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In a daze, Vi took the hand Rory offered, and he led her back the way they came. When she could talk again, they narrowed the myriad of culinary options to Italian.
The bright room had sketches of the Old Country scattered about the red brick walls.
Seated in a corner booth, Rory paused in giving their food order to the server and asked, “I recommend the house tea. Want to try a glass?”
“Is the tea flavor super-strong?” Vi didn’t usually care for tea.
“More fruity. And I chase everything with coffee.”
Her lips twisted to one side. “Okay. I’ll try it … once.”
When the server departed, Rory smiled at her. “You chose a beautiful slab of granite.”
Vi’s thoughts slowly came around to the present. “Thank you for helping me find a good price. What do you recommend for cabinet colors?”
He didn’t hesitate. “White paint and stained wood are the classics. Black and gray are trending. Other colors come and go.”
When the server brought their drinks, Vi tested hers with a tiny sip. “Oh, it’s good. Sweet.”
“Trust me, Vi. I make it my business to know your preferences.” Rory waggled his eyebrows.
Did he, now? She giggled. “What am I going to do with you?”
His gaze bored into her. “Keep me.”
The air crackled with tension at the serious turn his words had taken. An imp of fear scurried back into Vi’s heart. A tray clattered in the kitchen, and laughter rang out from a large table in the corner.
As she rubbed at a water spot on the table, Rory covered her hand with his. “Tell me more about Jesse’s massage school idea.”
Vi launched into the subject, relieved to set aside the status of their relationship. Once she wound down, he asked questions, confirming he cared about her opinion.
“Haven’t you and Jesse discussed this before?” She drew a finger down the condensation on the glass. It seemed odd he would hear it from her and not from Jesse.
“Not yet. We meet officially once a month to discuss new projects, but Jesse’s a whiz at expanding day-to-day operations. When members into elite performance needed their own space, he researched the idea and had me draw up plans to make it happen
“Besides, he wants to protect an important asset.” Rory gave her a droll look. “You are the asset, Vi. He knows I’ll go along with whatever will make your massage world easier.”
“Not working every afternoon helps my hands and my comfort level.”
Rory pierced her with a look. “If I had my way, Vi, you would only massage women.”
She frowned. “Why?”
His eyes turned to gray chips. “I know how guys think.”
“Yeah.” She drew the word out as Curtis’s vulgar suggestions flashed through her mind. “Most come in for pain relief. Tavo is a prime example. He’s asleep within the first ten minutes.”
The hard set of Rory’s face cleared. “Okay. Chief is all about not hurting.” Then he scowled. “What about Silas?”
Vi didn’t care for where this was headed. “The jury’s still out on Silas. What about your massage? We had a deal.”
“I’m good with that,” he snapped.
She gazed at him evenly. “I keep hitting a nerve here. Want to tell me why?”
Rory didn’t look at her. The silence broke when a server set a tray next to them. Another person lowered steaming dishes onto the table.
Vi didn’t realize how hungry she was until the fragrance of chicken parm tickled her nose. The cheesy chicken scent made her mouth water.
