Page 125 of Just for Tonight

Of course, we get to the door of the café at the same time as Jake. If he didn’t look slightly surprised to find us behind him, I’d think he planned it this way.

“Going in?” he asks and Sloane nods agreement. Jake holds the door for me, and Sloane (being Sloane) saunters into the restaurant ahead of me. Jake lifts a brow and our gazes meet for an electric moment. I can see the question in his eyes, but I’ll shut that down fast.

He’s dressed down tonight, in jeans and boots and a leather jacket.

“It’s Mackenzie, right?” he says as if struggling to remember me. “Mackenzie Rhodes?”

He’s following my dating rules for Empire again, and I have to love that. “Yes, we met a few months ago. How nice of you to remember.”

A wicked glint lights his eyes, though no one can see it but me. “How is that parcel of land working out?”

“Very well. We’ve done all the soil tests and were just confirming the shipment of vines for the spring.” I gesture. “This is Sloane Lorrimer, my assistant viticulture manager.”

They exchange a nod, Sloane’s interest clearly on the board of specials.

“I’m glad to hear all is on track,” Jake says, as if he doesn’t want to end the conversation.

“You must still be settling your father’s estate.”

“Pretty much done with that, although some final details will take their time.” He glances my way, giving me a very blue look. “I’m just down here to move a mountain.”

I remember his reference very well and I can’t tear my gaze from his.

In fact, the world might have just stopped.

I manage to speak after a moment. “A mountain?”

Jake nods and hold up his hands. “Big mountain. Very big.”

“Then why move it at all?”

His smile flashes. “To prove myself worthy, of course.” There’s a warmth in his eyes that’s making it hard for me to think straight. Is Jake doing something for me? “The problem with moving mountains,” he murmurs, his tone confidential. “– is that it takes so much time.”

Aha.

“I’ll bet. How long do you think this mountain will take to move?”

His gaze flicks to the table where Mike is sitting. Mike waves to Jake as if he could miss seeing his own brother in the restaurant when it’s comparatively quiet. That’s when I see there’s a blonde woman with Mike, her manner expectant. She’s wearing a pink and white suit and when she turns to look, I realize she’s that Dutch friend of Mike’s.

“I thought Elke had gone home already,” I say.

“Apparently, she is back,” Jake says under his breath. “And three guesses who’s on the menu tonight?”

“You don’t like being fixed up?”

“I hate being fixed up, especially when I’m busy moving a mountain for a woman I’d like to find me worthy.” His gaze collides with mine again.

“I missed the timeline on that relocation.”

“End of October, I’m hoping.”

“That’s only a month or so.”

“It feels like an eternity,” he confides, his gaze searching mine. “What if she gives up on me?”

“Are you that sure she would?”

“No. That’s part of what I love about her. She keeps me guessing. You have no idea how addictive that is.” He glances toward Elke and Mike, his manner thoughtful.