Page 10 of Wine & Dine

I wait for a beat and then reconsider my accolades. Maybe you don’t want her to ask.

“I own a diner,” she says matter-of-factly. I’m surprised, and my head swivels in her direction again. “A woman’s place is in the kitchen, my father would say, but my grandmother disagreed. She said a woman should only be in the kitchen if she owns it. In my case, I own the diner, thanks to her.” She pauses and turns to face me. “I suppose now you’ll say something snarky about me running a small business as if it doesn’t compare to your big one.”

“Actually, no. Small business was the foundation of this country. It’s how I got my start as well. I invest in a startup company, help them grow, and then either sell off my portion or help them sell their business.”

Her lips curl outward, and for once, she seems impressed, but what shocks me is how impressed I am with her. For as disheveled as she looks, she sounds intelligent.

I clear my throat.

“So, let’s talk about your boyfriend, not a husband, right?” I tease. She hadn’t answered my question about the missing ring, and it’s on principle that I clarify. Denton hadn’t mentioned his sister was attached to anyone, and I don’t know why I’m digging. However, that text raised the hairs on my neck and not necessarily in a good way.

“Neither,” she states; her voice low and disinterested.

Single. Okay, interesting. But he was someone if he was mentioning her unmentionable.

“Friends with benefits, then? I’m cool with that.” I had Alicia although she was a leash...on me.

“Not exactly that, either.” Her hands disappear into her sweater, and she hugs herself tighter.

“Sex buddies?” I joke. I don’t picture her as the casual type, but we all need to get off somehow. My eyes drift to her legs, curious about them wrapped around some guy. Strangely, I don’t like the thought.

She doesn’t answer me, keeping her lips closed, and her thoughts quiet. We fall into a tense silence, and I wonder what she’s holding in over there. I shouldn’t care. I don’t, really, but she seemed put off when I joked about her being the type to wear a ring. I just meant some man should put one on her and claim her as his. I’d do that if I had a woman with legs like hers…if I did that kind of thing, that is, like marriage.

My eyes wander to her legs again. Damn, I’m curious about them.

I shake the thought.

Denton’s sister.

Off limits.

We finally arrive at Nordstrom.

“Ask for Lana. Give her my name.”

Dolores nods without a word. She stares out the window at the three-story building.

“You okay to go alone?” The question rings in my tone. I don’t know why, but I’m worried. This is not my thing. I leave the shopping up to Lana. But I have a strange feeling I shouldn’t leave Dolores.

“I’m good alone.” Her comment is cryptic. She steps out of the car, but stands on the sidewalk, holding the door as she peers up at the store. Then she quickly turns, something filling her face, and I anticipate her asking me to join her. My heart races as I almost want her to say come with me. Instead, she says, “Thank you for the ride.”

Huh. Not what I was expecting.

“Here, give me your phone,” I demand, reaching across the passenger seat with my open palm. Her forehead furrows. “I’ll give you my number in case you need anything.”

She hands me her phone, and I enter the digits. “Now text me.” Her brows pinch, but she does as I command. “Now I have yours.” Her lips twist, but it isn’t disapproving. She seems to be fighting a smile.

A car honks behind me, and Dolores jolts. The door closes without another word from her. She stands with her back to me, and my stomach swirls. I should go with her, but the asshole behind me honks again.

Coasting forward, I flip up my middle finger at the anxious honker. I roll up to the corner, willing myself not to look back, but my eyes are pulled to the rearview mirror. Dolores is still standing on the sidewalk, staring up at the building.

“Come on, sweetheart. One step in front of the other,” I mutter aloud in my empty car.

As if she heard me, she moves forward, and I turn into traffic with a sigh of relief.

+ + +

Tonight lover?