AllFreeNovel
Share Us
ChapterFour
Griffin
I don’t wantthis night to end, but I know it must. Especially considering Carlie’s contractual rules, I’m obviously not going to try anything on her. Even though I’m dying to press my lips against hers and have been wanting to all night. I’m not sure if she’ll even agree to see me again now that I’ve been a client. I only had two glasses of champagne tonight with her because I was having such a good time; I didn’t want to forget anything.
“You’re quiet.” Carlie’s voice rouses me as we pull back into the diner parking lot.
“Just thinking about how great tonight was.” I glance over at her, running her fingers through her long blonde hair. “Did you still feel like you were a babysitter?”
“No.” She turns her head in my direction. “No, I didn’t. You were a fantastic date.”
I can’t hold back my smile as I put the car in park, even though the realization comes that I’m leaving in the morning and I may never see her again. I cannot let that happen.
“I’ll walk you to your car,” I say, turning off the engine.
I expect her to tell me that isn’t necessary, so I’m shocked when she says, “that’d be nice.”
Without hesitation, I throw open my door and wait for her to come around to my side. My brain betrays me, reminding me that this isn’t real. I’ve paid her a lot of money, and she’ll be accommodating considering it’s the end of the night. The thought makes my stomach turn. I feel real things for her, but how do I know that she feels anything but a business arrangement toward me?
“It’s right there.” She points.
“I remember.” I nod. “From when you came in.”
An awkward silence passes between us. She takes a step in the car’s direction but I grab her hand. “Wait.” Jesus, here I go, making a fool of myself. “Wanna have a cup of coffee?” I nod in the direction of the diner. “I’m not really tired and I could use some company.”
Her mouth bobs open as she looks toward the diner. “Yeah,” she nods. “I could do a decaf.”
“Not me.” I shove my hands in my pockets. “Drinking coffee and then sleeping immediately after is one of my superpowers.”
“That is a superpower,” she laughs as I hold the diner’s front door open for her. The bell chimes overhead, and an older woman shoots us a weary smile.
“Sit wherever youse kids like. I’ll be right with ya’s.”
Besides the two of us, there are only two men inside, so we have our pick of the place. We find a nice booth by the big window and settle in. The air conditioning is on full blast causing Carlie to shiver. I take off my tux coat and drape it over her shoulders.
“You don’t have to…” She wiggles into its warmth. “Thanks. You’ve kept it quite warm.”
“I’m a warm blooded man. Always have been. I never get cold.”
“That works out well for football weather.”
“I’m the sweatiest one out there.”
“Ew!” Carlie scrunches her cute little nose when she smiles. It melts my heart.
“Par for the course, baby.” I open the menu but close it when I realize they have homemade pies.
We order two coffees (one decaf) and a slice of cherry pie to split. “I shouldn’t be eating this late.”
“Why?”
Carlie twists her hair to one side. “I have to continue to fit in this dress.”
“You look amazing. You could eat pie all day and still be beautiful.”
Her eyes flash to mine, and I wonder if I’ve said something totally out of line. “You don’t have to say that.” She rolls her eyes. “Technically, the date’s over, and you’re off the hook.”
“I’m a lot of things, Carlie, but I’m not a liar. You’re gorgeous.” Her cheeks flush an adorable shade of crimson.
