Page 29 of Her Movie Star's Secret Plan

Owen turned to see Alexis staring at him from behind her shopping cart.

“Oh, we were just having a neighborly chat.” Owen smiled at her. “Are you hungry?”

“I could eat.”

“Do you want to go grab some food with me?”

“I’d have to put my groceries away first.”

“I guess you have a good point. I need to put mine away too.”

“But, we could meet up after that for food.”

“There’s a taco place that I’ve heard good things about on Main Street.”

“I know where you’re talking about. That place is awesome. It’s one of the nicest restaurants in Maple Creek. Besides Hadley’s, of course.”

“I’m sick of Hadley’s by now.”

“Well, let’s go get fancy tacos then.”

Owen glanced at his watch. “Should we finish up here and then meet up at about five?”

“That should give me plenty of time. Let’s do it.”

Owen said goodbye to Alexis and then finished up his grocery shopping. He checked out and then put his groceries away at home. Just before five, he drove over to the Mexican restaurant down the street from Hadley’s. The restaurant had an upscale industrial feel to it. He walked inside and saw Alexis standing just beyond the front doors.

“They have a beautiful patio here,” she said, “and the weather’s nice. Do you want to sit out there?”

“That sounds great.”

The hostess led them to a table outside, next to an outdoor fireplace with a roaring fire. Stacks of chopped wood stood next to the brick chimney. “This is nice,” Owen said. He took a menu from the hostess and settled at a table.

Alexis tucked a glossy strand of dark hair behind her ear. “The street tacos are my favorite. Either the pork or the shrimp.” She looked gorgeous in a dusty-pink, flowy tank top that showed off her ivory shoulders.

“Sounds great.” He looked over the choices. “Do you eat here a lot?”

“Maybe a couple times a year. So, not that much. I don’t go out a ton.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t really have much of a social life.”

“That’s a shame.”

“I mostly eat at the bakery, or I’m cooking something at home.”

“We should change that.”

Alexis peered at him from over her menu. “Should we?”

“If you’re up for it.”

“I could be persuaded.”

The waitress approached their table and took their drink orders.

When she left, Owen asked, “Would you like to come over to my place tomorrow? I just bought steak and potatoes. We could grill by the pool.”

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