Page 26 of Fraud
We hung up after that, and I promised to give her a full report of the evening the following day.
As I held the plum-colored dress up to my small frame, I felt the familiar twinge of guilt that came whenever I told a lie.
Because the truth was, I was far from happy.
The restaurant I’d recommended over the phone with Killian was a far cry from the loud and energetic club we’d met at the night before.
Duos was tucked away on the outer edge of downtown, away from the few bars and nightclubs the college kids and younger crowd liked to frequent. It catered to couples—hence the name—and had an ever-changing menu of farm-fresh fare that I’d always wanted to try.
Problem was, I’d never had anyone to go with.
Jane had offered to be my date on a handful of occasions when she came to visit, but I’d always declined, saving it for that rare occasion when I might actually have a plus-one.
It was the perfect opportunity.
Killian had offered to pick me up, and although I appreciated the gesture, I’d suggested meeting at the restaurant instead. The idea of pacing around my apartment, waiting for him to arrive, only to have him step into my personal space, freaked the hell out of me.
Plus, it was out of the way.
“Always practical,” Jane had protested, hating the idea.
But it worked, and it gave me the advantage of being able to dart out at a moment’s notice should the date go belly up. Considering my track record, it was a definite possibility.
Being the sensible person I was, I arrived exactly fifteen minutes early, taking a few seconds to check my makeup in the car. I usually didn’t wear much. Being blessed with clear skin and bright, vivid green eyes, it didn’t take much to play up my features. A bit of blush, a little mascara, and I was good to go. But, tonight, I wanted to look more than my ordinary self. So, I’d applied eyeliner and a pale lipstick that paired well with the color of my dress.
I looked pretty damn good.
Killian must have agreed because, the moment I stepped into view, after walking the short distance from my car to the restaurant, his face lit up like a Christmas tree.
“Do you always arrive early to everything as well?” he asked as his eyes took me in.
I took some time to do the same. I wasn’t disappointed. That same blue gaze I’d gotten lost in the night before followed my own, and I felt a chill go up my spine. His tall, lean frame reminded me of an Olympic swimmer, and I instantly wondered what he had going on underneath that jacket and tie.
“Unless I’m hungover from doing tequila shots, yes,” I finally answered, my voice cracking, leading to my utter embarrassment.
He laughed, tiny crinkles forming around the corners of his eyes. “Sorry about that. If it helps, I was hurting myself this morning.”
Nodding, I replied, “It does actually. Thanks.”
“So, you ready to do this?” he asked, holding out his hand.
Reaching out, my fingers barely touched his, sending a jolt of heat straight to my belly. “Only if you are.”
“Oh, I’ve been waiting for this for what seems like forever,” he replied, leading me toward the double doors.
Before I had a chance to comment on his odd choice of words, the hostess greeted us, her exuberant, friendly smile erasing any previous thoughts I’d had, and she escorted us to our table. Killian, ever the gentleman, pulled out my chair and waited for me to be seated. It was unnecessary but thoughtful all the same.
After our water glasses were filled, the hostess left us with our menus, and then, there was nothing but silence.
Oh God. This is the part where we have to talk.
Say something, Kate.
Anything…
“So, why this place?” Killian asked, placing his menu on the table to give me his full attention.
I sighed in relief. I was never a great conversation starter.
