Page 14 of Cinnamon Strudel
The brothers exchanged a smirk, then picked up the cards in front of them. “Morgan said you invited him for cake.”
“I’d recommend the cinnamon strudel, followed by the cheesecake.”
“Well, that seals the deal for me. I’ll have the cheesecake,” Manuel announced.
Alexander was more indecisive and after a few more moments of deliberating, he selected a chocolate cake, along a wine for each. She swiftly took the order to the kitchen and returned with their drinks. “I don’t like secrets,” she told them honestly. “I would prefer if you told him that you came by.”
“It’s always better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission.” Alexander grinned around the rim of his glass. “Maybe we should just walk you over to his place.”
“Gives us time to ask a few questions.”
“Well, you two better tell him you’re dropping me off, because that sounds like a rather bad surprise.”
“Why?” Manuel teased. “You think he’s going to surprise you in his birthday suit?”
“His birthd—oh…” She could only stare at him, her cheeks as red as a ripe strawberry. “That would be awkward.”
“But clearly something you feel strongly compelled to see.”
Unable to hide exactly how intrigued she was to see where Morgan’s tattoos led, she whirled around on the spot. “I’m going to go back to work now.” She walked off with the sound of their laughter in her ears and by the time she returned with their cake, her cheeks weren’t so hot anymore. “Anything else I can get you?”
“So professional.” Alexander grabbed his menu again and pretended to read it. “Why did you take him to the Zoo Lights?”
“Because I’m Christmassy.”
“But you knew he is blind, so why take him there?”
“Because it’s fun and he still has some vision.”
“Fair enough. What made you ask him out?” Manuel asked, carving out a bite of his cheesecake.
“I thought he was handsome and when that girl left without so much as a hello, I took my chance.”
Alexander’s brows furrowed, and he studied her briefly before nodding his approval. “We don’t need anything else right now.”
She checked on them periodically but didn’t stay long enough to be interrogated any further. Once her shift ended, she walked over to them with their check in hand. “Are you two still my escorts for the evening?”
“We are,” Alexander confirmed, setting some cash on the table.
“I’m just going to change really quick.”
“Perfect, we’ll wait outside—and don’t even think of running away.”
She cocked a brow, then gazed down at herself. “I’m not really into running.”
With that, she spun on her heel to get changed into the red dress she’d selected the night before. She cleaned up her ponytail and added a matching wine-red bow to the elastic. Checking her outfit—red really suited her, she thought or maybe… ‘tis the season—she looked herself over in the less-than-ideal bathroom mirror as best as she could. The final touch was a splash of apple-scented body spray, then she made her way outside.
Manuel and Alexander were waiting by the door, amusement written all over their smug faces. “Your man ismad.”
“Understandably.” They sandwiched her in, guiding her in the direction of Morgan’s condo. “So, what else would you like to know?”
“Don’t you want to know anything about Morgan?” Manuel asked.
She glanced at the man to her left. “I’m sure he’ll tell me when I ask him.”
“We just wanted to make sure he’s in good hands.”
“I believe he has himself handled. He seems like a man who strives for his independence.”
