Page 10 of Come Back to Me

I can’t help but chuckle.

On the street, she slips her hand into mine. I could get used to this candid trait of hers. It removes some of the pressure of not knowing what she’s thinking or how she feels about me. It’s direct. It’s honest. And not something I’ve ever experienced.

After two blocks and passing three people Giana is friendly with, she pulls me into a small restaurant. Though the term restaurant is a bit of a stretch. The Pines is a bar that serves food, beer, and spirits. It’s dark but cozy at the same time. Music streams from a large jukebox in the back of the restaurant.

As soon as we sit at a small two-seater table in the corner, Giana’s shoulders visibly relax. Her face is brighter too. A sweet smile tugs at her red lips when a young waitress comes to take our order.

She orders for me as I sit there in utter amazement at the beautiful, confident woman across from me. I squeeze in athank youbefore the waitress scurries off. I set the menu down before I even had the chance to open it. I don’t even know what she ordered for me, and I don’t much care.

“What?” She straightens.

I shake my head, an easy smile spreading on my lips. “Nothin’. Just can’t help but admire you.”

A blush tints her cheeks as she dips her chin. She tucks her long auburn hair behind her ear.

The waitress returns, sliding two glasses in front of us, filled withgolden liquid.

“Thanks, ma’am.” I pick up mine but wait for Giana to take a drink of hers first. I revel in her reaction when she does. There’s a soft smile on her lips, and her eyes close for an extra long moment. Her shoulders relax even more. I suck down a drink, and the bubbles tickle my nose. Now I understand Giana’s reaction. It’s better than any beer I’ve ever tasted in Texas.

“Now that we’ve got our beer, let’s talk about the cabin. And the finances.”

“It’s all business with you, isn’t it?” I smirk, leaning back in my chair.

“We were coming to dinner tonight to discuss the loan, were we not?”

“Nah, you’re right. But I’d be lying if I said that was myonlyreason for asking you out tonight.”

She leans across the table, and I can’t help from allowing my gaze to drift to the subtle cleavage now on display. “Mr. Moretti, do you have any intent on going through with this? Or were you simply trying to get a date?”

“Darlin’, I can assure you my business intentions are pure. But,” I say, bending so we’re looking one another right in the eyes, “I cannot, however, guarantee the rest of my intentions are wholesome. Because ever since I saw you, I haven’t been able to stop fantasizing about you. I can’t get you outta my damn mind.”

My heart hammers in my chest like a jackhammer. Being so blunt with a woman means giving her the opportunity to stomp all over my heart. And I’ve never had to work so hard at this before.

Giana’s eyes widen, and her red lips screw up tight. I hold my breath.

“Well, then that makes two of us,” she says.

I bark out a laugh, relief fillingme.

“My question for you is, are we going to let one get in the way of the other?” She tilts her head.

“The way I see it, the two go hand in hand.”

She frowns. “How so?”

“Sugar, I not only want to go into business with you, but I’d also like to go into…you.” My face heats after the words are out. That line sounded so much better in my head. Anticipation spreads through my limbs while I wait for her reply, and I swear my perspiration must be visible. Maybe she didn’t even catch my meaning.

She leans back, swiping her glass from the table and taking a long swig. My attention zones in on her neck, at the freckled and glowing skin. It calls to my lips.

When she sets her beer back down, she finally speaks, “Let’s start with business. But I might be open to the idea of your other proposition.”

“Yeah?” My brows shoot up. “When?”

She snorts a light laugh behind a cupped hand. “I don’t know. Dinner first. Maybe we make it through our meeting at the bank tomorrow. The wedding? Then…we’ll see.”

We’ll see.

I allow the words to settle in my brain.

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