Page 10 of 40 and Flirting (with Disaster)
“Right?” Scarlett agreed.
“You were attractive before,” Claire said, her dark eyes twinkling, “but damn, Iris!”
“Tell me how you really feel,” Iris teased the younger woman.
Everyone laughed. Her friends exclaimed over her makeup, her dress, the glittery gold heels on her feet, every last detail of her “transformation” until Emme came in to announce that a car had arrived to pick them up. Iris lingered at the mirror a moment longer, reveling in the delight that filled her at the woman staring back at her, the exciting realization that the woman was her, before rushing to gather her things.
Dinner was waiting, and suddenly she was starving.
Five
Jamie reached to grasp JD’s hand for a firm shake as the two men met on the threshold of Bourbon & Bone. Lily Easton Lane’s husband had caused quite the uproar when he arrived in Black Wolf’s Bluff last year, planning to develop his family property. So much uproar they’d even heard about it in Gatlinburg. Jamie had met the man more than once at local civic events, not to mention hosting the rehearsal dinner for the couple’s Christmas wedding a few months ago.
“Glad you could join us,” JD said. “It’s nice to have a bit more testosterone at the table.”
Jamie grinned. “Hey, I’m just here to bask in the estrogen.”
Carter, Erin’s husband, also shook his hand. “Aren’t we all?”
The three men were escorted to a primo table near the back, a round booth perfect for large groups. Jamie listened with half an ear to Carter’s enthusiasm over Erin’s plans for their new house in New York, one eye on the door, waiting for Iris’s appearance. His chest ached like he was holding his breath, and butterflies were lighting up his stomach. As uncomfortable as the sensations were, he also relished them—he hadn’t felt this invested in a woman in a long while. A very long while. Of course, Iris may not have given him a second thought once she stepped into the cab behind the Carousel that night, but if she hadn’t, he was damn well determined to bring himself to her attention now.
And then she walked through the door.
Jamie’s breath stopped. It was the Iris he’d expected, except so much more. Her long hair had been cut short, and new glasses framed her eyes with a sexy uptilt. And that dress… He’d known she had a great figure, tall and curvy, but the black dress she wore showcased that fact, leaving him in zero doubt as to whether or not she was perfect for him—absolutely perfect.
“There they are.”
Carter’s voice broke the spell that had Jamie in its hold. Hastily he stood, feeling a helluva lot younger and unsure of himself in the face of this woman he wanted so much. He didn’t like the feeling—he wasn’t the kind of man who doubted himself. With Iris, well, there was so much at risk. So much he wanted.
But was she ready?
“Ladies!” JD moved straight to Lily, taking his wife in his arms for a kiss. Carter greeted his wife similarly, leaving Jamie facing Iris and Scarlett unimpeded.
“Ladies.” Jamie repeated JD’s greeting, but his voice was rough, husky. Iris hesitated at the edge of the space around the booth, her friend Scarlett at her side. The grin Scarlett was giving him said she’d been let in on Erin’s little invitation and the reason for it.
“Hello.” It was Scarlett who replied. Iris remained silent, feeling awkward if her expression was anything to go by. He hoped his smile would help put her at ease, although he feared the heat he felt as he focused on her could not be hidden.
Erin pulled back from Carter and turned to them. “Iris, Scarlett, do you know Jamie Worthington? We’re working together on the building of his new restaurant.”
“We’ve met.” Scarlett extended her hand. “At the rehearsal dinner for JD and Lily, I believe.”
He shook hands with her, searching his memory until it landed on the fact that she was a writer. “You’re the local author.”
“I am.” Her smile lit up her eyes, telling him how much she loved her work.
A hint of mischief appeared too, and he saw Scarlett nudge her shoulder against Iris’s back. Jamie centered his focus on the woman he’d come to see. “Iris, I believe?” As if he didn’t know her name as well as his own. “Call me Jamie.”
“Hello again, Jamie.” Iris’s voice was as hesitant as her body, but her words, his name on her lips, told him all he needed to know. She’d thought about him, all right. She remembered, and the tone of her voice, however tentative, wasn’t unfriendly.
Determination filled him alongside the knowledge. He moved to meet her, take her hands in his. She gasped at his touch as if surprised—or maybe she felt the same zing of pleasure as he did. He held her gaze as long as he could, bending forward to brush a kiss along her cheek. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
Her fingers tightened on his at the touch of his lips. When he pulled back, a flustered look greeted him. Wanting to give her time to settle—and wanting to continue touching her—he turned toward the booth and slid his hand around to rest at the small of her back. “Have a seat.”
It took a few moments to gather everyone into their places, but when all was settled, he was exactly where he wanted to be: right next to Iris, his arm brushing hers, his knee skimming her thigh as he turned in her direction. The scent of citrus and warm woman filled his nose, and he breathed deep, committing Iris’s essence to memory.
“I can’t wait to try the food here,” Claire was saying. “Lincoln has talked about this place several times, but we haven’t managed to squeeze in the stop.”
Her…fiancé, maybe? This group’s relationship statuses were difficult to keep track of, but he thought that was right. Lincoln Young was a well-known chef who knew his food. Jamie agreed—he’d eaten here several times, and it never ceased to make his mouth water with anticipation. “I highly recommend the rib eye. Perfectly aged, everything a steak should be.”
