the chef’s wife is pregnant.” I shook my head. “What are they supposed to do?”

“They can enjoy the holidays with their families.” He took the bag from me and set it on the floor. “Didn’t the Andersons inform you that you would be paid until renovations were finished? Anyone who wants their job back will have it.”

“Um…well, yeah, but I didn’t think the new owners were serious about that.” I figured I would get my final paycheck and that would be that. “It sounded too good to be true.”

“I wouldn’t put people out of work this close to the holidays. No matter how much of a Scrooge you think I am, I can appreciate hard workers. I know people need to eat.”

“I said you were a Grinch, but same difference.”

“I find you extremely entertaining.”

“I’m one big laugh.” I rubbed the back of my neck, a tic I had acquired at a young age. “But lately the joke is on me.”

“Not with me.” He took my hand. “Will you go with me to this function? I’m new to town.” When he brought my fingers to his lips, my flesh heated from the top of my head all the way down to my toes. There wasn’t one inch of my body he couldn’t set ablaze. “I could really use a friend.”

“Why do I have a feeling you’re going to know everyone at the function?”

“I am pretty popular, but I’d still feel better if you went with me.” He flipped my hand over and swept his lips along the inside of my wrist. “I’d also feel better if we could explore what we started the other night.”

“I thought you didn’t want more than that night.” When I pulled my hand away from his mouth, he clutched my arm and backed me against the wall. He made a habit of cornering me. I liked being his captive. “No complications.”