Page 39 of Dream Date With the Millionaire
“I…” Dani knew former coworkers had found jobs through contacts. That was how most people found new positions. And she couldn’t pretend her own job search had yielded anything except feelings of futility. “As long as you only give them my résumé and promise to do nothing else. I don’t want something just handed to me because I know you.”
“Getting the job will be up to you.”
“That’s what I needed to hear.” Satisfied, she smiled. “Thanks.”
“Are you always so independent?”
“Yes.”
“E-mail your résumé when you get home tonight.”
“Thanks.” Except a question niggled at her. “You talked about starting over. How does that work? Do we wait until I get a new job or…”
“I don’t want to wait,” Bryce said without any hesitation. “I want to see you as much as I can.”
“I’d like that, too,” she admitted. “But we have to be honest with each other from now on. You have work and so do I. Plus I need to find a new job. Given the circumstances, we might want to take things…slow.”
Bryce smiled back. “Slow works for me.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Instant Message from Dani to Grace and Marissa: Trying 2 work things out with Bryce. Cross ur fingers! TTYL!
Instant Message from Grace to Dani: Good luck! Keep us posted. But please be careful.
Instant Message from Marissa to Dani: Fingers crossed! Watch out for yourself, okay?
Instant Message from Marissa to Grace: Do you know what’s going on with Dani and Bryce? I’m a little worried.
Instant Message from Grace to Marissa: No idea! But it sounds like we might not have to find a new place to chat!!!
OVER the next two weeks, Bryce’s work and travel schedule kept him busy. He only saw Dani twice, but kept in touch with her via phone calls, texting and e-mails. She didn’t mind his work taking up so much of his time. She had things to do herself.
By the time Friday rolled around, he couldn’t wait to see her. Thoughts of this evening had kept him going today, through an interview with a technology blogger, a phone call from his father and a meeting with his attorney.
Rain pelted Bryce as he ran from his car to the Palace of Fine Arts, where he was supposed to have met her twenty minutes ago.
Helluva time to be late.
The relentless storm had flooded roads, turning the city streets into gridlock with backed-up drains and fender benders.
He lengthened his stride, his feet pounding against the wet pavement. Water beaded on his jacket and dripped from his hair.
The entire park was deserted. A foghorn blared in the distance. Not the ideal conditions for a romantic picnic beneath the stars.
He should have checked the weather forecast before leaving the office. He’d tried to call Dani, but gotten her voice mail. Not that he would have canceled. Storm or not, he wanted to see her. He only hoped she hadn’t gotten caught in the downpour, too.
Up ahead, lights illuminated the columns and the interior of the dome. Dani would be underneath the rotunda waiting for him. The way she had been the first time they’d been here.
Anticipation surged. Bryce accelerated.
For once they had nowhere else to go, nothing else to do but be together.
He focused on the rotunda. Almost there.
Cold water shot up his pant leg. His shoe squished against the concrete.
Damn. Bryce glanced down at a big puddle. He shook his foot and continued on. A little more water didn’t matter when he was already soaking wet.
He ran underneath the dome, out of the cold rain and into the light. The first thing he saw was…
Dani.
She leaned against a column, looking like a goddess from ancient times except for the small cooler and picnic basket at her feet.
The sight warmed Bryce right up.
Water dripped from the hair plastered against her head and onto her soaking wet pale blue jacket. The thin, wet fabric clung to her like a second skin, accentuating every curve of her body and leaving little to his imagination.
Awareness rippled through him.
He wanted her.
It was as simple and as complicated as that.
“Looks like I’m not the only one who forgot an umbrella,” she said.
Her wide smile sent his pulse sprinting through his veins.
“Nope.” His gaze raked over her once again. Talk about a feast for the eyes. “But I’m glad you forgot yours.”
Dani raised her chin. “Why is that?”
“Because you are totally hot, Miss Bennett.”
He walked toward her. She met him halfway with a wry grin on her face.
“You’re not so bad yourself, Mr. Delaney.”
Bryce stood across from her at the center of the dome. The darker sapphire flecks in her eyes mesmerized him. He hadn’t noticed them before. “It’s hard to believe we were here only a few weeks ago.”
