AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She gave me a smile streaked with so many things at once—strained, sad, but impossibly fond at the same time. “And you’ll win me over?”
“Or die trying.”
She laughed, the corners of her eyes crinkling. The stiffness around that area said she hadn’t done that much lately. “Really… you’ve had me wrapped around your finger since day one, London. Who else would give me the sass that you do?”
“Maybe Earl of Westlake? He’s got quite some attitude.”
She shook her head, smiling. “Again with this cat…”
“I like you… quite a lot, Cameron. Despite everything, you’re the one who makes me feel the most like myself. And I’m not ready to let that go just yet.”
She looked down, swirling the last of her coffee in her cup. “Ah… I did quite miss you.”
“Me too.” I slipped a hand to her back, leaning into her. “So… dinner. You haven’t gotten a chance to go out for food much lately, have you?”
She gave me a dazzling smile. “And how on earth would you know that?”
“You’re stressed. Surrounded by those reminders of a time where you had to push down what you actually wanted, and… made to feel like it’s your wants that are causing problems. I just feel like… from what I know about you… you’re probably not doing those things you like.”
“You’ve always been impossible to say no to,” she laughed, breathless, shaking her head. “Salesperson’s job?”
“Maybe just the job of a hopeless woman who wants to be your…” I paused, scrunching up my face, but—hell, at this point I guess there was no use beating around the bush. “Who wants to be your girlfriend.”
“Not even trying the salesperson angle,” she laughed, eyes sparkling. “What exactly happened to you while we’ve been apart, London?”
I shrugged, my heart racing so fast it felt like it would burst. “Just… coin came up the other side than usual, I guess. Peruvian seafood. Tonight. I know a place I think you’ll like.”
She leaned into me, meeting me in the middle with our faces coming so close I felt like we’d kiss, and embarrassingly my hands shook, just a little. Finally, she breathed out a sigh, closing her eyes. “I should say no…”
“And as for what you will say?”
“What I will say is… that I can be free after seven.”
It took all my resolve not to jump. I slipped my hand to her shoulder and squeezed. “I’ll get us a reservation and text you the address. Don’t look it up, though. I want it to be a surprise.”
She laughed, finishing her coffee before she stood up. “You’re so much more romantic than I gave you credit for,” she said lightly. “So then… shall we finish the tour?”
“Do you want to?” I stood with her, stretching my arms out. “I know this place isn’t your style.”
She shot me that smile I’d been quickly getting addicted to—one I never saw her give anyone but me, no matter how many of her interviews and event appearances I’d watched. And I wasn’t going to admit to how many I’d watched. “And you’re going to politely get on Leon’s case so they have better selections for me?”
I probably would. I had a few places in mind I thought she’d like.
Chapter 23
“Well?” I said, still feeling like a lunatic for doing this in the first place, but I turned slowly in the living room, showing Ruth the dress. Ruth whistled low, and Earl half-raised his head from sleep, cracking his eyelids at me before he went back to sleep.
“Damn,” Ruth said.
“Hair, too?”
“Try pulling a couple loose strands forward, past your ears. You know, effortless look.”
Feeling impossibly self-conscious, I tugged some of my hair forward, the fresh curls bouncing along my cheek. Ruth grinned.
“You’re winning her over no problem.”
I glanced down at the dress, a dusty red one with a narrow waist and a loose flowing midi skirt layered with sheer fabric. “Not exactly an old hand at dressy dates… so I really appreciate the help.”
