Page 17 of Allegiance
Heat crept up her neck. “Oh.”
Pulling out the flash drive, he dropped it into a plastic case. “How soon do you need these flyers?”
“Next week’s okay.”
“I can probably have them back to you sooner than that, but I’ll note that in your file.” He tapped something into the computer, then put the plastic case into a large envelope and sealed it. “That’s all done.” He came over to the counter and leaned toward her, scanning her face. “Business is finished. So, how’ve you been?”
She licked her lips. “Good. You?”
“I can’t complain. Is your catering office nearby?”
“Not really. I heard your store did excellent work, but I had no idea you owned it.” Scrunching her nose, she said, “You do own it, right?”
The corners of his mouth turned up. “I do. You’re not the only business owner in town.”
Laughing, she playfully smacked his forearm. “I knowthat.” His eyes followed her movement. “I never would’ve pictured you owning a printing business.”
“Why not?”
“No reason.”
“So when you tell me you’re busy building up your business, I get it, but I also know it’s healthy to take a step away from it once in a while.”
“I keep getting reminded of that, and I am trying.”
“Prove it. Go out to dinner with me.”
“Are you asking me or telling me?”
“Asking. I want to get to know you better.”
A nervous laugh escaped past her lips. “I’ve got some deep issues, and I’m a bit obsessive, so be careful what you wish for.”
Warm fingers ran down the side of her face, stroking her cheek. “Everyone’s got issues, but they still need to eat.”
The simple touch of his hand on her skin sent sparks sizzling through her veins. She shifted in place.
“You know I’m right,” he pressed.
Maybe he was. Life was stressful enough with the constant strain of keeping up with a booming business, but now extortion had been added to the mix. By her calculations, she’d have to double her output to make up what those lowlifes were stealing from her. And when was the last time she did something that wasn’t work related?I can’t even remember. And going out on a date hasn’t happened since… forever.She took him in, his elbows propped on the counter, resting his chin on his hands, a wide grin adorning his face.
“I’m not asking you to sail around the world with me for a year. I’m just asking about one meal. It’s not that complicated.”
But the way her body behaved when he was near her, she’d have to disagree. Dinner with Tank wasverycomplicated. But with everything else going on in her life at the moment, what was one more fly in the ointment?
“Okay.”
He straightened up, his grin growing wider. “You sure about that?”
“Yes.” A small buzz of excitement swiped down her arms and legs as the earlier butterflies nested in her belly.
“What day works for you?”
“Any day, really. But it’ll have to be after nine. I know that’s late for dinner, but––”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll make a reservation for nine thirty and pick you up. Does Saturday night work?”
Saturday. This really is a date.“Sounds like a plan.”
