Page 32 of Chasing the Dream

They were laughing when a man approached their table. “You must be Gabe and Morgan. I’m Bryan Jameson. Welcome.”

Gabe immediately stood up and shook Bryan’s hand. Morgan started to get up too, but Bryan motioned her back down.

He extended his hand across the table and shook hers, holding it a touch longer than necessary, in Gabe’s opinion. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Bryan said, his gaze lingering on Morgan.

Gabe shifted in his seat, suddenly feeling like an intruder. It was obvious that Bryan found her attractive, and it appeared like the feeling might be mutual.

“Thanks for inviting us tonight,” Gabe said, hoping to shift Bryan’s attention away from Morgan.

“Glad you could make it. As you can see, we’re pretty busy, so I won’t be able to talk much.”

“No problem,” Gabe replied. “We can entertain ourselves, right, Morgan?”

“Absolutely,” she said, smiling up at Bryan.

Dammit. He’d been right. She had the hots for this guy! Gabe studied Bryan to determine what was appealing about him, but then he felt stupid and averted his eyes.

“If there’s anything you need, anything at all, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ve got a great staff, and as you know, Gabe, that’s half the battle.”

Gabe nodded even though Bryan had shifted his attention to Morgan again. “How long have you two worked together?”

“Just a few weeks,” she replied.

“But we’ve known each other for years,” Gabe added pointedly.

“You’re friends, then?”

This guy was starting to irritate him, but since he was a potential client, Gabe sucked it up. “Yes.”

“Actually, his sister is my best friend, and that’s how Gabe and I know each other.”

“Ah,” Bryan said, looking pleased with her answer.

In the meantime, Gabe was scowling at her, but she hadn’t even noticed. Thankfully, they were interrupted by the waitress, who’d brought their food.

“Well, enjoy your dinner. You should order dessert too. Our hot fudge brownie is delicious.”

“Maybe we will. Thanks,” Morgan said.

After Bryan and the waitress left, Gabe leaned forward and hissed, “What are you doing?”

She’d already picked up her fork, and she paused, looking confused. “What do you mean?”

“You were flirting with our client. Our client.”

She glanced around and then leaned forward as well. “What on earth are you talking about?”

“Are you denying it?”

“Denying what? I didn’t do anything!”

“You didn’t look at him with doe eyes and a seductive smile?”

Narrowing her gaze, she hissed, “Seductive smile? If that were true, then you flirted with the hostess and our waitress!”

“There are different types of smiles. There’s the polite kind like this.” He cracked a semi-smile that barely showed his teeth. “Then there’s the flirty smile like this.” This time, he gave her his best grin, lips parted, teeth showing, and cheeks hurting—that was how he knew he’d done it right.

“You’re ridiculous. I did not smile at him like that.”