Page 11 of Pursuing Desire

I run inside and grab a sandwich before making my way back to the hotel. I make an effort to move all my bad thoughts to the back of my mind. Being negative never got me anywhere. Positive Polly needs to emerge again. I need to be open to new opportunities.

Besides, working for a network TV station sounds kind of exciting.

Chapter 3

Jess

I smooth the skirt of my borrowed outfit as I enter the restaurant. My clothes are currently being held hostage by my idiot ex. He said he wouldn’t release my stuff until I agreed to talk to him. No chance of that happening anytime soon. Even though I have every right to be in the apartment, I just don’t want to deal with him right now. I’m glad Lana and I are approximately the same size and that she has a nice selection of clothing. She was happy to let me borrow anything I needed for this dinner.

Based on the upscale shops near the restaurant, I knew I’d need to wear something nice. The sleek, knee-length black sheath dress I chose will work perfectly. Lana insisted that I also borrow her diamond pendant necklace.

At least the clothing is giving me the confidence boost I feel I’ll need to get through a meal with Dax and his producer friend. Even though I’m aware this isn’t an interview, the butterflies doing acrobatics in my stomach refuse to simmer down.

The hostess greets me with a kind smile. “May I help you?”

“Yes, I’m meeting Dax Anders. He has a reservation.”

She scrolls through the reservations on the computer screen. “Of course, follow me.”

The restaurant is busy. Most of the tables are full of elegantly clad couples eating and talking. Delicious aromas surround me as I walk past tables, and my stomach grumbles in anticipation. On the bright side, even if nothing comes of this dinner, at least I’ll get a yummy meal out of it. This is one of the most exclusive restaurants in town, and I plan to eat well tonight.

The hostess stops at a table near the rear of the restaurant. Dax spots me immediately and begins rising from the table. His lean body unfolds from his seat, and I’m forced to look up at his impressive height to make eye contact. He dwarfs my five-foot-three frame in a way that could be intimidating if I allowed it. The warmth of his gaze travels down to my feet and then back up, resting on my lips for a brief hint of a second before continuing to my face. The corner of his eyelids crinkles as he flashes a smile at me and reaches for my hand.

That’s when I notice the adorable little dimple on his left cheek. He oozes charm without even trying. No wonder women think he’s irresistible.

Good thing I’m not one of those women. His charm is wasted on me. I don’t find Dax Anders irresistible in the least. I barely even notice how his silk shirt shows all of the angles of his muscular chest. Or how his dark suit jacket fits so nicely on his broad shoulders.

Or how his knowing eyes catch mine as he sees me checking him out.

My face heats up at being caught looking at him, and I mentally shake my head. I don’t need to be staring at Dax. I just got out of a terrible relationship. The last thing I need to be noticing is how the deep navy of his shirt brings out the cerulean blue of his eyes.

“Jess, glad you made it,” he says in a warm, cheerful voice. Dax holds my hand in greeting while his eyes shift to a spot behind me. “Oh, and there’s Kenneth. Great timing.”

I turn around and see a blond, stocky man wearing wire-rimmed glasses coming toward us. He reaches our table and holds out his hand to me. “You must be Jess. I’m Kenneth Wilson. Nice to meet you.”

“Hello, Mr. Wilson. Yes, I’m Jessica Roberts. Very nice to meet you.”

“Please call me Kenneth.”

“And please call me Jess.”

Dax pulls out a chair for me. “Let’s all have a seat. I’ve ordered a round of appetizers. Hope that’s good for everyone.”

“Perfect, perfect,” Kenneth says as he places his napkin on his lap.

Dax nods toward a server who moves toward our table. “I see the rest of your party is here, Mr. Anders. Could I get everyone a round of drinks?”

She addresses the question to me and Kenneth, since Dax is already sipping on something. I go ahead and order mine. “Water is fine for me.”

“I’ll take a whiskey sour,” Kenneth says.

“Thanks, Elena,” Dax says.

“Of course.” The server winks at Dax and sashays off toward the bar.

Kenneth laughs. “I guess you know our server?”

Dax just shakes his head and laughs. “Nah, not really. My brothers and I just come here a lot.”