Page 46 of Dream Date With the Millionaire
Dani sat still, not saying a word. A smile remained frozen on her face, but her eyes reminded him of a deer caught in the headlights of two semitrucks approaching from opposite directions. No matter which way she went, she was going to get hit head-on.
Bryce wasn’t about to let that happen.
He placed his hands on her shoulders and gave a reassuring squeeze.
“Of course, there’s always the Ritz-Carlton,” Maeve said. “What do you think, Dani?”
“Well, there’s always Lovejoy’s Tea Room in Noe Valley,” she said before he could put a stop to the nonsense. “It has more of a cozy, eclectic feel, but they have a high tea on the menu and the most delicious scones.”
Pride filled Bryce. Dani didn’t need his help at all.
“I’ve been to Lovejoy’s,” Maeve said. “It’s a charming teahouse.”
Caitlin nodded. “One of my sorority sisters had her baby shower there. It was so much fun. I can call for reservations.”
“Another time.” Bryce rubbed Dani’s shoulders. “We have plans for today.”
With the wind on her face, Dani hung off the side of the cable car later that day. She was enjoying Bryce’s “plans.” Who was she kidding? She couldn’t have cared what they did as long as they were together.
The driver clanged the bell. And, like the old song her mother used to sing, zing went her heartstrings.
For Bryce.
She couldn’t help herself. And that was…okay.
As she leaned farther away from the car, he tightened his hand around her waist.
Always the protector.
Dani didn’t mind today. She glanced back at him. “I can’t believe you were born in San Francisco and have never ridden a cable car. That’s downright criminal.”
He shrugged. “What can I say? I’ve never played tourist in my own town.”
“You don’t know what you’re missing.”
“I’m getting an idea.”
So was she. Dani grinned, looking up at the overcast sky. More rain might be predicted, but she didn’t care. The day was perfect, no matter what the forecast. The only thing missing—a rainbow.
The cable car stopped. Passengers disembarked. Bryce jumped off and extended his hand. Her fingers clasped his as he helped her down.
Pleasurable sensations of wanting tingled through her.
“Thank you for showing me San Francisco.” He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed it. The beat of her heart quadrupled. “Fisherman’s wharf, North Beach, Chinatown—”
“And now union Square,” she finished for him. “Though this is more your part of town so it’s your turn to show me around.”
Bryce took over as tour guide, leading her across union Square. He stopped in front of a tall winged statue. “This is the goddess Victory. You and she have a lot in common.”
Dani raised a brow. “Trying to soften me up with compliments?”
“It’s either that or I’ll have to buy you some chocolate.”
“You’ve got me figured out pretty well.”
He smiled. “I’m working on it.”
And she knew he was. That pleased her.
The sounds of cars, trucks and buses on the four streets surrounding the square were loud, but Dani heard music. The haunting sounds of a lone violin filled the air. She looked around. A violinist stood on the corner. She smiled. That was one thing she loved about the city—the unexpected.
“There’s something I’ve been wondering,” Bryce said.
She focused her attention on him. “What?”
“How does an evening of mayhem with my crazy family and over two hundred of my mother’s most intimate acquaintances sound?”
“Is this a trick question?” she asked.
“No. My mother is throwing Caitlin and Mark an engagement party next Saturday. Would you like to go?”
A family event? Dani quivered with excitement. “Yes, I’d like that very much. Thanks.”
“Thank you.” Relief filled his eyes. “If you’d said no, I don’t think Caitlin would have forgiven me.”
“Then it’s a good thing I said yes.”
With a nod, he led her to a crosswalk in the city’s downtown shopping district. They stood on the corner waiting for the lights to change.
“You’ve got to promise me you won’t hold my family against me, though. The Delaneys are an odd cast of characters. I come from a line of men who foresaw what land in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area would be worth someday. They bought as much as they could, whenever they could and held on to it. Thanks to their real estate acumen, my relatives now live off trust funds.”
