Page 38 of What Started In Deception

She laughed. “That makes two of us.”

“I’ll take it.” He grinned, winking at her. “I didn’t ask you if you wanted anything to drink.”

She shook her head, struggling not to pay attention to how devastating he looked. “I’m okay for now, but thanks.”

He leaned his powerful arms against the black metal. “So, how was the workshop?”

She groaned, leaning on the railing like he did. “I had to work really hard to stay awake.”

He laughed again. “It was that good, huh?”

She rolled her eyes. “It was so boring. They PowerPointed us to death. Thank goodness Camille was there. But thank goodness even more that it was the only workshop I signed up for this summer.”

“Well, hopefully dinner will be a little more entertaining. Do you want to eat?”

She nodded. “I would love to. I’m starving.”

“Great.” He stood straight. “Everything’s pretty much ready. We can plate it up.”

“That sounds perfect,” she said as she headed back toward the door.

“Lyd,” he said, falling into step beside her, snagging her hand.

She looked at him, automatically lacing her fingers with his.

“You didn’t tense up on me this time.”

She shrugged. “I guess you reaching for my hand isn’t much of a surprise anymore.”

“That’s what we’re aiming for.”

She studied her hand swallowed up by his, deciding that she didn’t necessarily mind that this was part of their deal. “You have big hands.”

He puffed out a breath. “You should see the rest of me.”

She couldn’t help but grin and roll her eyes as he smiled at her, clearly teasing. “No, thanks.”

“I was talking about my feet.” He held up his right foot, wiggling his toes.

She laughed. “Right.”

He chuckled as he tossed her a wink, giving her shoulder a bump with his arm. “Come on. Let’s get some food.”

“Okay.” She grinned again, shaking her head as they started down the stairs. Ty certainly kept things interesting.

Twenty minutes later, Ty sat across from Lydia at the outdoor table, studying the way the evening sunlight accentuated her flawless skin as she took another bite of her dinner. Her V-neck and thin spaghetti straps offered up an excellent view of sexy shoulders and the slightest tease of fantastic cleavage that he was trying his damnedest to ignore.

“This is so good, Ty.”

He snapped back to attention, focusing on his food instead of how spectacular she looked in her outfit. “I’m glad you like it.”

She shook her head. “I love it. The sauce is amazing, and you cooked the pasta perfectly al dente. The salad is delicious, too.”

He certainly didn’t mind that she thought he was a good cook. “There’s plenty more if you want it.”

“Thanks,” she said.

He nodded. “No problem.”