Susan Mallery - The Girls Of Mischief Bay

“Sure.”

“Me, too.” He leaned toward her. “I really was okay about the job thing.”

“I get that now.”

“I didn’t call right away because I was away on business. The guy who’s building the hotel insisted I fly to Denver to meet with him personally. He doesn’t like email updates.”

“Not a problem.”

“I didn’t want you to think I was flaky. Or not interested.” He leaned back and smiled. “I see the biggest problem here is that you’re too attractive. I’m not sure I can see you as a person.”

“What would I be if not a person?”

“An object.” The smile faded. “All joking aside, Shannon, I’m not in this to get laid. I’m not that guy. Don’t get me wrong. Of course I want to sleep with you. I’m breathing, right? I guess what I’m trying to say is I’m a divorced father with two kids and the thought of playing the field exhausts me. I want to find somebody special. Somebody I can care about and share things with. A relationship, I guess.”

He paused and grimaced. “That was sure more than you needed to know. Sorry. Did I mention I’m not the greatest first date?”

“This is our second date.”

“That, too.”

He looked embarrassed, but she wasn’t put off by what he’d said. It was honest, and lately it seemed honest men were hard to find.

He wasn’t looking to play games or torment her or be totally in charge. He wanted to connect on a level that was meaningful.

“I appreciate what you’ve said,” she told him. “And I get it.” She did her best not to smile. “Especially the part about not wanting to sleep with me. Because every girl longs to hear that.”

He groaned. “Of course I want to sleep with you. I said that. I made that really clear.”

Their server appeared. If she’d overheard what they were saying, she didn’t let on.

“Good evening and welcome to The Farm Table. I’ll be taking care of you tonight.”

Despite the fact that it was a set menu, it still took a good three or four minutes to perform the niceties and order the wine. After their server left, Shannon stretched out her hand, palm up.

“It’s okay,” she told Adam.

He put his hand on top of hers. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. I’m not going to sleep with you tonight.”

He sighed. “Would you have before I said anything?”

“Not a chance.”

He brightened. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”

“You are very strange.”

“I’ve been told that before.”

The server returned with their first glass of wine. When she left Adam raised his.

“To the most beautiful woman I’ve ever gone out with and the fact that she won’t sleep with me.”

“At least tonight,” she added, before touching his glass with hers.

Adam cleared his throat. “Temptation. I like it.”

She laughed and sipped her wine. “I’m going to have to time my tempting moments. You have children and shared custody. How does that work?”

“Friday is our exchange day. My week starts when they get out of school. I have the kids this weekend, but they’re spending a night with my folks.”

“So no curfew.”

“Don’t. You’re only teasing.”

“Yes, I am.”

Conversation shifted to his work and the big hotel project. As he described it, Shannon felt as if she’d heard a conversation like this before.

“Do you know John Eiland?” she asked.

“John? Sure. His company is installing all the plumbing. Why?”

“I know them. Pam and I are friends and I hang out at their house every now and then. I’ve been to the big Memorial Day barbecue they have.”

“No way. Was last year your first one, because it’s the only one I’ve missed. I’ve been going since I was a kid and I would have remembered you.”

She laughed. “It was my first. I met Pam at Mischief in Motion. It’s an exercise studio. We take a class together three days a week.”

He shook his head. “What I would pay to see you work out.”

“Really?”

“Too much? Sorry. I’ll get my mind back in the game. John’s a great guy. And Pam’s a sweetie. She reminds me of my mom.”

“What are your thoughts on Lulu?” she asked. “Cutest dog ever or frightening genetic experiment?”

“A test. Okay, I’m good at these. Um, great personality, very well trained and the weirdest-looking dog, ever. What’s up with the clothes?”

“She’s naked. She gets cold.” Shannon sipped her wine. “And I agree with you. I love Lulu, but the spots, the pink skin. It’s not natural. Dogs should shed. It’s nature’s way of keeping us humble.”

Their first course arrived. Caviar on some kind of leaf with three drizzled sauces. There were also tiny shaved white things—turnips, so they said.

Adam stared at the dish. “You first.”

She grinned. “So you’re not the wild adventurer type.”

“I can be. But turnip and caviar? Who thought that up?”

“The famous chef in the back.” She lifted the leaf and took a bite. The saltiness blended with the faint bitterness of the leaf, while the shaved turnip piece was surprisingly sweet.

“It’s really good.”

Adam looked doubtful but followed her lead. He chewed and swallowed. “I don’t hate it.”

“Then you need to write a review.” She looked around the restaurant. “Pam and John came here for their last anniversary. They are such a great couple. I love watching them together. It makes me believe that true love is possible.”

“Otherwise you don’t believe?” he asked.

“Not exactly. I think it’s hard for people to stay together. I’ve never gotten married. You’re divorced. My friend Nicole, she’s the owner of Mischief in Motion, is having trouble in her marriage right now.”

“That’s never easy,” Adam said. “What’s going on?”

“Her husband decided to write a screenplay. Only he didn’t discuss it with her first. He just quit his job. He hasn’t worked in nearly a year. They have an almost five-year-old and Eric barely helps out at all. I feel so badly for her, and I have no idea what to say. It’s hard.”

“You’re a good friend.”

“Thanks. I try. Now, tell me about your kids,” she urged.

He smiled. “They’re great. Char—Charlotte—is going to be nine in a couple of months. Sometimes I swear she’s pushing thirty instead. She’s bossy and she would draw blood to protect her little brother. She loves anything princess-­related and can’t wait to start wearing makeup. She’s beautiful and I’m terrified to think about her starting to like boys.”

He paused. “Oliver is my little man. He’s all boy. He likes trucks, building things and breaking things. He’s six. He’ll be seven this summer.”

She could hear the love and pride in his voice, which was very appealing. She’d dated plenty of guys who didn’t seem that interested in the families they’d already created. “Do you like having them half the time?”

“I’d rather have them all the time, but I accept the compromise.”

“Are you and your ex friendly?”

“We get along. I regret that my marriage failed, but I don’t miss our relationship, if that makes sense.”

“It does. I like that you don’t call her names.”

“Why would I? I married her and chose to have children with her. Calling her names means I’m the moron.”

Their server appeared to remove their plates. Conversation flowed easily throughout the rest of the meal. It was after ten when she and Adam left the restaurant. He handed her ticket to the valet, then pulled her to the side of the waiting area.

“I had a great time tonight,” he told her.

“Me, too.”

“Next time maybe you’ll let me pick you up. You know, like a real date.”